Author's Notes:

I honestly would have been on the ball for updating regularly, but life has a nasty and sickening habit of getting in the way.

I got sick on the day I last updated this story, and ended up having a good week's worth of feeling like utter crap. And I'm still sick, so it's even more of a pain.

But anyway, this ends Day Three of Day By Day, Moment By Moment. It's shorter than Day One, to be sure, but I wanted to keep it to three chapters maximum. Not because of the fact that it is called Day Three. I just felt that three chapters was adequate enough to display the growing conflicts.

And what kind of growing conflicts are there going to be? Well, you'll have to read on to find out!

Artifex met up with Rainbow and No Clue once their classes had ended. Rainbow was notably ecstatic, while Clue appeared more lethargic than anything. Artifex took quick note of both qualities. He chose to ask the former why she appeared excited.

“Dude! Are you kidding me?” Rainbow laughed, clapping him hard on the shoulder, causing him to stumble; she didn’t notice. “Not only did you stand up to the superintendent, you got rewarded for doing so! I can’t believe you actually got away with that!”

“Neither can I,” Clue spoke up from behind them. His voice was a softer tone, quite unlike his usual earnestness. “I would have thought you’d have at least gotten detention.”

“Me too! That’s why that was freaking awesome!” Rainbow exclaimed.

Artifex thought back to that class. Mr. Solil, the principals, even the students, were all obviously confused and even angered by Discord’s appearance. He wondered why.

“Does the school not like Superintendent Discord?” he asked Dash.

“Hardly any of of do. Well, except for the janitor,” she said. “And there’s a rumor that one of the principals used to date him before he, well, became superintendent.”

“I’ve gathered that the biggest cause for disliking him is that he’s immature,” said Artifex, frowning in thought. “But still… Forgive me if I speak out of place, but it would appear to me that there are more… personal reasons as to this unified disliking.”

Rainbow scratched her head. “Well, there was that one time he made us think Principal Celestia was being replaced by him, while Vice Principal Luna was also stepping down.”

“There’s no way anyone would have believed that.”

“Initially, no, but since Celestia’s had to work hard to hide all the weird stuff that has happened here—”

“You mean, the Sirens?”

“And also Sunset Shimmer’s evil takeover of the school.” Artifex stared at her, unamused. “Hey, it’s true. Just ask her. But anyway, since Celestia has had to hide all that, it made us realize that it was possible that she was quitting in order to avoid suspicion. If the school board got involved and got together an investigation…”

“It wouldn’t be good for any of us.”

“Right! So, when Discord said Celestia was quitting because of those reasons, it seemed credible at the time.” She blew out an angry breath, hitting a stray strand of hair out of her way. “Of course, afterwards, we realized it was all a prank. Celestia was actually going on a private vacation to relax with her sister.”

Artifex glanced out the corner of his eye, seeing a painting of the principals. Next to the painting was one of Discord. While the former had the pair smiling kindly and compassionately, he saw an eerie, mischievous resemblance in the latter drawing. Almost as if it was following him with its eyes.

“Hence, the hatred for him,” he said to Dash once the painting was gone.

“I wouldn’t call it hatred. He’s actually helped us before, like funding some of our dances and events. But we’re still really annoyed with him. Like, twenty-percent more annoyed with him than usual.”

He didn’t bother asking where she had gotten that estimate. Instead, he continued walking, falling silent, as did the athlete.

Breaking the silence was No Clue, who, with a stronger voice of protest, said, “That wasn’t a good idea, Artifex.”

The other two stopped walking, giving Clue their own confused expressions. “What do you mean, Clue?” Artifex asked.

“I mean that talking back wasn’t a smart move on your part.”

“Well, duh, of course it isn’t,” said Rainbow. “But it was still awesome.”

“But that’s the superintendent. He could probably get you expelled if he wanted to!”

“Would not the principals fight on my behalf?”

“I don’t know, would they?” No Clue responded heatedly.

Artifex caught his tone, and narrowed his eyes at the other boy. “I’d like to think so, yes.”

“They probably would,” added Rainbow. “Plenty of other students have had threats of expulsion by others, and are still in this school. Like Sunset Shimmer, for instance.”

“But what if you’re wrong?” No Clue asked.

“Then I’m wrong,” said Artifex.

No Clue huffed, crossing his arms. “It sounds to me that you don’t really care!”

“If the point has been made, then the argument has been won in my favor.”

The other boy stomped his foot. “Artifex, don’t you get it? That man could ruin your entire future just out of spite! Doesn’t that concern you?”

“No.”

“Well, why not?”

Artifex was growing impatient. He tapped his foot on the ground rapidly. “Because no man decides my future, No Clue. No man, or woman, or person. Only I get to choose.”

