A Tail Of Two Sensei

A Tail Of Two Sensei
Date of Cutscene:	30 October 2025
Location:	Obsidian Tower/Kirakirafantastica
Synopsis:	Two students interact with their Sensei at the same time, but with different results and reasons.
Cast of Characters:	Takashi Agera, Hinoiri Kirara, Yuyami Kagayaki

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Obsidian Tower

Takashi Agera sat back in his chair, turned to the side away from his desk. His office was much bigger than it had been before, and was more or less an extension of the giant labspace he'd been able to get in his meeting with Father Obsidian, just blocked off by a line of glass windows that he could use magic to tint or untint at will.

The view out of the office to Tokyo was largely the same as he had other places; the upside-down view of Earth's most bustling city with the expansive sky below and the streets above a reminder that the offices of Obsidian's highest were in a Stacked Subspace of the already huge tower.

In the greater lab outside, half a dozen spectal youma in the shadowy forms of lab-coated scientists move to and fro, keeping an eye on experiments Riventon had started or directed.

On the other side of the office lies the workspace of Takashi's longserving second in command, Norie, and on the third wall sits several other smaller offices - most unfilled, but one containing the labspace-slash-library of one Yuyami Kagayaki, who is presently leaving her office to walk across the sprawling labspace to his.

Knocking on the door to Takashi's office results in him waving a hand to open the door from his desk, as he looks out at upside-down Tokyo. Yuyami bows slightly and enters, closing the door behind her as the lab-facing wall-windows tint to dark black.

"H-hello, Agera-sensei. You wanted to see me?" Yuyami asked, blinking slightly.

"Yeah. I just want to talk to you about the things that went down in your recent field experiment, with the Bugbear and the Sparkles." he says. "You can sit if you like. Or not." he says.

Yuyami opts to not sit, but does move slowly closer to him.

Kirakirafantastica

In the same time, but another world, a different Yuyami was having a similiar meeting. Except she hadn't been called by her mentor. She'd been called along with her mentor by the girl she'd replaced. As well as Runa, the other sovereign of their home.

Hinoiri Kirara couldn't help but notice the portal to Kirakirafantastica had been opening more and more lately. She didn't know WHY. It had been closed so long before, but now it kept opening, so she decided to take advantage of this fact and ask to meet with her mentor when she had a chance.

She was surprised to find she'd been allowed a meeting so quickly, and while it wasn't that late back in Tokyo, here it was nearly sunset when she'd trotted into the study. Bowing politely before the two rulers. Sovereign Sora had merely chuckled and, once greetings were delivered, tea was set out... Hinoiri took a seat before them and gave a soft sigh. "So... well..."

"Remember how I mentioned running into another Yuyami Kagayaki?" Hinoiri said. "Turns out... It, too, involves Riventon."

There was a collective groan from two of the three ponies. Runa, on the other hoof, looked positively delighted. This was half the reason she'd gotten up so early, a bit of drama!

Obsidian Tower

Takashi pulled up a digital copy of the data Yuyami had scribbled down. "Of course, as I expected, your observations of the procedure are very valuable and well-written." Takashi began. Yuyami visibly eased up.

"I was looking at the data from the fight and I was able to recognize a few sources of it. In fact in at least one case I think the barrier held off a form of attack that was previously troublesome to me, so that's very useful. And I notice you made an on-the-fly adjustment at one point."

Yuyami nodded. "I had to do something, there was this girl in yellow and she was singing and it... hurt." she winced, remembering. "What was that about, Agera-sensei? The words seemed quite nice, but they hurt to hear..."

Takashi sighed. "Yeah, that'll happen. Glad you found a way to shut it out. Something about that song digs into those of us with Dark Energy."

Kirakirafantastica

"I talked with another ex-member of Obsidian about her. Mamoru, he's cool. Riventon's brother. But, well... after the whole attacking him incident, he's obviously testy. For good reason, can't say I blame him," Hinoiri said, shaking her head. "I think I spent more of the talk just letting him vent steam than being productive. Not that I mind. He really, really needed a chance to, I think. Riventon is burning a lot of bridges, I don't think he realizes it, either."

"But not with you?" Sora asked.

"I've been where he's standing," Hinoiri said. "People pulled me back. They could have shoved me over the edge or let me fall. They reached out and pulled me back. I just want to offer him the same chance."

"And if he knocks the hoof away?" Sora asked.

"I did," Hinoiri said, her mind drifting back to a memory of being beaten, aching, covered in bruises and behind an equally hurt Sailor Moon. Pounding on her back as she screamed at her for DARING to try and shield her. Protect her from her own senshi. "They did it anyway. I've seen him do so many stupid things, but I've seen him risk himself and give his life for others, too. He's... not like Beryl. There is something there worth saving."

"And yet, now, every problem leads back to him?" Sora asked.

