As Sunset often wanted whenever she took part in the Canterlot High Fencing Club, the school's gymnasium was completely empty right now. That wasn't to say that she disliked having others about, but when she was involved in something that required focus and precision, which fencing most definitely qualified as, it was best not to have much in the way of noise or distraction. As ever, she was clad in the bright white fencing uniform required of her sport, which she was right in the middle of fastening properly. No loose folds around to give her trouble later on. And when that was done, she then turned her gaze to her weapon. She may not have described herself as a massive sword fan, but there was no denying that her rapier had a certain charm to it. The sheen as the gym's lights reflected off it, the lightness of it, there was a beauty there that she took just a moment to appreciate. But, this time of quiet did not last forever, as a familiar voice called to her soon afterwards.

"Looking forward to the lesson?"

A smile touched Sunset's lips as she looked up, and sure enough, she saw her two fencing partners who, alongside the two older instructors, made up the entire fencing club of the school. On her left was a girl with blonde hair, which was tied back into a ponytail, while the other had hair of bright red, and while that too was in a ponytail it was tied to the side, creating an asymmetrical image for herself. Chucking slightly, Sunset got up.

"You looking forward to it too, Cloudy?"

The blonde girl gave a nod.

"Always do. But, not as much as Rose over here."

She'd gestured to the red-headed girl beside her, and she too let out a brief laugh.

"Hey, I've been in this club since I started at CHS, so yeah, call me pretty invested at this point."

The three girls laughed together, but when it died down, Sunset looked over to the clock on the wall. Her smile faded a little as she finally realised the time, and promptly turned to look to her companions yet again.

"Are the instructors late?"

Cloudy shrugged her shoulders.

"Maybe? I haven't seen them."

Rose looked to them both before weighing in.

"Actually, I think I saw them talking with Vice-Principal Luna a while back. Something about parking spaces."

Cloudy rolled her eyes.

"I swear, that stuff gets brought up every week!"

Smiling, Sunset moved over to a chair on the side of the gym, and was followed shortly afterwards by her two fencing partners. Rose, after taking a seat of her own, soon tuned to Cloudy, speaking aloud.

"They may be late, but we can get used to that. But if we were late...?"

Cloudy grimaced.

"Ugh! Don't remind me! I still remember how they talked the last time I turned up a few seconds over!"

Nodding, Sunset cleared her throat, then started to waggle her finger in a disapproving manner while imitating what was, apparently, the voice of their instructor.

"Now now, Cloudy Kicks! Why can't you be more like Rose Heart over here? She never turns up late, does she?"

Again, Cloudy grunted.

"Argh! Don't! I'll get flashbacks from it!"

Sunset and Rose laughed together over this, and while Cloudy was herself a touch irritated, she too joined in on the laughter after a while. But, the laughs did not last forever, and when it was over, the other two girls leaned back into their chairs, with Rose turning a curious eye over to Sunset.

"Hey, I never did ask, but...do you guys have fencing over where you're from?"

Considering that, Sunset shrugged her shoulders.

"Maybe? I mean, I heard of one or two ponies who might have taken it up, but I don't think it was ever as big over there as it is here."

Cloudy giggled to that.

"I don't blame them. I mean, don't you guys fight with, like, magic and stuff?"

She then pointed to Sunset in earnest.

"Heck! Haven't you mostly used magic to fight over here?"

Sunset, dwelling on that thought for a moment, gave an accepting nod.

"Well...I can't really argue with that. Magic is a pretty big part of combat and self-defence over there, at least for us unicorns. Pegasi tend to use their speed and flight, and earth ponies often rely on their strength."

She tapped her chin a little.

"Melee weapons tend to largely be used by non-ponies."

Cloudy nodded as she heard all of that.

"It's still weird to think on it, ponies fighting. I mean, when I think of a world of magical talking animals, I don't really think of them getting into scraps all that much."

Sunset, in response, let out a rather dry laugh.

"Trust me, there's been plenty of fighting on our end over the years. In fact, if my friends on that side have been any indication, there's been a lot of it pretty recently. Invasions, battles, monsters, it's been getting pretty crazy over there since I left."

Rose, having been quiet for some time, looked down to her sword, then back to Sunset.

"...Why did you join the club, Sunset?"

The ex-unicorn turned to her.

"Hmmm?"

Rose continued.

"I mean, I know you're pretty good at this, and heck you're probably better at it than I am. But what made you want to take it up in the first place?"

Sunset seemed a little taken aback by that, as though surprised that such a question would ever be asked of her. But, after considering it for a few moments, she started to answer.

“Hmmm...hard to say really. I mean, I enjoy it a great deal, love it even. But as for why I started? I guess...I’ve always had a love of things that meant I had to focus and concentrate a lot. My studies, the odd game of chess, that sort of thing. So having a sport where I have to focus on a single opponent, to move and counter-move them...I guess that just drew me to it.”

Rose nodded, but said nothing as Sunset continued.

“Plus...I figured some physical training in the field of fighting would be good for me.”

Cloudy looked to her after that, seeming just a touch concerned.

“You...you think you’re in trouble?”

Sunset shook her head.

“Not exactly. But, as you said, we Equestrians rely on magic a lot when it comes to fights, which is something I’ve done even on this side of the portal. But, a day may come when I’ll need something extra, something where magic won’t be an option.”

Slowly, she looked to the other two girls.

“Guess, this club was a good mix of both for me.”

The other girls, after considering all of that, gave simultaneous nods.

“Well, whatever your reasons, we’re glad you’re part of the group, Sunset,” Rose stated.

“Yep,” Cloudy added.

Sunset chuckled.

“Thanks, girls. I appreciate that.”

But, before anybody else was able to say anything, they were distracted by the distinct sound of somebody opening the gym’s door. Sure enough, they saw that it was their instructors. Two older women, one with blue hair and one whose hair was of a dark shade of red. Approaching the girls, they took on a somewhat apologetic tone.

“Sorry for our lateness, girls. We were just...um...”

“Arranging some better parking agreements,” the other explained.

“Yes, that,” the first acknowledged.

The girls gave each other knowing looks, but again, they said nothing, for the instructors then put on their fencing masks, picking up their swords and speaking in a more authoritative tone.

“Now then...please assume the proper stances.”

And just like that, all three girls stood next to one another, their swords in hand, and one foot astride from the other, all with eager looks on their faces. Seeing that, one instructor nodded.

“Good. Now...onto the lesson.”