Searing looked through her handwritten note cards again. She was offstage, along with her five opponents. All six were kept seperate, to wait for their cue to come onstage. The former unicorn held no doubts on her opponents' identities, and if her thick folder was anything to go by, neither did they. "It's probably a formality thing," she considered.

Finally, her signal came and she walked onstage, past all her opponents: Zephyr Breeze, Glacier Mist, Babbling Brooke, Terra Cotta, and Earth Shaker. All of them seemed surprised that she was there, but held their tongues.

When Searing reached her podium, she got a good look at the packed auditorium. All the students and staff were there, supposedly. Just below and in front of the stage, sitting at a small table with a microphone and cards, was Midnight Stroll, and next to him was Principal Cinch. "And that's everyone," Midnight said. "As per normal procedures, I will ask the question, and the candidates will answer from left to right, then the stage will be open for them to debate and argue with each other for our amusement I mean debate with each other to further enlighten us on their promises and policies."

Searing checked her cards again. "Why am I even going through with this?"

"First question: in ten words or less, describe your overarching theme with your agenda."

Zephyr started. "Convenience for students."

Glacier. "Fair enforcement of policies."

Babbling. "More budget and staff for the school newspaper in order to-"

"That's more than ten words, Babbling," Midnight said, stopping her mid-speech. "Moving on."

Terra. "Expansion of the art classes."

Earth. "More athletic stuff."

Searing. "Simplification."

"We have quite a variety here," Midnight remarked. "I hope everyone's paying attention to this. Earth Shaker, how about you start the debate by explaining your plan?"

The dark dark gray muscular guy started explaining. "A fit body is very important, there's a significant number of physically unfit students here, and I want to see at least this year's graduating class in good health." As some of the crowd booed his statement, Searing made a few notes.

"Earth, this is school, not a gym," the brown skinned Terra girl pointed out. "We are here to learn, and a fit, creative mind is what's needed in this day and age. Art is more important." Once again, Searing made notes.

"And how can you be assured either of those will happen without policies to ensure the safety and time to let those happen, or that someone won't hurt themselves while partaking in those activities?" Glacier asked, his voice as cool as the snow that matched his skin.

"Who cares about that?" Zephyr asked. "I believe I speak for most of the students when I say that we just want to come to school, do our stuff, and go home. Aside from the physical education classes, how about we have the teachers come to the rooms instead?" Searing noticed Principal Cinch write something down with a disapproving look on her face. "Let everyone stay in the same room, and students can form stronger friendships, not worry about being late, or having to deal with a locker."

Searing decided to join the discussion. "And how do you plan on getting that done? Not every room is set up for every type of class, and changing schedules for that would mess up the staff schedules. Not to mention that there are some people who can only see certain friends in passing between classes, or in certain classes. Changing that to a static class would destroy those friendships, not to mention that the world outside the school doesn't work that way."

"But-"

Searing felt driven as she kept talking. "I'm done with you." She turned her gaze to Earth and Terra. "As for you two, you're basically talking the same game in different directions. Not everyone wants to exercise, and not everyone has artistic inclinations. If you force those on them, there will be backlash against those ways of doing things. I don't want to try pottery, and as much as I like to exercise, I don't want to do all those super intense routines."

"Do you have any holes to poke in my case on policies?" Glacier asked.

". . . No, not yet. Keep talking, and I will."

Babbling took her chance. "Are you all really going to take that from a blonde English chick that didn't even know who Wobbly Javelin was when the year started? The same one who's gained a reputation for zoning out in class more than anyone else? She's a senior like us and, only this week, has miraculously started understanding the materials in her classes. In fact, after the first day of classes was over, I looked up Searing's phone number, called her, and-"

"I don't have a phone," Searing pointed out.

"But I called, and you answered. That English accent is unmistakable. You acted like you didn't know who I was, and you even said a few things that sounded like they came from one of his plays. It's like you're putting on an act here, an act of ignorance. What do you say to that, hm?"

Searing blinked owlishly as she collected her thoughts and refocused. "If that's true, I'm very confused. That aside, what about your thing for the school newspaper? I wasn't aware there actually was one since I haven't seen any issues, so I thought it might have come to an end before I arrived."

