//------------------------------// // Just After Sunset // Story: Shining Dash // by Ianpiersonjdavis //------------------------------// “It means that your incompetent, and completely inept-you couldn’t protect Celestia or the citizens of Equestria if your lives depended on it.” The mare continued. “What makes you think that?” Flash asked uneasily, wondering why this Unicorn was so hostile towards him without any provocation. “When Nightmare Moon returned on the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration, you could neither find nor protect Celestia-in fact; it took a group of teenage girls to do the job for you.” She replied with a smirk. The look of mixed anger and confusion contorting on Flash’s face was something that she was enjoying immensely. “Not to mention when Discord broke free from his stone prison and wreaked havoc across Ponyville, Celestia completely overlooked you guys in favor of the same mares who did your jobs for you the last time.” She added. “I…we…just who are you?” Flash finally demanded, unable to find the words to defend himself from the verbal onslaught. “Ah…I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that Celestia hasn’t spoken of her original star pupil-no doubt she realizes that she’s just as much of a failure as mentor as she was a sister-my names is Sunset Shimmer.” She introduced herself. That name had rung a bell for Flash, there were rumors in the guard that Celestia had a former pupil before taking on Twilight Sparkle, but he had just assumed that the name was an alias devised to protect herself from would-be kidnappers and assassins. “Is that why I’ve never heard of you?” he asked, trying to keep his temper in check. “Obviously, you’re new to the guard and with all of the recent events that have been occurring in Equestria your superiors will no doubt want to keep all previous muck-ups deeply buried…” Sunset replied. “Celestia wished to keep certain knowledge from me claiming that I ‘wasn’t ready’ but, I knew the truth-she knew that I was special and feared that I would outshine her so she held me back.” “So what happened, did you get caught?” Flash asked still on his guard, but genuinely curious nonetheless. “…Yes” she hissed bitterly. “The nosy librarian alerted Celestia and the palace guards once she realized what I was up to, not too long after I escaped in the middle of the night with as many forbidden texts as my bags could carry.” “So you’re a criminal.” Flash concluded. “Anyone who disagrees with royalty is labeled a criminal.” Sunset replied with the same bitterness in her voice. “Is that why you hate me and the guard so much?” Flash pressed. “I hate the fact that you and so many others in this country are too blinded by loyalty to use your brain or look at the world around you; praising Celestia as some kind of goddess when she hasn’t even been the one protecting you from Discord or Nightmare Moon.” Sunset replied with mild agitation. “Even if your accusation is true-which, I highly doubt-the Captain wouldn’t knowingly hide vital information from us unless it was under direct orders from Princess Celestia herself.” Flash countered. Sunset Shimmer actually laughed at this-a cruel, mocking laugh. “Faith is useless unless its invested in yourself-there was once a time where Celestia believed that Luna would never desire even the tiniest shred of respect their subjects so readily showered upon her and attempt to take what was rightfully hers.” “I don’t think-” Flash began before being cut off. “Of course not, you’re a guard-you’re only paid to stand around and look tough as a façade of protection for citizens which doesn’t even exist. If you had any intelligence you would have realized all of this a very long time ago.” Flash could feel his anger beginning to get the best of him again before he steeled himself and took a deep breath. “Sunset, why are you telling me all of this?” he asked. “Surely someone as intelligent as you realizes I could have you arrested on the spot for theft, right?” Sunset slowly cantered towards him as her figure could be seen in finer detail under the moonlight. “Oh, I have my reasons…” she replied cryptically. “Such as?” he pressed. “Perhaps if I assist you with your little Changeling problem, perhaps you could convince Celestia of my worth?” Flash was about to deny her offer right there and then before remembering how dire their situation with the Changelings was and without Celestia, Cadence, The Captain, or the Elements of Harmony to aid them in the coming battles, they would need all the help they could get. “So do we have a deal?” Sunset asked. “Yeah…” Flash replied, “for now.” “Great,” Sunset purred, brushing her tail under Flash’s chin. And with that, there was a green flash as she seemed to disappear into thin air. She may have had a serious attitude problem, but Flash had to admit to himself that she was quite beautiful under the moonlight.