"He gave us the jar," Hinoiri said. "But he's also doing something with the Fade. And now with... well, the other you," Hinoiri said, glancing to Yuyami.

"I-I'm so sorry," Yuyami said. "I-I don't know what another me could SEE in someone like him..."

"That's what I'm trying to figure out," Hinoiri said. "I tried talking to her in our fight, but well... It got... very loud. And after a bit, I realized I needed to stop talking and just... listen."

Obsidian Tower

"Takashi-sensei, they said a LOT of things, but it seemed like they really wanted me to give up Dark Energy..."

"Yeah, that's easy for the folks who don't need it to experience the world of magic to say, really." Takashi handwaves. "Without magic you'd just be like, one of those people down there." Takashi says as he points up to the streets of Tokyo outside. (You get used to it, when you look out the windows as much as he does.) "Going on about your day with a whole world of mystery, magic, research, power going on you have no input in. And that's what they want, for you and for me."

"They want to take you away from all of this wonder I've shown you." Takashi continues, turning from the window. "To put you back in the world I saved you from, back to Kessho private and always feeling like there's more to the world, just out of reach, to not understanding how truly, deeply special you are."

And Yuyami looked horrified at that prospect.

Kirakirafantastica

"What did you find out?" Yuyami asked.

"Not much, yet," Hinoiri said before picking up a small pastry. "That she's smart, at least. Inexperienced. She doesn't know a lot about magic, though. She was confused about how music could affect magic. I don't think she understands the whole concept of calling out names of magic, everything we take for granted. Apparently she sees Riventon as a... upperclassmen of sorts."

"Oh dear," Sora said.

"I'm also her upperclassman," Hinoiri said. "But that's at school. Not at... well. Magic. Well, I likely am there too, but... I think she's smart. Real smart. And she seems to know it."

"Well, Yuyami always has excelled. Even more than you, in many ways," Sora said.

"W-well, err," Yuyami said, her cheeks going red. "I-it's not that--"

"Don't," Hinoiri said, holding up a hoof. "I'm not going to get jealous or anything. I need to know you. And I've met your brother, I get it. You're kind of a genius. And..." She sighed. "Admittedly... smarter than me." A lot more anxious than her, though. Not that she'd tell the poor mare that, though. "Even I can't deny that. And I'm cool with that. You becoming Sora's new student was... for the best, in a lot of ways."

"I don't know if I'd go that far," Yuyami said.

"While Yuyami has been an amazing student," Sora said. "There are quite a few things, Hinoiri, that you excel at that she does not. This new world, for example, is something I don't think anypony but you could have handled quite as well."

Hinoiri snickered. "Well, I doubt many could have done it more explosively."

Obsidian Tower

"So what's the deal with music and magic, anyways?" Yuyami asked after a moment.

"Well, magic runs on... I use the word wavelengths, but that's not entirely right. Still, it's about as close as I can get without entirely new language concepts. Anyways. Sometimes sound, especially spoken music, can get tangled up in the magical wavelengths, carried on by them. The mermaid seem to sing their magic, and another form of magic I've run into can make people... kind of break out into song if they get too much of it in them." Takashi replied.

"Really? Wow." Yuyami said, eyes wide.

"Well, if you think about it, music is a conduit of emotion, and the magic we experience is also powered and shaped by our emotions first and foremost. So them being intertwined isn't that much of a jump." Takashi continued.

"Will you show me more of what you mean, Agera-sensei?" she asked.

"Of course, Kagayaki-san. That's the difference between me and them. They see your potential, and they want to snuff it out, to hide it, to banish it. But I want to see you flourish, Kagayaki-san. Your talent was so visible that I sought you out. And they want to push you back into nothingness again. You shouldn't let them. Their words are just attempts to put you back where you were before I found you. Lost, alone, sad."

At that point Yuyami's arms wrapepd around herself subconsciously and she held herself. "I don't want to go back to that time, Agera-Sensei."

Kirakirafantastica

"Obsidian doesn't know I have magic, though," Hinoiri said. "And I don't want Riventon knowing. Which means I can't let Yuyami know. If she finds out, he will. And if they do find out, well... then he'll be in more trouble."

"So you think talking magic theory with her is something you two will bond over?" Yuyami asked. "Seems... dangerous."

"It's how Riventon and I bonded," Hinoiri said.

"That's what concerns me," Sora said. "While you are both excellent students, Hinoiri, Yuyami, there is... well.... you both have... particular fields you excel in. But... This Riventon seems like a dangerous fellow. You have always been quite headstrong at times."

"Some might say... too headstrong," Hinoiri said, coughing off to the side.

"Perhaps," Sora said. "But your stubbornness makes you quite resilient in many ways that others aren't. And I fear to imagine what Yuyami would be capable of, were she not under capable guidance..." Sora said softly.

