> The Devil Inside
>  by Chelis
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> She-Demons Unleashed!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------






The voices. Come to me. Tell me what I need to see...


They came to her from all directions. The voices of the innocent, the guilty, the wronged, and the wrongdoers flowed through her mind like a river through a valley. She was only looking for cries. They were the best indicators of what she was looking for.

Three miles away: a couple. They seemed to have known each other for what seemed like an eternity, and were crying of joy. The man proposed to his high school sweetheart and were happy of their prospective lives together.

Another voice, around seven miles away. It was another cry, but of despair. The girl was a year older than the listener, at the ripe, young age of sixteen. She was just a child in her own right, but the test came back positive: She was also a expecting mother. The listener wanted to go over and comfort the girl, but unfortunately, that was not what she was up there for.

The next set of voices were loud: four miles away. It was the screams and tears of two, a man and a woman. Married, children crying in the same room, the couple couldn't stop screaming at each other. A sense of betrayal was overwhelming: The man was probably caught with his hands down another woman’s cookie jar.

The last cry made the senses perk up, and the muscles twitch: One mile away. It was a older woman, 20's, in fear. There were three hooded men chasing her. She attempted to fend them off with a small can of mace, but dropped it. She was alone, running, screaming for help in the empty, impoverished street.

Go Time.

The figure took off from her location atop a four-story apartment building running towards the woman's location. It was hard to gauge the distance between two buildings with the lack of light, but somehow she had gotten lucky. The building that was next up had a vacant lot in between. Only a miracle would allow her to clear the jump.

Or, maybe a bit of magic…

The young woman jumped off the ledge and was in mid-air for only a tenth of a second before disappearing in a cloud of bright opal. As the cloud instantaneously dissipated, reappearing at the building across the way with the runner landing on her feet flawlessly. The process continued, her hard boots pressing against the tar roofs that made it sound like a run through gravel. The screams were getting louder in her mind, as the attackers were allowing the victim to tire out, so they at least were unknowingly buying her time. The figure disappeared again under the cloud, only to reappear in the roof across the street. She continued to race through the top of the buildings when she began to hear the screams for help; physically this time.

The victim had ran into a dead end alley and had nowhere else to run. Her screams grew louder by the second. The figure racing on the roof reached into the back pocket of her black cargo pants and pulled out a ski mask, her crimson, yellow-striped hair pressed against her scalp with a stocking cap. She pulled the ski mask over her head and dove off the building, with the victim and her attackers below her.

The victim had her back to the brick wall, hoping that a miracle would save her. The men were taller, bigger, and too scary for her to fight her way out. Not even the figure who appeared in a brilliant flash between them looked like it stood a chance. Still, the men jumped back a few steps, clearly not expecting anything to just appear like that.

The figure lifted her fists, ready to fight.

They began to laugh at the prospect of the petite, womanly figure wanting to fight, but rushed the figure anyway. Swing after swing failed to hit the masked woman, which left them open for jabs and punches from her. All three men backed up, gave themselves a second breather, and charged at the figure again, immediately met with more counter jabs. One of the men had the particular misfortune of picking up an aluminum trash can to use to hopefully bash over the figure’s head, which was rewarded by her landing a flying kick to the can, jarring the can from his grip and sending him flying. The second man tried to swing at her at that same moment, but was met with the same trash can to the face, knocking him down. The third guy threw the lid at the figure like a frisbee, only to watch as she ran up the wall to finish with a kick to his face.

The victim tried to make a break for it during the fighting, only to be tackled by one of the men. The figure raised her palm after knocking her assailants to the ground and fired a opal beam right into the ribs of the man. It sent him flying from the alley, and he landed in the middle of the street. He withered in pain in the middle of the deserted street, holding onto his knee. His accomplices rushed the figure again, and both were met with the same beams that knocked their friend in the street with the same results.

The men helped each other up as the hooded woman walked out of the alley to face them. They reached into their waistband to pull out their pistols.

The figure saw what they were intending, and clasped both her hands to her chest.

Bad idea, dumbasses.

The monster is taking over,
I can feel the claws setting in.
My skin is burning hot desire
The Devil is controlling me from within.

The figure once again disappeared in a large orb of opal, only to appear again in a different, more menacing form. The men scrambled back the second they locked eyes with the monstrosity: It was probably ten feet tall with red skin and hair that was a mix of yellow and crimson, like fire; it also had the same boots like the figure, fangs that looked like it was sharp enough to tear through a car, much less a person; the ears were pointed, and the black sweater and black cargo pants were replaced by a dress the same color as the monster's hair.

The men raised their handguns at the creature and opened fire in desperation. They were too slow about it, as the figure spread her arms and was engulfed by a mass of fire. The bullets simply fell to the floor when they made contact with the rotating flames. The men tried to look in the direction of the woman they attacked, hoping she can forgive them, to recieve mercy from the monster, but realized the victim had fled the scene a while ago, which they felt it was about the right time to do the same.

The monster gave off a screechy laugh as she chased the screaming men down the street, and before they reached the main street, swooped down to force the men to pay for their crime.


***



"SUNSET SHIMMER!"


Sunset's head jolted up from the desk, and up to the face of her teacher. Of all the things you can do in Ms. Cheerilee's class, sleeping was the worst. It gave the young teacher the feeling that the students thought she was boring, which was particularly offensive to a teacher that was trying so hard to be 'hip'. The class all turned to look at their classmate, their eyes added to the “on-the spot” feeling Sunset was having at that point.

"Snoozing during class again? Am I really that boring?"

"S-sorry Ms. Cheerilee, it won’t happen again!"

"That's great! In fact, I have a idea how to stop it."

Cheerilee's 'idea' was to have Sunset stand at the back of the class as she continued her lesson. Her back was against the wall, her eyes flickered heavily, and she was fading in and out of consciousness every other second. Worst part was: She had to deal with the lack of sleep for the next 8 hours. Oh, and Cheerilee's lessons were extremely dry, so that didn't help at all.

Sunset slipped her hands into the pockets of her studded leather jacket, and began to daydream back to the night before. Like most nights, it was a hell of a rush, but she knew the lack of sleep was going to catch up to her sooner or later.

"The She-Demon kicked ass again last night!"

Sunset jolted off from her inner thoughts, and listened to the two boys that were sitting next to each other. She recognized those two as some of the kids she bullied back before the Fall Formal, so it wasn’t a surprise to Sunset Shimmer she heard one of them mutter "bitch" underneath his breath as she passed to stand against the wall. She heard it loud and clear, but did not have the energy to say anything. She was used to the hate at that point, but it didn't mean she liked it. Still, at least being one of the most hated people at school was a blessing in disguise: Not too many people that would ask questions like "Where do you go at night?", "Why can't you hang out with us tonight?" or "Hey baby, wanna to do it in the janitor's closet?"

"I heard, dude. She totally can save me sometime!"

"Is it wrong that she is now my waifu?"

"Not really, but since you like her that much, you can have this drawing I did of her."

Sunset felt as if a jolt of caffeine was flooding all over her body. She leaned in to take a look at the sketch the guy did with a large smile: The guy was good, he know how to draw the human/she-demon body, had the shading down as well. Everything looked great, except one minor inaccuracy…

"WHY ARE MY TITS SO BIG! THEY ARE NOT THAT BIG? IS THIS WHAT I GET FOR GETTING DRAWN BY THE GUY WHO IS INTO ANIME?!"


***



"SUNSET SHIMMER!"


"I'm sorry Ms. Cheerilee!" Sunset yelled, only to realize she was no longer facing Cherilee, or even in that class anymore. She was on her knees, staring into the box that occupied the floor of her locker. Behind her was the crowded, deafening halls of Canterlot High between classes.

"You okay, sugarcube? You have been sleeping in class an awful lot lately,” Applejack asked.

Sunset peeked from the locker to see five concerned girls. They were at that point her only friends, especially after Sunset's fall from power. They really cared about her, from what Sunset could tell, especially when the rest of the school either ignored her or were still salty to her, even after her attempts to redeem herself, and then that incident with the Dazzlings where she saved them from yet another attempt to control the entire student and faculty body. The first attempt was Sunset Shimmer herself, but that was not the point.

You're all welcome, assholes.

"Yea, I've been busy studying for the tests," Sunset said, trying to figure out what she was looking for in the box.

"But the mid-terms are over, they even said no tests this week. Principal Celestia even told us last week," Fluttershy responded.

"Really? Well... um, oops?"

"Anyway," Rainbow Dash started. "Will you be able to make it to band practice today?" 

"My mom is taking me somewhere, she doesn't say where, sorry-"

Sunset couldn't finish, as she had fallen back asleep. Sunset's head slammed against the metal door, not only waking her up, but attracting the attention of a former lover.

"Hey Sunset, you look like Hell," Flash said as he helped her off the ground.

"You've seen me sick, I've been worse."

They had small talk and caught up, with Sunset's friends watching on, passing on whispers that ended with little giggles between them. Sunset ignored it and concentrated on Flash. She wasn’t kidding when she told them a while ago that he was a nice guy.

"Well, see you later," Flash said as he walked away. Sunset gave off a heavy yawn as she began to look for her bag, which she had yet to realize it was already on her.

"Hey Sunny! Catch!"

Sunset barely had any time to react, but managed to catch what was thrown at her: a large energy drink. She exchanged smiles with her ex-boyfriend before he disappeared into the crowd.

"You know, Sunset, he is pretty much Twilight's at this point," Rarity commented.

Oh, shut up.
 
 
 
 

> Shrink
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Sunset Shimmer was born to affluent parents back in Equestria. She lived the life of luxury and had the metaphorical silver spoon in her mouth. Anything she wanted in Canterlot: It was hers without question. That was all well and good, but all she wanted was to feel loved. Her parents couldn't give her the affection that someone as young has her needed because there were trains to catch and their import/export business to run. That led the young girl to get lost in her studies to suppress the void in her heart, which led her to becoming Princess Celestia's prized protege, which led her to walking into the simple two-story house after a long day at High School.

She entered her home and went straight into the kitchen. On the kitchen table was a note:

"Sunset: Get ready because we are going somewhere around 3:30."
-Mom

It annoyed Sunset when she did that: Tell her young daughter one hundred different ways that something was happening. Mostly because Sunset used "I forgot" as an excuse one too many times, so at that point it wasn't a grave: It was the future she chose.

She made her way upstairs and into her room. It was simple, with a desk, bookshelf, a wardrobe, and a bed. It wasn't the pure silk bedsheets and the room the size of hotel suite, but it was manageable. The first thing she did was throw her book bag on her office chair and collapse on the bed. She wished for the serenity of eternal sleep (or at least eight hours, she wasn't picky at that point) to wrap its merciful hands on her. Unfortunately, the Android tablet on the table was not going to let her drift away. 

"Where were you last night, missy?" the robotic, feminine voice asked from the tablet.

"Not now GLADIS, I want to sleep."

"Sweety, your day has just begun. Your mom ransacked your room looking for drugs. They know you've been sneaking out at night."

Sunset's heart dropped. She was careful to cover her tracks when it came to sneaking out in the middle of the night to kick some ass. Then again, when your father is the chief of police in the city: He will know eventually.

God dammit.

"I assume the 'trip' I'm going to is related?"

"Your mother was calling psychologists all day asking if they accepted your family's health insurance. So no, they aren't."

"You're unnaturally salty today, GLADIS," Sunset said facing down, with a pillow muffling her voice.

"I wouldn't be if you took me with you last night."

Sunset sighed and sat on the side on her bed. "I told you that I'm still waiting for the chip and receiver for the Bluetooth. We couldn't communicate anyway."

The tablet stood silent as if it was trying to bring back a memory.

"Oh, that's right: Check the mail. You received a package today."

Sunset left the room and ran downstairs. The tablet, GLADIS, and what was in the package today was all courtesy of the federal government. They had a program where they would give police departments surplus military equipment, weapons, and vehicles. Sunset found out about the project while looking for her father's missing cell phone. It was on his desk: A giant catalog book called "The 1033 program."

A fucking catalog! With fucking models in the fucking catalog!

She received the advanced tablet, the GLADIS program, and the Bluetooth in one go. She was missing the final centerpiece of it all: A satellite receiver and chip. The purpose was to be connected to GLADIS, where ever she was. The box was inconspicuous, so either her parents didn't care or it was while her mother was away. Either way, the package found its way into Sunset's hands. 

"Are you going to get if set up?" GLADIS asked. For a soulless program, it was excited to join Sunset in her after midnight escapades.

"In time, GLADIS. Speaking of which..."

"Its three exactly."

"Fuck," Sunset said as she began to take her clothes off. It was until she was in her underwear when she realized she was in full view of the tablet, with a built-in camera.

"Better not be taking pictures."

"I'm only attracted to hardware with a USB port with charging and syncing capabilities."

That little floozy...


***


As soon as she heard her mother's car horn, Sunset grabbed her purse and made her way out of her room, through the house, and outside. Her mother's unnecessarily large SUV was waiting for her in the driveway. She always had trouble getting in that giant gas guzzler with a skirt on, and that time was no exception. Sunset and her mother exchanged a car seat to car seat hug before she reversed out of the driveway, and onto the streets of the neighborhood.

Hazel Cinnamon was truly a woman of her name: sweet, but with a spicy kick to her. Even her brown hair with sparse auburn streaks were a testament to her. Former world-class pastry chef now housewife, she enjoyed the home life, which beat dealing with people who thought they can boss her around because they happened to have money.

Aint got time for that shit.

She did have time for her daughter's delinquency, however.

"So, what's the occasion?" Sunset asked. She was hoping that GLADIS was fucking with her, even if it is incapable of lying.

The sigh from her mother was all the proof Sunset needed.

"We know you have been sneaking out lately, Sunset."

"Oh."

"Care to tell me why?"

"I-I can't."

"Are you doing drugs?"

"No, Mom."

"Parties."

"No."

"S-sex?"

"NO!"

Her mother's eyes widened while keeping her eyes on the road. Sunset covered her mouth after she realized what she did.

"Sunset, did you-"

"Y-yea, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I can't tell you why, but it's nothing illegal, or immoral."

-ish

"I wish I can trust you, Sunset. But after the fall formal-"

Yeah, she expected that.

"I know."

They stopped talking, the tension could have been easily cut with a butter knife.

"Sunset, I know how it is to be like you-"

"You don't, trust me," Sunset answered involuntarily.

"Was that back talk, missy?"

"Trust me mom: we didn't have the same childhood."

"Fair enough, but I know how it's like to be in high school. The boys throwing themselves at you, the other girls wanting to poison your milkshakes. Fun times! Oh! Did I tell you the story when I-"



 Oh they, my song is on!

Sunset forgot that her mother was telling the story of how she and some guy named "Shuffling Strings" having a fun night at prom. So her mother was less than pleased when Sunset turned the music.

"What are you doing, young lady?!" 

"Song." Sunset said as she pointed to the car radio.

Cinnamon's face was wry, but the song brought her back to her days when she was just a kid herself. 

"Turn it up, Sunset. This is my jam."


***


"Daddy!" Sunset screamed as she met her father in the parking lot of the medical offices. It wasn't a hospital, it looked like any other two story building. He was in a suit and tie, which was unusual for him to be in since his uniform and subsequent position was his second source of pride, his family being the first. He was checking his messages on his phone next to his large pickup truck. Although Sunset Shimmer was close to her mother, it was miniscule compared to her relationship with her taller, muscular father. For someone his age, he still could have beaten the 20 something meatheads that had filled the ranks in his department in arm wrestling.

Ok, I am daddy's little girl. So what.

Thunder Breeze was a natural father. He was firm, yet fair, his iconic yellow flattop hair even said as much. He was both the iron fist and the velvet glove. He also had a knack for reading someone's motives. With Sunset Shimmer: It was no exception. "You can't butter me up this time, sweetheart," he said with a laugh while patting her head. "Its fine, Sunset, what happened in the past is the past, but we will solve this together, as a family."

The waiting room of the psychologist felt like a living room with lamps, carpeting, the works. The only thing that gave it way was both the counter at the end of the room, and the large amounts of psychology magazines all over the coffee table.

Sunset became wrapped in the comic book compilation of a young boy and his wiser pet tiger that was also on the coffee table. He would get himself in trouble time and time again, with his tiger being along for the ride. Every comic felt like it spoke against some of the common life lessons in the views of an immature young child. He was a really mischievous one as well, in particular against the brunette neighbor girl.

Oh yea: Him and that girl will bang when they get older. The kid and the tiger actually remind me of Twilight and Spike. 


***


"So, from what I understand it: you are adopted?" She asked her eyes fixated on Sunset Shimmer with an intense read. Either that or she was staring up Sunset's skirt, which where she was wouldn't be too hard considering the position she was in.

Why am I sitting on the floor? While wearing a skirt? Is she trying to look up a minor's skirt while a police officer is in the room?!

Sunset Shimmer was on the carpeted floor of the private room, her parents here next to her on the leather couch. The psychologist would give her parents the kind, warm, eyes while giving a strong, surgical look to sunset. Sunset knew the woman would be playing mind games to 'cure' her. Problem was the 'cure' would probably end up with her on the dissection table, so in her mind: she had to outsmart her to survive.

The teenage imagination is a weird, but beautiful place.

"Yes." Sunset answered. Her plan was to give her some information, but not the whole enchilada.

"And how old were you when you first met your parents?"

"Thirteen."

-ish

"I see," she said. It looked like she was in a bit of a pickle. Most adoptions occurred when they were young. Adults would not even consider children over five years old because of the 'baggage' a parentless child would bring. In her mind: Sunset Shimmer was either lucky or manipulative. 

Only one way to find out. 

"How did you find her?"

Thunder Breeze smiled and looked to Sunset. When she looked back, he scooted away from his wife and patted on the space that was not occupied.

The psychologist immediately objected."I try to have the patients on the floor, for-"

"My insurance is paying for this, I decide where my little angel would sit. Besides, there's a reason I call her my little angel."

"Which is...."

"She basically dropped from the sky?"

The psychologist was taken aback. "Literally?"

"No, No! I mean, you're guess is as good as mine, but Sunny here basically didn't exist when we first found her."

"Meaning..."

When we found her, she had no records, fingerprints, nothing. It was as if she just dropped here like an angel."

If only how close to the truth you were, dad.

"Do you mind telling the story?" She asked with a pen and notepad ready.

"Of course not!" He said as he wrapped his hand around his only child, his hand was down her shoulder, and hand interlocked with his wife's hand below Sunset's elbow.

"It was one of the craziest, but one of the most rewarding days of my life."  

> New Soul 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





It was around three years ago when the incident happened, the night that Thunder Breeze's life changed. Before the hard work and the "one in a lifetime promotion", before the "perfect" daughter and perfect wife, there was immense pain and turmoil in Thunder Breeze's life.

As the saying goes, "you have to go through Hell to get to Heaven."

Six months before the incident, he lost his parents in a plane crash. The pain was exaggerated due to the fact the plane flew pilotless for six hours because of oxygen deprivation and on auto-pilot, with the bodies of his parents and their long-time friend inside the doomed flight. As much as he wanted to grieve for their loss that day, he had to assist in the evacuation of a few neighborhoods along the plane's projected crash path.

A month before the incident, Hazel miscarried. They were hoping for a daughter, but instead was given heartbreak and nearly lost Hazel in the numerous complications following.

So, it was not unexpected for the disciplined Thunder Breeze to be a bit of a loose cannon that night. The chief allowed him to patrol that night, stating that "taking him out of normalcy might be enough to send him over the edge," but compromised to at least gave Thunder the quiet suburbs that night. He was near the end of the shift, only mere hours before dawn, when the call came down about a possible trespasser at the local high school. Nothing seemed out of place when he pulled up in his squad car, but the protocol was to look around anyway. He had his gun and flashlight drawn as he walked past the

He checked the glass doors of the school.

