Persona 6: REM
Chapter 19: 9/24
Previous Chapter Next ChapterSeptember 24th, 2019
Monday
Cloudy
Morning
Starlight didn’t expect Pinkie Pie to come to school today, so she wasn’t surprised to see that she was still holed up in her room. She also wasn’t too surprised that Trixie was still being a bit distant after last night. She was worried, but she understood. Truth was, Starlight didn’t have a better answer for Trixie. The wound was still fresh, after all.
As such, today she spent most of the walk to school alone, with just her thoughts as her companion.
She didn’t really notice it till now, but she was starting to prefer being around her friends when she was on her way to school. Before she preferred the loneliness, or at least she thought she did. Now though, Starlight found herself being almost disappointed when no one could join her for these walks.
It took a bit for the train to arrive. While waiting, her thoughts went to the events of their last raid inside Pinkie Pie’s Dungeon. Should she consider it a failure? Was it a success? They did manage to save Pinkie Pie from that tree monster, but it didn’t seem like she gained any hope afterward. If she did, it was snuffed out almost immediately by Fleur’s Shadow. She looked down the tracks and saw her train ride up, one of the doors stopping right in front of her. Maybe that was a good omen or something.
“Hold that door!” Starlight heard some cry out as she entered the train. She looked and saw Rainbow Dash running up to the platform. Starlight stood in between the doors preventing them from closing, which allowed Rainbow Dash to push through, “Thanks, Leader. I can’t afford to be late again this month, or else Harshwhinny’s going to throw a fit.”
“Please stand clear of doors.”
“Ah shaddup, ya insensitive computer!” Rainbow Dash fussed at the computerized voice of the train. That got Starlight to giggle. This was why she enjoyed having her friends beside her.
The two of them managed to find a seat together on the train and sat down.
“How’s Pinkie Pie?” Starlight asked Rainbow Dash, who sighed rubbing her eyes.
“I think she’s a bit better after we rescued her last night, but she’s still got this defeated look in her eyes,” Rainbow Dash explained, “What about Trixie?” Starlight shook her head and explained a bit about what happened last night when she left, “Damn, she’s that messed up, huh? I really hope the rumors aren’t true then.”
Starlight raised an eyebrow, her heart racing for some reason.
“I heard some of the guys on the football team saying something about his Dad complaining to the school,” Rainbow Dash shrugged, “Don’t know if it’s true or not though.”
“You don’t think Cinch would choose not to expel him, do you?” Starlight asked nervously.
“This is the same woman who chose not to let Pinkie Pie leave early after being sexually harassed. I wouldn’t be surprised,” Rainbow Dash rubbed her eyes groaning, “You’re new, so you don’t know, but Cinch is one of those principals who cares mostly about the school’s rep than the people in school.”
Meaning the reason she didn’t let Pinkie Pie leave early was because it would mess up her attendance, and thus mess with the reputation of the school as a whole. Starlight knew she didn’t like Cinch from the moment she laid eyes on her, but sheesh.
“She’s notorious for basically going easy on the students she likes, which are basically the kids who’s parents are on the school board or fund the school in some way,” Rainbow Dash continued.
“Meaning Blueblood’s dad?” Starlight asked, sighing when Rainbow Dash nodded.
“Orphans like us she doesn’t give two shits about, because as far as she sees it, we’re just taking up space,” Rainbow Dash looked out the window glaring at a large tower like building in the distance, “I bet he’s one of the people in her pocket too,” she seethed, confusing Starlight. It seemed Rainbow Dash was content to just leave it at that, but it did make Starlight wonder.
Just what did Rainbow Dash mean by “orphans like us”? Was she an orphan too?
Daytime
Science class was taught by a woman with frizzy pink and white hair named Cheerilee. She was super perky and excitable, and actually dressed like a cheerleader for some reason. Come to find out that she used to be a cheerleader when she attended school. This class was always interesting, since Cheerilee has a lot of energy, but a lot of times classes devolved into listening to her go on and on about her apparently tragic love life.
This… was one of those days.
