Yeah, yeah, yeah you guys know why you're here. Time for your monthly fix. Although my other stories would be a much better fit right before Valetine's day but whatever. Now what has Dusk Shine encountered upon his return to CPA

But first the reviews

Solon75: I'm trying to get better with my writing balance. I need to outline Starlight over the garden and Siren's obsession. For Moondancer and Lemon Zest, I won't be that violence when they fight.

It's a reference to Lesson Zero where Twilight was freaking about her grades and friendship lesson. Sunset wasn't glaring at Baton switch but since she and Sour Sweet are identical twins and hid their identities. She couldn't identify who was who. Dusk Shine and Sour Sweet will chat before Starlight and the Dazzlings appear. Sunset had the right to be angry with Rainbow Dash. She had to watch one of her closest friends basically attempt suicide.

I figured some of the teachers only care on a superficial level as Twilight/Dusk were the top students and a part of Canterlot's elite. Of course, they're going to care because it makes them look good but if they were regular students then they can fuck off and die for all they care. I picture some of them to Dusk/Twilight to do their job for them.

Yeah the student body is cooked with a capital K. Even the people who were innocent will suffer as well due to the Troubled Teen Industry finding a resurgence thanks to the aftermath. Listen to the Behind the Bastards podcast. The shit that they do to teenagers violates several human rights and caused a few deaths. Yet parents will rather send their kids to a camp or school in the middle out of nowhere filled with abuse and corruption instead of having a mature conversation and taking accountability. Those camps were popular in the early 90s to 00s. Watch Batman Beyond episode "The Last Resort", you'll see what I mean.

TLDR: Parents of Neo Gotham were worried about their kids due to an influx of teenagers being reckless so a doctor opened a rehab clinic which began wildly popular to where only 8 students remained in one of Terry's classes. Chelsea one of his friends wrote a protesting email to the principal which invoked the principal to call her father and then the clinic who readily accepted her. Of course that got people thinking as Chelsea wasn't troubled or anything worth fixing. Of course, Terry investigated the place exposed the cult-like abuse, saved the doctor from someone who definitely deserved to be there and shut the clinic down

I'll do a small sub-arc or plot around that where Dusk Shine visits one of these places to help a classmate. Essentially the clinic takes anyone. The people you won't be surprised to be in jail for life and people who had a mild disagreement with their parents. There's no in-between

I do have a scene where Indigo Zap and Dusk Shine participate in the Running of the leaves. Dusk didn't expose a staff group chat. He exposed a group chat among a group of students. You know meme where people freaks about their private sever got exposed and the FBI are at their doors.

Cinch eventually planned to retire but not in this way. She knows there's nothing she can do to make her situation better. Fighting it makes her look worse. All Cinch can do is own up to what she and take her punishment but not without bringing others down with her.

They've been staring. All. Day. It's so annoying. Dusk Shine muttered to himself as the day progressed. EVERYONE! His remaining teachers, classmates, and other faculty viewed him with anticipation. They're scared. Waiting for something to happen. Dusk Shine's megafile and witnessing Cinch and her crew being arrested. What's next? Or better yet who's next? They played safe. Smiling at Dusk Shine and greeting him warmly as he walked by. He nodded. A total reversal of how they treated him. Dusk Shine smelled their fear and cowardice with every breath they took. He's the most powerful student. Him being the Schola Perfecta and the principal is his former babysitter and sister-in-law. They're protecting themselves. Weaklings. He's in Discord class with Lemon Zest sitting beside him.

"Complete these problems before I get back," Discord announced. His concerned gaze lingered on Dusk Shine before exiting. They worked diligently. Several students exchanged worried glances with each other before someone spoke up.

"Dusk Shine," One of his classmates asked.

"Mhm," Dusk Shine grunted in acknowledgment. Lemon Zest turned and glared at them but focused on the assignment.

"We're cool, right?" Another with braces asked, barely able to hide their stammer.

"Yeah. Do we have a reason not to be?" Dusk Shine deadpanned, peering over his shoulder, chilling their nerves.

"No, no, sir," They shook their heads and returned to work. Some exhaled, releasing the tension in their chest. They aren't on his radar. They're safe. Yet a trickle of fear nursed itself in their minds. Were they really safe? There's no way Dusk Shine gathered all the information himself. Did he have a team? Who were they? Dusk Shine knew what they were thinking. Were they next? Probably not. The past month must've been a cataclysm for everyone. As it should. Dusk Shine raised his brow, calculating the probable upcoming events, and resumed working.