Locked.

Next step was to check the back gates, which took him through the dumpster area. It was there where he heard the sound of something going through the trash bin.

Something bigger than just the common field mouse was in there.

He lit his flashlight to reveal something in the open bin, eating away at the kitchen scraps. She looked very young, maybe four foot eight, leather jacket, orange and purple skirt and top. Her hair was a memorable hybrid of crimson and yellow, straight and curly.

She looked at the flashlight like a deer caught in the headlights. The staredown lasted for a moment or two but ended when the girl spoke.

"Uh oh."

She scrambled out of the dumpster and began to run, with her back hunched over, and her arms trying to move as if she wanted to run on all fours, but the body structure made it difficult.

"Wait!" Thunder Breeze called out, managing to quickly catch up to the girl, who was screaming for help the entire time. Thunder Breeze grabbed the young girl by her jacket and drag her to the ground. She fell face first into the grass, which caused him to tumble in the dew-soaked surface as well. By the time he was on his feet, the girl was on her knees, her hand clasped together, begging for mercy.

"Please! No! I'm sorry! I just came here, and I'm really starving!"

At that point, the girl looked like she was contemplating this might be the end of her, so she began to sob while pleading for mercy.

Seeing her cry set something off inside of Thunder Breeze, and he began to calm down. He felt as if all his troubles went away, and the welfare of the girl was the only thing that was important.

She became submissive, especially after letting the man lift her to her feet, and with a hand around her shoulders, began to walk her to the front of the school.

"What is that box?" the girl asked, pointing to his squad car.

"My car?"

"What’s a car?"

Thunder Breeze looked down at her and checked her arms for signs of drug use.

"Huh, so how old are you?"

"I got my cutie mark a few years ago."

This is going to be a weird night.


* * *


Although Thunder Breeze did not want to take the young girl into the windowless, melancholy interrogation room, mostly because he didn't view her as a threat, there was the protocol that said he had to and that was where he was forced to take her. Her eyes were enlarged from the glass door entrance, past the lobby, through the empty desks of the central offices, and into the interrogation room. There was something odd about the girl as well: When Thunder brought a suspect into the station, usually their face would be filled with either fear or immense guilt. The girl's face was full of wonder and curiosity instead of that shame and guilt. The interrogation room was painted a bright white that, with the blinding fluorescent light, created a place where it, at times, was brighter than daylight. She shielded her eyes as Thunder Breeze lead her inside, apologizing for the brightness in advance.

"So, while we figure out what is going on, can I get you something to eat?" Thunder asked. Technically she was not under arrest, so he had more of a leeway on what he can do to her, like give her food.

"I would love a hayburger, please?" She asked.

"W-what?" Thunder Breeze asked. He was a bit confused and concerned for the girl.

"Um, I guess whatever you have here, then?"

"Alright, then," he said as he walked out, leaving the girl sitting on the metal chair alone.

Thunder Breeze made his way to the break room, where he had only two options: Fresh donuts that were brought in by someone before he left for the late night/early morning shift, or the candy, chips, and general junk food that was in the vending machine. Thunder patted his pockets for his wallet, and he discovered upon opening his wallet that all he had was his debit card, as he’d used the last dollar bills he had for lunch.

Groan.


***


"Yeah, cop with a donut. Go ahead and laugh," Thunder Breeze said as he tossed the box of donuts on the table.

She took one look at the colorful pieces of bread and grabbed one: the pink one with sprinkles. She seemed unsure if it was even edible.

"They look like the ones back home… But feel softer."

She took one nibble and was automatically hooked. It took her 3 bites to finish that. It took her two to finish the next one. By the time she was done, seven of the dozen donuts were no longer there, and their crumbs, sugar, and pieces of the chocolate were the only evidence of their existence.

"Wow, you really were hungry," Thunder said with an awkward chuckle. He pulled out his recorder, pressed the shiny red button, and laid on the table between them.

"Name?"

"Sunset Shimmer?"

"Where were you born?"

"Canterlot, Equestria."

Ummm…… "unknown."

"Can you tell me how you got to the trashcan at Canterlot High this evening?"

"Well, I had a big fight with my mentor Princess Celestia over something stupid, so I went to the magic mirror and ended up here. By the time I wanted to go back, the portal must have closed again."

Are these code words for drugs?

"Tell me about your parents, where are they and who are they?" He continued

“They are both unicorns, they run a import/export business that sells and buys stuff from within Equestria, Griffon Kingdom, Saddle Arabia, that continent that has all those zebras, and other kingdoms far and wide," Sunset Shimmer answered as if she was reciting it out of memory.

Jesus.

"Age?"

"I got my cutie mark a few years ago. I would have to say maybe 144 moons?"

"I need a number here," Thunder Breeze asked in frustration.

"How many moons in a year here?"

"Twelve?"

"Twelve times twelve is one hundred and forty-four.. So twelve in this place's years?"

I'll take it.

Thunder pulled out a strip of paper and a pad of ink.

"Alright, I'm going to take your fingerprints and with that I will find out your identity. Do you consent to this?"

"I guess? But why? Aren't all of our hands the same, like hooves?"

"Hooves?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"Well, if you didn't know: your fingerprints are unique to you and only you. That's how we know who you are," Thunder Breeze explained.

"So it's like a cutie mark?" Sunset asked

"A what?"

"Basically it's a mark on everypony's flank that shows their particular talent. For some reason, mine is on my shirt."

"I see," he said as he finished pressing all of her ink-stained fingers onto the paper.

"Give me a second, I'm going to process these."


* * *


Thunder Breeze was not alone in the office. He was with a rookie that was forced to do the graveyard shift due to seniority. She was young, cute and already dating another member of the station. She took a liking to Thunder Breeze only because he was the only one in the station that didn't hit on her or asked her out. But, he complimented her like a real gentlemen, so he also won points there. She liked him so much she was willing to take time out of her looming report deadlines to help Thunder Breeze identify the girl.

"Well… This is strange," she said after running the name and the prints on a computer only meant for fingerprint scans and accessing the id databases.

"Yeah?"

"We have a match for a Sunset Shimmer, but she lives over a hundred miles away. Problem is that there's no missing person report."

"Fuck it, let's call them. On speaker," Thunder Breeze commanded.

It took the other end a bit longer to answer, mostly because it was around midnight. But when they did answer, they were a bit surprised to find out it was a police department.

"Hello, Ma'am, sorry to disturb you. But we believe to have found your daughter, Sunset Shimmer, tonight. She is with us in the station.”

The voice was silent for a few seconds, and it even sounded like the person was walking. But, the footsteps stopped, and the creak of a opening door was heard.

"Is this a joke?" she asked.

"No, ma'am."

"Well, I'm looking at my daughter in bed right now."

"Wait, what?"

"Sunset! Can you tell your friend to not call in the middle of the night saying they're from the police?"

"Hello?" The young voice asked.

No fucking way.

"No fucking way," the rookie whispered under her breath.

"I'm sorry, there must have been a misunderstanding. Good night," Thunder Breeze said as he disconnected the call.

"Sounds exactly like her, maybe even looks like her, I bet," The Rookie guessed.

"So there are two girls that are named Sunset Shimmer, both sound the same, might look the same? What the hell is going on?"

"Maybe it's something bigger than just a 'found teen,' don't you think?" The old man asked as he stood behind the two.

"Chief?!" they yelled as they jumped back, not expecting anyone else in the office, other than the front desk officer.

"Sorry, I started you both, wrapping up some things before my vacation. But tell me, Thunder Breeze: do you think this is merely a coincidence?"

"There's no other explanation, sir."

"Rubbish answer. There is no such thing as coincidence, sergeant. Everything happens for a reason."

"So you are saying that this girl came from a land of mythical creatures and talking horses with tattoos on their asses?" the rookie asked.

"You never know, whelp. I can say it’s not outside the realm of possibility."

The chief continued as the phone rang, which was answered by the rookie. 

“It might sound rude, but given what happened to you lately, maybe it wasn't a coincidence you found her. Besides, we can't have a potential 12-year-old here for too long, and I would hate to see her in the infamous foster system."

"Sir? The van for family services is outside for the girl," the rookie announced.

"It's your call, Thunder Breeze. Whatever you decide, I'll support."


***


"Why the hay are they up here?" Sunset mumbled to herself as Thunder Breeze made his way inside. He really did not want to interrupt and make it awkward, but there were pressing manners.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"Mammary glands are large and on the wrong side of the body, kinda stupid because it's not very aerodynamic," Sunset answered without looking up.

"I see. Well, I need you to come with me."

They held hands as they left the interrogation room, through the station, and back into the parking lot. There were a few vehicles in the parking lot, with the only one running being the van from child protection services.

"Is that van for me?" Sunset asked as she pointed to the old, rusty van.

He looked down and stared into her large, cyan, eyes.

"Nope," he said as he waved at the car. It left the parking lot, and out into the city streets.

"So where you are taking me?"

"Well, you said that you might be stuck here for a while, so until you can go back home, you can stay with me and my wife. I called and she agreed. We would love to have you in our family."

"Sure," she said as she gave him a huge hug across his stomach.

They made their way across the parking lot and to the pickup truck with oversized tires.

"Is this your car?"

"Yep."

"How am I supposed to get in? It's too tall!"





> Pedo Pete Part I
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Source


The song ended with Sunset Shimmer and Rainbow Dash on the same chord, Applejack on her chord, Fluttershy shaking her tambourine, Rarity on a note, and Pinkie topping it off with two slams on the snares. It was also the end of practice.

"Great job, girls!" Rainbow Dash screamed in excitement.

Everyone was sweaty and tired, but satisfied with the practice. Sweat and exhaustion were not new in Rainbow Dash's garage. The garage was filled with exercise equipment, dumbbells, and balls, tons and tons of balls of different sizes and different sports. Even with being the captain of every sports team, she somehow also had time to become a guitarist of a band. Since the weeks after their effort versus the Dazzlings, they had gotten better and better, their music became more out there and fresh: All thanks to Sunset Shimmer and her ability to music.

"You should have told us you wanted to pursue a career in music, Sunset." Rarity said.

"I know, but I thought you wouldn't take me because I want to do blues instead of the rock-pop we do," Sunset answered while she riffed one off on her guitar for all to hear.



The girls clapped and cheered after she was done, which made Sunset blush and her spirits soar.

"So I heard that you know who is gonna ask out that girl he is after," Rarity started as everyone began to pack their instruments away for the day.

"Geez Rarity, can you spend a day WITHOUT gossiping?" Applejack asked sarcastically.

"Are you crazy, AJ?! Gossip can be fun sometimes!" Pinkie chimed in.

As the girls argued over gossiping and whether or not it hurt people, Sunset packed her father's old guitar and sat on one of Dash's weight machines. She had a smile on her face when she reached into her bag, which was resting against the machine, and pulled out the brown book with her cutie mark. Even with her best attempts to live a somewhat "normal" life, she couldn't shake off the fact she was penpals with a pony princess in another dimension, the same dimension she was born in.



Dear Twilight,
I wanted to apologize for not writing yesterday. I decided to give the 'use my magic to help people' a try. I saved a woman from a group of thugs and it felt great. I made a difference in her life, and I cannot wait to try again. Bad news was that all good deeds don't go unpunished: my parents knew I snuck out and had me talk to a psychologist. I didn't tell her why I snuck out, and I feel like I will have to play mind games with her just to keep the secret. It's a small price to pay, really. Canterlot High and the girls are doing great. They argue once in a while, but it’s to be expected. There's also that one boy asking about you. Somehow he knows that we talk. I hope to hear from you soon, Twilight.

Your friend,

Sunset Shimmer.



"So how is Twilight?" Fluttershy asked, killing the argument at the same time.

"She is doing good, is talking to their version of you-know-who."

The girls began to giggle.

"Those two just need to get a room," Rarity commented.

"Oh please, he wouldn't know what to do anyway," Sunset replied. She realized what she said and covered her mouth.

All the girls looked at her. They all caught what she said.

"Is there something you want to tell us?" Rarity asked.

Sunset was in a corner. She let it out and there was no going back.

Flash is gonna hate me.

Her mother had a knack for arriving at the best time possible, so it wasn't to her surprise that Hazel Cinnamon came in front of the driveway and honked her horn twice in rapid succession.

"SUNSET SHIMMER! GET IN, BITCH, WE ARE GOING SHOPPING!"

"Well, that's Mom. See you all at school tomorrow, girls!" Sunset screamed. She had given them all a quick hug and kiss on the cheek before she ran off to her mother.


* * *


"What's the occasion?" Sunset asked as she finally finished her daily struggle to climb into the SUV.

"Cookbook Royalties. You can't believe how much money they give you just to your face there just because people think it will be automatically good. I didn't even make up these recipes, but they do look delicious."

Sunset and Hazel laughed as they entered the freeway. The traffic was picking up, and only an hour or two before it would effectively become a parking lot due to the amount of people trying to make it home. The drive to the mall was nothing spectacular, but Sunset always liked new clothes, because it was free.

Her right interior breast pocket on her leather jacket was vibrating, so she had to answer the text message.

"Sending those nudes to the boys again?" Hazel said with a laugh.

Sunset expected Flash, but the text came from GLADIS.

You're being followed. New looking sedan in the right lane in front of you.

Sunset looked, and sure enough: There was an automobile in front of them, and the passenger taking photos of her.

What does registration say?

It was reported stolen this morning. Whoever is following you don't want to be found out.

Sunset kept her eyes on the back of the car, the back seat passenger shooting away in his expensive looking camera. Hazel Cinnamon always signaled ahead of time, so the guys always knew where to go. They pulled into the mall ahead of the mother and daughter. They parked quite a distance, allowing them to take more photos without being 'seen'. Sunset had her eyes on them the entire time, but only looked in their direction for a glancing moment.

Even if a mysterious group of men was tailing her, she felt safe with her mother as they entered the packed mall.


* * *


"How about this?" Hazel asked, flaunting her curvy body through a flower printed sundress.

"The ass is fat."

"Well, excuse me, sunshine. At least when I flaunt it, the men are not afraid to go to jail," she said as she went back into the dressing room. It was a short time later while walking through the mall that Sunset eyed a skirt and a tube top on display, and raced over to take a look.

"Looks good on you, Sunset, if you decide to sell your body for drug money."

"Sounds like Crystal Rose," Sunset replied nonchalantly.

"What did you say about your cousin, young lady?"

"Oh, come on, Mom. The woman is sleeping with everyone but her husband. You can see it in his eyes."

"Sunset, that's very disrespectful………….. Actually, now that you mention it, he does seem to be gloomy every time she mentions her business trips."


***


After a few hours of binge clothes shopping, the mother and daughter duo were in the food court. Hazel was enjoying a quick salad while Sunset had the biggest burger and friend the vendors can offer. They were pleasantly chatting away about family gossip, the television came alive with the sounds of the breaking news audio clip. The girls turned their heads to see it.

"We are about to go live in City Hall, where Chief Thunder Breeze is about to announce a reward for the capture and conviction of longtime fugitive Risky Line or his online alias: "Pedo Pete".

"Oh, I always love it when your father is on television. He looks more muscular with that ten pounds the camera adds," Hazel said, admiring her husband in his chief uniform in front of the many steps that surrounded the marble city hall building. The sounds of the camera shutters were audible throughout the entire conference.

"Good evening. Today, I, in accordance with the city council, the mayor, and several human trafficking survivor groups, am announcing a ten million dollar reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Risky Line, or better known from his online name "Pedo Pete". Pedo Pete is the notorious ringleader of a network of child sex traffickers and child pornography producers. Due to some credible sources we believe he is now operating in the city. We are also compelled to inform the public that he is armed, dangerous, and has been known to carry out acts of violence in other cities he has used as his hideouts, so we ask that you do not attempt to engage, and let police handle it."

He continued to talk, and right next to her father was a photo of a middle age man, with long hair, a beard, and a look of nothing left to lose. He had a giant scar on his right cheek, visible where the beard did not hide it.

"At this point in time, I would like to open it up for questions."

The crowd of journalists roared, trying to get the chief to notice him so they could have their question answered.

"Thunder, what can you say about his latest post? Where he has a picture of your daughter and threats to her?" the young woman asked.

"Excuse me?"

The reporter came into view of the camera and showed him her phone.
He turned deathly white and left the podium, and up the stairs, under a flurry of screaming reporters and the snapping cameras. His second-in-command came up to the podium in Thunder's absence, a  younger cop who had unknowingly hit on Sunset Shimmer a few months ago while she was at the station to visit. Got him to buy her a pizza for her silence.

"As you can see, ladies and gentlemen, the chief has some life-and-death matters to attend to, so we are done with questions."

As soon as the TV cut out to the anchors, a next message from GLADIS arrived. It had a link.




 Pedo Pete's Love Van 






You see this girl? Her name is Sunset Shimmer, daughter of the chief of police. I'm going to find out where she lives. I'm going to stalk her every move. Where she goes to school, her daily routine, where she goes to eat, find out which boy she is fucking, when she showers, when she goes out, who her friends are. Then I'm going to take her. And when I get my hands not only on her, but IN her, well, she will only be calling your name in fear, Thunder Blue, for you to help her, but you will never see each other again.

Don't want me to take her as my personal 15-year-old fuck toy, Chief? Get with the program and don't get in my way, otherwise, here is what I'm going to do the second my men drag her in my personal love van.

Well first, the clothes and her cute underwear will have to go…..



Sunset continued to read but stopped after a while.

Wow, so much unoriginality. Heck, I bet Snails can tell me in better detail what he would do to me…. But at least he used a good yearbook photo of me.

Her train of thought was interrupted by her phone going off again, this time from her father.

"Before you start, Daddy: I'm here with mom at the mall and I'm fine. It'll take a lot more than a pervert to take me down."

"That's my sweetheart. Listen, we have to do the officer check, so tell your mom to get ready."

"Officer check."

"I heard honey, in fact, I see them," Hazel said.

Two policemen came up to them, they seemed legit, but there was only way to find out.

Hazel pulled out her miniature revolver from her handbag and pointed them at the officers in full view of the mall. People backed away, some even hid.

"You know how this works, boys. Badge numbers: give them. And sorry about the gun: this is our daughter, after all."

Each officer said their badge number out loud, which Sunset relayed the number to her father, who was on his computer in his office, looking up the symbol identifier. When he found a hit, he sent Sunset a snapshot of the officer's info through text. She would see it and ask the officers questions about their identity.

They passed.

"We are here to take you home… So if you wouldn't mind putting your gun away, ma'am."

"Aww, I was just enjoying seeing cute men in uniform under pressure."

As they were escorted through the mall, Sunset sent one last text to GLADIS

Saddle up, we are going live tonight.

> Pedo Pete Pt II
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





source


It was a weekly occurrence: The black town car driving down one of the most improvised of neighborhoods in the inner-city, past the masses of homeless camped out on the street with nowhere else to go. The poverty stricken apartments above were not any better. This was a perfect neighborhood to hide, or if you wanted to conceal someone as a sex slave.

For Second Hand, that was his business: The art of the slavery. For him, it was a one-half psychopath, diagnosed by his court-appointed psychologist when he was just an angry teen in the child services system, the other half was 'out of sight, out of mind'. As he exited out of his town car in the bum infested alley, he kept one hand on his concealed gun and the other reaching for the side door to a vacant looking apartment unit. He was not worried that the city police was after his boss or him at an extent; it was more of the rival groups looking to use the opportunity to take some of Pete's turf. What better way to do that was to take down his top lieutenant. He entered the run down hallway and towards the flickering light. He knew the routine, as he done so many times before.