"It's called a newspaper, but it's actually a monthly publication, both in print and on the school's website. The first issue for the school year comes out on the first school day of the second month, which is next week. You're welcome for that explanation, by the way. You know, because you're the New Girl. Anyways, I'd get more students to join it, expand publishing to a biweekly schedule, and include more sections for topical matters. The reliable information that the paper presents needs to be distributed as well, so I would also increase distribution with stands full of the latest issue placed in the halls and cafeteria. Additionally, in order to help ensure readership, study hall teachers would be able to add or deduct points from other classes. What do you say to that, New Girl?"

"It sounds like an agenda for personal gain and empowerment. I recall hearing somewhere that you're the President of the school newspaper, and by becoming the President of the Student Council, you'd be able to do everything you want without too much opposition."

"Yeah, well. . . What about your agenda? What do you mean by 'simplification'? That doesn't explain anything at all!"

Searing picked up her note cards for the question. "Zero Tolerance Tardiness. Get rid of that, and there will be fewer cases of tardiness, as teachers will be able to forgive a student who's only behind by a few seconds, or has an actual reason for being late."

"Then how would you ensure that nobody's being lax and just taking the chance to exploit that window of time?" Glacier asked.

"Or you could go with my idea of the teachers going from room to room instead of the students!" Zephyr added. "No student tardiness there!"

"Students can still be marked late," Searing responded, ignoring Zephyr. "It will be up to the teachers to make the call on that." She switched to another card. "After School Time. Presently, the rules on that dictates that any students on campus after the last bus leaves are to stay on the premises until the last of the faculty leaves. Glacier, I ask you this: how is that enforced?"

"At least one teacher watching every entrance to make sure no student leaves," Glacier answered.

"But the rule states that it covers the campus, which includes the soccer field, track, lawn, and paths outside. Who watches those areas?"

". . . Nobody. We need more faculty to-"

"Wrong way. Rather than keep the students in after the last bus leaves, it's better to just let them go."

Midnight spoke up. "Well, this is all very interesting, but it's time we moved on. I think we all know the motivations behind your stated agendas, but for everyone's sake, let's clear that up. Ten words or less."

Zephyr started. "Better student life in school."

Glacier. "Maintaining order."

Babbling. "Spreading information to the masses so everyone knows exactly what should-"

"What part of 'ten or less' are you missing?" Midnight asked. "I mean, I've heard of living up to your name, but you take the cake and brag about it with that stream of consciousness. Continuing on."

Terra. "I want more art to enhance the drab halls."

Earth. "I want everyone to be healthy."

Searing. "Slashing pointless regulations and expenses."

"I will open the stage to debate behind the motivations everyone has stated," Midnight announced, eager for some more verbal bloodshed.

Finally, after two more questions and over half an hour of debate, it was time for the student body to vote. Projected on a screen in front of the curtain was a pie chart with green, white, blue, brown, black, and red sections. None of the candidates could see it.

The minutes that followed the vote collection were tense. Nobody on the stage dared say anything. Nobody off the stage dared say anything. Finally, Midnight dared say something. "Ladies and gentlemen, the results are in, and they are spectacular! Let's see the results."

Searing could only listen as Midnight narrated. "Why am I even doing this again?"

"And the initial tally has no clear winner! We do, however, have a clear loser. Zephyr Breeze, you came in last. Let's see the runoff. . . Glacier Mist, you're the next one off."

"I want to win, but I never really wanted to play. Sweet Celestia, why?"

"And now we're down to some odd fractions that I'm not even going to try and figure out. Earth Shaker, you're out. And the runoff is. . . Well, still close between two of you. Terra Cotta, the runoff from your numbers will determine the winner." Midnight let the silence reign for a bit. "And the student council president for this school year is, by a 65-35 runoff vote. . . Searing Victory!"

"WHAT?" Babbling exclaimed.

"Searing Victory, like Babbling Brooke, has lived up to her name and smoked the competition. Congratulations on your victory, Madam President Victory. Come by tomorrow at noon and I'll give you the orientation tour."

For the first time during the whole event, Principal Cinch spoke. "That pretty well does it for today. School is dismissed." As if to punctuate the statement, the bell rang and the students started leaving the auditorium.