“But don’t you get it?! This man could easily have you blacklisted from attending colleges! He could ruin your entire life!”

“My life was already ruined,” Artifex muttered lowly.

“What was that?”

“Nevermind that. And besides, I think you’re overthinking this, Clue.”

Clue threw up his hands. “Maybe I am, because you’re not thinking enough on it!”

That gave Artifex reason to pause. He took a moment to look at Clue. The boy was breathing heavily, and his hands were trembling with what seemed to be fury. Yet, looking at his eyes, they held a sea of worry and concern in them. Was he angry, or scared? Vengeful, or fearful?

Rainbow stepped between the two, looking at Clue with a frown. “Dude, chill out. It’s fine, really. Nothing bad is gonna happen.”

“But how do you—”

“And if anything bad happens, we’re gonna be there to support Artifex. Right?”

“I… I guess, but—”

“See?” Rainbow smiled. “If we all stick together, nothing bad will happen. That’s how friendship works!”

She stepped away, and grabbed her belongings. “Now, come on, you two. We’ve gotta get to the lunchroom.”

Even as Rainbow began walking away, a skip in her step, Artifex knew that the matter had yet to be resolved. Casting a cautionary glance back, he saw that No Clue was hiding his face by looking down. Artifex wasn’t sure what to do; would it be best if he tried to comfort him, or to step back and let him sort through the mess himself? Either action had unforeseen consequences that he could only guess as to their potential ramifications.

He frowned. When had friendship become something he needed to predict?

Then again, are we really friends? My words two days ago now suggest differently.

Ultimately, he remained unsure, and remained unsure as he walked away. Clue did follow, but they both were a distance away from each other, and walked in silence.

While it didn’t seem like such a long walk, Rainbow’s reaction pointed out otherwise. “What took you guys so long?” she asked them once they arrived at the cafeteria’s doors. “I’ve been waiting forever!”

“We’re not as fast as you,” Artifex managed to say.

“Right, right, whatever. Now, c’mon, we’d better get to our seats quickly.”

“Why? They’re pretty much reserved for us, aren’t they?”

“Yeah, but I made a bet with Applejack that I could get to my seat faster. I want to see the look on her face when she realizes I made it there before her.”

“… That’s a dumb bet.”

“Yeah, you would say that.” She turned to the other boy, who was lurking a little ways back. “What about you, No Clue? Back me up?”

No Clue shifted on his feet. “A-actually… I have to go somewhere else for lunch.”

“Huh? Somewhere else? Why?”

“Uh… appointment. A teacher wants me to talk to them.”

“Oh. Well, that stinks. You sure you can’t come sit with us for lunch, then?”

He hesitated, and Artifex saw him thinking it over. After a moment, Clue said, “S-sorry. I can’t skip this.”

“Oh, okay.” Rainbow nodded glumly. “Well, at least I have Artifex to have fun with. Right, Arty?” She gave him a playful punch to the shoulder, and he rolled his eyes. “Anyway, No Clue, we’ll see you later, right?”

“Yeah, I guess,” he said. “Um… bye.” He swiftly grabbed his bags, and walked away, not stopping to look back.

Rainbow put her hands on her hips. “Huh. He doesn’t look at all excited.”

“Would you be if you had to be called away by a teacher?”

“No, I wouldn’t. Still, though… think we ought to go after him, cheer him up?”

Artifex frowned. “… Not quite. I think this is something he has to face on his own,” he said mysteriously.

Rainbow gave him a questioning look, then shrugged. “Alright. Your call. Now, c’mon. I want to win that bet!”

“… Lead the way, Miss Dash.”

She only briefly hesitated at the title, before shrugging it off easily.

Artifex cast a look back towards No Clue, watching him head down the halls. It seemed like he had no idea where he was going. He looked a little longer, then turned away. It wasn’t his place, he figured, to judge. Nor was it his place to confront him.

Sonata had somehow managed to arrive faster than both Rainbow and Artifex, despite being in the same class as the boy. She saw them coming in, and waved a hand, signaling for them to come over. Soul, Sunset, Rarity, and Clyde were already there.

As they sat down, Rainbow swiveled around, looking everywhere. “Huh. Applejack’s not here yet?”

“Nope,” said Sunset. “Neither are Fluttershy, Pinkie, or Swift.”

Rainbow smirked. “Good! Looks like I win the bet!”

Sunset raised an eyebrow. “What bet?”

“Rainbow made a bet with Applejack that she could get to her seat before Applejack could,” Artifex explained in a soft voice. He met Sunset’s half-lidded expression with a shrug. “Her words, not mine. And yes, I think it’s dumb.”

“Must you make a competition out of everything, Rainbow?” Rarity chided. “I swear, you only do that to inflate your self-imposed ego.”

“Hey! That’s libel!”

