The party was going rather smoothly, in spite of the circumstances. Both CHS and CPA were getting along nicely, brought together by this tragic event. Bittersweet, but neither of the student bodies could remember their schools being this friendly to one another. And as the party went on, some of the bands of Canterlot High sang on stage.

Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said for all of the students.

Some of the CPA kids didn’t show any form of sympathy for someone who had just died. Jet Set, Upper Crust, Fleur De Lis, Suri Polomare, Royal Pin, and their bighead, Neon Lights.

Even an event as tragic as this wasn’t enough to move their thick heads. To them, Smokestack was still a sworn enemy, and were unwilling to give even a single ounce of sympathy.

“I can’t believe CPA’s wasting time by giving this douche a party.” Neon said. “Especially for everything he’s pulled on us.”

“Trust me, Neon, I know the emotion. The inhumanity…” Jet Set replied.

“Oh did any of you hear? Those five girls who made it to the finals at the Friendship Games? They’re attending Canterlot High now just because they wanted to ‘make it up to them’.” Royal stated.

“Really?” Neon snapped. “They’re leaving Crystal Prep to come to this stupid place?”

“Yeah, they are.” Royal replied. “I don’t get it.”

“Those girls are idiots. They aren’t gonna gain anything by going here,” Neon said.

“Exactly,” Jet Set said. “What sort of things would they ever–” he paused when he noticed something. Or rather… someone…

“Jet? You okay dude?” Neon asked.

Jet pointed to the table in front of him, and they looked to see Coppermane and Fluttershy sitting at a table with some of his friends.

“Maybe we could have a little… fun with them?” Jet offered.

“I like your thinking, Jet.” Neon replied with a devious smirk.

---

Over at another table, Coppermane (Fluttershy's boyfriend), Fluttershy, Flash, Twilight, Pinkie, Rainbow, Applejack, and Rarity were all sitting together, talking amongst themselves. Coppermane had been kept out of the loop this entire time, and was curious as to exactly what happened. More importantly, who Smokestack really was.

“Any chance you can explain to me who he was?” Coppermane asked.

Pinkie immediately started pulling out still screens showing Coppermane exactly what had happened.

“Of course! He was a new student but he was disabled with a horrible depth perception since he wore a glass eye because he was bullied! He’s also from Crystal Prep, and had the exact same bullies as you, but after a series of coincidences he met the Dazzlings and we found out the only reason he was able to use Equestrian magic was because he had an artifact from Equestria and it turned out he's actually Equestrian! So we all spent time with him to see if he was gonna do something like TAKE OVER THE WORLD, MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!!... and it turns out he wasn’t... anyways, we got him to make up with five Shadowbolt girls, the same ones that competed against us in the final round of the Friendship Games, But unfortunately we ended up getting kidnapped by a scary bug queen and her bug army, called 'changelings', ooooh.... But thanks to Smokie, Flash, the Shadowbolts, they all followed us to Equestria and rescued us! We battled with them, and the end result is we won the war, and we blew up in entire city from our fight! And this all happened in the span of a few weeks!"

Pinkie stopped and took a few heavy breaths just from the overload of exposition that she had yelled at her friend. Coppermane was silent for a moment, trying to process the onslaught of information that was thrown at him like a basketball.

“Wow… that’s a lot,” Coppermane said. “Sounds like a really awesome guy, though.”

“Yeah… he was,” Pinkie said, sounding more solemn. Before everyone’s eyes, Pinkie’s hair went from lively and energetic to flat and limp. Her face went sorrow.

“Um… if that's not too much to ask… how exactly did he die?” Coppermane asked.

The everyone at the table sighed, looking at one another to see who was going to be the one to tell him. Eventually, Twilight spoke up.

“He… he sacrificed himself,” Twilight said. “He used the amulet to try and absorb the queen’s magic. But… it was too much, and... he didn't even know it. It caused an explosion, and he… he got caught in it.”