"'s'cuse me sir, have any cash to spare?" the old man asked, next to the locked elevator.

Second Hand gave the man a large wad of cash, totaling over a thousand dollars. The old man casually took the money and stuffed it into his pocket, while handing Second Hand a key.

"I think you dropped this."

Second grabbed the key and unlocked the cage that was blocking the shabby elevator. Second Hand tossed the key to the old man and pressed the only lit button on the panel, sending him upwards with a jolt. The ride to the top only took a few moments, but he couldn't help but notice the bugs, roaches, and rats that were along the walls of the elevator shaft, one of the roaches falling off next to him, meeting a fitting end under Second Hand's right dress shoe.

The elevator took an abrupt stop to its destination which was in front of another deplorable hallway. He left the elevator and entered the only door at the end of the very short hallway, which was only a few steps long. He walked in and was met with the strong aroma of roses, the inside was painted a rosy white with a white trim. The seats, reception desk, and trim were all imported wood. The middle age woman recognized him the second he walked in.

"Hello, 5846, we have a surprise for you."

"Oh?"

"We have a new domestic girl, uno-cinco, CHEERY, room five."

"You know me too well," He said as he handed her his coat.

His walk down the hall was filled with the muffled sounds of other girls 'servicing' their clients. He knew each service was more money to him and Pete, so it helped drowned the realization he was ruining lives with each new girl that was brought in, either by kidnapping in this country, or buying them cheap off rebel and government alike in war-torn areas of the world.

The room he entered was lavender themed. Lavender bed decor, purple room color. The windows overlooking the city was tinted heavily so one can look on to the city while not being seen from the outside. What wasn't lavender was the girl in the room; She was sitting cross-legged, her back to the door. She had a white and red cheerleader uniform, which complemented her curly crimson and white hair.

It was better to see her like that, walking in with her in tears would not end well, especially for the one little spot in his mind that still had a conscious.

He took off his holster, his straps, and then the shirt, exposing his chest. Usually for him, he would keep the pants on during the act, mostly out of necessity in case the police came knocking.

Still, until then: there was breaking in this new girl.

He crawled behind her and began to massage her shoulders. He could hear the deep breathing of her, the whisper of "more" between breaths

Second Hand was elated, a girl who was into that. Those where the type of girls that stayed alive and did not end up butchered alongside a ditch. He reached in, trying to give a tender kiss to her young, soft neck.

He stopped, his heart was racing over a thousand beats per minute. It wasn't euphoria, but fear

He was staring down the barrel of a revolver.

She turned around, long enough to look deep into her beautiful opal eyes. He had his hands up, staring at the 'panic button' only a few feet away next to the door. She reached into the chest holster, hung on top of his shirt, and pulled out his sleek, silenced pistol.

How cute, I bet she doesn't even know the safety is on-

The girl moved her trigger finger forward, unlocking the safety for the gun.

Fuck.

"Go ahead and press it, I disabled it before you arrived," The young woman commented.

"What do you want? Money? Freedom?"

"Pedo Pete, where is he,"

"I don't-"

She took a shot with his silencer; the bullet going right through his foot.

"FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!" He screamed, collapsing on the floor in pain.

"Next shot is going through your knee."

"Don't shoot, I don't know where he is, but if-"

She took another shot, shattering his knee on the opposite leg.

"FUCK! "

"Next one is going through your dick! Where the fuck is Pedo fucking Pete!"

"I KNOW WHERE YOU CAN FIND SOMEONE WHO WOULD KNOW WHERE HE IS!"

"Talk."

"There's a shipment of merchandise coming in tonight by boat, Warehouse 346. He might even be there since he likes the girls from south of the border. Just please don't shoot my dick."

"I should anyway, you're not gonna use it in a while.."

Second Hand was about to inquire more, but was interrupted by the multitude of sirens getting closer.

"I guess that's for you and everyone in this place. I might have phoned ahead. I was getting bored."

Outside, the screams of the men in the establishment were echoing through the floor level. They knew it was for them. And they only had mere seconds to get out.

Second Hand tried to get up and run, but he collapsed, both legs incapacitated.

"Well, catch you later, fucker."

"There's no way out of here, how the hell you-"

He turned around to see that the girl was gone as if she vanished into thin air.

"Wha?"

Before he had a chance to process what happened, the door exploded outward, and three heavily armed men entered, rifles pointed at the man.

They radioed in that he was shot, and that he had a resemblance to one of Risky Line's top lieutenants.

Second-Hand didn't care at that point, he was concerned about the girl, and where did she go.


***


The girl reappeared in a flash of opal on top of the roof. Below her was the red and blue flashing lights of the police. She wasted no time running between the roofs, in the direction of the port. As soon as she was out of the visual view of the police, her cheerleader uniform melted away, as well as the white streaks. The clothes melted into the black cargo pants and black turtleneck, her processor returned to its brilliant yellow.

Failed mission. We need to return home.

"What? No. We have to free those girls, no matter if Pete is there or not!"

Freeing the girls is not the primary objective.

"I'm making it now!"

Why? They are not important.

Sunset nearly tore the program a new one, but she knew better. "Right, not a program, no sense in humanity. GLADIS, freeing the girls is my secondary objective. The secondary objective is now active."

Understood, coordinates now uploaded on your hub.

A few hours earlier, Sunset received yet another piece of tech: Contact huds. Instead of fighting with a thousand dollar pair of glasses, she had the hud display a bit sturdier. She had it on, and it was telling her where to go, which she obliged. Sunset leaped one last time, disappearing into an orb of fire. When she left the sphere, she returned to her sh-demon state, and with a few flaps of her wings, flew into the night, in the direction of the port.


* * *


The demon disappeared in an orb of fire, and out came a petite, feminine figure in black clothing.

She slipped into the warehouse through one of the open sunroofs, and hid in the metal rafters that supported the roof of the warehouse. Underneath her was the operation: the armored guards standing around. The men with cattle prods were waiting to get the girls moving, with the electrified prod if need be. In the middle of the room was five windowless vans, ready to take the girls wherever they chose to send them. In front of the vans was a man sitting on a rolling desk. His laptop out and ready to begin processing the girls.

They arrived in a big shipping container, straight from the country of "El Trote". One of the cattle prod guys opened up the massive shipping crate, and he waved his hand around as if he was trying to clear his nose of the stench. Out came a parade of dirty, tattered girls of all ages. From eight to sixteen, all of them in tattered clothes, all of them covered in filth.

All sunset could have felt at that moment was rage.

She transformed back to her she demon form and went to work. She waited until one of the guards were not being watched. As soon as everyone had their attention elsewhere, she would quickly drop behind a guard, cover his mouth, wrap her wings around him and teleport up, the guard never to be seen by the rest of the group. She would wrap the armed guard with a rope around his waist, including his hand, tape his mouth, and let him hang from the catwalk. The fear a guard would have just hanging off the deadly drop to the concrete below was enough to keep him silent. She would complete the process until they were all missing. The processor soon began to complain that the guards were slacking off again.

The lead guard left the warehouse, expecting to see his men slacking off or having their way with one of the girls that tried to escape, as they usually did.

Instead, he was greeted by a flying beast snatching him off of the ground like a bird of prey.

By the time she was done. The processing was about to begin, the first girl: a darker, more defiant 15-year-old looking girl, was getting ready to be dragged to the processor

Better now than never.


* * *


The girl was defiant, resisting her captors and the processor. Her resistance was rewarded with a hit from the prod sending her collapsing in the floor in a yelp of pain.

The scene ended when the six foot beast landed between the girl and the processor's table. The guards jumped back, the girls ran back into the container in fear, even if the stench was unbearable. The first girl moved back, her captor more mesmerized by the creature than his job. The She-Demon smashed the table and smacked the tailored suited processor away, landing against the metallic wall.

The other guards rushed the monster, hitting them with the electric prods, which only angered the beast. She smacked them away as well, sending them flying. Some were knocked out, some got up to continue the fight. One of the guys ran up one of the vans and leaped, hoping to hit the creature in the face with the prod, and was rewarded with a backhand from Sunset, sending him flying into another van.

It was over as soon as it started, or so the demon thought. She turned around to see the processor with his pistol raised at the beast. He got a shot off, but the demon invoked her ever-trusty flame shield. The once solid bullet ended up as a molten pile of metal on the floor. The processor was in shock. Shaking in fear from the mere presence of the tall demonic looking woman. She walked over to the laptop and pulled out the hard drive of the laptop, and walked to the container, where the girls were hiding.

They were no longer scared of the entity, but curious.

"Are you okay?" Sunset asked the girls, knowing that it was futile due to the language barrier.

"we are scared. But we fine," the defiant girl answered, in broken English.

"You speak English?"

"My father taught me. He governor of state of Veracruz… cartel kill him and mom and took me here." the girl said in tears.

Sunset felt her heart churn in pain. The girl was almost her age. She had friends, family, maybe even a crush, just like her. That all changed and now she was in filth in a country she never set foot in, almost sentenced to live a life of slavery.

As predicted, the sirens were heard. This time, they were a little faster, and there was no way she can fly off without being seen by then, so there was no point leaving in a hurry.

"The chief of police here is a good guy, he will help you out, I will make sure."

"Gracias. And here…"

The defiant one walked up to the creature and handed her a Catholic rosary. It was a cross, with clear and white beads. Above the cross was a small silver plate that was engraved with the face of a woman

"While you fight, everyone think you 'Guerra de la Magdalena Santo" she said, as the girls smiled.

Sunset began to choke up and wanted to assure all of them that everything was going to be okay.

"HANDS UP!" screamed the men in body armor, pinning down the guards on the ground, and looking up at the rest of the guards hanging off the ropes, all of them relieved to see the police for the first time in their lives.

The policemen didn't get close to the she-demon, only aimed their rifles in amazement. Everyone in the police force thought that the she-demon was a fake urban legend, they now were face to face with it.

Looks like the party is over, coordinates to home are updated.

Sunset did not give the police any time to apprehend her. She flew off into the night, a hard drive in one hand, a rosary in the other.

What's with the hard drive? It's like watching someone carry the brain of your species. It is not a good feeling.

"Dropping this off to my dad. He needs to save all the girls under Pedo Pete."

And the beads? My translation has it down as them calling you "Warrior of Saint Magdalena, the patron saint of the plight of women."



Sunset pondered that question for a while. Why did she carry them? Why was it her duty to protect the girls, when the police could have done it, even if they had no idea it was happening? Why was it on her to save the world? She was no hero, she was just a former magical talking pony that left home! It was a tough question, and GLADIS was waiting for an answer.

"I guess I have to remind myself that I have a purpose in fighting. That is  better than doing this without rhyme or reason."

> Pedo Pete Part III
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Source


Wake up, sleepyhead.

Sunset Shimmer could have done with more sleep that morning, seeing how she only had three hours at best. She still had to be up and ready for school, which would start in a few hours.

Sunset's desktop computer screen turned on, which showed her browser and the many tabs to go with it, all of them were news stories from what happened last night.

She-Demon strikes again.

>Pedo Pete confirmed for #rekt.

Thunder Breeze responds to threat to daughter by launching late night raids against child sex trafficker.

Pedo Petes trafficking ring busted; top lieutenant shot by gun-wielding cheerleader.

Sunset was too tired to show any emotion from all the stories that included the raid, the reports of the "gun-wielding cheerleader", and the thirty teen and pre-teen girls that were rescued from Pete. She was all-around happy with the amount of coverage her late night antics were getting.

"Enjoyed it? I know stuff like this can sometimes overwhelm you."

My CPU output was at over 100% capacity.

"Ok, maybe you enjoyed it too much… I hope that was battery acid coming from your USB port," Sunset said, removing her clothes and was nude in full view of GLADIS.

I don't know if you show your fleshy body off to everyone, but wouldn't they ask questions with all those discolorations?

Sunset looked at her body to see what GLADIS was talking about: she had bruises all over. She assumed those came from the battle with the guards and their electrified batons.

"Not a problem."

Sunset's index finger lit up a bright opal as she pressed on each bruise firmly for a few seconds, causing the bruise to disappear. It took a few minutes and a few scans by GLADIS, but Sunset's skin was back to normal.

The smell of eggs and bacon overwhelmed Sunset the second she opened the bathroom door after her shower. She made her way downstairs to see her mother only cooking for two. Her dad was nowhere in sight.

"Wheres dad?" Sunset asked. Her mother was still in her silk pink nightgown cooking the bacon, which with any other woman would be excruciating when the popping oil would land on skin, but a woman with many years of burns while cooking under her belt? It was child's play.

"Sometime in the middle of the night, we woke up to see that she-demon thing stand in front of our bed. Nearly gave your father a heart attack. Anyway, she gave him a hard drive and told him that it contained the location of every brothel and list of every girl Pete had. He left for work with it the second she disappeared. That was maybe around three AM?"

Okay, I had around four hours of sleep.

Sunset also felt sore all over her body, even her arms. Those were the same arms that struggled to put the food in her mouth: Eggs, bacon, chopped potatoes with melted cheese on top, with a side of toast and homemade peach jam. Hazel Cinnamon was reading the newspaper as she ate.

"What do you think of the She-Demon, Mom?" Sunset asked.

"Well, I know that your father loves her, he says that any little bit helps to help the citizens of the city. The city council hates her and wants her rotting in a prison cell or on a dissection table. Your father keeps butting heads with them over it. Personally, I really have no opinion. I know I sound like a idiot for saying I don't care about current issues, but I'm paid to cook, not spout opinions."

The sound of a police siren was heard outside, which was explained by Hazel.

"Oi! That reminds me: Your father has an officer assigned to bodyguard you for a while… Pedo Pete has been known to follow through on threats. Now go, I don't want you late for class."

They shared a hug goodbye at the door, and as soon as she was on her way to the driveway Hazel locked the door behind her. It was a precaution in case Pete wanted to go after the wife as well.


* * *


"What did you do to piss off my father this time, Solar Sword?!" Sunset asked, observing the young assistant chief of police waiting for her on the hood of his car.

Solar gave her a sarcastic smile. "He can't trust anyone else with his iddy widdy pwincess."

"Clearly not, especially when who he sent did hit on me…"

"I thought the pizza was enough for you to stop bringing it up."

"Who were you trying to fool with that buyout, you or me?"

Sunset smiled as she walked past him on the way to the passenger seat, not without exchanging a fist bump with the officer.

"Where to, Miss Daisy?" He asked as he got in his squad car.

"School."

"You got it."

Sunset's phone rang as soon as they left the driveway.

"Is that your boyfriend?"

"Friend," Shimmer explained as she observed the caller ID.

Fluttershy.

"Hello?"

"Hey Flutts, what's up?"

It was hard to hear the soft-spoken Fluttershy over the sound of the barking dogs behind her, but Sunset managed.

"I'm at the animal shelter and I missed the bus, I hate to ask you to pick me up but can you?"

"Sure! You'll have to be in the back of a police car though. I'm being escorted by a police officer to school."

"THE BEST ONE IN THE FORCE!" Solar hollered in pride.

"Thank you Sunset, you're the best!"

"No problem," Sunset said as she hung up.

"Where is she?"

"Animal Shelter."


***


"Thanks again," Fluttershy said as they exchanged a quick hug. Sunset opened the back door up for Fluttershy and closed it after she got in, which had plastic chairs and little to no leg room.

As they drove, Solar Sun turned off the police scanner and put on the radio, which landed on a talk station.

"Change it if you like, Sunny."

Instead of changing the station, she turned up the volume because they were talking about She-Demon. They went back and forth, discussing the creature in length. One of the guys was loud, obnoxious and very opinionated, and sounded like he developed his opinions on things on the fly. The other was calmer and was the one in the duo that had the wealth of information.

Sunset Shimmer was tempted to fire a magic beam into the radio because the loud one called the She-Demon a "Batman-wannabe that can't even save herself from a paper bag."

"What about you, Solar? What do you think of the She-demon?" Sunset asked as they stopped at a red light, only a mere block or two away from their high school.

"Well, other than doing our jobs better than we are, I'm not really on board on that... thing being our savior. I've seen too many 'hero' types either have the fame get to their head or they taste greed and turn.

The light turned green and the car moved forward. It only made it halfway into the intersection before being hit by a black SUV. It slammed into Solar's side of the car and whipped them around like a merry-go-round. Pieces of broken glass, plastic, and items not bolted down, flew ini every direction. Sunset’s head landed on the airbag, but the pain was still excruciating.

"You okay, girls?" Solar asked, looking back at the girls. Both shook their head, but were nursing the soreness in their necks.

"Looks like that was no accident. Stay quiet." Solar said as he observed the black-clad men with automatic rifles in their hands.


* * *


Solar Sword got out of the heavily damaged car and used what was left of his door as protection.

The three men fired shot after shot at him, only to either not hit him or get the bent and broken squad door. Sunset knew they were for her, but that was not her biggest concern.

She had a passenger.

Sunset crawled out of her door, using the car itself as cover.

"Get your friend and find somewhere to hide!" Solar commanded.

Sunset opened the back seat, and Fluttershy also crawled out, crying in fear.

"Now!" Solar screamed, standing at the car door and firing his service pistol in rapid shots, giving the girls a chance to run. He didn't last long and was hit in the shoulder. Sunset heard the 'thud' of Solar's vest. She took a quick look to see him howling in pain on the ground, blood pouring from his wound.

They ran down the street, with her pursuers getting back in the van. Fluttershy was slow, so a rapid escape was out of the question.

"Through the alley!" Sunset commanded, hoping to lose them in one of the houses if any of them had a gate to the alley. Fluttershy listened and they found themselves running down an alley with no gates and no way to jump over the massive concrete walls.

Celestia dammit.

The situation turned further south when she realized they were cut off. A white, windowless van blocked their escape route, the damaged SUV was blocking the way they came from.

The girls backed away as the occupants of the windowless van and the SUV slowly converged on them. Fluttershy was on her knees, sobbing into her hands and slowly accepted her fate, as girls around the city were told what would happen if they were taken by Pedo Pete and his roving kidnapping vans.

Sunset was at a crossroad at that point: Either expose her powers, further endangering her family and friends and exposing she did not belong to this dimension.

Or, get them to let Fluttershy go in exchange she would get willingly captured and get taken to Pedo Pete, with either going horribly right or she will have to take it in the cooch…literally.

"If you let my friend go, I'll surrender!" Sunset screamed. The guys stopped to consider the offer, but their ringleader spoke out.

"That girl looks like she wants to have a good time. Don't know, I think Pete would love to ravage two lovely teen bodies at the same time to make a statement to your bitch ass pops."

Fuck.

They rushed the girls. Sunset fought back, managing to find off the attackers away from her and Fluttershy. They were caught off-guard by her ability to fight. Punches were dodged, kicks turned unto leg sweeps. They were losing the fight and they knew it.

The men backed away, Sunset stood ready for another round, smiling and even taunting her opponents to come get her. Their response was quick and fierce. The men from the SUV side charged. Sunset turned to face them but felt the sting of a few small pricks on her back. Those pricks soon became unbearable as she felt the surge of electricity run through her body. She wailed in pain and she fell on her hands and knees.

That cheating bastard is using a taser.

Sunset Shimmer had a change of heart as soon as she saw one of the men tackle the defenseless Fluttershy off her knees. She began to scream bloody murder as they tied her up with rope.

You arrogant little bitch! Why did you think not using what you had would work out! Hell, you even turned off GLADIS! I don't care what happens to me now, I got to get Fluttershy out of here!