Still, Starlight forced herself to stay awake, if for no other purpose than to ensure that she didn’t get caught dozing off. Turned out, something she said was going to be on a test later. Starlight actually felt smarter listening to her lecture. At least she felt more informed afterward.
Still, her teachers were real characters.
Lunchtime
After getting her lunch she walked toward the courtyard, which meant she’d have to go past the principal’s office.
SLAM
“We need to talk, Cinch!”
Holy… was that… Ms. Tia?
“You’ve got some nerve storming into my office like this, Celestia,” Cinch said.
“I’ve got some nerve?! I just heard that Blueblood’s expulsion was “under consideration”! What does that mean?!” Celestia shouted. Starlight’s heart threatened to beat out of her chest. She’d never heard Celestia sound this outraged before.
“Exactly what it sounds like. It’s under consideration.”
“What’s there to consider?!”
“Quite a lot, to be honest,” Starlight heard Cinch stand up and apparently walk toward her window, “This situation is a lot more complicated than you seem to think.”
“He abused one of my children!” Celestia seethed, sounding like she was about to explode, “How is it any more complicated than that?!”
“Considering what Blueblood revealed about their relationship, quite a bit. Celestia, what do you know about your “child’s” relationships?”
No… that asshole didn’t…
“Nothing more than she’s willing to share,” Celestia stated, “I find it’s best to not dive into my children’s private life.”
“Well, turns out Beatrix’s relationship with Blueblood was a bit on the… kinky side, if you get my meaning.”
Starlight saw red at that moment. That motherfucker actually did.
“What are you implying…?” Celestia asked, a dangerous edge in her voice.
“Only that it’s rather odd that they had that sort of relationship, and now Beatrix is claiming that Blueblood abused her.”
“The nature of their relationship has nothing to do with this,” Celestia seethed, “My child claimed that Blueblood abused her, and I believe her.”
“Which is another issue here. You’re biased.”
“What are you-”
“Your job isn’t to be a mother to Beatrix. Last I checked, she already has one of those. The special treatment you give your “children”, as you insist on calling them, is starting to irritate me.”
“The way I choose to handle my children is my business, not yours, Cinch,” Celestia said, her voice so low and filled with hatred that Starlight could barely hear her.
“Regardless, I’m going to be the voice of reason here, so I’ll be investigating this further,” Cinch said with an air of finality, “You’re dismissed, Celestia.”
“You-”
“Oh, and I expect to see Pinkamena in class tomorrow,” Cinch said sitting back at her desk apparently, “Have a good rest of the day, Celestia.”
Starlight quickly ran around the corner, just in time too, as the door flew open and Celestia stormed out of the office. She turned to where Starlight was and met eyes with her, but then closed them somberly and walked back to her classroom. Starlight wanted to run over to her side and hug her, but she realized there was something far more important she needed to do.
She needed to find Trixie.
Starlight ran toward the courtyard, hoping she could get there before-
“YOU FUCKING BASTARD!”
Before… Trixie found out.
“What are you talking about?” Blueblood asked feigning ignorance, “All of these attacks on my character hurt, Beatrix.”
“Don’t… you dare play the victim!” Trixie cried, enraged tears falling down her cheeks, “You told them about us! About me!”
“All I said to them was the truth,” Blueblood explained, “That you like it rough, and that you asked me to tie you up when we were intimate. And now you’re accusing me of abusing you, when all I ever did was try to give you what I thought you wanted. Tell me, who’s the real abuser right now?”
Trixie’s eyes went wide and she stepped back, “You… fucking son of a bitch…” she breathed out. Starlight rushed over to the scene as fast as her legs could carry her.
“Now I’m willing to forgive you for this, as long as you drop all of the charges, and admit that what we did was consensual,” Blueblood walked over to Trixie and reached for her cheek, “Hell, I’ll even consider taking you back.”
“Don’t. Touch. Her!” Starlight seethed, sending all of her hate through her gaze right at Blueblood. She could feel Morgana manifest behind her, doubling her rage.