“Actually,” said Clyde, “it’s slander since she spoke it. Libel is written.”

“Whatever! And besides, I only make a competition out of some things.”

“Speaking of your competition,” Soul said, pointing towards the back right corner, “here comes my cousin.”

Applejack rushed in, breathing heavily, her stetson hanging by her hand. She saw Rainbow sitting at the table, smirking. Applejack stopped, then sighed. “Aw, consarnit,” she muttered as she made her way over. She sat down next to Rarity, then fished around her pocket. “Here,” she said, pulling out a few coins. “Your winnings, Dash.”

“Thank you, AJ. Fair’s fair, right?”

“You’re later than usual, Applejack,” Soul said. “Any reason why?”

Applejack raised an eyebrow at her cousin, giving him an unamused look. “Are you implying Ah’m late most of the time?”

“Wha-no! No, of course not!”

She sighed. “Whatever. I was late because I had to ask mah chemistry teacher somethin’. Ah’m havin’ a hard time in that class.”

“Well, you do suck at chem—Ow!”

Artifex had to take a moment to think in order to realize that Applejack had, in some way, managed to grab an apple out of her backpack and throw it at Soul in one, lightning-fast motion, all in the course of a second.

He gazed at Applejack, a silent question on his lips. She returned his look with a satisfied smirk.

Soul rubbed his head, grumbling, “Well, it’s true.”

“Eeyup. But that don’t mean you need to say anything.”

Artifex was about to say something, but felt someone tugging at his sleeve. Looking to his left, he saw Sonata with a slightly sheepish look. “What is it?” he asked.

“Uh… I left my lunch money at home. And… those tacos look really, really good.”

He looked at the kitchen, staring at the trays. “… Sonata, they aren’t serving tacos today.”

“Really? Then what are those yellow things on the trays?”

“… Fruit cups.”

“Hey, don’t give me that look! I’m suffering from hunger-induced impaired vision!”

He looked at her for a little bit, keeping his gaze as steady as he could manage it. Finally, he sighed. “Alright, fine. I’ll buy you lunch. I should have enough, anyway.”

“Yay!” Sonata exclaimed, hugging him. “Thanks, Arty!”

“Artifex. Now, come on. Everyone, we’ll be back.”

The two of them got up, and walked away, heading for the lunch line.

“Was that a Terminator reference?” Sonata asked him.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said with a frown.

When he and Sonata came back with fruit cups and sandwiches, he saw that the others had arrived and were seated at their usual places. He noted, however, with confusion, that everyone had odd looks on. It didn’t soothe his nerves at all once he realized that these looks were directed at him, and they failed to let up once he and Sonata had sat down.

The ex-Siren chowed down on her sandwich, oblivious to the others’ strange looks. Artifex also took out his food, but only set it on the table, choosing not to open it. He counted to ten three times, hoping in that time someone would speak up.

Much to his continued annoyance and irritation, no one did. Not even Dash or Pinkie, both of whom he had assumed would be the bluntest of the group.

“Okay, what?!” he exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air and causing Sonata to reel back in surprise.

Sonata coughed, then reached for her drink and downed a good amount. She wiped her mouth with her sleeve, and let out a relieved gasp. “Geez, Artifex! I almost choked!”

He gave her an apologetic look, but otherwise did not directly apologize. He looked around, narrowing his eyes at his friends. “What is it? You’re all staring at me like I killed someone.”

“Wait, you did?” Sonata asked.

“It’s a hyperbole.”

“What’s that taste like?”

Refusing to answer, he continued, “So, would you care to enlighten me as to the cause of these odd looks? Because I am seriously feeling quite uncomfortable right now.”

“O-oh!” Sunset stammered, breaking her gaze. “W-we didn’t mean to stare! It’s just that—well—”

“You took on Discord…” Swift whispered in awe.

Artifex raised an eyebrow. “Who told you?”

“Rainbow.”

“Of course she did.” He looked to Dash, shaking his head, feeling somewhat amused. “I guess I did take him on.”

“As in, Superintendent Discord,” Clyde spoke up from the other side.

“Yeah, what about it?”

“How are you not dead?” Soul asked.

“Am I supposed to be?”

“Unless he has chaotic, magical, reality warping powers like the Discord from my Equestria, you would be fine,” Sonata said. She then looked at Sunset. “Oops, our Equestria.”

Artifex frowned, and narrowed his eyes. “That’s… I’ll ask about that later. Regardless, why are you all surprised?”

Applejack shook her head. “Artifex, Ah’ve only known ya for not even a week, now… but dang. You’ve some serious balls standing up to Discord like that.”

“What, is he really that scary?”

“Well, no,” Rarity responded. “But his position makes him imposing at best.”