Sunset attempted to stand, only to be met with the current again. She screamed in pain, it was unbearable and her muscles spasmed violently, but she stood. She began to raise her palm to the men, her magic locked and loaded. The men and Fluttershy were watching the superhuman feat of the Chief's daughter. She almost got the beam off, until…

"NIGHTY NIGHT, BITCH!" One of the men cried from behind her. Sunset only had a split second to prepare for the metal end of a lawn shovel crashing into her temple. The effect of the blow to the head plus the still active taser finally subdued Sunset Shimmer, who collapsed on her side. Her last memory before she blacked out was of Fluttershy, tied up and on her knees again; the image of her reddened eyes and still falling streams of tears burning right into Sunset’s soul, with Fluttershy's apology to go along with it before she began to sob uncontrollably.

"I'm sorry Sunset.” She sniffled, “I should of ran faster."
> Pedo Pete Part IV
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





"HELLO!"

Sunset Shimmer awoke to an unfamiliar surrounding: a jail cell. the walls were bare, the white paint chips all over the ground like splotches of dirty white. Her window was open, but sealed off with a iron security cage.

In front of her were three adults: a stoic-looking woman in a business suit carrying a tablet. She looked on without any sympathy, even if she probably knew what was Sunset's fate. The one on the far left was younger, larger, and his clothes were a bit more tattered. The look on his face, the dirty, discolored fingernails, and the small marks on his arms said it all: a tweaker.

The man between them was familiar: he had the same description, height, and had the same face of the man she was looking for since yesterday. Between the woman and the man was Risky Line himself.

"So, I heard your dad was talking shit." He said.

"He tends to do that to monsters." Sunset repled.

Risky had a twitch in his eye the second she called him that.

"Now listen here you bratty twat. If it wasn't for me, those girls would be in poverty! I got them out of the hell of the third world! I feed them! I clothe them! I teach them how to read!" He screamed in fury.

"You sell them for sex!"

"You want to pay for them without a return on a investment, Miss Rich Daddy? Anyway, right now I could use some really young pussy. You are alone. No daddy, no officer Fuckface that got shot, just you and me…. And my assistant’s camera. But I'm starting to like your friend you brought along…. She seems like she would like it."

"So much for being a humanitarian."

"Yeah, yeah. Just sit tight. I’ll get you all tied up to go see me have fun with your friend in person. While you wait ,enjoy some TV."

The junkie turned on the TV on the wall opposite of the jail cell to see the live shot from a news chopper of a police car patrolling the inner city, just mere blocks away. It also dawned on her that it was dark outside

How long was I out?

Conveniently, the anchor was back and gave the rundown: Her father called a tactical alert in the city; all police officers were out looking for her and Fluttershy. As soon as it was announced that they were kidnapped, Hazel Cinnamon collapsed in grief and was at that moment in a hospital, her father looked like he was holding back tears as he read a canned press release about the situation and the announcement that Pedo Pete was the main suspect in the attack. Solar Sword went into surgery hours ago to remove the bullet in his shoulder and was still under the knife.

It was a shitty situation for Sunset, but she only had herself to blame. If she had just used her magic... If GLADIS was around….

My contact HUD!

She rubbed her eye, hoping the link between her and the GLADIS program was not far away. With luck, the HUD came alive again with the connection at four out of five bars.

Well, look who came crawling back.

"Can we do this later? I'm in a jam!" Sunset whispered frantically.

My RSS feed is telling me you are in some deep water. How is Risky Line like?

"An asshole."

And I expected nothing less. I found Fluttershy. She is on the second floor of this place, in a room that has a balcony overlooking the yard. It's a U-shaped building.

"Has she been..."

Pheromone levels show she has not had any sexual contact recently.

"How the hell you know all this?"

Considering that cameras do more than just look nowadays.

"Creepy. But, I need to get Fluttershy out of here."

Ok Miss Heroine, so want me to call the cops so they come in guns ablazing?

"Thats too easy, I want Risky to suffer."

"Balls out She-Demon" option? I love it. One moment.

A ringtone came from the junkie’s back pocket. With shaky hands, he took a quick read.

He began to laugh. "Oh Look! A text from Pete! 'don't want her, you can have her!' Well, don't mind if I do!"

Sunset was sitting next to the back wall, her hand on her face, looking as if she was about to sob. The guard wasted no time in getting in the cell. As he began to unbuckle his belt, Sunset bolted from her sitting position and had her fist clenched, which was enveloped in a orb of opal. The punch landed on his chest, but sent him flying across the small cell, slamming him into the iron bars. He was out cold.

A bit overkill, don't you think?

"When it's the well being of a friend… Not really. How do I get there?"

There’s a chute to your right, it'll take you right to the yard. You can cross it and climb the fire escape to the balcony.

Sunset didn’t ask any questions and went into the square chute and dropped inside.


* * *


Fluttershy stopped crying hours ago, she simply ran out of energy for tears. She was also watching the coverage on the television. The defeated feeling of the world looking for her, but never finding her, was a plausible fear now.

The door opened, and Fluttershy recognized the face. She was scared speechless.

"Hello, dear. I think you might know who I am."

She nodded slowly. There was no time in her life that she was that consumed by fear.

"Assistant, can you please leave us? We would like to… Get well acquainted."

The assistant walked out of the room, not before turning on the camera in front of the bed.

"Now, I know you think I'm a monster. No! I'm a man, a man with needs. You see child, there are people in this world that are hated for liking things not considered the social 'norm'. Even today, men are taking wives as young as twelve in parts of the world. Are they 'icky'? 'Perverts'? 'Scum'? No! Which is surprisingly racist to believe that because they have a different culture than us, which they don't know any 'better' which leads to my question? Why are you afraid of your body? Isn't something as magical as sex part of the human psychology? Now, I would be with sunset shimmer… But you are easily the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. It would be a privilege to deflower you at the prime of your beauty."


* * *


The landing was soft, squishy and smelled of rotting food.

"You said this is a vent not a trashcan!"

I told you it was a way out.

"I hate you sometimes," Sunset said as her skirt, shirt, and leather jacket molted into her black cargo pants and turtleneck, her ski mask still in her pocket.

No point now.

She picked up a metal pipe next to the green dumpster and scouted around.

Ten in the yard, they seem to be just decoys… This whole apartment unit seems to be just abounded front for Pete and his crew. PLEASE BE ADVISED, RISKY LINE IS IN THE SAME ROOM AS FLUTTERSHY.

Sunset peeked past the bin and saw it. He surely was talking to her. She was on the foot of the bed. He was talking to her, leaning on the TV counter.

"Shit."


* * *


"So, my dear… As to quote a great character, 'Shag now, or shag now?"

He jumped on her, and she landed on the soft bed, but was pressed down by Risky's body. His hands were all over her as he began to kiss her neck. Fluttershy tried to push him off of her, but to no avail.

"Please get off, I don't want to do this!" She screamed. She began squirming in all directions, trying to wiggle free. His body was too heavy for her so it was all in vain.

She began to cry as he felt up her chest. Her tears only drove Risky Line even farther, to the point he got up. As soon as he did he grabbed the front of Fluttershy's tank top with both hands and violently tore them down the front, exposing her bra.Her hands covered them as she continued to cry, but he then ripped her skirt from her body, the sounds of tearing cotton and cries echoed through the room.

"White underwear? How unimaginative. Now, I can't have just you without any clothes on."

He unbuttoned each of his black and white Guayabera Shirt one by one, each one trying to seduce the crying Fluttershy, whose palms were covering her face.

There was a new sound in the room. It was not one of love or of sexual excitement… It was of pain.

Risky took a look outside in the lighted yard to see Sunset Shimmer take on all ten of his grunts in the yard, and winning by a landslide. Each swing missed the girl, and the swings of her iron pipe seemed to always hit one of them. They’d had enough and a few began to run inside the door, blocking the path for the others trying to escape, banging on the double doors

"I’m coming for you, Risky Line!” Sunset called out merrily, pointing her pipe at him.

" I thought you were supposed to be in a jail cell watching this?! Assistant!”

The stoic woman appeared with the shirtless Risky Line on the balcony, her gaze still fixed on Sunset.

"Deal with her." He commanded.

"Understood. Hold this."

She handed him her tablet and coat. He went on the balcony to drop it off as she made her way down the escape ladder, her stilettos and the metal announcing each step along the way.

Fluttershy was grabbed and she appeared on the balcony with her. Sunset saw red the second she saw her, underwear exposed and what was left of her torn clothes hanging off of her

"What did you do to her?!"

"You interrupted us as we were about the have fun. But no, you, Ms. Goody Two-shoes, had to ruin the fun. But there is some good news. You can have a first row seat once my assistant kicks your ass.

The assistant was around ten feet away from Sunset before she stopped and pulled out a black steel pipe that was only a foot long. One flick of the wrist, and it extended to a five foot pole.

Collapsible quarterstaff. Interesting.

Even with the impending fight, there was no emotion from Risky Line's assistant. "En guarde."
> Pedo Pete Part V
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Source


The assistant waited for Sunset to make the first move, which she did without fail. Her attempt to get in close with the pipe was met with a hit to the ribs and the side of the head, sending her to the ground

Ow, that hurt like a bitch.

She got up and attacked again, this time trying to be a bit faster, with the same result. She felt a bit light headed from the two blows to the head but kept standing.

She is proficient with that staff. We need a new strategy.

"Ya think?"

No magic?

"Too many people watching. We are going to have to do this old school."

Understood.

"I got it!"

Sunset charged again, only to jump over the woman at the last second. The woman still did not move. Sunset took a swing with her pipe aimed for the woman's head but stopped midway, the air in her lungs instantly removed by a backward thrust by the staff. The assistant faced her and brought the stick with her, making the tip crash across her head again.

Oh for fucks sakes.

She was on the floor again, taking a bit longer to get up.

"That's it, kick her ass!" Risky screamed, his hand clamped around Fluttershy's thick hip like a talon.

I have detected a fatal flaw in her strategy.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

I needed you to get hit by her before I can analyze. The gloves in her hand have all indications of being magnetic.

Sunset realized the fact and smiled.

"Alright, I know how to finish this."

Sunset charged again, waiting for the rib shot, which painfully came. She absorbed the hit and held on to the staff by trapping the pole between her side and upper arm. That window gave sunset enough time to let go and hold on to the stick with her hands, trying to yank the pole away from the assistant. The assistant tried to swing left and right but was tired of trying to move the mass of Sunset's body.

"It's over!" Sunset screamed as she attempted to lift the woman. The first few times were unsuccessful, but in a situation like that, a little bit of magic did not hurt. A faint aura of opal lit her hands, and Sunset's opponent felt lightweight. She lifted the woman and the staff over her head and slammed her down to the ground like a sledgehammer to the asphalt. The woman landed with a thud and did not move afterwards.

"What?! What the hell?!" Risky screamed, letting go of Fluttershy. She slipped back into the room as Risky began to pull his hair. He knew now that in fact he just messed with the wrong teenage girl.


* * *


"Dammit, you are good." Risky Line commented as Sunset checked the woman's vital sign by pressing her front and index finger against her neck.

Unconscious, but still alive.

The fire in Sunset's eyes never faded as she began her slow walk to the fire ladder, with the assistant's collapsed quarterstaff in her hand.

"You have bested my best assistant, and you have beaten my men. I guess I'm all that's left for you to attack. But, before you do consider this: Bye!"

However dramatic his escape dialogue was, it was short lived. He slammed face first into the glass of the sliding door, with an audible thud that was heard from Sunset's spot, which was halfway across the yard and was slowly getting closer, like the last grain of salt that was gradually approaching Risky's time left of freedom.

He desperately attempted to open the door, but the sliding door refused to yield. His appeals became harder, with the same sound coming from each yank was confirming the fact that during the fight, Fluttershy slipped away from Risky Line and locked herself in the room, leaving Risky Line to fend for himself.

"Open the door! She is coming! Open the door!" he cried over and over, only to receive a fearful, but angry death stare from Fluttershy. She was on the floor next to the bed, with one hand covering her cleavage, the other shielding her crotch from Risky's view.

"Fuck!" He screamed as he looked back, realizing that Sunset was mere seconds from arriving at the fire escape ladder. As soon as he heard her boots stepping on the iron bars, he made a break for it. He ran to the fire ladder and began to scramble, the sound of his socks meeting the metal was nearly heard.

He ran up the many stories and quickly exhausted his lack of stamina. He looked down in exhaustion only to see Sunset walking up the ladders, enjoying the cat and mouse game. He tripped on the edge of the roof, scraping his knee on the coarse tiling. He pulled his right pant leg up as he was on the ground, and pulled the small revolver from a holster that was tied to his ankle. He cocked the hammer while he was still on the ground and waited for Sunset to show, hoping to blast her back to the Stone Age.

She never arrived.

He slowly got up, his finger still on the trigger, ready to fire. He stood there still aiming, waiting in anticipation and in fear for Sunset to show at least the top of her head. Suddenly, he heard an unexplainable noise from behind him, and whatever was happening behind him was emitting a bright opal color.

He didn't hesitate to turn around with his gun, and unload his revolver into the figure that was standing in the middle of the orb, which had the same silhouette as Sunset Shimmer. The silhouette jerked back with each bullet it took until the sixth and final round sent the silhouette off the roof and to the alley below.

Risky Line wanted to wait for the 'thud' but grew impatient. He began to walk the long walk to the fire escape while talking to himself.

"Step one, find Sunset's friend. Step two, flee to the southern border with her, step three, make her my wife and-"

Like a field mouse on a summer's day, he did not see the predator snatch him off the ground until it was too late. His screams were heard as the winged devilish creature flew off into the moonlight, its target firmly grasped in its right claws.


* * *


"Daddy?!"

"Sweetie?! Where are you!?" Thunder Breeze screamed. The background noise of the police station became abuzz with the sudden realization that his daughter was still alive.

"I'm alright. Fluttershy and I are safe. We are in the projects with the radio tower."

"I’ll be on my way. Did pedo Pete…"

"No, he didn't touch me. But Daddy, she was here, she saved me. "

"I see."

"Daddy I got to go, I'm going to find Fluttershy."

"Wait, sweetie-"

Sunset Shimmer hung up on her father, mostly 'concerned' for the well being of her friend. In truth: she did not want her father to question why the occasional thug would run from her shouting "It's the She-Demon!"

Glad to see he has been dealt with

"Likewise, GLADIS. Also, good job coordinating our roof takedown."

Your species' belief that there is no creature on this planet that can snatch a grown human from the air makes it all too easy.

She giggled as she continued down the dilapidated halls


***


Fluttershy sat there and pondered her situation: She had been shot at, kidnapped, was face to face with a monster, nearly raped, clothes ripped off, and her best friend was some ass kicking machine. Still, she had to count her blessings that it didn't get any worse than that.

She had no idea why she was still sitting there, her bra and panties in full view and her clothes hanging off her body, but she was just too tired to do anything else. That was until she heard the knock on the door.

"Fluttershy! It's Sunset!" The familiar voice cried out from the other side of the door. The young woman raced to the door and pelted her friend with hugs and kisses to the cheeks.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Fluttershy said, glad to finally see a familiar face again.

"No problem Fluttershy, I couldn't actually leave you alone like that"

"I didn't know you can do all that!" Fluttershy said as she calmed down.

"I… I try. I'm just glad you're safe, and we can go home now."


***


Thunder breeze was not the first to arrive but was the most frantic in getting there. Many in the force were willing to ignore the fact that he swerved through traffic to get to the projects, but under the circumstances they would have done the same. He parked his squad car in the project yard, with the rest of the cars that arrived including a SWAT armored transport. He took one look at the radio tower, and couldn't believe his eyes.

What in the-


He stepped out and approached the crowd of officers looking at the same thing he was while sharing one pair of binoculars amongst each other.

"How long has he been up there?"

"Dunno, Chief. He has been up there since the chopper arrived before us."

On the top of the radio tower, with the entire world watching from the television helicopters overhead was Risky Line wrapped in duct tape near the top.

More police, fire department and multiple ambulances arrived and began to prepare for the extraction of Risky Line and the recovery of the missing girls. Seeing how his daughter was no longer in danger, Thunder Breeze decided to get Risky down instead of finding his daughter in the building, and left the task to the young kevlar-clad sergeant that was with him that night when Sunset arrived, her first day back from maternity leave.

"I'll find her, Sir!" She said as she lead the thirty or so hostage rescue team members into the building with their rifles drawn.

The next step was to climb into the cherry picker and ride the way up to Risky, whose voice was shot by the time they arrived to cut him off.

"Risky, Risky, Risky. I have been waiting for this for a long while. Allow me to savor this moment as my men cut you down."

He stood silently as his men used scissors to cut the numerous layers of tape that would have been needed to keep him suspended. Thunder Breeze just stared into Risky Line's scared eyes, his smugness emanating from every pore of his body

So, would you like me to read your Miranda?"


***


"Sunset! Holy shit are we glad to see you!" The woman said as she turned the hallway. Sunset was walking Fluttershy out of the project, with a blanket wrapped around her. The rest of the HRT laid down their arms and stopped in front of the girls.

"Where's my father?"

"He went to cut down Pedo Pete, sent me to get you."

"Victor gets the spoils?"

"Very much so, Sunset Shimmer. He won, we won, society won the day today."

They surrounded the girls and began to escort them back out of the building, keeping their eye out for any ambushes.

"Where is Pete?" Sunset asked.

"Whoever got their hands on him, and we assume the She-Demon, tied him with duct tape on top of the radio tower. I like She-Demon, but that's not sadistic enough for that guy."

They walked out into the light of the yard to see the paramedics loading the injured assistant to the ambulance, a handcuff tied to her gurney. Sunset spotted her father behind Risky, preparing to get him into an armored paddy wagon, ready to be transported to the station with an armada of squad cars to escort it.

By chance, Risky looked to see Fluttershy heading his way, slowly. The officers escorting the girls were trying to wait until he was inside to get them to the chief.

Risky began to struggle, to fight.

Be began to scream as well, even if each word was like a dagger to the throat. He did not care about the pain at that point, only about the young woman he had become infatuated with.

"Pink hair sweetie! I'm sorry! Please! Let us get married! We can have a life together!"

His fight for her ended quickly, as he was given a few jabs with a baton and the steel doors closed behind him.

With that, the nightmare was over.

The world was watching, news cameras and helicopter shots were capturing the moment when the father reunited with the daughter.

Sunset walked Fluttershy to an empty ambulance and helped her into it, with a fresh pair of clothes waiting for her. When that was completed, there was nothing left to do but to run into the arms of her teary-eyed father.

"You won't believe the day I had," Sunset said tearfully as she held her father tightly.

> Pedo Pete Finale 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset Shimmer was back at school the very next day. She had hoped someone would have told the student body to leave her be and to give her time to not think about what happened. Instead, she was pelted with questions from anyone and everyone with the most prominent question being "Did he do anything to you?"

Some questions struck a nerve with her, especially if it implicated she might have been the She-Demon. The descriptions of the She-Demon and "Sunset Satan" were almost identical. It was easy for Sunset to lie about it, claiming the magic came from the crown.

As for Fluttershy: she took a few days off to get her chi back in order (or whatever that was). Sunset and the girls would visit her and hand her the homework she had to do. Fluttershy was happy, she was smiling and somehow it didn't faze her. Her single mother was at that point where she never wanted to let her daughter out of her sight. Considering Fluttershy was all she had, no one could have blamed her. Fluttershy explained that this usually came and went, and she would be back in school starting the Monday after.

Sunset also came for a favor.

"Have any clothes or anything for young girls you might not be wearing anymore?"

It started when Sunset returned to school, and everyone stared as if they had seen a ghost. It continued until she was hurried away by a teacher to Principal Celestia's office.

"Sunset Shimmer, I know that something like you went through can be traumatizing, so if you want to take a few days off I won't hold it against you."

Sunset shook her head,"I'm all right, Principal Celestia. I think I can manage. But, I also wanted to do something for the girls and boys that were in Pedo Pete's brothels."