“And here’s the one who started it all,” Blueblood said now walking over to Starlight, “You just had to pry into things didn’t you? I bet you were the one who convinced Beatrix to make these accusations.”
“You know you abused Trixie!” Starlight/Morgana said venomously.
“I don’t know if that’s what she told you, or if that’s what you want to believe,” Blueblood shrugged, “Either way, I’m not going to stay silent. I’m going to fight this, and with luck, it’ll be you who’s expelled from this school.”
Starlight tightened her fists, trembling in rage. She hated him so much right now, and was starting to wish she had killed his Shadow when she had the chance.
“This is making me late for class,” Blueblood said, “I’ll be seeing you, ladies.”
Starlight watched as Blueblood walk off back into the school, hands in his pocket and pretending to be victimized. She wanted to kill him. She honestly wanted to kill him now.
“Yes, I know, my pupil. We hate this so much, but there is something else we must do right now.”
Starlight’s attention was caught by the sound of Trixie breaking down behind her. She turned to see her dear friend on her knees, crying almost as hard as she did in the Phase last night.
“It’s not true…! It’s not true!” Trixie sobbed, “He’s the abuser in this… not me…! I’m the victim!”
Starlight said nothing, she just scooped up Trixie and escorted her away from the forming crowd. They needed to be alone right now, and Starlight knew the one place where that could happen.
Starlight took Trixie to the back alley of the school, where Trixie could just cry and let everything out. That lasted for a few minutes till she finally calmed down. Even then, though, Starlight held Trixie close, petting her soothingly.
“Am I abusing him, Starlight?” Trixie asked softly.
“Not at all. That’s what he wants you to think,” Starlight said, “I’m sure Ms. Tia would agree with me on that.”
“It’s not fair…” Trixie held onto Starlight tightly as a fresh wave of tears came, “I’m the one who’s being victimized here, not him.”
Starlight said nothing. What could she say?
“This is because I’m a freak, isn’t it?” Trixie asked harshly.
“No,” Starlight said immediately, “You’re not a freak.”
“I get off from being tied up, Starlight!” Trixie cried looking at Starlight desperately, “That has to be the issue here! The reason he’s getting off scott free is because I asked for this! Because I’m just some sexual deviant who enjoys being abused!”
“STOP IT!” Starlight shouted stopping Trixie, “Don’t, you ever say that about yourself again! You don’t enjoy being abused! You enjoy being tied up! He’s using that to exert control over you, just like this.”
“Well it’s working…” Trixie said looking away defeated.
“Then take away his power,” Starlight said, “He wants you to be miserable right now, so we need to find a way to lift you up and empower you.”
“How though?” Trixie asked, “I haven’t felt strong since… honestly I can’t remember when I ever felt strong.”
“Remember when you got your magic?” Starlight asked, “Maybe we should put on a show of some sort. Something like your father would.”
“Something like… Dad…?”
“You were so happy when you found his secret,” Starlight pulled lightly at the collar of Trixie’s jacket, “And you look more alive than ever dressing like this. This person is who you are, Trixie. He keeps calling you “Beatrix” but that’s the past. You’re the Great and Powerful Trixie, daughter of the Magnificent Balazar.”
“That’s right…” Trixie said with a soft smile, “I’m… the Great and Powerful Trixie. And I’m the daughter of a great wizard,” Trixie wiped her eyes, “I forgot that for a second there. I think since we started Pinkie Pie’s Dungeon, I’ve been so focused on her issue that I lost myself. Both Pinkie Pie and I need The Great and Powerful Trixie right now,” she took a deep breath and gave a more confident smirk, “So that’s who’s going to lead right now. Even if it’s just a mask I’m putting up, right now, I feel stronger like this.”
“That’s my girl,” Starlight said caressing Trixie’s cheek, “Don’t forget yourself, but if this makes you feel strong, then it’s okay to dive into the role.”
Trixie nodded and hugged Starlight tightly and lovingly. Starlight was surprised by the sudden act of affection, but what really hit her was how intimate this felt. Despite partially losing herself in how lovely Trixie’s hair smelled, Starlight could feel that their bond got significantly stronger.