Discord returned. Class continued until the bell rang. It's lunchtime.

"Dusk Shine," Discord called out. He needed to talk to him. Immediately.

"I'm fine, Mr. Discord," Dusk Shine answered dully and exited the room.

"I really hope so but I don't believe it," Discord muttered while shaking his head. He dialed a number. They answered. "Hey, Celestia,"

Dusk Shine reorganized his belongings at his locker with Spike on his shoulder. It reeked of fresh paint and cleaning solutions, likely because of renovations or covering graffiti. Someone defended his dignity. The day had been remarkably peaceful. Cinch's arrest and return were the only notable things today.

"Where is he," Pearl fretted. Until now that is.

"Oh fuck here we go," Dusk Shine sighed, rubbing Spike's head to ease his annoyance.

"It's the first of many," Spike answered, nuzzling into his palm. She's going to ask him to help solve her problems.

"There you are, I need your help to get Spark to talk to me again," Pearl requested if not demanded. Bingo. So predictable. Dusk Shine turned his head to view her. She definitely saw better days. Her flowery pearl hair decayed into an unkempt meadow with a forest of weeds sprouting. She kept her pride, maintaining her pristine uniform. The edges of her mouth twitched. Pearl swapped wanting to cry and roar with frustration seeing the desperate panic in her eyes.

"You're missing a key part of the equation," Dusk Shine replied and closed his locker. "How the fuck is that my problem exactly?" He queried about his involvement. Their relationship was a personal matter. There's no benefit to Dusk Shine inserting himself in the drama. Her mouth opened slightly.

"It's your fault we broke up," Pearl accused as the muscles in her neck and jaw tightened. If Dusk Shine didn't send this file to the ENTIRE school then none of this wouldn't have happened.

"Yeah, I exposed your wrongdoings like any responsible citizen," Dusk Shine countered. He caught the cheating duo by chance when Spark was away. "Did you think I'd turn a blind eye to something like that? I have a reputation to uphold," He cited. Cadance would have his skull if he allowed something like that and had the power to do something about it but chose inaction. Starry Spark is a good man.

"But you don't care about that," Pearl fumed. He never cared about any of this before so why now?

"I do care," Dusk Shine corrected. "You assumed that I didn't care," He retorted before inhaling. "Let's go back to your request to see if I fully understand," Dusk Shine redirected the conversation to speed it up. He's hungry. "You want to . . . somehow get Starry Star to rekindle your relationship after you betrayed him?" He clarified throwing confusion

"Yes," Pearl confirmed.

"How?" Dusk Shine raised a brow

"What?" Pearl stammered at his response. What does he mean by how?

"How do you want me to do it?" Dusk Shine quizzed. "This is between you, him, and Duke," "You're the one who cheated. Stark distancing himself from you is a reasonable reaction after being betrayed like that," He explained, widening the distance between the trio's problem.

"I don't know!" Pearl exclaimed. Her eyes glimmered with a gambler's plea, pulling for any hope of a miracle as their savings dwindled into the void."You're smart. You can figure something out. My life has been fucking hell since we broke up and Duke has been ignoring me too," She whined about her disrupting experience. Spark dumped her in front of everyone after attacking Duke. She and the other girls confronted Duke about his multi-timing. Was he serious about any of them? Both boys blocked her numbers and all their mutual friends avoided her like tomato sauce while in all white. Pearl's remaining 'friends' were the other girls. All hell broke loose when she got home after Dusk Shine's nuke erupted. They screamed, yelled, and berated Pearl, calling her names only uttered in bars and locker rooms. Her parents took everything and sold some of her prized belongings to pay compensation to Spark and Duke's fiance.

"So selfish," Spike growled.

"What the hell?" Pearl muttered taken aback by Spike's speech

"Think about it for a moment," Dusk Shine suggested, pushing up his glasses with his good hand. "Starry was betrayed by someone he loved. He's hurt, angry, and self-conscious about whether or not his significant other truly loves him. Then you want me to invalidate his suffering, get him to lower standards, self-respect and avoid his boundaries, humiliate him and make him like a cuck by taking you back all so you could avoid the consequences of your actions," He enumerated and deconstructed Pearl's request, putting himself in Starry Spark's shoes.