They had an impromptu assembly, and Sunset Shimmer asked every member of the student body for clothes, toys, and maybe even snacks. The drive was planned to last only a few days, but they raised enough that surplus items were donated to the local Goodwill.

Sunset could only smile as she and Hazel Cinnamon worked tirelessly into a Friday night to get the clothes ready for the morning after.

It's going all according to plan.


***


"I am proud of you, sweetie. Those kids can use any help they can get." Thunder Breeze said as they drove with Hazel Cinnamon to the police station. In the back was all the clothes raised, washed and folded in plastic trash bags, with a black tarp covering the over twenty trash bags.

"You should be proud of my school. It's their donations."

"I guess so. It's still a shame I couldn't get the city council to approve money for the girls. I would use department money, but they consider it embezzlement."

They pulled up to the employee parking lot and were greeted by a crowd from the school, including the principal. They did not even wait for Sunset and family to leave the car before they started to untether the tarp and began to carry the bags from the truck bed to four or so laundry carts. Sunset exited the vehicle in a wave of cheers, pats on the back, and "We were wrong about you." She even received a hug from Celestia, which, after what happen during the fall formal she thought it would never happen. Even with all that, there was one person she wanted to see.

He stood with a group of officers, a with a sling supporting his left arm.

She ran to him and gave him a big hug, but immediately backed off once he winced in pain.

"Sorry, Solar Sword!"

"It's fine, kiddo. Glad to see you're okay."

"Hows the arm?" Sunset asked.

"Ill be stuck doing desk duty for a couple of months, but since that's what I'm confined to anyway, I guess it's not too bad."


***


"I just want to thank Principal Celestia and the students of…"

For some reason, the mayor's speeches were boring, tedious, and he tended to ramble. He won last year because everyone hated the other guys' guts, especially Thunder Breeze. That allowed Sunset to complete the second phase of her plan, sneaking out of the press conference and into the station. She passed through the many hallways and found herself where she wanted to be. It was a large room that was usually used for emergencies or mass arrests. This time it was to hold over 50 children.

The all looked on in curiosity at the girl who walked in. Sunset knew who to look for, the daughter of the governor. She ran to her once she spotted the girl, and introduced herself

"I'm sorry, why are you here?"

All Sunset had to do was to pull out the rosary.

The children rushed her, thanking her. She was assaulted by hugs, and kisses. Sunset could only smile, but knew what she came for.

"Listen, I need a favor. Hold hands and make a circle, all of you."


* * *


Sunset left the room in tears. Her emotions were getting the best of her as if there were memories of pain and suffering racing through her head. She continued to the elevator and took it to the last floor: solitary confinement.

"Gladis, go." Sunset sniffled.

The tablet did its work, throwing commands through the WiFi and finished only a few seconds to spare.

Security cameras fixed. You're clear to go.

Sunset walked through the hallway not caring about the cameras because Gladis looped the feed so that there would be no evidence of her being on that floor. There was only three doors at the end of the hallway, and went through the right door, which was the only one that was unopened.

He was sitting on his bed, looking at the television. The look of defeat and exhaustion was written all over.

"What is her name?" Risky Line asked without taking his eyes off the television.

"Fluttershy."

"Does she want to be with me?"

"No."

"I was expecting that. its…its for the best I guess" He said as he felt the sting of rejection. "Why are you here?"

"Punishment."

He laughed. "Punishment? My freedom is gone, I can never see Fluttershy ever again,  and I have to spend the rest of my life in the pen. With a reputation like mine, I will die by someone's shiv in less than five years. But no, I need to be punished more."

"What you did was inexcusable!" She yelled.

"Who died and made you the overlord of morality!? Just because you do heroic things does not make you a hero! You will know that soon enough if you try to play hero, She-Demon!"

"W-what?" Sunset Shimmer said in surprise.

"I might be a ‘monster’, but I'm not an idiot."

"Well aren't you an observant one."

"You had to be to live my life, Sunset Shimmer. If you didn't grow up with a mean fist and a keen mind in Favela Rocinha, you were a dead man. Especially if you were a foreigner that was abandoned by your parents while they were on vacation. I'm done running so if you're going to kill me, do it now."

Sunset smiled as her right hand, and Risky Lines' body was engulfed by a bright opal. With a flick of a finger, he was pinned against the ceramic tile wall with a loud thud. His arms and legs were stretched outward, and he became face to face with sunset.

"Why are you crying?"

"I'm not."

"You are still tearing."

"You're about to find out soon enough." She said as she walked up to him, her anger still showing.

"Well? Finish me!"

Sunset finally had him where she wanted, and finally did the deed. She walked up to him...

And gave him a deep kiss.

Risky's eyes were fluttering, his body was convulsing with what little wiggle room Sunset’s magic gave him. It was as if he was a demon possessed.

It only lasted a couple of seconds, and when it was over, Sunset let go of him. He collapsed and began to choke and cough on all fours.

"What, what did you do?!"

"I took the memories of the children you used, the children you exploited. I carried them from my brain to yours through that kiss. That's why I was crying because I had to hold the memories and the emotions they had because of you. They no longer have them. But, you do, and you will have them for the rest of your life. As you saw, I could barely hold it together for five minutes. You will have to carry that burden for the rest of your life, whoever long that might be. You have two minutes to enjoy whatever sanity you have left. Have a nice life, Risky Line."


* * *


"It's a beautiful day." Hazel Cinnamon said while she held the hand of her husband. The cameras were gone, everyone left, and the donated goods were already being distributed to the children. They were told that Sunset went inside to use the restroom, so they were waiting for her to come back out.

"I couldn't agree more," Thunder Breeze said, observing a few pigeons along a telephone wire.

The moment was interrupted by the ring of Thunder Breeze's cell phone.

"What's up, Solar Sword?"

"Just to let you know,Risky line has just fifty-one-fiftied and we are taking him to the state loony bin for observation."

"The hell?"

"Yeah, it was sudden. We checked the security cameras, and there was nothing going on before it started. It was as if it just happened spontaneously.”

"I understand. Keep me updated."

"Kay."

"You know, however, the craziness of adopting Sunset, I'm so glad we have her as a daughter," Hazel Cinnamon said as Thunder Breeze hung up the phone.

"Yes, I agree."

"You know, Thunder... She will be going to college in a few short years, what do you say.. I don't know… We try again?"

"You mean…"

"Yes, we can go for that son you always wanted."

"Can we do this… You know.. Naturally?"

Hazel looked at her husband with a playful, yet seductive smile.

"Mr. Breeze! Are you trying to seduce me?! The answer is of fucking course!"

They heard the sound of the opening double door behind them and looked back.



Their daughter was looking at them with a smile.

I'm so glad I have them. I would be lost in this world without them.

"So," Thunder Breeze said, ending the silent smiles. "Who's up for sushi?"

"No objections here," Both Sunset and Hazel said.

The couple let go of their hold and allowed their daughter to join in the middle as they walked to the truck. Sunset smiled, but her mind was racing.

Well, thats all over and done with. I really should count my blessings that it didn't end any worse than it could have been. Still, what if he is right? What if I am trying to play hero and I might end up biting more than I can chew? What then? I mean my mother's and my life are in jeopardy all the time because of my father, but we don't think about it. Would continuing this would lead to my downfall? What about my friends? I endangered one already, what about the rest?


And what of the connection of magic to my world and back home? If Star Swirl's way of dealing with monsters was to banish them, especially to this and other worlds, and then who is to say those monsters won't try to make their way back home via the school? Will I have to sacrifice everything to keep the world, or, even more importantly, my friends and family out of harm’s way?


You know what? Fuck it. This city could use some unconventional spring cleaning…Once I figure out how to get in this god damned truck. Seriously, it won't cost you an arm and a leg to install some steps, Dad.
> First Day 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thunder Breeze walked the empty halls of Canterlot High School, admiring the campus’ beauty. His police-issued shoes made a clicking sound that echoed throughout the halls. For Thunder Breeze, he would usually be walking those halls for police-related assemblies, picking up his daughter, or even the occasional request from a college friend, Celestia, to come over and talk to a student who was heading in the wrong direction.

He still remembered the last time she asked him to do so.

He was watching television with Hazel Cinnamon at home while waiting for Sunset Shimmer to call to pick her up from the Fall Formal. When Celestia called and informed him that a student went berserk, he became worried for his daughter's safety. Especially when she told him that the student somehow destroyed the front wall of the school, and she wanted him to talk to the student. When he arrived, Celestia's little sister was waiting for him in the parking lot and escorted him to Celestia's office. He looked in awe as he walked past the hole in the front of the school. The whole brick masonry was gone, along with the front door that was in theory designed to withstand a car crashing into it. He was also surprised that the dance continued in the gymnasium as if nothing had happened.

"Bullying, framing, and manipulating students and faculty since day one. It all lead up to this recent outburst that cannot go unnoticed. I have to admit I dropped the ball on this one and not dealt with this student when she first arrived at my school. Heads up: This one will be your toughest one yet."

"Sounds like one hell of a pickle. Who is it?"

She did not say a word. She let him into her office and closed the door behind him.

The girl had sunk in the cheap, yellow, plastic chair deep enough to not be seen and was sobbing. He had to walk to the girl's side to see who he was dealing with and felt numb when he saw the girl he took in those many years ago. Seeing him in the office only made Sunset sob harder, apologizing to him over and over about what she did. He didn't have any anger or disappointment for what she did. All he did was go on his knees and bring his daughter's head to his chest in a loving, parental, manner.

"Shh. Shh. Don't Cry. It's okay sweetie, we will get through this together," He continued in a soft voice.


 *** 


"Celly! How do you do!" Thunder said, running into the principal.

The small talk went on. Other than complaining about their higher ups, the conversation was about their personal lives. It even ended with an invitation from Thunder Breeze to Celestia and her little sister for them to come over for dinner. Hazel wouldn't mind, cooking was her passion, even if her audience was just her husband and daughter now.

"Where is Sunset? I came to pick her up," Thunder Breeze asked.

"Music Wing. Several of our musicians are testing out the new recording studio the state donated," Celestia answered with an accomplished grin.

Thunder Breeze frowned. "Does the state have all the money in the world to donate something like that?! I can't even get them to pay for my men's overtime when the governor comes to town to raise money for his election campaign!"

"Thunder, you learn pretty quick in this field of work never to question donated things and just take it before they change their mind," Celestia said as she give Thunder one last hug before continuing on to her duties elsewhere.

When he arrived, an ugly solid metal door greeted him. It stood out like a sore thumb compared to the rest of the campus.

This is the school equivalent of the windowless van.

Three raps to the door later, a familiar blue haired boy answered the door. Even though he never talked to him when he dated Sunset, Thunder trusted the boy. 

"Oh. Hello Sir," Flash Sentry answered timidly.

Still afraid of me, beautiful.

"Sunset?"

He stepped back and let the Chief in. The cramped control room smelled of must and 'old'. The old and dilapidated couches lined the wall. Above the couches were different motivation posters pinned in the wall in a bad attempt to mask the cracked wood paneling. The recording room itself was more spacious and had room for over fifty or so people. Sunset was sitting on a stool in the middle of the room, her headphones and stand ready to go.

To Sunset's left was a chorus of her friends: the annoying but fun pink one, the girl from the country who was most likely marrying her cousin at some point in her life, the yellow one that was kidnapped with Sunset, and the rainbow haired girl that Thunder Breeze swore up and down to his wife that she was at least bi. He assumed as such the way she sometimes fidgeted around his daughter.

Behind Sunset was Rarity on the grand piano.

Oh Rarity.

He had always told himself if he became literal scum and cheated on Hazel Cinnamon, it would be that friend of Sunset would be the girl to do it with. Her elegance, her maturity, her body and her lack of shame to flaunt it.

She is going to make a great trophy or athlete wife someday.

"Everyone shut up alright! Take six! Go!" The tan, orange haired kid in front of the controls screamed.



"She has a great voice, doesn't she?" Thunder Breeze whispered to Flash and the song continued.

"Yea, I know for a fact she knows how to use her throat well," Flash Sentry answered.

Thunder turned to give a death glare to the teenager.

"Is there something you want to tell me about my daughter?" He asked in anger.

"T-that's not what I meant, Sir!" Flash said while pale in fear

The look of murder turned into a smirk and a pat on the back to the boy. "You're all right, considering you broke my daughter's heart."

"I know Sir, but it had to happen," Flash explained.

"I know, at least I don't have to deal with an unexpected grandson anytime soon," Thunder said with glee.


***


"And that's a wrap!" The director said through the intercom at the conclusion of the song.

Everyone in the other room let out a collective sigh and began to get up from their seats and pack up their things.

"Oh and Sunset, your dad is here to get you. Please leave immediately because he scared me with how big and strong and handsome he is… Okay, I said it sir. Can you please let go of me?"

Sunset said one last hug filled goodbye to her friends and ran to her waiting father.

"Ready to go, Dad?" Sunset asked as she came through the door from the recording room.

"You bet! Your ex was just telling me all the embarrassing stuff you did when you two were dating!" Thunder explained with a devious smile

"Flash!" Sunset snapped.

"I wasn't, Sunny. I swear!" Flash said in fear. 

"I'm teasing the poor kid," Thunder said with a hearty laugh.


* * *


"By the way, kiddo: You have an amazing voice" Thunder Breeze complimented. Because of the music session, they were running late to the psychologist. He was going fifteen miles over the speed limit on the already crowded freeway. They were even passing squad cards, who could only just wave at their boss.

"Thanks, Dad. You know, I don't think I told you this, but I want to go to college to study music. I want to be a musician."

"Really? You're still a sophomore, but if you love music go for it, kiddo," He encouraged.

"I can't help it, I got the music in me," Sunset said with a smirk.

"That was corny, sweetie," Thunder said after a few seconds of processing that statement.

"I know."



"Oh, this song! Sunset turn it up!"

Sunset Shimmer recognized the song. Every time it  played, her parents would hold hands, get a little closer to each other and kiss.

"This song brings me back. It was your mother's and I's song. We actually did that one summer ya know? Hitchhiked across the country with nothing but the clothes on our backs and our parents trust fund account, good times. One of these days Sunset we need to share the stories of it. So many fun adventures. But seriously, Sunset. One summer in college you should hitchhike across this beautiful land as well. I'll get you a gun just in case."

"Will I have a trust fund as well?"

"Aha hahaha, no! You kids and your want for money."


* * *


"So Sunset, I heard you had a 'meltdown' at a school event," Ember Velvet asked. Sunset's sessions were in two stages: the first half with her parents and the second half she was alone with the teenager. She still forced Sunset to sit on the floor when her parents left the room.

"It wasn't that bad," Sunset commented.

"People described that you became a 'literal she-demon'. You also ended up destroying the front wall of the school, causing a few thousand dollars in damages." Velvet replied.

"How did you know all that?" Sunset asked.

"Police reports and the witness statements they took.I have to ask how you did not get a felony over that?"

"Well… Dad," she timidly answered. 

"Not surprised. Sunset Shimmer, the thing is we need to get to the root of your problem."

"What is my problem?" She asked in suspicion.

"As long as your insurance is paying, you have a problem. Now, let's go way back. Before you-"

"No, not answering about before I showed up. I told you this already," Sunset snapped.

"And If I keep pressing the issue?" Velvet said, calling her bluff.

"I'll tell Daddy to get us a new psychologist."

Threat with the spoiled girl tone? Good job kicking it old school, Sunset.

"Fine. Let us skip that part until you feel like its time. How about after they found you?"

"Well, they fed me and the day after took me shopping. Clothes, room remodel, shampoos, tampons, you get the idea. They then told me that they were going to send me to school in a few days once I got my paperwork down. Dad spent a lot of money for the red tape.Iit was because of the other girl named Sunset Shimmer. I mean, do you have to deal with someone with the same name?"

"She is an “evil” black and red princess of some country. I don't want to talk about that. Anyway, how about the first day. How was that like?"

"Ponyville Intermediate? Well, it was around the fall, and it was one of the scariest moments of my life..."


* * *


"Meet me here after the last bell, and don't go out and get yourself pregnant!" Hazel Cinnamon said as she slowly drove off, saying that line for the first time. She would end up continuing to use that every time she dropped off Sunset anywhere.

Sunset turned around and could only stare at the large brick building because she was too scared to do anything else. The place was intimidating, which didn't help the young girl who was already wide-eyed and afraid.

You've done first days at school back at Canterlot, Sunset. Just one trot -em- step at a time.

"HI! ARE YOU NEW!"

Sunset gasped in surprise at the pink girl that was uncomfortable close to her, their faces mere inches. She had a random style of dress as well.

"Y-Yes?"

"I'M PINKIE PIE! WHAT'S YOUR NAME?!"

"S-Sun-Sunset Shim-"

"DO YOU HAVE A SPEECH IMPEDIMENT?!” Pinkie gasped.“ARE YOU GOING TO BE IN THE REMEDIAL CLASS WITH ME?!"

Considering that was her first interaction with a girl her age, she had no other options in her mind but to run from the girl. Sunset would end up taking up the same remedial class as the girl, but both girls ended up getting out of the class within a month. The administration was too lazy to consider one was just a hyper child and not mentally disabled. Or they didn't consider the new girl just needed access to a library to catch up on thirteen years of living in this world. 

Celestia Dammit! Is everyone in this world as crazy as her?!

She continued to run in the crowded hall, almost crashing into a few people who looked on at the new girl in confusion. Her luck ran out, and she slammed face first to someone's locker door.

"Shit! You okay?" The boy asked. His wild blue hair and beautiful eyes of the same color of his hair mesmerized the young girl.

"Oh uh, yeah, I guess," Sunset timidly answered.

"Whats your name?” He asked, offering a hand to her.

"S-Sunset Shimmer," she said with a blush. She accepted his hand and he helped her up. She continued to look down as she dusted off her skirt.

"The name’s Flash Sentry. Hey, wanna be friends?"

"S-Sure," she said shyly.

 There're guys as cute as him around? Okay, maybe this place isn't so bad after all.
> Kings and Queens Part I
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"And you are sure I can't go with you guys?" Sunset Shimmer asked, carrying both of her mother's heavy blue luggage cases.

"No, Sweetheart. It's a business trip, not a family event. I'm sorry kiddo, but I'll be sure to make it up to you when we get back." Thunder Breeze explained.

"Since when did Waikiki Beach became a business trip?" Sunset asked, Glancing at her father's cargo shorts and flower button up shirt. The girl was becoming suspicious of her father's motive.

"I don't choose where they hold these police commissioner conferences, Sunset. But I’m not complaining about where they chose this one."

"If you say so, dad," Sunset grumbled in disappointment.

"And I say let us hurry this up, people! I want to be in a coconut bra before the day's end!" Hazel Cinnamon commanded. She was holding a few fashion and professional chef magazines for the long flight.

"I feel so sorry for the entire part of the island that has to see that," Solar Sword said, using the one hand that wasn’t in a sling to drag a rolling suitcase behind him.

"Bad! Bad!" Hazel playfully nagged as she smacked him with her rolled up magazines.

"Well, at least you get some good eye candy, this weekend," Thunder Breeze commented to Sunset.

"Uh, Chief? I don't think that's the right way to describe your daughter," Solar joked.

"Speaking of," Thunder Breeze replied. "I'm trusting you with this one. She can be trouble. And do you your best to make sure she doesn't sneak out at night."

"Understood, Sir,"

"That goes for you too, Sunset. Any hanky-panky between you two and this house will turn Heaven's Gate in a split second. If you don't know what I'm talking about, look up castration. Do I make myself clear?!"

"Yes Sir."

"Yes Daddy," Sunset said as she gave him one last hug.

Her mother was not far behind. "Behave Sweetie."

"And if you do hook up with him, please give me the juicy details," her mother whispered as she let go.