“I didn’t think he was that tall.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yes, I guess I do.” Artifex sighed. “Though I fail to really see why this is such a big deal. Clearly you all do not like the superintendent. If push came to shove, I wager you’d have done something similar.”

They murmured their agreement, while Swift said, “I guess we would. But, you’re the new kid. You don’t even have a week’s worth of experience, and already you’re taking on the clown prince of the tri-state area!”

“Now you’re exaggerating.”

“What, were the hand gestures too much?”

“Maybe a little. But I do see your point. This stuff is… unexpected, isn’t it?”

“A little, yes,” Sunset said. She looked away. “Though, in terms of a new person doing something extraordinary…” She shared looks with the other girls. “Well, maybe it’s not so spontaneous as we make it out to be.”

Artifex caught their looks, then turned to Sunset. “You’re… referring to what you did, aren’t you?”

She pursed her lips. “Yeah, I am. Have… have you heard about it?”

“Not much, really. In fact,” he added, raising a finger to his chin, “I don’t know that much about you, do I? Other than you are Soul’s girlfriend and that you come from where Sonata comes from.”

“Oh… well, would you like to know more?”

He lowered his finger, resting it back on the table. He placed the rest of his hand on the table, drumming it with a soft hum escaping his lips. “No.”

“No?”

“Please don’t take this the wrong way,” he said, looking back at her. “It’s more that I think that is a matter for another day. Besides, I’ve still to contend with the ramifications of this Discord fellow, haven’t I?”

Sunset nodded, offering a smile. “How about I tell you all of my secrets at the party this Saturday?”

He gave a small, brief smile back, and said, “Not all of them. At least not the ones you haven’t told Soul.”

“Hey! Sunny’s told me plenty! Maybe?”

While Sunset and the others giggled at Soul’s reaction, Artifex’s smile slowly melted off of his face. He returned to looking down at the table, losing himself in thought.

Either the unsettling realization that he might have screwed himself over was settling in, or the sudden epiphany that said No Clue wasn’t present was. Both situations he tried to reason as small, as things that could be easily manageable at some later point in time.

If that is indeed the case, then why do I feel so apprehensive?

Left without a solid answer, the most he could do was shrug the issues off and hope for the best.

Filled with a need to do something other than eat, he shifted through his backpack and took out his schedule, reading it over. His brow furrowed at something on it, something he hadn’t noticed before. He tapped Sonata on the shoulder.

“Hmm?” Sonata said through a mouthful of lunch. “Waf if ift, Arfifix?”

“My schedule,” he responded, somehow piecing together a translation. “I can’t believe I missed this.”

Sonata swallowed her food. “Missed what?”

He pointed to his sheet of paper. “Well… shouldn’t there be a place for gym on here? Unless it’s like a semester thing where you have it once per semester.”

Rainbow, upon hearing the word gym, looked over. “Oh, that,” she said. “Didn’t I tell you?”

“No?”

“Oh. Must have slipped my mind.” She sipped at her juice box, then put it down. “See, they’ve been renovating the gym for a while now, which created some schedule conflicts with the students.”

“Really? So how come No Clue was able to go to gym on our first day?”

“My guess is that he’s one of the few who didn’t get a schedule conflict.” Rainbow shrugged. “Or maybe they’re letting in a few students at a time, so as not to miss the required number of gym periods.”

Artifex raised an eyebrow. “What does that mean for me, then, since I’ve missed one?”

“They tag it on for an extra day out of the year, or they count it double at some point. Not sure.”

He remembered that Dash wouldn’t really know, since when he had first arrived, she was in the gym with a bunch of other students. “I suppose I’ll have to wait for a schedule update, then.”

“Yep, sounds like it.”

He packed his schedule away and finished his sandwich. It didn’t taste as good as it did before.

Artifex didn’t see No Clue for the rest of the day.

I shouldn’t worry. Our schedules conflict; we don’t see each other that much anyway.

As much as he tried to reassure himself of that, down somewhere, in someplace hidden from him, he knew that he was worried. No Clue’s absence this time brought different feelings. Feelings, such as apprehension, fear, confusion, and a hint of anger. The latter emotion he could not explain; though, if he had to be honest with himself, he couldn’t explain the others.

He also did not have No Clue’s number, so he had no method of contacting him. Why he would want to contact him, at first, seemed strange. The more he thought about it, though, the more he realized that he wanted to deal with those emotions as soon as he could.

But, he couldn’t. Not yet. Not now.

That left stranger tastes in his mouth. Like sour juices. But those juices weren’t juices at all; they were phrases and words and letters, that ran in his mind and down his throat, keeping him silent.. He walked with that taste in his mouth. Walked, for once, while ignoring the wetness of the ground beneath him.

He walked alone. He walked, thinking he had lost some certainty from before.