"I'm not saying that," Pearl deflected, darting her eyes for a moment. His lowered eyes didn't believe her in the slightest. A critical lesson he learned was not to listen to what they say but to focus on what they don't say. The hidden meanings and intent behind their words. For instance, a friend wants another to give an alibi or look the other way as they do something they shouldn't be doing. Who's that going to benefit? They become a liar and enabler, shaming the people around them.

"Yes. Yes, you are. How else am I or anyone with a functioning brain supposed to interpret that?" Dusk Shine argued, tapping the side of his head. Memories of Cozy Glow's and Gallant's divorce flashed before him. It'll be almost 2 years. Yet Pearl regurgitated the exact dialogue tree as his childish aunt. Why? Pride, control, and hypocrisy. Selfish people like them believe everything should operate on their terms regardless of the incompatibility. "You cheated on him with a notorious player. Did you think you could've played both sides and still win? If Spark did this to you and he asked me the same thing as you, what would you say?" He interrogated her, picking Pearl's brain and soul to evaluate who she was as a person. Was Pearl going to be selfish by ignoring all her wrongdoings and focusing solely on what she wants? The victim card by making others feel sympathy for her? Egotistical and vindictive, demanding they have no choice but to get back together with her or she'll ruin their lives. Which is it?

"He said he loved him," Pearl whispered with quivering lips and watery eyes. Bystanders gagged at her declaration. How dare she play the victim in this? Dusk Shine raised a brow. Self-reflection?

"I don't know who you're referring to," Dusk Shine commented, unable to decipher who she was referring to. Remorse slivered in her tone. Was Pearl talking about Spark now? Dusk Shine's expression darkened into a frozen killer's mask. "Spark did love you because he thought the love was mutual. Duke only loved you for how easy you were. You abandoned a seven-year relationship for someone who only saw you as a late-night hookup. He had several girls on his team. Were you even his favorite?" Pearl collapsed with freefalling tears splashing on the floor. His words were a hammerblow of devastating revelations making her think that as well. Was Pearl even Duke's favorite in all of this? Duke had his esteemed former finance and the various girls in the grades below and above them. Where did she rank among them? Dusk Shine stared apathetically. He crouched. His silvery tone was acid, inflaming her soul and nerves to the base material. "Neither wants you. Spark is a great guy and you know it so there's no shortage of suitors to replace you. Hell, he probably got an upgrade. Duke is busy dealing with the heavy compensation thanks to his infidelity and the blowback from it. His family will lose major clients. Then there's you," Pearl's woeful eyes met his empty one. There's nothing. Yet there's something. He wasn't angry, disappointed, or relishing her lowest point. A scholar stating the facts. "The worst thing about this whole thing. You still think you did nothing wrong," Dusk Shine scrutinized further. "Want my advice?" Pearl looked up, clinging to whatever hope she could. Her chest tightened. His eye blazed into a razor slit keeping his soft baleful tone. "Stop wasting my time. Take accountability for your actions without trying to shift blame. Apologize to Spark. If you have any form of genuine love for him then stay out of his life and let him be happy. You messed up. Deal with it and don't let it happen again," Dusk Shine stood, dusting off his knees, and left. "If you can, that is," He muttered, casting his final doubts as her features trembled. Pearl heaved, draining her nails, and pounded her fist into the floor. Bystanders raised their hands and backed away in surrender as Dusk Shine strolled past but he ignored them.

Dusk Shine examined the trinket when his thumb felt bizarre markings. He paused. Why didn't he notice them before? Dusk Shine cursed his poor vision as he brought it close. He sat at a window and observed the trinket at various angles to search for any clues. What's missing? The sun glimmered behind Dusk Shine illuminating faint symbols on the trinket.

"No way," Spike marveled. Dusk Shine flipped it to the other side, highlighting a phrase and one of CPA's old symbols.

"The plaque at the entrance and the archives in the school library," Dusk Shine calculated the possible locations. Those are the oldest places in CPA surviving numerous disasters and renovations since the doors opened. Where first? It can't be today. Too many eyes and vengeful spirits around.

"You think that's why Cinch wanted you to keep it," Spike questioned, recalling Cinch's smile and refusal.

"Maybe," Dusk Shine replied and stood. "Let's get something to eat," He remarked but his lab is still under construction. Cinch kept her word. She's expanding his small sanctuary to cozy his time at CPA. How long? Another week or so. An exhausted sigh breezed past his lips. Dusk Shine has to eat in the cafeteria. Fuck.

The B-team barring Royal Pin was busy plotting with the other 'elites' to conduct damage control and draft potential proposals to curry favor with Dusk Shine.