“Thank you, Starlight,” Trixie said lovingly, “You really are my hero.”
“You’re welcome, Trixie,” Starlight said slowly wrapping her arms around Trixie, afraid she’d feel how fast her heart was racing, “I’m just happy I can be there for you.”
The two girls stayed in the alleyway for the rest of lunch, since neither one wanted to be around other students at the moment.
end song
After school
Starlight and Trixie decided not to stay out too long after school, only going to get something to eat. Upon returning to the dorm however, they were saddened to see Celestia laying on the couch with a forlorn expression.
“Ms. Tia?” Trixie asked as she and Starlight approached their usually sunny headmistress.
“Trixie, I’m so sorry,” Celestia said sadly, “I heard about Blueblood gas lighting you. I tried everything I could, but-”
“No Ms. Tia. It’s okay,” Trixie said kneeling before the couch and placing a hand on Celestia’s shoulder, “I mean, no it’s not alright, but you did help me. You got Starlight into my Dungeon, and even before then you helped keep me safe from Blueblood a few times.”
“I feel so powerless here sometimes,” Celestia said sitting up, “In school I’m nothing more than a History Teacher, and I don’t have the ability to summon a Persona myself, so I can’t help in the battlefield.”
“You’ve never had the awakening?” Starlight asked sitting next to Celestia.
“For all the power I do possess, the power of Persona is beyond one such as I, I’m afraid,” she said, with so much certainty that Starlight found it hard to argue. Odd though. Why couldn’t she summon a Persona?
“I don’t know what that means, but you’re important to us, Ms. Tia,” Trixie said, sitting at Celestia’s other side and hugging her, “Cinch is just being a bitch.”
“Don’t stop doing what you can do, Ms. Tia,” Starlight said also hugging Celestia, “We need you.”
“Starlight… Trixie…” Celestia wrapped her arms around them and pulled them closer, “Thank you, my children. I love all of you immensely.”
“Ms. Tia?”
They all turned to the stairs, where Pinkie Pie stood with a worried expression.
“Hello honey,” Celestia said releasing Starlight and Trixie, “Are you feeling better now?”
“Not, really but,” Pinkie Pie looked away, “Is it true that Cinch is giving you a hard time?”
“You heard all of that,” Celestia sighed closing her eyes, “Cinch will always be Cinch, and sadly there isn’t much I can do about that.”
“It’s because of me, isn’t it?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“No, it’s not you,” Trixie shot up and walked over to Pinkie Pie placing her hands on her shoulders, “It’s something concerning me and my situation.”
“But she is giving Ms. Tia a hard time because I refuse to come to school,” Pinkie Pie looked past Trixie to Celestia, “Right Ms. Tia?”
Celestia closed her eyes in frustration. Starlight couldn’t think of what to say right now, so just stayed beside Celestia squeezing her hand gently.
“I’ll… come to school tomorrow.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea, Pinkie Pie?” Trixie asked, “I heard a number of students still talking about those pictures.”
“But I don’t want Ms. Tia to get in trouble because of me,” Pinkie Pie closed her eyes fighting back tears, “Everyone needs Ms. Tia, and Cinch might try something like fire her for giving me special treatment! I don’t want anyone to suffer because of me!”
“Pinkie Pie…” Starlight sighed. Something told her there wasn’t anyway to stop her at this point.
“If that’s what you want, then I’ll protect you,” Rainbow Dash said as she walked inside and signed herself in. Pinkie Pie turned to Rainbow Dash in shock.
“Dashie…?”
“I hate the fact you’re doing this, but I also know how determined you are,” once she finished, Rainbow Dash walked over to Pinkie Pie and gently caressed her cheek, “So I’ll keep you safe, just like I always do.”
With the way Rainbow Dash smiled at Pinkie Pie, and the light blush on her cheeks, they almost looked like a knight and Princess out in the real world. Starlight even felt like for a brief second she saw both Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie take on their dream appearances.