"Your guidance?" Runa asked.

"Not necessarily," Sora said. "Merely capable."

"But you do mean yours," Runa said.

"I-I like your guidance..." Yuyami said softly.

Obsidian Tower

"I don't want you to go back either, Kagayaki-san. I saw how sad you were at that school, how you always sought answers just out of your reach." Takashi continues.

"I didn't even know magic was real, I was just following this... energy, this signature. And now I do. I know so much. But there's even more I don't know, even more out there to explore, and I haven't even begun to start on all of it. There's no way I want to lose access to all of that..." Yuyami replied.

"Well, and you should seek it out. In terms of potential from people I've seen you excel at it. You just need someone to guide you, someone who wants to see you succeed, someone who can help you as you help them." Takashi continues. "A guide, if you will."

"Yeah, I... there's so much, I do need a guide. Like a book... oh wait, you mean a person. Not like. a Book-guide. Then I already have one..." she says, looking shyly up at Takashi.

"I'm sure I'm not the only one who could guide you - but a lot of people, especially the ones you encountered fighting you, they want to guide you to a place that chokes you out, that prevents you from reaching your full capability. You really should ensure whoever guides you isn't holding you back, Yuyami. Whoever you listen to should believe in you, in how capable you are. It doesn't have to be my guidance, but I do think mine has served you well so far..."

"I-I like your guidance..." Yuyami said softly. "I don't want to change um. guides."

Kirakirafantastica

"Yes," Sora said. "My guidance. However, my guidance alone has been known to err. I think Hinoiri's case has been proof of that."

"Oof," Hinoiri said, cringing.

"Had I not made so many mistakes, I would have noticed your own pain," Sora said. "I wouldn't have been so stubborn myself. I would have seen my own flaws and errors. I was arrogant. I refused to see that I wasn't always the one who knows best. A pony requires guidance not by one, but by many. Because we all make mistakes. And it can take... great pains, at times, for us to admit them. It nearly cost me an incredible student and a wonderful sister. However, because of that, it has given me some insight into such things. I believed for a long time that I, and I alone, knew what the correct path forward was. And I was wrong. And in both cases it took others to guide both my students down the path they needed to go." She smiled at them both. "And now? I couldn't be prouder of either of you."

"But..." Hinoiri said.

"But one as capable as Yuyami..." Sora said. "But only listening to the words of... this Riventon? That... is concerning. Incredibly concerning. If half the stories you've told me are true..."

"Yeah, I'm concerned too," Hinoiri admitted. "Yuyami? What were you like in school?"

"... Ummmm... awkward," Yuyami the mare said. "I liked books, a book never guided me wrong."

"Heh, so I can give her a book on how to sparkle, gotcha," Hinoiri said with a chuckle.

Obsidian Tower

"That's good," Riventon began "because when it comes to magic and understanding the situation in this world, there's really nobody better. You can't really err by relying on my guidance." he tells Yuyami, smiling.

"People made light of your pain, but deep down, it's because they could sense you had the ability to surpass them, and I want to make sure to nurture that. They made a mistake, trying to keep you from your potential." he says. "But now that you have met me, I can show you the correct path forward. All you have to do is follow my lead." he continues.

"Have you been reading the books I gave you?" He asks after his little monologue is over.

"The Art of War and the Prince? Yeah. I didn't understand why you chose those... untill they started fighting me, and now... I see. Both of them are about battling, not just with power, but with strategy and ideas." Yuyami says.

"Exactly!" Riventon replies.

Kirakirafantastica

"I think it will take more than just books to solve this particular case," Sora said with a light chuckle. "No matter how much my newest protege may enjoy them. There are some things that can only be learned outside of the written word."

"Isn't that the truth," Hinoiri said before getting to her hooves and walking away from the table to look out, over the castle grounds. To think she would, once again, stand in this spot. With not one, but two Sovereigns. And the pony who replaced her... and in many ways, replaced her. Who now she turned to for aid to stop... well. Another version of her. "But we'll stop it, somehow. Once I figure out what he's up to. What she's up to. She does like books, though. When I met her, she had a whole stack of them, heh. Getting her to read a few extra can't be that hard."

"Mmmm, truly riveting," Runa said, tossing a piece of popcorn in her mouth.

"Sister..." Sora said. "Be that as it may, have you considered that... you may not be able to stop him from corrupting her?"

"What?" Hinoiri asked, turning to look at her mentor.

"You've told me much of this Riventon, the things he has done," Sora said. "In those loops, as you called them, he even almost destroyed the world."

"He also saved me," Hinoiri said.

"When there was no other choice," Sora said before rising to her hooves and walking to stand besides Hinoiri.

"He's difficult," Hinoiri said.

"He's dangerous," Sora said.

"So am I," Hinoiri said.