With a wink, her mother walked to the taxi that was waiting for them in front of the house, her father already in the car. Everyone waved goodbye as the car began its trip to the airport, only ending as the taxi disappeared from view.

"So, what do you wanna do?" Solar asked.

"W-wanna make out?" Sunset asked. She played with her hair and unleashed her pouty puppy eyes that she used to get whatever she wanted.

"W-what?" Solar stuttered.

"I'm fucking with you, order a pizza or something! And I hope you brought your video games like you said you would!" Sunset commanded as she went back inside.


* * *


"So let me get this straight: He is sleeping over?! With you?! No parents?! You lucky girl!" Rarity said in envy. Sugar Cube Corner was its usual state of packed for a Friday afternoon, and most of the student body was at the restaurant. The girls were enjoying their usual collection of shakes while gossiping amongst themselves. Sunset looked around and recognized most as people she bullied before, so she’d always kept a low profile since then. The only time she was out of her woman-made shell was when she was around her friends.

"Why would I be lucky?" Sunset asked.

"He is absolutely hot!"

"I guess? I always saw him as an older brother, one that gave us pizza that one time," Sunset said. The rest of the girls giggled because they walked into that situation back a few months ago. They also earned pizza to buy their silence as well. Only Pinkie Pie had the 'hots' for him, but not as severe as Rarity. Rainbow and Applejack thought he was rather handsome, but nothing to salivate over.

As for Fluttershy:"Oh! He was nice, I owe him my life."

The conversation went from Solar Sword’s hotness rating to other boys at school. iIn the midst of the estrogen-fueled drool fest, Sunset felt the all too familiar vibration coming from her book bag.

Thanks Twilight, the conversation was getting awkward.

"Sunset,

I'm glad to hear that you and Fluttershy are okay. That sounds like a scary ordeal. I knew your world was dangerous, but I didn't know it was that dangerous! The many monsters, fiends, and villains here want power, not to perform devious acts on a pony's body. Equestria is quiet again, mostly the occasional friendship problem. What are you going to do with that guy living in your house for a weekend? It seems you might be planning something?


Your friend,


Twilight.


With a pen in hand, Sunset wrote a reply.

Twilight,

My only concern was for Fluttershy, I really wouldn't care what would happen to me. As for this world, the magic of friendship isn't as huge as it is in Equestria, but at least it exists in some way. My father was talking about letting me travel this country some day. Maybe I can spread friendship if I ever get to, which might be in a few years. As for that guy? I might have plans with him, depending how tonight goes. I know I say this all the time, but tell Celestia I said hello and I can’t wait to see her again someday.

Your friend,

Sunset Shimmer.


"I'm sorry, Sunset. I cannot get over how hot Solar Sword is!" Rarity said. The girls began to giggle at the girl. In his uniform, behind Rarity, stood Solar Sword also wearing a smug grin behind the infatuated teenager.

"I can't get over how hot I am either!" Solar said in pride.

"Solar! Oh hi!" Rarity trembled.

"It's fine to have those feelings Rarity, such a shame you are only fifteen… come back to me in three years and we will talk… ANYWAY! Sunset! Ready to go?"

"You bet!"

As they drove back to her house, the conversation of what to eat that night came up.

"We had pizza yesterday, we need to do something new," Solar suggested.

"Chinese?"

"Sure!"

As Solar changed his route to make a pit stop at the only Chinese food place in the suburb, sunset received one text from Rarity.

"YOU BETTER JUMP HIS BONES HOLY SHIT IM SO JEALOUS OF YOU"


* * *


Normally, Sunset's high wailing alarm clock on her nightstand would be silent on a Saturday. That day, however, it went on but only an hour later at eight o’ clock. Sunset swatted her alarm like a fly and sat up. She looked around and then outside of her window. It was a bright and sunny morning, which she was hoping for.

Morning, Sunset.

"Morning GLADIS, ready for today?"

Yes, can't wait.

"Great," she said as she stepped out of her bed. Sunset grabbed the towel and went into her bathroom, and when she came out half an hour later, she was in all black. Her pants had a numerous assortment of plastic plates and black. On top of her long sleeve shirt was a padded vest with black plastic armor. Strapped to her back was a harness that had a handle sticking out of it.

Whats with the new gear?

"This? This is some plastic armor used for motorcycle riders. I thought it would help with bad guys." Sunset explained.

And that handle?

Sunset grabbed the handle and pulled it out of its sheath, revealing the machete it was attached to."It's my dad’s. It was his issued machete when he was in this country's special forces. Said he did some missions in tropical countries so they gave him one. The government gave him money to go to college when he left, and that's where he met mom."

Want me to verify the story?

"I’ll take my dad's word for it. Thanks"

Sunset stepped out of her room and began to crouch-walk down the hallway. The living room was the only room standing between her and the outside, which Solar Storm was using to watch football.

"Sorry if you need to watch your little pony shit or whatever Sunset, but the college football game is on!" He shouted in celebration.

"Well, so much for the front door. I have a plan though. Gladis, text him," Sunset whispered.

Will do.

Within seconds, Solar's phone began to vibrate, making an audible buzz as it moved against the coffee table. He picked up the phone and took a look at what the text read.

Go to Alex's house.

"Wait, wha-"

At that moment, Sunset fired an opal beam from her finger to the glass of the phone. The beam ricochet off the glass and landed on Solar's forehead. His head jerked back and he dropped his phone.

"Gotcha," Sunset said as she ran down the stairs to see her kill. His eyes were open, but staring into space. He didn't move.

"Right, I have twelve hours. Let's make each second count."

Sunset grabbed a blanket next to Solar and wrapped him from the neck down. As she tucked the blanket in, her lips came close to Solar’s. She stopped for a second and stared at his lips. A feeling of want came over her, and she leaned to met his lips. It was only a quarter of an inch from both their lips meeting that Sunset snapped out of it.

No, you don't control me Rarity.

Sunset substituted the kiss on the mouth with one on the cheek.

"Sleep tight, buddy."
> Kings and Queens Part II
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------






The city was average for a Saturday Afternoon: full of crime and not enough of the city’s finest lawmen to stop every single one. As Sunset flew over the buildings, she faintly heard the sound of an alarm going off.

Armed store robbery, three miles to your west on 55th and Topeka.

Sunset flew in that direction while skimming the skyline. She only dipped between the brick townhomes when she saw the two masked men with handguns. They had backed out of a corner liquor store, frantically waving their weapons. Everyone on the street near the scene was running and trying to hide themselves in case bullets started flying.

"In the car, dumbasses!" Their getaway driver commanded, manning the driver’s seat of their small car.

They men got in their small sedan, with the getaway driver preparing to peel away. As soon as he began to drive off, a large red mass fell on the hood of the car in a fiery explosion. Everyone in the car looked forward to see a fire-demon-looking girl in a cocktail dress that matched her flame-like hair. She stood up, the molten remains of their hood and engine pooled around the woman's ankles. She raised both her hands and fired an opal beam from each palm, grazing the car's doors and welding the car where the beam grazed it. It sealed the men inside. With a smug glare to the scared men, she flew off. She took a quick peek down and smiled as the bystanders looked on at her with wonder.

As she continued to skim the buildings, she sensed the emotion of anticipation and guilt, someone was about to shoplift. She changed direction and went to another convenience store a few blocks down the road. Something felt off about the feeling, but she continued to race to the store, flying between the buildings when it was in her sights. She glided her way into the store, startling both the shopkeeper and the other person in the store. Sunset knew that the other body she sense was the thief, so she turned down the aisle to face…

It's just a kid. ITS JUST A KID!

He looked like he was in the fourth grade. His clothes were in decent shape, so stealing a candy bar because he was hungry was not it.

"Why are you going to steal that bar, kid?"

" I dunno, I just wanted it," He trembled before he put the bar back on the shelf.

Sunset's heart began to tear, the little boy just wanted candy. Her grim face melted into a softer, kinder one… Considering how her she-demon state appeared to everyone like a monster. With a single snap of the finger, the boys left hand was clutching a dollar bill.

"Alright, kid. If I catch you stealing anything else I'm going to drop the hammer on you, hard." She said as she flew off.

As she flew off, she noticed more and more people began to stop and look up, with one or two drivers following her with a camera in the passenger's hand.

If they take an upskirt pic I hope they like some magic to the face!

Her next target was in the same projects she fought her way out of a few weeks before. There was a tip from her dad's computer that a drug deal was to go down. She flew above the clouds to shake off her pursuers and to give her a perfect cover. Down on the ground there was five men and a woman, three of them stood in front of the rear doors of the van while the other three looked on.

“Ooh, I caught a drug deal, this should be fun”

They are armed, Sunset.

"And? you know what they say… Actually I don't know what they say, I'm just gonna fuck their shit up!"

She dropped straight down, looking for the perfect angle to strike. As for a personal preference…

"Fuck it, I'm dropping straight down!"


Too dangerous, you will be surrounded.


"But it looks so badass!"

Down below, they were oblivious to the arrival to the she-demon, they were more interested in what was inside the van.

"Alright, a van full of molly. What you got?" The female said.

One of the men on the other side dropped his duffle bag and opened it up, showing the one hundred dollar bills that were stuffed into the bag.

"Yes, that will do," The dealer said with a smile.

Sunset landed between them as the woman was fishing her pocket for the key. Everyone jerked back from her landing and began to reach for their guns. Sunset's hands lit up in a brilliant opal and she simply clapped her hands. The guns flew out of their owner's hands and piled neatly net to Sunset's feet. She stepped on the stack, melting all the guns.

I am an overpowered Marysue. I am fucking loving this!

She raised her left hand and fired a beam to the duffle bag, disintegrating the bag and the money.

She turned to the van and aimed

"You have five seconds to get out of the way."

They ran down the alley, screaming for their lives. They were cut off by a squad car arriving at the scene and surrendered. The other group did the same, only to surrender at the other squad car on the other side of the alley. Sunset opened the door and went through the many boxes, all of them with the same pill.

"Ecstasy." Sunset commented.

They are being made somewhere in the city. We have to find their base of operations.

"Not a problem!" Sunset said as she walked to the passenger door and ripped it out of hits hinges. Inside was what she was looking for.

"GLADIS, there's a cell phone in here!"

This is going to be fun… Warehouse 5T is where it last stopped according to its GPS record.

"Got it!" Sunset replied as she began her flight, with both police and arrested looming on in wonder.

Do you have any idea what was in the boxes?

"Ecstasy. It's a party drug that fucks you up big time. Nearly lost someone at school because of it." Sunset growled, remembering the news of it happening and how her father had to give an assembly at school how drugs were bad. He also gave her the four-hour drug talk, but it ended with him drinking alcohol and sharing his drug stories in college. At the end of it, he banned drugs at his house. It wasn't because they were "bad", it was due to the amount of trouble they created, which lead to him on a rant against the "war on drugs" and how arresting people instead of curing them of their addiction was making matters worse.

Sunset sailed in on the warehouse that had a good view of 5T warehouse. It was unguarded and it had nobody in the warehouse.

"My heartbeat sensor magic is not picking up anything, where the hell is everyone?"

Who would steal or make drugs in the middle of the day with the port authority swarming all over?

"I guess. Okay, at least this will be easier."

Sunset did not even have to move, she raised her palms up and fired two opal beams to the gas tank next to the warehouse. The explosion rocked the area and quickly consumed the warehouse in flames.

"Burn, bitches!" Sunset cheered.

By the time she took off, she was being chased by television cameras, people in the streets were snapping pictures. There were cheers to her as she dipped between buildings, looking for her next target.

There's a scanner call- Cat stuck in a tree down the street.

"Well, why not?" Sunset said as she went faster, locking her target. In front of her was a little girl in tears and the family looked on in concern. The tuxedo kitten was on the highest branch, with her claws deep into the bark. Sunset stopped at the branch, and carefully picked up the cat from the branch, using her other hand to gingerly remove the claws from the branches without hurting the kitten. A crowd had arrived and took pictures as Sunset slowly dropped to the ground and gave the kitten to the scared little girl. The crowd cheered when the little girl hugged her kitten tightly.

"T-thank you, lady," the girl said.

"You're very welcome," Sunset replied as she squatted down to the girl's eye level. "What is her name?"

"Karina"

"You have a pretty cat," Sunset replied.

The girl clutched her kitten tightly, Sunset knew that her she-demon state was a bit scary for the kids. But, nothing she could have done at that point.

"I know I look scary, sorry."

"You're not scary. I think you're cool " The little girl said.

"Thanks," Sunset said as she stood up. Without any other words. Sunset flew off again, at time soaring above the clouds to shake off the cameras.

You seem a bit more passionate towards children, usually they would annoy you.

"Okay, having Solar Sword over and Rarity trying to get me to hook up with him is making me a bit baby crazy, so sue me."

We are running late. You have thirty minutes before the spell goes away. 

"It’s sundown already?! I guess time flies when you are having fun!" Sunset replied as she increased her speed.

What's the plan now?

"Pick up some pizza and wings on the way, I am starving!"


* * *


Sunset Shimmer arrived back at her house after dark, with a few boxes of pizza and a carton of buffalo wings. Her heart was racing, her mind on the lack of time she had left to get into position. She set the pizza on the coffee table and ran upstairs. She began to undress, kicking her padded gear in the closet as they came off of her sweaty, bruised, and tired body. It took her seconds to become nude, and the same amount to get into the shower. Her body felt like it was melting when the near scalding water began to pellet her body. Sunset began to wash her hair with her mango-cherry shampoo, lathering her body with the suds to remove any smell of sweat that might have been emanating off. She did not even bother putting on underwear underneath her pajamas, hoping that Solar would get the hint…

No, shut up! I and him!? I'm going to kick your ass, Rarity! I'm wearing this for comfort… And boob sweat.

Sunset scurried downstairs and unzipped Solar's luggage bag. With her opal magic illuminating her hand, the luggage began to rustle, eventually releasing a pair of shorts, boxers, tank top… And a pack of condoms. Sunset's mind raced with wonder if the condoms were meant for her and how getting intimate with Solar Sword would be.ith it she became flushed in the face, only to shake it off seconds later.

No! Not happening! Fuck you Rarity I'm not giving in!

With her back turned to Solar she used her magic again. His body lifted in the air, and his clothes came off.

Do not turn around, do not turn around, do not turn around do not turn around!

Her magic began to flow around him as if the entranced man was receiving a scrubbing.

I forgot how bad men's BO are if they sit on their ass all day. Eww..

With only a minute left in his trance, Sunset had him dressed and lying on the couch, with a fresh, thick blanket covering him as he lay on his side. She ran and jumped on the couch, went underneath the sheets with him, and buried as much as she could into him. Their curvatures nearly matching as she was pressed against his body.

It's going to get pretty awkward if he gets a bon- Nope, it's up and ready to go… Awkwarrrrrrrrrrd.

With only a few seconds left, she grabbed his arms and wrapped them around her. On the television, a late night west coast football game was about to start, ensuring that Solar's day of football would reach well into Sunday, where another day of football would begin, this time for the professional players.

He began to make small groggy groans as if he had just woken up from a dream.

"How long was I out?" He asked.

"You were out? You don't remember the intense love making?" Sunset replied.

Solar became pale, his heart was racing, his more intimate parts of him made a full retreat. He had the look of a man that was heading to the gallows.

"I'm messing with you! We watched football and just ordered pizza."

"Oh, that. "

"Yeah, want me to move?" Sunset asked.

Solar thought about it, but in the end he tightened his hold on Sunset even further, pressing her body closer to his. She could have heard his nose smell the invigorating aroma of the cherry and mango.

"Later. Too tired to get up."

> Arachne
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

For obvious reasons, Thunder Breeze fancied going to public events and showing that his department was involved with the community outside of pulling them over and issuing them traffic tickets. Among those events were football games. Then again, Canterlot High was a powerhouse in that sport and all of the student body, faculty, and locals were cheering for the playoff-bound team. Sunset got her usual assortment of soda, a slice of pizza, bag of chips, and joined her circle of girls cheering on their school and introducing Twilight sparkle to her new classmates. The pizza was ordered from a local place and was to raise funds for school athletics. So, it was understandable she was shelling out ten dollars of her (well, her parent's) money for the food. It didn't help that they planned to go to the same place after the game and enjoy a large pizza for the same price.

Nevertheless, at least it was a dinner and a show. The game was a de facto league championship and the other guys were determined to upset the Wondercolts in the crisp, autumn air. The game was nearing its conclusion when Sunset had to use the restroom. Because of the intensity, the women's stalls were empty, save another person next to her in the stall. When she got out, the woman next to her washing her hands in the sink.

It was Hazel Cinnamon.

"Shouldn't you be in the stands, sweetie?" Hazel asked.

"When you gotta go, you gotta go," Sunset replied while washing her own hands next to her adoptive mother.

They became silent for only a split second.

"So, did you and Solar.."

"Mom…"

"I won't tell your father, you know you can trust me."

Sunset sighed. " We cuddled, that was it."

Hazel stifled a giggle and walked out, whispering 'you lucky bitch' to her daughter before slipping outside.

"We are getting dinner afterward, right?!" Sunset hollered as the door was closing

"Of course!" Hazel yelled back before the door closed Sunset inside. She continued to wash her hands, thinking of Solar and when they cuddled. They had pizza immediately after he broke out of the trance, which was a side effect of being caught in a trance. The hunger set in after nearly twelve hours of no food.

As she washed, a thought came to her mind about her and Solar. The girls said they look like a cute couple, they get along, had some of the same interests… But there was the age, there were the lifestyles that Solar had, and then there was Daddy. Even if she was legal he wouldn't approve. Sunset did understand that.

I'm his daughter and he thinks of him as the son he was supposed to have. It would be weird if I was in his shoes!

She finished with the washing and came to the drying: a simple machine next to her that blew hot air, was supposed to blow the water away, but usually left the larger droplets. Her thoughts raced about the prospect of them being together, but there was the name at the back of her head, one that was throwing her off in the entire equation.

Flash.

She was right. She only dated him for the popularity. But, there was a reason for his popularity.

He really was a nice guy, and I was such a bitch to him. Maybe…. Maybe I should try to make things right with him…. Wait, what?!

It felt like a wave slashed onto her from the back. It came and went like a pulse. Sunset did not know what it meant, but one thing was certain.

Whatever it was, it either stopped time or it did something to everyone outside because the atmosphere of the game had suddenly stopped when the pulse came.

She rubbed her right eye, activating GLADIS.

So why can't I watch the primitive show of dominance again?

"Not now, something has happened!"

Can you have one day without something happening?

"It's called life. Just keep an eye out, it might be nothing- Oh no."

The stadium and the field were covered in spider's web. Everyone was motionless as if it stopped time itself. Even the football for the last second field goal from the opposing kicker was suspended in the air. It was eeriely silent, and it was starting to creep her out.

"Who would of done something like this?" Sunset wondered out loud.

"It had to be a spider of course!" A mysterious voice replied. Sunset looked to the top of the press box and the voices owner looked on, admiring her work. She had long, black, hair. Pale skin, she was topless with rounded breasts. The bottom half of her body was the abdomen, legs, and thorax of a spider. The red hourglass on her abdomen reminded Sunset of the Black Widow.

"Hello, delicious! My name is Arachne. How do you do?"

"What did you do to my friends and family?!" Sunset demanded answers.

"I merely needed them to silence for a minute or two. You would’nt…. Actually,  you reek of delicious magic residue, so you would know. You see, I was banished by Starswirl the Bearded to this world years ago, just a harmless black widow on an old pine tree for a thousand years. Now that magic has arrived, I am back and all I need is some more magic to go back to Equestria and return the Everfree Forest to my rightful domain! Now, you're not the only one with magic in here" She looked below to Twilight.