Earth put a hand on Searing's shoulder. "Good job." He left without another word.

Terra mirrored the motion. "Good luck." She left and started debating Earth on whether art or body was better to focus on.

Glacier gave Searing a firm handshake. "You did a good job. I look forward to seeing your policies in effect." Farewell delivered, he left.

Zephyr didn't cross the stage, instead sending Searing a glare, followed by a shrug before leaving.

Babbling had no polite compunctions, and got as close as she could to getting in Searing's face, considering their height difference. "I was supposed to win this. I have the grades. I have the cleanest record. I have the networking. I know how the student council is supposed to be run. How did you beat me?"

"Is that an invitation to a fight I'm hearing?" Searing asked, tired and ready to leave. "Because if it is, you'll lose to me again."

"Ladies, as much as I would love to see this fight you both speak of, I must ask you to break it up," Midnight said as he stepped onstage. "Or at the very least, allow me to take you to a dojo with some safety gear."

Babbling gave Searing one last glare. "Don't think we're done yet, Searing," she said as she stormed out.

"She's going to be a pain in my side, isn't she?" Searing asked.

"Yyyep," Midnight said. He stood there with Searing until everyone else, student and staff alike, was gone. "Would you like to know something, Madam President?"

"Sure, why not?"

"I had my finger on the scales a bit."

". . . Explain."

"You know that thick folder I gave you? Everyone else got thin folders. You'd have to stack three of theirs to get the same thickness as yours. I gave you more information, in the hopes that you would look at it all from a different angle and present a new idea. Suffice to say, it alllll went according to plan."

"It. . . What? You planned for me to win?"

"Oh no, not at all. I simply gave you the materials you needed. The victory was all yours."

"What else do you have planned?"

Midnight shrugged. "Who can say? Maybe I have other stuff planned, maybe I don't."

"Hmmmmmmmmm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . You know, I'm still confused about what Babbling said earlier. How she called me when I don't have a phone."

"Maybe she was just trying to get under your skin. That is a tactic in politics, after all."

"But she seemed so earnest about it."

"If I can get her cooperation, I could look into her call history and see if she told the truth or not. I do have some automatic publishing privileges with the school paper, so I could use that as leverage."

"You go do that, then. I'm heading home."

"One last thing, Madam President: your authority only has weight on school grounds. Nobody else really cares or knows about it."

"Noted."

Searing stopped at the fence that had become a regular stop. "Hey, Buddy," she said when the dog showed up. Naturally, she started showing him affection and both of them felt better. "Today was a day."

"Want to talk about it?" Mr. Trender asked. "Sounds like something got dropped on you."

"I became the President of the Student Council. I'm still not sure why I went through with it."

"Oh? Well, let me tell you about-"

"Please, no," Searing interjected. "I've had enough politics for today."

"But-"

"No. I'm sure it's a fascinating story, but I'm not in the mood."

Mr. Trender was quiet for a moment, then he started laughing. "Hahahaha! Talked down by a high schooler! You've got a spine, Searing. Don't lose it."

Searing was more confused than anything. "What's so funny?"

"Most of the time when I start talking, younguns like you tend to be all polite and attentive," he explained with a mocking tone. "Respecting and listening to your elders is one thing, and it's a good thing, but you have a life to lead, too. You don't have all day to listen to me ramble on and on."

"Actually, I think I do."

"Then I won't tell anyone." The two shared a quick laugh at the exchange. "But seriously, hear me out: do not let that kind of power go to your head."

"I promise I won't."

"Good."

Searing came home to the smell of. . . Something cooking. She didn't know what it was, and she didn't want to find out. Instead of going to the living room or kitchen, she went upstairs to her room, the walls and furniture now covered in diamond plated steel, both texture and gems. "So this is tonight's theme," she idly noted before dropping her backpack on the steel desk with a loud clang. "Agh!"

As Searing started on her homework, something she increasingly wished didn't exist, she could hear Discord singing something downstairs. Something about a Call of Cthulhu, including some odd beeping sounds. "I want this to end," she thought as she looked over her geometry work. "And I'm getting used to Discord. That's not a good sign."