“All of us will,” Rainbow Dash looked around at Trixie, Starlight, and Celestia, “Right girls?”
Trixie nodded with a confident smirk, “That’s right. We’ll all look out for you.”
“Even though you have a lot to deal with too, Trixie?” Pinkie Pie asked. Trixie waved it off.
“Please, I’m the Great and Powerful Trixie, greatest witch of the modern era,” Trixie snapped her finger, making a red rose appear in her hand, “Now dry those tears, Princess.”
Pinkie Pie giggled taking the rose, “I really like this new more friendly you, Trixie.”
“Of course you do. I’m the best, after all~” Trixie said with a dramatic flair.
“And you’re humble too,” Rainbow Dash said slightly deadpanned, earning a loud and arrogant laugh from Trixie.
“Trixie is the epitome of humble!” she bragged.
“Please don’t start speaking in the third person,” Rainbow Dash sighed, “Please.”
Starlight rose up and walked over to hug Pinkie Pie from behind, surprising Pinkie Pie a bit.
“Starlight?” Pinkie Pie asked. Starlight said nothing, simply let her caring smile speak for itself, “Thank you. All of you.”
“You’re sure about this, Pinkie Pie?” Celestia asked walking over to Pinkie Pie and gently caressing her shoulder, “I’m willing to fight Cinch over this.”
“No Ms. Tia, I have to do my part too,” Pinkie Pie forced a smile, “I’ll be okay. As long as I have everyone with me, I’ll be just fine.”
“How about tomorrow, we all walk to school together,” Trixie suggested, “All four of us. That way we can send a message that we’re protecting her.”
“I like that idea,” Rainbow Dash said turning to Starlight, “What do you think?”
Starlight nodded, “It’s a perfect idea.”
“In that case, why don’t all of you rest up to prepare for tomorrow,” Celestia suggested, “I’ll get started on dinner.”
“Ms. Tia, wait,” Pinkie Pie called out stopping Celestia. She then ran over to her and hugged her tightly, “Thank you for looking out for me, Ms. Tia.”
“Of course, Pinkie Pie,” Celestia said returning the embrace, “Even limited, I will do everything in my power to keep my children safe.”
“Can I help with dinner?” Pinkie Pie asked, “I kind of want to stay close to you.”
“I would love that, Pinkie Pie,” Celestia smiled adoringly. As she escorted Pinkie Pie into the kitchen, Starlight addressed her team.
“A lot’s happening right now, but we need to stay vigilant,” Starlight said, “Trixie, are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“I will, seriously,” Trixie said, this time without the flair, “Doing this will help distract me from whatever he does.”
“So, “greatest witch in the modern era” huh? Making a lot of assumptions there, Lulamoon,” Rainbow Dash said with a smirk. Trixie gave her standard arrogant laugh.
“Aim for the moon, and you’ll hit the stars~! I’m merely aiming for the top!” Trixie said jovially. Personally, Starlight preferred this version of Trixie over the more sad and depressed Trixie she was earlier.
“Celestia said we should rest up tonight, so no going into the Phase tonight,” Starlight said, “Also, new rule. We only go into Dungeons on nights where all of us feel comfortable going in.”
“I think I would like another night to gather my thoughts,” Trixie said, “Today was stressful for me, you know?”
“I won’t go near Pinkie Pie’s Dungeon, but there is something I wanna find there,” Rainbow Dash said.
“What’s that?” Trixie asked.
“Well, you were telling me earlier how one of those books taught you your Dad’s secret,” Rainbow Dash said, “And I know that you have a few psychic abilities from that place too, Leader.”
“You want to try and find a power there for yourself?” Starlight asked.
“Nothing flashy. Just something that’ll help take some heat off of Pinkie Pie,” Rainbow Dash said. Starlight asked her if she wanted some company, but Rainbow Dash shook her head, “I’m sure Twilight will be there with me, so that should be enough. You guys just get some rest, okay?”
Starlight nodded, choosing to just let Rainbow Dash do her thing. She was really curious to see what she’d get when she woke up.