"Hey, Jet Set, can I ask you something?"Neon Lights asked, getting the aerospace heir's attention. "During the friendship games when Dusk Shine started whistling, you were freaking out," Jet's heart skipped briefly. "What was that all about?"

"Shut up!" Jet Set and Upper Crust hushed, covering the Neon Light mouth. The couple scanned both sides of the hallway, waiting for him. Nothing. "He could be listening," They warned.

"Dusk Shine?" Neon Lights questioned.

"Yeah who else," Jet Set scoffed. "Listen. One of the things we learn is that there are some people you can't or shouldn't mess with," He attested with Upper Crust, Trenderhoof, and Suri nodding in support. The intoxicating bliss of power and wealth warps one's perception of reality after generations of people bowing and obeying their most ridiculous requests. Once someone says no or ignores their authority, indignation bounded by wounded pride burns their soul. However, it's something they all must endure.

"Especially the underground," Upper Crust added. The underground doesn't operate on standard societal norms. You can't threaten, bribe, or coerce them in any shape or form, citing their oath and group taking priority. Unfortunately, people need reminding.

"Wait, is Dusk Shine a part of them?"

"Or has close ties to them but we don't know which ones?" Jet Set suggested another question.

"Should we inform the police?" Neon Lights suggested

"Are you fucking stupid?!" Upper Crust cursed in a rare display of profanity. "Those groups are involved with the police but unofficially. They inform the police and help with the more sinister cases," Ironically the Underground is one of their best assets keeping Canterlot and Equestria safe from the true monsters. They're the anonymous tips. The specialists. The extra muscle. The deliverers of justice when justice fails.

"I remember one of my parents' business associates pissed one of them off. Within a week, all of their clients were gone and their business was set on fire," Suri disclosed with a sketchbook in hand.

"Wasn't that the story about how they did it to avoid bankruptcy and take the insurance money?" Trenderhoof recalled. Suri nodded

"Shit," Neon Lights mumbled, removing his shades and gliding his hand through his wild hair. "Which group is he from?"

"There's an elite handful of groups in the underground," Jet Set informed, narrowing the possibilities in his mind. There are 3 everyone knows. "We all use them even if we don't know it," He implied. The underground has fronts masked as ordinary businesses and services. A mom-and-pop store. One of the local market shops.

"Given what he did," Upper Crust added. None of them dared to speak about the chaos from that day. "Only one group can provide him with the skills to achieve it. It's the-" She began when whistling and echoing footsteps approached. The frost of terror locked her words as she turned to the source. Dusk Shine. The B-team's mitochondria shut down and restarted. WHY IS HE HERE?! HOW MUCH DID HE HEAR?!

Dusk Shine approached Jet Set and Upper Crust. Jet put himself in front of Upper Crust but couldn't hide his fear. Dusk Shine smelt it. Jet Set and Upper Crust paled and gulped at his blank predatory stare evaluating them to his standards. Dusk Shine placed his knuckles on Jet's chest and waited. Jet froze.

Thump-Thump-Thump-Thump-Thump

Jet thought his heart was going to explode. What was he doing? Was this some form of test but for what purpose? Dusk Shine backed off and set his sights on Upper Crust. His fingers were on her wrists and waited as well. Dusk Shine backed off and sniffed, darting his head to the shuddering trio. He sniffed and whispered something to Spike. Spike whispered back. Dusk Shine grunted in acknowledgment and left them. They shared terrified looks.

"Anyone wants to eat outside today?" Someone suggested

"Yes," They can't run any faster.

Dusk Shine entered the cafeteria. He groaned. The spacious eating area always highlighted his isolation. That's why he preferred eating his lab or with Cadance when available. The most he was getting was a drink. Never sit down to eat. However, Cinch often urged him to eat with Sunny Flare. Those weren't bad but he wished they were more natural. Dusk Shine scanned for a table. He recorded the division among the students leaving an entire table between them like a curtain wall in a divided nation. Friend groups were split. Miscellaneous students ate together, kindling their newfound friendship during this troubling era. Others were missing. Cadance reported some were suspended or placed on leave until further notice. Although some of them probably ate somewhere else. The outside tables were popular. Some spots in the library once they follow the rules. A few classrooms too. He hasn't seen Ginger or Peter all day. What a mess their family situation was so they likely took a few days off. Dusk Shine found a table and walked.