"No, you're... complex," Sora said.

"I ate the sun," Hinoiri said.

"... You made a mistake," Sora said.

"And how many mistakes is too many?" Hinoiri asked. "How many until it's okay to abandon someone? To let them go?" Sora sighed and looked down at Hinoiri. "... My student... I just... do not wish for you to get hurt. I wish for you to accept that... in some situations... in this situation... there may come a time... where you have to accept that he, truly, is a threat. One that must be stopped."

Hinoiri paused and looked down at the ground, then back at Yuyami, then out the window. Everywhere, but at her mentor. That was the one place she couldn't look...

Obsidian Tower

"I think you'll need more than just books to guide you, though." Riventon says. "But luckily for you - you have me! There are some things that you can't learn outside of the written word - because nobody's bothered to write them down. But as we both know - it's science once you do that." he says with a grin.

"Yup. And I can't believe I'm getting to deal with a whole new world, things untouched by science, by all the books I've read. It still feels like a dream..." Yuyami admits.

"Isn't that the truth." Riventon agrees. "And with your mind and my mind combined, we'll be writing the books on this other people will read." he says. "More than that... we'll write the future, our goals will become the reality." he says.

And Yuyami listened to him and the way he talked about that. On the one hand part of her felt like it was right, noble. But part of her remembered the questions she was asked about how she was accomplishing things and...

"Riventon-sensei... I... do want to ask. Are you sure that what we're doing is going to be for the good of everyone? That we're not... causing more harm than we intend?" she asks after a moment.

"Absolutely - what would give you the impression otherwise?" Riventon asks.

"Well, the ones that came to interrupt me when I was trying to get the data you requested, and how they reacted. And when you brought down the barrier and they said you were endangering..."

Riventon cut her off - he raised a hand and it was very close to her face. "Stop that, you're letting them get into your head." He says, unwilling to let his new kohai fall down this path. "You need to understand, if those people had their way, you'd still be sitting at that school, never having grasped the magic that is your very birthright." he says. "You - and I - would be nothing, and the discoveries and value we could bring, the protection of this world, it'd be irrelevant. They'd destroy the world in their zeal to keep us from fully participating in it." he says.

Before Yuyami could talk again, Riventon kept going. "If you accept that they're right about Dark Energy - about me - then you'd be accepting they're right about you, because you weild the same energy I do. That you shouldn't have been brought out of your life and had your eyes opened. Do you want to go back to the world you had before you took my hand and you saw all that you could be?"

Yuyami shirked a little bit. "No... Riventon-Sensei."

Riventon nodded... "Then don't listen to them. Listen to me. They're so lost and misguided - they'll tell you I'm a threat that needs to be stopped." Riventon says. "But really... even the people who are so wrong, I want to help them in the end. I want to use magic to save this world and make it better. I want to expand my understanding - our understanding - so we can create the best world possible, for everyone, even the people who lack the intellect to understand me." he says.

Yuyami considered, and in her mind, the Dark Energy helped her remember so clearly the voices of taunting, the feeling of being kept from something she knew was just around the corner. She knows more than anything she doesn't want to return there, and Riventon is who brought her out of that. "Well, I understand you." Yuyami says firmly.

Kirakirafantastica

Going against Sora was not something she could do lightly. No. It was not something she could do at all. Once it had almost led to her destruction. The destruction of the world. But...

But that was then. She'd grown since then. Matured. Become better. She had friends now. She had people she could turn to. And... this?

"Maybe you're right. Maybe one day we will need to stop him. Maybe he'll become someone who we need to stop. But... that day isn't today. And that isn't the Riventon I know now," Hinoiri looked back to her mentor. "He makes mistakes, just as I have. He's egotistical, and flawed. Just as I have been. Heck, just as I am, at times. And he's an idiot in some ways, just as he can be annoyingly brilliant. But he's still trying to do his best."

"I've seen people who won't do the right thing. Who refuse to even try. And he's not there. And I hope he'll never be there. If he gets there... I'll try and pull him back. And I will always try to save him, to stop him from going too far. And maybe, one day, he will go too far. But now, as he is? He's not there. He is trying. And he is trying. And that's not where we draw the line on who can and can't be saved. What we do, what my friends have taught me we do, at least... is we try. We keep trying. And we don't stop trying."

Sora looked at her... before, slowly, she smiled and walked to stand besides her, gazing out over the courtyard. "Well put, Hinoiri. You truly have grown in the time since we've been apart."

"It wasn't easy," Hinoiri said with a smile. "And I did it, kicking and screaming most the way there. But a lot of people refused to give up on me. And I'm better for it... and I think he will be, too."

"Do you really think he will be?"

Hinoiri was quiet for a few moments before she nodded. "You know what? I do. Because... I do understand him. Now I just need to understand her."