"Hello, my pretty."

"Don't you DARE touch her, you monster!"

"Monster? Pfft. I am just trying to eat here! I’ll get to you next, don't worry."

The back of her abdomen excreted silk, and with her back legs she used it to slide next to Twilight, her face was emotionless, even as Arachne was staring her in the face and opened her mouth. Her fangs were the size of a man's index finger and was about to use Twilight as her next meal.

Before Arachne can inject Twilight with venom, a bolt of opal energy hit her square in her human abdomen, swinging her around like a ragdoll.

"What was that for?"

"Stopping you, that's why."

Arachne growled in anger as she slid to the ground and used her legs. She ran to sunset, her eight legs going as fast as they could. Sunset fired a few beams at Arachne, but they were neutralized by the webs that she casted before them. Sunset fired a few more beams when she had a a clear shot ,but missed when she used her legs to jump on Sunset, pinning her down.

Sunset struggled, but Arachne's front legs were too powerful.

"Since you asked so nicely, you go first."

Sunset, you must transform.

"Yeah!" Sunset hollered, as she lit up and disappeared in a ball of opal, which threw Arachne off and sent her flying.

"What are you? Some semen demon?" Arachne joked.

"Oh funny! Let's see how funny you become when I kick your ass!'"

They charged and met in front of the concession stands. Arachne used her front legs and punched Sunset in the stomach and chest, sending her back. Sunset retaliated with her claw cutting deep in Arachne's thorax.

Arachne turned around from the pain and had her back to Sunset. Sunset charged but was hit with a spray of the web from Arachne. It sent Sunset over the roof of Canterlot High and next to the portal. She was laying against the portal when the creature arrived on the roof of the school, looking down at Sunset.

Sunset stood and flew right at her, her hand surrounded by an opal aura.

Her attack ended with another blast of the web, which pinned her to the ground.

"Well, that was fun!" Arachne said while cackling a laugh. "I love to play with my dinner.” Her front legs pinned Sunset once more.

Sunset, she has an unusually high body heat, but the chest area between her breasts is cold.

"Really?"

"And who are you talking to?" Arachne observed her meal’s speech patterns.

"Don't know, but it gave me an idea!" Sunset answered, her hand bursting into flames. They seared Arachne's front legs like a thousand suns. She let out an ear-piercing scream and lifted her leg off Sunset's right arm.

"I got you now!" Sunset screamed as she used her claws to dig deep into Arachne's chest. The spider let out an even louder howl of painl when Sunset had her hand around the object.

It was as hard and as cold as a gem. Sunset yanked with all her might, but it wouldn't budge. Each tug became unbearable for Arachne, who screamed in pure agony.

"Quiet down!" Sunset hollered as she placed a foot on Arachne's breast, using her foot as leverage. A few more yanks and the gem finally became loose. Sunset fell back on the ground when the object was dislodged from Arachne, and Arachne collapsed in the ground as well, screaming in pain as she began to dissolve, her dusty remains began to flow back into the portal, as well as the dissolved remains of Arachne's web that was all over the stadium.

While that was happening, Sunset returned back to her form. She found a piece of empty paper on the ground next to the portal, as well as a pen.

Gotta love that convenience.



Dear Princess Twilight,

I found this in the chest of a creature named Arachne, a spider-human creature that sucks people of their magical energy. She is defeated and I'm sending this stone I dislodged from her chest back for safe keeping. This gem looks like the ones the Dazzlings used. Can you look into it for me? I doubt I could find a book on these items.

Your Friend,
Sunset Shimmer.




* * *


Sunset walked around the school. The lights of the stadium shone like a beacon to the young woman. The crowd was erupting in cheer as the ball that was sailing through the air dropped in mid air as if it hit a brick wall.

The game announcer also couldn't believe what just happened. " Final Score: Cloudsdale, twenty-seven. YOUR CANTERLOT HIGH WONDERCOLTS, TWENTY-EIGHT! WE ARE NOW LEAUGE CHAMPIONS!"

"I just missed an important moment in our school’s history." Sunset whimpered.

Irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. At least you weren't spider food.

"Yea, I suppose you’re right."

By the time Sunset had returned to the stadium, the crowd was winding down, the league championship trophy was handed out, and everyone was going to some guy’s house for a party. Wasn't going to happen for Sunset because of Daddy, but she wasn't a party girl anyway. Still, having the girls over for a sleepover that night did not sound like a bad idea. Thunder knew better than to even try for Rarity.

"Sunset, what the hell happened to you?!" Hazel cried when Sunset arrived. Her clothes were worn and lightly tattered, and her hair was a mess

"I… Fell in a rush trying to see the ending."

"You missed a hell of a finish! There was the blocked field goal, the cheering, everyone saying this was a one in a lifetime that only idiots would have missed…. Oh sorry, Sunset" a battered, sweaty, but proud Rainbow Dash said, only ending after Sunset’s death glare. Rainbow Dash had the game ball in her hand, as a reward for being the player of the game. She slipped the ball behind her back.

"So, who’s up for pizza?" Thunder Breeze asked.

"Hey Dad, can the girls sleep over?" Sunset interrupted.

"Sure, if their parents don't mind.”

The girls cheered and began texting back home. Twilight did not text but was tearing up.

"Is something the matter, sugar cube?" Applejack asked. Twilight did not answer, only hugging Sunset suddenly.

"Thank you," Twilight whispered. "I was so scared."
> The Wolf
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The physical education class at Canterlot High was a boring one. The teachers mostly sat around and did nothing, and their students followed suit. It was an hour of time which friends would sit on or around the different machines, weights, and the classic dumbbells.

This class was different. They always had a great show.

They waited patiently for it, doing their best to hide their excitement. Sometimes it would slip, especially when she came out.

Sunset was never one to expose her figure, but she took her workout seriously. What would happen to her if she was unprepared to fight.

She walked out to the weight room with a dark maroon sports bra and tight bloomers hugging her hips. Her shape and curvatures were telegraphed to those within view, her flat stomach with a slight appearance of a six pack exposed to all. 

Boys. She said with an internal giggle.

Seeing how she was the only one working out and no one wanting to interrupt the spectacle, she had easy access to the room’s speakers. She hooked up her phone to the speakers using an audio jack and pressed play.





What transpired next was considered the greatest show on earth.

Her first thing to do was to run a mile on the treadmill. It would usually take a student eight or ten minutes to do a mile. For Sunset Shimmer, it was four and change. She still couldn't beat Rainbow Dash and her four minutes and seconds, who was still chasing the three minute and something club. For her classmates, seeing her chest and bottom bounce with each step was the most important part.

She was already a walking pile of sweat when she exited the machine, only giving herself time to wipe the sweat off her body and take a drink of water from her bottle.

The machines were the next activity. She gave herself three reps of ten to finish on each machine. Her peers continued to stare, her body parts flexing to the various machines that were to tone the body. They stared as each part of her body stretched and compressed, a few even began to drool.

Talk shit and now you guys want me? Who has the last laugh now!

Her third 'station' was the dead weights. She would first pump her arms with the dumbbells, her muscles not as impressive or even showing, but they hid a nasty punch. Then came the bench press, where they watched in wonder as she would stack weights totalling a hundred and ten pounds to the metal bar. What amazed them even more was how she did it effortlessly. Still, seeing her legs spread as she was lifting was a view to behold. If they didn't have enough of that, there were the deadlifts. With about a hundred and fifty pounds on the bar, she bent over and placed both hands squarely on it. This gave her squawkers a great view of her bottom. She prepared herself by rolling the bar a few times, and then came the explosion in her muscles. She popped the bar up to her chest in one swift motion and then pressed up to complete a rep. She chuckled in celebration as she dropped it back down onto the rack and pulled off the weights.

Officially, it was the end of her workout. But, considering there was a six-foot body punching bag in the room, Sunset grabbed a pair of fingerless kickboxing gloves and went to work on the target. It was great to see her stretch her legs and move her rear around landing strikes, including roundhouse kicks that gave them a great view. Their hearts began to beat faster,their brows breaking into a cold sweat when they heard how hard her feet and hands were landing on the target with a loud "thud" each time.

"Alright, kids! Back to the locker rooms!" The teacher said after blowing his whistle. Sunset collapsed, sitting on the pad below her and wiping the sweat off of her face.

She got up, picked up her bottle and towel and walked out

"See you next week, boys!" She said, passing the crowd that watched her for nearly an hour, making sure to sway her hips a bit more seductively.

Yeah, I dare you all to talk shit now.


* * *


Sunset took off her bra and bloomers as soon as she arrived at her locker in the changing room. She stuffed her wet workout clothes in a plastic grocery bag and stuffed it into her bag to take home to wash. Sunset was comfortable being naked around girls, mostly because they would not fuck her with their eyes. Instead they would give a glance at her body and continue on with what they are doing, which was to talk to their friends some more.

As Sunset opened her book bag to stuff her clothes, she saw the glow of her book that connected her world to Twilight’s. Sunset pulled the book out and placed it on her bare lap, her heart thumped loudly in anticipation over what twilight had to say over the situation.



Sunset,

Those gems are actually sources of power for otherwise harmless creatures, as seen with the sirens. I assume discord had something to do with it, even if he claims innocence. The thing about the gems is they are not inherently good or evil, its how it is used, like magic. It's something to think about if you run into another one, that they might be able to reasoned with.

Anyway, please keep an eye on the Girls… And Flash, if you don't mind.

Your Friend,

Twilight Sparkle.



Is Discord free? But the Princess said what would happen if he broke free! Has Equestria gotten that bad since I was gone? I should ask. But, shower, then lunch first.

What Sunset loved about showering in the locker room was the fact it was built, advertently or inadvertently, to allow steam to build to the point it consumed the room. As the hot water pelted each inch of skin, the steam casted her in the feeling of no one being around. She was lost in her own world of the pleasure of hot water and the feeling of being away from the world.

With a bar of soap, she went to work washing each inch of herself, thinking of what Twilight told her. And what she wanted for lunch that day. As if some invisible force was pushing her, she felt a presence in the shower with her.

"Hello? Who’s there?" Sunset asked into the void, seeing nothing but mist.

Must of been my imagi-

She felt hands grab her by the arm and shove her to the wall in a soft, but firm thud. Sunset had a cold sweat, her fight response kicked in and her hand began to glow an opal, ready to punch a hole in whoever had her pinned.

The face of the perpetrator appeared from the mist, her baby blue eyes and smile as soft and warm as her naked skin.

"hHeya!" Pinkie yelled.

"Holy shit, Pinkie! You scared the bejeesus out of me and… Why are you naked!?"

"I take showers before my PE class, duh!"

"Yeah, but we both are…"

"What are you, a guy?! Only guys care about being naked in front of other guys!"

"Nice generalisation." Sunset smirked.

"Anyway, you didn't hear?! Rarity won some contest and we all get to go to some under-eighteen club! Want to come with us?"

"I'll have to ask-"

"Well, I have to get ready for class. Bye!" She squealed before disappearing into the mist.

"Pinkie? Pinkie?! How the hell does she do that?"


* * *


With her mini burger sliders on her plate, Sunset watched as the girls talked about Rarity's luck and the most important part of the entire question

"What do you do at a club?'

"It's like a dance," Rarity explained "But laxer and a lot more cute boys!"

"Uh rarity, we kinda don't care about the boys," Rainbow dash interjected.

"It's about friends together!" Pinkie chimed in.

"Shoot, give me a country boy who knows how to hunt and fish and I'm set!" Applejack added.

As they continued, Sunset decided to write back to her friend in Equestria



Twilight,

You said Discord is out? How is that going? From what Celestia told me back when I was her student, he was bad news all around. Stories of the chaos he created and what she and her sister had to do to defeat him and bring harmony to Equestria. It was those kind of stories that brought me to admire her as not just a princess but as a mare as well. The fact she stood tall after everything she has been through, well, it was the kind of pony I wanted to be, before all that happened.

As for the gems, I will do that next time, but I will have to defend myself if necessary. Oh! And any plans on coming back? You from this world wants to meet you again, she wants to know all that you know… This is you we are talking about.

Your friend,

Sunset shimmer.



"How about you, Sunset? Can you come?"

"Me? oh I’ll have to ask my dad,"

"Oh please, Sunset! I can just ask him nicely," Rarity said with a wink.

"Sure, if you want to be strangled by my mother, " Sunset smirked.

"Hazel Cinnamon is a dear! She would never!"

"This is her man we are talking about. I'll ask him tonight."

A burst of laughter broke out a few tables away, the sound of two preteen snobs laughing, probably at someone else.

It turned out they were laughing at Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. It didn't matter what they were saying, but it was upsetting the girls, and their sisters/mentor.

"That tears it, I'm teaching em ah lesson," Applejack snarled as she stood up. Rarity and Rainbow dash joined in the plan but was stopped by Sunset.

"Not a good idea, you should let it go for now."

"Why is that Sunset?"

"I've been where they have been and I know it won't end well?"

"Still, they should stop-"

"They will."

"And how do you know that?"

"Karma," Sunset started. "karma got me, it will get them. Now, let's say karma is the wolf and revenge are the cats. The cat seems to like more fun; play with your meal, toy with it, make it feel like there is a way out when in reality, it is a dead one. Now the wolf, the wolf is merciful. It is quick… And somewhat painless,"

At that moment, Sunset flicked two fingers on her right hand quietly, which no one in her table caught on. but a few table over, the trays that diamond tiara and silver spoon were holding suddenly became alive, and launched from their hands to their chest, spilling chocolate milk and spaghetti all over their clothes. The rest of the students in the room laughed at the two girls as they ran out crying.

Sunset’s friends looked in awe as she turned her back to them. "Like karma, it never troubles the wolf how many the sheep may be."
> A little ditty about Sunset and Flash.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, this Flash Sentry," Ember Velvet started. 

That psychology session had to do with Sunset's friends. Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash… And Flash Sentry. When her father spoke of his name it looked like a light bulb had sparked in Ember's eyes, as if she had found a breakthrough in Sunset's issues. 

Flash Sentry was as harmless as a mouse, but that wouldn't of quenched Ember's interest. Thunder Breeze thought he was a good kid as well. No criminal record; always brought his daughter home before her curfew every time they went out. He didn't like his style of 'rock' but it wasn't a deal breaker. Thunder mentioned that he always enjoyed talking cars with the young man. Hazel Cinnamon also had no issue with Flash, only mentioned how annoying Pinkie Pie was, even if Pinkie could smoke her, a world-class chef, at a bake-off.

Gulp.

"You and he were… Dating?" Ember asked. her piercing glare at Sunset was like a falcon swooping down on its prey.

 Seriously, how does she know this shit? 

"Yeah. I... I kinda dated him for the popularity." Sunset winced. Sunset always was as bit uneasy talking about her past. Even if her friends would joke about it once in awhile, she knew it was for laughs and not to hurt her. When others did it to inflict pain, she would have had to grin and bear it, because one outburst would have others thinking she was back to her old self… That wouldn't help if she could turn into a she-demon at will.

"I see," Ember replied, enjoying the little cat and mouse game that she and Sunset seemed to play every week in her office as her parents waited outside. "Tell me about your beginnings with this 'Flash Sentry'. What was meeting him and dating him like?"

Sunset could only stiffen a giggle. It was long ago in the past she wanted to forget, but even in the memories of the pain and turmoil she caused, there were a few bright spots in it. Flash was in most of them.

"Well…"


 *** 




Since that fateful first day of middle school, Sunset Shimmer and Flash Sentry became good friends. He showed her around and introduced her to the popular clique. She had her unusual curiosity to everything they thought was 'normal'. His friends thought she was weird, while Flash thought it was endearing. Since they liked Flash they put up with her being around. She seemed to be interested in everything so he introduced her to his passion.

Music.

They would spend hours after school together with him teaching Sunset how to play the guitar in his garage. He taught her how to play the electric guitar, but her personal preference was acoustic. He would split the lessons between both guitars, and she excelled in both of them. Then there was her singing, which made Flash fall for her.

"You have a voice of an angel," he said, mesmerized by it.

"Thanks," she blushed.

"So. I, uh, wanted to ask you if you’d like-"

*HONK*

"Sunset! It’s time to go, kiss your boyfriend goodnight!"

They both blushed in embarrassment, but shared a hug.

"Night, Sunny!"

"Night Flashy!"

Sunset ran to Her mother's SUV and gave him one last wave before spending a minute struggling to get up to the driver’s seat.

"Did you use a condom?" Hazel asked.

"Whats a condom?" Sunset shot back.

Hazel was silent, only staring at her daughter.

"Change of plans, you and I are getting some ice cream and having a long, awkward talk," Hazel said as she drove away.


 * 


"Hey, Sunset?" Flash said, at the end of their acoustic session the day after.

"Yes, Flash?"

"Y-You don't suppose… You like someone at school?"

"Like? As in like-like?"

"Well, yeah."

"Mmm, I don't know. What about you?"

"I do."

Sunset's eyes lit up. She had a feeling she knew who it was, one of the girls they sat with every day. They thought she was weird but they warmed up to her recently.

"Wh-"

She stopped and stared as Flash closed in on her, his upper body leaning forward. His eyes were closed and his lips were out.

 Why does he want to kiss- Oh... 

She was confused, unsure, and a bit worried.

 Why would he like me? I'm just a… Well… Maybe I can play this to my advantage? I don't know how but dangit, I'm going to try! 

Sunset shrugged her shoulders and leaned forward as well, her lips meeting his.

*Honk*

"Damn, Sunset! You go, girl! I told your dad that you weren't a lesbian, and he didn't believe me!"

The two began to blush and broke up their peck.

"Well.. See ya, g-girlfriend," Flash mumbled.

"Y-You too" she said as she scrambled back in the car.


 *** 


"Well isn't that cute," Ember said with a chuckle.

Sunset crossed her arms and looked away. " I was thirteen, so sue me."

"I understand, except I had the same experience when I met my husband."

"Someone actually wanted to marry you?"

Ember was unamused. "Was that supposed to hurt? Oh well, try harder next time, child. Still, I would like to see how your friends treat you and what exactly happened during your outburst. But, that is for another time, another date. See you next time, Sunset Shimmer."

Sunset got up and escorted herself out of the room and into the waiting room where her parents were.

"Ready to go?" Thunder asked.


 *** 


Her parents were talking and listening to the news of the day, having a back and forth argument the both of them. Hazel mostly had a blunt opinion, and Thunder was explaining why it was wrong with facts. She would do the same at times. If you were interested in current events, it was entertaining.

For Sunset, she could’ve of cared less.

Next to her was a few bags of hamburgers and fries; a quick dinner on the way home. Sunset just wanted to get some food and sleep. But, she wanted to send one last text for the night.

"Hey Flash"

"What's up?"

"So remember the time we shared our first kiss?"

"DON’T REMIND ME! It was so embarrassing, and it was really awkward."

"It was cute, whatchu talking about? Try it on Twilight. It just might work ;^)"

"JUST.EMBARRASS.MY.SHIT.UP.FAM"

"Lol, it came across my mind and I wanted to see if you remembered. Ttyl."
> Neon Pt. 1 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I mean, get a bunch of girls who are dancing, throw in raw fish and you might have Vomit at the Disco, which sums up the band "Panic! at the Disco" really well," Sunset muttered, already in her pajamas even though the sun was going to set in a few hours. For Sunset, she would wear nothing at all if she was home alone. But since it was her parents and not her perfect prince charming, who she was wed with and had mind blowing sex with at every opportunity because the fact he hadn't materialized yet, pajamas was the next best thing.