Bystanders whispered, acknowledging his presence with a tense shudder. They kept their heads down and remained silent attempting to avoid his wrath. Others presented a seat for Dusk Shine at their table with a honeyed expression to be part of the cool kids or 'in crowd'. The rich kids, elite academics, and more. People who'll rule the world and become titans of their respective industries. His people yet Dusk Shine ignored them. Why? Some of them were his biggest tormentors doing Cinch's bidding to keep him isolated. Hell, some didn't need convincing. He didn't know Fleur or Royal's reasons for despising but didn't care. Dusk Shine's presence and achievements made their shining accomplishments look poultry. Perhaps some were genuine in their friendships but emotional wounds don't heal as readily as physical ones. Dusk Shine stepped into the Oubliette area where the Shadow 5 resided. The room stilled.

"Got room for two," Spike asked, wagging his tail.

"Sure," Sour Sweet smiled, skidding over to make for him. Dusk Shine nodded sitting on the bench's edge with Sour Sweet and Indigo Zap on his right. Lemon, Sugarcoat, and Sunnyflare had their backs to the exit. Spike rested on his lap. They resumed their conversation with Dusk Shine adding a few comments here and there. He slid a food container to Lemon Zest.

"Ohhhhhh," Her eyes brightened at the delicious meal. She sniffed the mild spices from the orangish-yellow sauce.

"It's butter chicken. My mom made it as thanks," Dusk Shine explained, repaying the food she sent him while in the hospital. Chunks of chicken floated in the smooth curry sauce on top of a dam of rice with a spread of flaky garlic naan.

"Yeah right," Spike teased.

"Quiet," Dusk Shine hushed, playing the green fluff on his head. "I'm getting a drink," He announced, putting Spike back on his shoulder and leaving the girls. Lemon Zest didn't waste a second and tore into her meal. A mild spice exploded on her taste buds, shivering as she purred while chewing. Was the chicken grilled? No, the mild char and crunch suggested it was pan-fried. Lemon tore a piece of naan, scooped chunks of rice & chicken, and made a mini taco or burrito. Her face brightened, restricting her cheers as she swallowed. The girls shared a blank look wondering if it was that good.

"Spare a piece?" Indigo Zap requested. Will it mess with her stomach? Probably. Will it be some of the best food ever? Absolutely

"No," Lemon Zest denied wiping her mouth with a piece of naan. She exhaled, allowing the spices to tingle her lips. "The way I'll fuck the holy-moly shit out of him," Lemon Zest beamed, gesturing to Dusk Shine waiting on the line. Her amber eyes leered.

"Are you serious?" Sour Sweet deadpanned.

"Am I wrong for this?" Lemon Zest shrugged with a grin. She couldn't be the only one who had their sights on the star.

"Yes," The table replied.

"Come on, he's a total package deal. Baring all the creepy shit Cinch did to get him and Flare, she saw you as a threat," Lemon persuaded and motioned to the archer. Cinch had to blackmail Sour Sweet to get the two to break up. "Sour Sweet, he got you feeling down horrendous like what a year after you two broke up. Dusk Shine is doing something right," She inferred. Everything from the Friendship games and after told them about the relationship.

"I mean you're not wrong but I," Sour Sweet grumbled before looking over her shoulder and softening. "I do miss some of our study sessions together," She confessed, stroking her ponytail.

"Is that what you call it?" Sugarcoat questioned with a teasing grin.

"No, we did study," Sour Sweet corrected before a mild heat twitched her lips upwards. "With a few rewards afterward," She implied, grazing her lips.

"Bet you a burger, you got him quivering his notes," Indigo chuckled while munching on some fries.

"Well," Sour Sweet rolled her eyes, keeping her smirk.

"Wait. He was the purser?" Indigo muttered, jerking her thumb to Dusk Shine. She could see with the current Dusk Shine. The Dusk Shine with a sophisticated confidence and cold intellect. Not pre-Prefecta Dusk Shine. Indigo has only been here for around a year and only knew this version. She never saw the shy or docile version.

"Dusk Shine isn't shy but he needs an open door," Sugarcoat remarked, detailing the times he asked her out to dance during a few conferences. It helped against the more predatory and creepy attendants from both sides.

"Mhm," Sour Sweet smirked and glanced over her shoulder again. "It was . . . nice not being the aggressive one sometimes," She confessed, recalling a handful of their dates. "I hit a few bullseyes myself. I couldn't let him do all the work," Sour Sweet bragged. "I remember one time I overloaded his brain so that his glasses fogged up," She chortled remembering one of their dates to the arcade and gave Dusk Shine the biggest kiss after he won her a prize.