“All we found of him was just a glass eye and that necklace... thing.” Rainbow said.

“Wow…” Coppermane said. “Well, at least he died a hero, right? That's pretty honorable.”

He didn’t get a response, but saw some small, yet genuine smiles on some of their faces.

“How’s Sunset doing?” Coppermane asked. “Didn't she had a crush on the guy?”

The girls nodded.

“A big crush,” Pinkie cooed.

“She excused herself outside not too long ago,” Applejack said. “She didn’t look so good. I don’t think she’s gonna forget this for a long time.”

“Poor darling…” Rarity said.

“She’s strong. I know she’ll make it,” Coppermane said. He gave Fluttershy, who sat in his lap, a light squeeze, and kiss on the cheek. “I’m just happy you’re safe.”

“Thanks. I wish I can say the same for Smokie though.” Fluttershy cooed.

Coppermane held Fluttershy in a tight embrace, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

Fluttershy leaned her head on Coppermane’s shoulder as he held her. At least he was here to help comfort her. Suddenly, Fluttershy heard Coppermane gasp, and felt his arms tighten around her. She looked up and saw a worried expression on his face.

“Coppermane?” Fluttershy said. “What’s wrong?”

“Look,” Coppermane said, his head to the side gesturing to Neon, Royal and Jet all standing together talking with one another.

Fluttershy looked in the direction Coppermane was facing, and gasped. To the side was Neon Lights, Royal Pin, and Jet Set talking in their own little cluster.

“Oh no,” Fluttershy cooed. “I forgot they would be here.”

“Don’t worry, sugarcube,” Applejack said. “Ah’m sure if we ignore them, they’ll leave us alone.”

“Um… they just saw us,” Coppermane said, biting his lip. “Oh no, they’re walking this way.”

“Don’t worry, darling,” Rarity said. “We’re here for you.”

In mere moments, Neon, Royal, and Jet were at their table, with less-than-friendly expressions.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the old gang again. Enjoying the party?” Neon asked with a devious smirk.

“Yep. It’s just fine, Neon. Can you please leave us be?” Coppermane asked.

“Coppermane, been a long time since I’ve seen you. How’ve you been holding up since you got expelled from Crystal Prep, like you should have been?”

Coppermane sighed. He did not want to deal with these three right now.

He felt something grip his hand. He looked to see Fluttershy’s hand over his. She had the sweetest smile on her face, reassuring him that she was there for him. He interlaced his fingers with hers, and gave Neon a sneer.

“I’ve been doing really well, actually,” Coppermane said. “No thanks to you.”

“Why don’t you three go mingle with everyone else?” Rarity said. “I’m sure they’d be interested in what you’d have to say.”

“Oh, we would, but no one else is of any delight here. You girls and boys on the other hand seem to be a lot more… interesting to talk to. And congrats to your Sunset friend for singing the most awful farewell song I had ever had come across." Jet insulted.

Had Sunset been there, she would have been very angry. Sunset put her heart and soul into singing a farewell song for Smokie, and they treated her own feelings and well being as it if was nothing.

“So, how are you all holding up with Smokestack now dead? I mean, I think we all can agree that freak should have been gone a long time ago.” Neon smirked.

Nobody said a word. They weren’t going to give Neon the satisfaction. But to their annoyance, he just snickered.

“You miss that freak?” Neon said. “Really?”

“He wasn’t a freak, Neon.” Rarity sneered. “I’m appalled you have the audacity to call him that after everything you ruffians have done to him.”

“Oh come on, that twerp should never have come to CPA in the first place,” Royal said. “And maybe we wouldn’t have had to mess with him if he didn’t constantly bother us. Just like Coppermane over here.”

It took everything in Coppermane’s power to not get in Neon’s face, but he held back. Those three jerks were lucky Fluttershy was here.

But before anything else could be said…

“Girls, Flash, Coppermane,” said Sunset Shimmer, walking briskly into the room. “Music room, now.”