"You fogged up his glasses," A bubbling laughter spread amongst the girls. Some turned and snorted while wallowing in their misery and grumbled about how they found joy in these troubling times.

"It was during a date during the spring," Sour Sweet giggled, resting her chin on her hands. "The damn top doesn't fit me anymore," She grumbled as it was one of her favorites.

"Growth spurt?"

"Puberty," Sour Sweet stated gesturing to her chest. "I miss those days," She exhaled. What would their life be if Cinch didn't interfere with her weird breeding program thing? Will they be like Upper Crust & Jet Set or Shining Armor & Cadance? "Also no, I have no idea if the carpet matches the drapes," She deadpanned, narrowing her eyes at Lemon Zest.

"I wasn't asking that," Lemon Zest raised her hands.

"But you were thinking about it," Sugarcoat calculated.

". . . Maybe," Lemon Zest deflected. Was it stripped or had a singular color? "Dusk Shine better not play shy with me," She avouched, getting tingles at the possibility. Which Dusk Shine could she get? "I prayed to Faust as if he lived, I'll let him smash when those plants went crazy," Lemon Zest brought up casually. Anger spiked in an onlooker's veins. What?!

"You know that was Aether right?" Sugarcoat informed.

"I know but," Lemon agreed before pausing. " I have to do it now," She determined. "You don't play with stuff like this. Hell, I'm fine with going to second base because we're not close enough for a home run," Lemon confided, twirling her spoon in the rice and sauce. "Would Dusk even be comfortable with that? She questioned. His brain was overloaded by a kiss on the cheek.

"Probably," Sour Sweet shrugged.

"I have a chance?" Lemon Zest reckoned. Sour Sweet gave a so-so gesture "Time to play some mood music after dinner and let the vibes roll," She smirked, enjoying the food while admiring the cook as a romantic scene played out. From behind, someone with a snarl had a different story.

"Fucking skank!" Someone erupted, forcing everyone to dart their attention to the sound. Students left; traumatized by Dusk Shine's exposure earlier in the month. A ring formed as onlookers shouted pleas or encouragements.

Dusk Shine slithered through the crowd and tables to see the commotion. Who was fighting? He raised his brow in astonishment. It was Moondancer and Lemon Zest engaging in a bar brawl. The girls scratched, flipped, ripped, tore, and snarled at each other on the ground. Rage fueled and blinded them. They wanted to hurt and humiliate the other. Lemon Zest was soaked. Her triple green hair dripped in sticky cola and stained her uniform. Moondancer had sauce and rice all over her face, hair, and uniform. Both cursed as they grappled and defaced the other's uniform, exposing what was under them. Dusk Shine's face hardened, pushing himself to the front to end this. Students backed off from his smoldering aura, glaring at the pair as they continued to fight. Lemon Zest lost her headphones and Moondancer with her glasses but she didn't need them to see like him. Moondancer struggled to push Lemon Zest off. She chomped.

"OUCH! YOU FUCKING BITCH!" Lemon zest yelled and readied another punch in Moondancer's face.

"Moondancer. Lemon Zest. What are you doing?" Dusk Shine demanded; his low thunderous voice rumbled their bones. The two halted their brawl and met his empty gaze and frown. They pushed each other off, hurried to establish their dignity.

"She started it," Both accused the other before snarling into another argument.

"Quiet" Dusk Shine ordered and they obeyed, submitting to his authority. "Sugarcoat, explain," He directed. She can give an overview.

"Lemon Zest and the rest of us were eating when she attacked," Sugarcoat summarized. Dusk Shine turned to his old classmate with a partly opened jaw. She did this? Moondancer didn't meet his gaze, keeping a frown.

"Moondancer wanted a rematch," Indigo Zap added.

"A rematch," Dusk Shine repeated, glaring at the girls. "So this is the 2nd time this has happened," He questioned the girls but this doesn't make sense. Lemon Zest and Moondancer don't have any reason, motive, or logic to have a nasty physical fight on school grounds. Dusk Shine resumed the facts.

Moondancer was the aggressor while Lemon Zest defended herself. Lemon's soaked form with most of it on her back suggested that Moondancer came from behind and doused with a soda bottle. Moondancer received a handful of butter chicken leading to their floor fight. A catalyst was missing. Dusk Shine something had to happen. Was there a hidden grudge between them but he never noticed because of Cinch? Nothing in his files either. Why?

"The first one was during the Games. Moondancer grabbed the flag and rushed to the podium after the ambulance left," Sugarcoat reported about the game's aftermath. This was a month-long issue.

"Sorry for playing my role while you guys sit on your lumpy asses and did nothing," Moondancer criticized.

"Are you fucking serious?" Lemon Zest snapped her moronic desire to win and be superior. "Dusk Shine almost died and all you cared about was winning some stupid game," Her rage blazed seeing Moondancer as the same as them on that day.

"I wasn't going to let his efforts go in vain," Moondancer defended.

"Moondancer are you dumb or fucking stupid?!" Lemon Zest berated. "He never wanted to be in the games from the start. Cinch forced him. Were you even listening to the audio of Cinch blackmailing him?" She glowered

"Oh fuck off. I'm surprised you can even hear anything," Moondancer mocked, tapping her on earlobes.

"Enough," Dusk Shine commanded and closed the gap

"Dusk Shine," Moondancer chilled. She viewed his scars and burns.

"Moondancer, we're from the Excellence program. We're better than this. You're better than this to be starting fights for no good reason," Dusk Shine scolded, gesturing to himself and her. He urged her to see reason. Both were some of the best Canterlot and Equestria had to offer, pushing to the zenith of excellence in their work, conduct, and morals. Dusk Shine pinched his lips. "I don't know what to say about this but why?" He prodded with a slacked face. Why? Why did she do it? This isn't her.

"She doesn't deserve to be in your life!" Moondancer blurted out, her face hot with shock, rage, and a dash of embarrassment. She heaved, matching her breathing with her racing heartbeat in the silent cafeteria. Those who were disinterested turned their heads. It got interesting. Dusk Shine blinked once. He processed the information and made a face. His face twisted; almost sneering at Moondancer for saying that. Confusion, astonishment, and insult.

"Moondancer, we're nowhere near close enough for you to determine that," Dusk Shine pronounced with lowered eyes. Someone choked on their food amidst the gale of gasps and whispers.

"We're-we're friends," Moondancer pleaded. Her hands tightened, grabbing the hell out of her skirt. Lemon stepped away. Their conversation got personal.

"When you look at our relationship in a vacuum. We're more like associates," Dusk Shine admitted while rubbing his neck. Moondancer's heart shattered with a cannon shot and made a silent groan, clutching her heart. Associates? That's all he saw her as. "Although Cinch likely manipulated our schedules to reduce our interactions," He predicted knowing their former principal skewed the schedules and class roster to further isolate him. "You didn't visit me in the hospital but your sister did. Not a message, card, or anything after I woke up. Twinkleshine, Lemonheart, Lyra, and Minuette all sent me something. Same with CHS. Hell Upper Crust and Jet Set offered their remorse," Dusk Shine exposed. The scornful and judgemental crowd stabbed their glares and twisted faces like a pig on a roasting fire. She called herself his friend?

"But I know you, Dusk Shine," Moondancer pushed forward, peering with her dark purple eyes.

"No. You know of him," Sour Sweet interjected, pushing herself between them. "Besides his family, I know him more than you ever could," She gloated, sneering at the other girl.

"Bullshit!" Moondancer refuted, getting right in Sour Sweet's face. "Who gave you that right?" She stabbed her finger, pushing the archer in the chest. Who does Sour Sweet think she is claiming she knew Dusk Shine better than her?

"I'm his ex," Sour Sweet bragged nastily with crossed arms.

"What? She's lying," Moondancer gasped, stumbling back refusing to believe it. Out of all the people in CPA, Sour Sweet was his ex?! No. They had a short-term relationship. That's all.

"No, she's my ex-girlfriend. We've kept our relationship private. Cadance didn't know about it until after I was in the hospital," Dusk Shine clarified with pink cheeks. Cadance is probably in the room right now observing the situation. Was she testing him?

"But you broke up," Moondancer retorted. Dusk Shine's reveal launched a hammer into Moondancer's sternum. He won't lie about relationships. Her stomach performed an award-winning gymnastics routine with their matching pink cheeks. It's true.

"That's because of my bitch of a mother," Sunny Flare chimed in. Her bitter tone cut deeper than usual.

"I'm the one who has the most interactions with Dusk Shine outside of school," Sugarcoat admitted. They swapped their focus on her.