With absolutely no hesitancy whatsoever, the main group followed Sunset to one of the practice rooms. Thank goodness. Any longer in front of those jerks, and Coppermane would’ve lost his mind. Quickly, they made their way to the practice room.

---

They arrived at the practice room, and Sunset closed the door, locking it behind them.

“What’s this about?” Twilight asked.

“And why do y’all look so worried?” Applejack asked. “Did something happen?”

“We may have a problem. I think someone’s been watching me.” Sunset explained.

“Why do you say that?” Fluttershy asked.

“I was sitting on the steps, and I heard someone fall down. It was right by the Wondercolt statue,” Sunset said. “I got up to get a closer look, and whoever it was just ran away. I tried chasing after them to see what was up, but they drove off before I could talk to him or her.”

Everyone looked intrigued… yet worried. Was someone outside of Crystal Prep getting suspicious about anomalous events at CHS? It wouldn’t be good at all if someone else discovered the presence of their magic. It could also just be a stalker, but even that wasn’t anything to brush off.

“Well, did you get a good look at them at all? Any defining features?” Twilight asked.

“It was too dark to see much of anything,” Sunset said. “I did hear a grunt when they slipped though, and it sounded pretty feminine. I’m almost certain it’s a girl, but I have no idea who she might be.”

“Is someone curious about the magic?” Rarity asked.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” Sunset said. “But I just wanted to let you know so you can be on your guard. Be careful with your magic, and keep an eye out.”

Everyone nodded, making Sunset smile. With that, everyone returned to the party. At least most of them did.

“Fluttershy?” Coppermane said.

“Yes?” Fluttershy said.

“Can I talk to you alone for a moment?” Coppermane asked.

“Of course,” Fluttershy said, smiling. She waited before everyone left the room, and closed the door before walking back over to Coppermane. “What is it?”

“Listen, you already know about Neon and I, right?” Coppermane asked.

Fluttershy offered a sympathetic smile, and placed her hand on his heart. “How could I forget? You poor thing…”

“Here’s the thing… I didn’t know they hated Smokestack. And, while I never knew him, I thought I already knew how bad Neon and his friends were. But if they're bad enough to give him a glass eye... I guess I was wrong. Just… please keep your guard up,” Coppermane said, lifting his hand to stroke her cheek. “I can’t bear the thought of that pretty face getting hurt.”

Fluttershy felt her face heat up at his words. She lifted her hand to touch his.

“I will,” Fluttershy said. “And don’t worry. You have friends now, remember? We won’t let those meanies hurt you. You can be sure of that.”

Coppermane smiled, and pulled Fluttershy closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. She wrapped his arms around his neck as he gazed into her deep, teal eyes. It didn’t take long before their lips met in a passionate kiss.

They pulled away, and shared a loving embrace. There were very few things Coppermane loved more than holding his princess in his arms. The feeling of holding her close and keeping her safe was amazing.

"Want a ride back to the party?" Coppermane asked.

"What?" Fluttershy asked, stifling a giggle. "It's only in the gym."

"I know," Coppermane said. "Just say yes."

Fluttershy didn't know what was going on in his head, but how could she reject an offer from her prince?

"Okay... y-yes?" Fluttershy cooed.

A devious smile came over Coppermane's face, and Fluttershy let out a yelp as her prince scooped her up in his arms, carrying her bridal-style. Fluttershy's eyes were wide as she grew a big smile.

"Oh my..." Fluttershy cooed.

Coppermane looked back at her with those big, chocolaty brown eyes, making Fluttershy's heart melt. He always knew how to sweep her off her feet... quite literally.

She gave Coppermane a kiss on the cheek as he carried her back to the gymnasium to join the party.

An admittedly weird night... but very enjoyable at the same time. Smokestack would surely be happy.

Next Chapter: Chapter 2: Another? Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 58 Minutes