"Our parents do business with each other so there's a ton of business dinners and conferences," Dusk Shine explained. "She's the only person I know and feel comfortable with," He divulged on their outside school relationship. Dusk Shine trusted Sugarcoat.

"A lot of them are weird," Sugarcoat snorted with Dusk Shine nodding. Both chilled recalling their uneasy experiences with some of the participants. They reeked of knowing the age of consent in EVERY region by heart to barrier themselves when people questioned the ages of their latest sugar baby. It'll be a matter of time before they get arrested for corruption or worse.

"We've known each other for a decade," Moondancer repeated. Besides Principal Cadance she knew Dusk Shine the best.

"Okay, where is my dad from?" Dusk Shine started with a basic question. She smiled, turning her nose at Lemon Zest.

"Nordic," Moondancer answered confidently but that confidence evaporated. Dusk Shine gazed blankly and titled his head along with Spike. Was she wrong? No, she can't be wrong. It's impossible.

"His dad is German," Sugarcoat corrected, arching her brow at the incorrection. Moondancer wasn't wrong but went too far north. However, that doesn't excuse it. Canterot and Equestria had dozens of cultural & heritage celebrations with Dusk Shine, Night Light, and Shining Armor participating in the German festivals. Judgemental mutters buzzed around Moondancer's head for her folly.

"How about my mom," Dusk Shine quizzed again.

"Asian," Moondancer replied. Dusk Shine gestured for her to continue. The tension eased from Moondancer's shoulder but it returned. Where is she from? Moondancer picked one of the big three countries. "She's um Chinese. No Vietnamese," She answered but quickly corrected herself. Her answer wasn't exactly wrong due to China's massive empire and fracturing into numerous countries.

"Korean," Dusk Shine exhaled. Some people muttered to themselves thinking he was Hindu or from SEA. "My mom is Korean. You really don't know anything about me," He muttered with a downcast look. Moondancer denied it and rattled off something, anything to prove her statement. Dusk Shine enumerated all the things he knew about Moondancer. Her sister and family. Her favorite and least favorite things. Some of her habits & quirks which greatly surprised her. Dusk Shine acknowledged that his data might be outdated as they haven't hung out as much. Despite all of that, he knew.

"Dusk Shine, I-I-we," Moondancer stammered a response as she fumbled her words and swelling tears. Several backed away with a wince believing they were watching a break-up scene.

"Please stop, Moondancer," Dusk Shine muttered, pitching the bridge of his nose. Moondancer's body trembled like a disturbed beehive in a washing machine. The disappointment of Dusk Shine's tone. Hurt. Her mouth closed like a faucet and slumped her head and shoulders. Cadance finally interacted, handing Moondancer a mop, bucket, and several cleaning products. She raised her head and began mopping. The crowd dispersed and resumed eating. Cadance turned, widening her eyes at Dusk Shine dragging a trashcan and picking up debris with a napkin.

"Dusk Shine, you don't have to clean up," Cadance informed. He's still injured. There's no reason for him to be doing this.

"I know,' Dusk Shine answered. "I'm the Top student. I have to set the standard for CPA," He confessed and focused on his task.

"Dusk Shine," Cadance consoled, laying a hand on his uninjured shoulder.

"Fine," Dusk Shine obeyed, casting a mournful glance on Lemon Zest. "I'm sorry," He lowered his head.

"It's not your fault," Lemon Zest shrugged, wiping her face with some napkins. He didn't do anything.

"Can one of you girls get Zest cleaned up please?" Cadance requested. She knows the stress of removing curry stains. Sour Sweet and Indigo took her. "We'll talk later, Moondancer," CPA's new principal warned. Cadance is grateful that Moondancer was a palatable subject compared to the leaked group chat.

"Yes, ma'am," Moondancer muttered and resumed cleaning with sniffs in between

"Are you okay, Dusk Shine?" Cadance asked with Sour Sweet behind her.

"Not really," Dusk Shine muttered and shook his head. "Can you give me time to think? I'm not hungry," He requested while flexing his fingers to ease his nerves.

"Come to my office when you have the chance," Cadance informed, giving him a gentle embrace. Dusk Shine nodded, retrieving his belongings, and left. However not without being followed.

Well damn. People are freaking out after Dusk Shine exposed them. Moondancer and Lemon Zest had a . . . disagreement. Who followed Dusk Shine? What and where does the trinket lead to?

Thanks for reading the story. Follow and Favorite to keep updated. Leave a review for any questions, theories or to show your support. Thanks again. Have a good data. :)