"I can imagine nothing going wrong!" Hazel said. When she entertained guests, she would always wear her chef coat with her many medals from her time as a chef on her right chest. It was to both show off how well of a cook she was and to also let them know that whatever was being cooked from her skillet, pot, or even cutting board was without a doubt world-class and worth the two-hundred bucks a plate. At least for Sunset Shimmer and Thunder Breeze the food was free, minus the whole having to buy the food part, which was always organic.

"Well the problem, Mom, is that we were planning for dinner afterward." Sunset explained.

"Oh yeah, because I’m totally going to allow you guys to have cheeseburgers and fries after your first time going to the club. Please, back in my day-"

"Back in your day, your stuff wasn't synced in a cloud drive."

I hoped that burned.

In fact, Hazel stopped speaking, opting to put on a headband that had the Rising Sun in the middle with Japanese text next to it, which Sunset found out later that the characters meant "Top MILF"

"aaaand I'm not alone!" HaZel said noddng to her friend from back in college. They were inseparable back in their day and were treated like rockstars. Then their husbands happened and they settled down. Although her and her friend was not as close as they were, they still made time to help each other, even for events like feeding seven teen girls on their first time out clubbing.

"Don't worry, with the two of us and me actually coming from Japan, I think we have this in the bag," Garden Treasure said with confidence.

"Hey Gard, remember when we turned that job down that promised us all that money?"

"Only five Michelin Stars? I was trained to be a chef, not a burger flipper!"

The two women laughed, using each other as a post to lean on. The laughter was interrupted by the sound of the door opening behind Sunset. She turned to see her friends all entering at once, headed straight for her.

"I… Is that what I think it is, Hazel?" Rarity asked.

"Of course, sweetie! You all are getting a sushi dinner!"

Rarity jumped for joy, but the rest of the girls….

"So we’s supposed to eat just one of them little things and call it dinner?" Applejack asked.

"It's all you can eat, dear," Garden replied.

"Sounds good to me!"


***


"Ah don't think I can eat until next year," A0pplejack said as she patted her enlarged stomach.

"Me either, maybe that eating contest was a bad idea… Totally worth it," Rainbow Dash said as she patted hers.

"So, don't we have some sort of limo pickup or something?" Twilight asked.

"It's not for another two hours, darling. We should be able to get ready" Rarity said as she left the dinner table with no issue. Mostly because she only had enough food to fill her and not tried to eat the entire selection, unlike her friends. "Chop chop, ladies! Tonight, we dance!" Rarity said as she marched her way to Sunset’s room, followed by six sluggish girls behind her.

"So Hazel, did we win?" Garden asked.

"Considering we still have enough to have our husbands over for dinner, I’d say we are getting laid tonight!"

"Hell yeah! We win again!" The friends exchanged a hip bump.

"If we can beat sumo wrestlers, we can beat them all!" Hazel said, her knife waving in the air with triumph.


 *** 






The limo arrived right on time, and with only a few minutes, after the girls were ready. All of their dresses were all, of course, designed by Rarity and each was unique to the girl's character. Sunset loved her dress, which was a long red and yellow gala dress. Going to the club was not exactly was a formal event, but elegance no matter where they went, was key according to Rarity. Hazel took the photo and gave one last piece of advice.

"Don't get roofied!"

Wow, thanks Mom. 

They crammed themselves through the back limo door and into the spacious stretch. They were met by the many features it had, like a radio and a fully stocked bar full of different kinds of soda.

"Dibs on the Dr. Fizz!" Rainbow announced as she was the first one to get a can from the mini fridge. As soon as everyone got in, the limo rolled out to the final goodbyes from Hazel

"Wear a condom!"

"Is your mom…?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Yeah, she likes to mess around like that. You’ll get used to it," Sunset replied.

As usual, the Saturday night drive from the suburbs to the city had some traffic to it, mostly for people to check out the nightlife it had to offer. There also was the professional baseball team playing a game in their playoff chase that night so people heading to the stadium deep in the downtown also caused more traffic.

The lights of the city always fascinated Sunset, ignoring the chatter amongst her friends and enjoyed the bright lights and the neon skyline of the downtown area. It was lights, lights, and lights. Sunset had been to the city many times before, mostly on business with her father or as the She-Demon, but the limo ride was the first time she actually sat there and watched the city roll by. The location was off  of downtown in a well-known club and bar area called Mares Point, close to the inner harbor of the city. When they arrived every bar and every club was packed with dressed-up people either waiting to get in or relaxing at the tables some places offered outside of their doors.

"It’s a shame we can't go to those ones! would like to try a virgin martini," Rarity lamented.

"Well, we all know the difference between you and a virgin martini is that the martini is actually a virgin," Applejack joked.

Rarity gave her a glare as the rest of the girls laughed. Rarity would have had AJ's head, but the limo stopped.

It felt like a winter formal. There was supposed to be a dress code, but few followed it. Teens their age were getting dropped off by either their parents or the older one in the group who's drivers license was most likely still hot off the printing press. In classic fashion, they all looked on to see the limo pull up, which had to go through the gated parking lot and the security guard in front of the chain link fence to make sure no one got in or snuck out.

The limo pulled up in front, with the line looking on in anticipation. Some in the crowd even had their phones out as well. Could it be the child of a movie star or an athlete? Is it a surprise live performance from someone who had their music on the radio?

The chauffeur opened the side door and the girls went out one by one, they were dazzling, elegant, and all had smiles.

As for the crowd...

They put away their phones, paid attention to their line and waiting in it, and grumbled to themselves.

"Probably some bitch's sweet sixteen," one of the females mentioned to her friend.

Nice, Sunset thought.

"That's fine, girls! At least we have," Rarity said, playing up the suspense while reaching into her purse, "VIP passes!"

Rarity handed the passes out to the girls, which were laminated batches. Each girl put it around their neck and felt the disgust and envy of everyone waiting in the line, Rarity blew them a kiss before she went in to twist the knife even further.


***


It was dark, it was loud, and it was cramped.

Explains the line.

They were escorted to their table in the VIP section, and Sunset found herself rubbing elbows with those children of movie stars that everyone in line wanted to see. It only took a few minutes for everyone else to actually come up to the new girls. They looked, checked them out, and talked to themselves as if we were not supposed to be there or were unfamiliar with the VIP section.

Wait, a literal circlejerk?

Within an hour, the girls seemed to mingle pretty well. Well, just Rarity. She was in an empty table talking, surrounded by the many boys that were there. They seemed captivated by the suburban girl.

"Anyone else think this was stupid?" Applejack asked.

"I think this was nice," Fluttershy replied.

"Of course you do," Rainbow said with a crooked eyebrow.

"I don't know about you, but I'm going to hit the dance floor!" Pinkie said as she got up.

"Same here," Sunset replied. "Twilight, want to join?"

"Well, I don't want to make Flash mad…"

You too? Seriously?

"Oh come on, you two aren’t even dating!" Rainbow hollered.

"I-I know. But I don't want to ruin any chance I have."

Sunset rolled her eyes and tried to walk out of the VIP section, but was stopped by one of the girls in the section.

"You don't wanna be down there."

"Oh, why not?"

"Those kids down there… They don't even have trust funds!" she said in sheer terror.

"Really?"

"Yeah!"

"Oh no! They don't have that a set amount of money! Whatever should we do!?" Sunset said sarcastically

The girl gave her a glare.

"You're VIP now, you are better than them."

Sunset walked back down to her seat with the other girls looking at Sunset.

"What just happened?" Rainbow asked.

"We are trapped here?" Sunset said

"Well, so much for dancing tonight."

Sunset looked around and spotted what she was looking for.

Dad Tip #65: Cast iron pipes make great sliding poles to get from level to level.

Mom Tip #36: Cast iron pipes make great impromptu stripper poles.

Sunset pulled up her dress and brought it up to her lower thighs. She scrunched it together and tied it into a knot

"Uh, sunset, what are you doing?" Applejack asked.

"I'm blowing this popsicle stand."

With her friends and even Rarity watching on. Sunset stood on the ledge of the guardrail and jumped. Her hands and feet clamped on the pole and she slid down, keeping her dress away from it to prevent any wardrobe malfunctions. She unknotted her dress and walked to the dance floor. She found the cutest boy she could find, grabbed him by the hand and took him to the nearly empty stage to start dancing, her swaying hips and body language almost immediately enchanted him.

Upstairs, the rest of the girls took that as their signal and made their way to the dance floor, save Fluttershy and Twilight, who were striking up a conversation.

As for Rarity.

"That little…" She mumbled

"So, at least you can stay up here with us," one of the guys asked.

"Yea but..." She mumbled again while watching Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash take Sunset's cue and grab boys to dance with them. As for their choice of boys, Rarity only smirked. 

Typical.

"Oh what the hell! come on boys! let's dance," She said as she got up. The five boys were hesitant to follow her down there, but a sway of the hips and a split second where her dress flew up to see the trim of her panties made them follow.

Down in the dance floor, Sunset’s partner finally broke from his dance.

"Wow, you are beautiful. What's your name?"

"Sunset Shimmer," she said with a flattered giggle.
> Neon Pt. 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The club closed at midnight. So officially, the girls had only four hours to dance, mingle, and got hit on by the many guys in there. When they left in the limo back to Rarity's house to spend the night, they left with more friends than they had came in.

"I think that went well," Rarity said, looking through the many photos in her phone of the events a few hours ago.

The rest of the girls agreed. Sunset continued where she left off on the drive to the club, looking at the streets as they passed her by.

"So Sunset, who was that boy you danced with?" Rarity asked.

Her friends' turned their attention to her, and she couldn't hide the smile she had on her face.

"That guy?" Sunset asked,

"Yep, he sure was a looker " AJ answered.

"You’re right. He was charming and handsome, and his girlfriend thinks so too," she lamented.

The other girls seemed disheartened from Sunset’s answer. For a girl who had bad luck with her boys, it looked like she might have caught a lucky break, only for him to have a girl.

"It’s okay sugarcube, they’re not all winners."

"I know, Applejack. I just don't think I'm ready to be in a relationship right now."

"So what you are saying is that Solar is available?" Rarity asked,

Sunset had to ponder that one. As much as she did like him, as well as how cute he was, there was the bond they had. Still, Rarity had been eyeing him since they’d become friends…

Sunset shrugged her shoulders "Be my guest,"

Rarity smiled with glee. "I always liked them older... And handsome, and with money."

On a cop's salary? Good luck with that.

They turned the corner and found themselves quickly on the wrong side of the city.

"Uh, sir, this isn't the way home." Rarity said over the intercom.

"Sorry, ma'am, I took the wrong turn. We should be getting on the freeway shortly."

The girls continued to chat about the boys they met and the numbers they got. It lasted for a few minutes until the limo came to a screeching halt. The sounds of the door opening and two men yelling came from the front.

"Get out of the car!" The first voice commanded

"Hands up or I'll shoot!" The second added.

"Who’s in the back! How many are there!?" the third one hollered.

No matter how hard my dad tries, there's always a crime.

"What’s going on?" Pinkie asked.

"I think we are being robbed."

The girls gasped, and the fear began to set in. Sunset could only smile. The three wolves didn't know that the sheep herd had a dog in it. A really nasty one to boot.

"Listen up girls. I got a plan." Sunset said. "Is there anything made of glass in here?"

"There's a liquor cabinet, but it's locked." Rainbow pointed out.

Without asking, Sunset took one of Fluttershy's hairpins and went to work. After a few seconds of fighting with the lock, and a bit of magic, the liquor cabinet became unlocked. She grabbed the largest bottle she could find and scuttled to the door.

"When he opens the door, I'm going to hit the guy with it. That should buy us time to run."

As the two bad guys mugged the driver, the third one was coming around to the door. He grabbed the door handle and yanked it open.

Sunset jumped out before the mugger could react and hit him over the head with the bottle. The sound of the glass shattering echoed in the night as the guy immediately went limp.

"Run!" 

The six girls bugged out and began to run. Twilight was leading them out but had no idea where she was going. It didn’t help that they still had their heels on.

Sunset stayed behind as two more bottles of liquor were carried with her magic from the cabinet, out of the limo and into her hands. The men tried to hit her with their tire irons but missed, catching straight headfuls of glass. The two were on their knees trying to recover as the third man got up, disoriented, as Sunset ran. It took her a few moments until she caught up to the fleeing girls.

"There's a station a block from here!" Sunset hollered. Her knowledge of her father's many precincts came into good use. Behind them, the men were giving chase and closing in fast.

Twilight turned the alley and found themselves in a dead end. Behind them, the three men, bloody from the shattering glass, blocked their exit.

I got to stop getting bogged down by these cliche situations.

"Alright, the show is over ladies. You all could have gotten away if you gave us your crap and a grope, but now we want more, starting with that ketchup and mustard-haired bitch."

"Girls, stand back," Sunset said.

Sunset began to panic as the men drew closer. She was left with the same options as back when Pedo Pete’s henchmen came for that snatch-and-grab. Either reveal her power or put her friends in danger. It was one or the other, so Sunset decided to call their bluff.

"Oh please, pricks. I can kick all of your asses at the same time! Don't you think that-"

She stopped when she realized they had handguns.

"Yeah, not so tough without a gun, aren't you, bitch? Now, if you don't want us to waste you and your friends right here, I suggest you pull your panties down and lay on the dirt like the bitch you are. There're three holes and three of us."

The fear began to settle. She heard the voices in her head, the voices of her friends. Calling her a 'monster'; a 'freak.' The voice of rarity proclaiming that 'you have never changed Sunset, you were still as evil as before, only you managed to hide it from us.'

She was stuck.

"Tick tock, bitch. You better let us fuck your holes or else it will be your friends instead. We know a nice, safe spot to keep you girls as our personal playthings."

"Aww, look at that boss, she’s crying,"

Sunset realized that they were talking about her. She felt the tears roll down her cheek.

She had no choice.

"Girls, I want to let you all know that I love you all, and I hope you all forgive me." Sunset said in deep breaths, trying to not break down.

She pointed her attention to the perpetrators.

"You no good dog-fucking cocksuckers! I finally had friends and now I'm going to lose them because you all can't learn not to fucking be literal garbage! I wanted them to like me! I wanted to become one of them! Now I will have to lose them… Because of YOU!"

The girls were confused as to what was going on.

Sunset squatted and began to cry. The crying turned into her screaming, and the screaming became more demonic and blood-curdling. Within seconds, she disappeared into an orb. When it dissipated, the five-foot four teenaged girl became the nine-foot She-Demon that had terrorized the many criminals in the streets, including these muggers.

"Fuck! Run!" Their leader cried as he bolted.

Sunset floated, unmoved. It felt like minutes or even hours to her friends. They knew of the form and what it meant and how the first time they saw it, it was the manifest of Sunset’s 'evil' side. They thought she was free of it, but now they realized that she still had it.

"S-Sunset?" Fluttershy asked. The creature turned to face them, the tears it made evaporating into steam the moment it touched her dark red skin.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean for any of this to happen." The creature said as she flew off into the night. The girls tried to call her back, but she was long gone by then.


***


Sunset landed in front of her house and transformed back, lest any of her neighbors found out. Under the cover of night and a spare key, she unlocked the door and went inside to see her parents asleep on the couch. An old black and white monster horror movie was playing on the television. Sunset had to tip her non-existent hat to whatever force was trying to amuse her with the irony of the film and tip-toed up the stairs to her room. She took off her heels and dived into the bed.

She began to cry.

Her sobs were muffled by the pillow, crying in mourning over the loss of her friendships that was sure to come. Scenarios played in her mind of her becoming an outcast and of her father finding out. Her life was ruined because of those three men.

I just want to be normal. Why can't I just belong?

Like a puppy knowing when its master returned home GLADIS booted up. When she did, she detected that the lights were off, and that sounds were coming from the bed. when she ran the mood analyzer it detected someone's mood by the voices and sounds one made. It made a match, and rather than talking to Sunset, it decided to just go back to sleep mode for the night.


***


"Hello, Hazel. Is Sunset home?" Rarity asked.

Hazel cinnamon was in her sleeping clothes and did not expect Sunset’s friends to be asking for her since she was not planning to see Sunset come home that night.

"I didn't check, I thought she was with you last night?"

"She was, but she went home… Friendship emergencies"

Hazel knew what a 'friendship emergency' was code for back in her day, and she began to become pale. "Is she pregnant?"

"What?! No! She had a bit of an argument that went out of control and we just wanted to patch things with her!"

"Oh, well come on in! Mi casa es tu casa after all!"

They all walked up the stairs to the front of Sunset’s door. Hazel put her ear to the keyhole and smiled. "I can hear her snoring. She’ss in there. So how was the dance?"

"It was great. Sunset danced with a cute boy!"

"Really? Well, your cute or Rainbow Dash's interpretation?" Hazel said with a smug grin.

She opened the door and let the girls in.

"Sunset? Your friends want to talk to you," Hazel said as she opened the door and gave it a few small raps.

Her six best friends entered.

"Everyone leave me alone." Sunset said, her voice muffled from the pillow. She was not about to budge.

"Hazel, can you leave us for a minute?" Rarity asked.

Hazel quietly slipped out, but the sound of her knees hitting the door after it closed was heard.

"Ah think she’s listening," Applejack whispered.

Sunset put a hand behind her head and lifted it as if her hand was a fin behind her head. The girls found themselves in an opal bubble.

"Soundproof bubble." Sunset said as she moved. She flipped herself over to see her friends and sat up, her pillow stained with streaks of black.

"Your mascara... That bad?" Fluttershy asked.

"It's just-"

"Sunset. We are your friends! You can tell us!" Pinkie said. The other girls give small nods and 'yeps' in agreement.

Sunset sighed. "I guess it started when Twilight - Equestria Twilight - found a way to keep that portal open. Equestrian magic manifested here and… Well, I guess since I am from Equestria I can use it. I even learned how to use that She-Demon form from the Fall Formal. I saw my dad cry one night over hearing of a child being murdered that day, and I chose that night to start fighting crime on his behalf… The rest is history."

Applejack spoke up. "So that evil-looking figure helping people in the city is you?"

"Yes. So far you girls are the only ones who know."

"Not even your father?" Fluttershy asked

"There's an arrest warrant out for the She-Demon. If I was found out I would probably end up on someone's dissection table. Now that you all know, I guess you all probably hate me now," Sunset said. She hung her head and began to cry again.

She expected to hear the footsteps of them walking away, the sound of the door slamming after them. She braced for it, and even the smell of a burning bridge began to cross her mind.

She felt a body latch on to her, and a warm pair of hands wrap around her. The one pair turned into three, and then six. When she lifted her head, she found her face mashed in between Twilights tiny breasts, her bra and clothes blocking the 'feel'.

"Hate you? Girl, you are awesome because of it!" Rainbow said.

"You saved our skin back there, darling. It would be ungrateful if we were to leave you for it."

"Considering you were trying to conquer the world the first time, I’d say y’er going down the right trail," Applejack said.

"Thanks, girls." Sunset said. She was still tearing up, but it wasn't out of sadness or of fear.

It was of joy and relief.

"Ah think you should get your mind off things like this. Next week, Ah got a campout with Big Mac and his friends. Y’all gals do love them boys, so y’all can come with me!" Applejack announced.

Rest of the girls seemed excited to join in, except…

"I don't know, my dad usually doesn't let me go out a whole weekend with guys there. Apparently I might fuck all of their brains out just because they have dicks or something."

"Your father? Pfft. Leave that to me, darling." Rarity said as she walked out. The prim and proper lady walked down the carpet steps and into the kitchen, where he saw her target, alone, drinking coffee and reading his newspaper. Rarity sat across from him. Thunder Breeze noticed her and in a sense of panic he straightened up and sucked in his gut.

"Hey Thunder, can I ask you for a big, big favor?" Rarity asked as she batted her long, gorgeous eyebrows.
> The Devil Went Down to Coltoctin
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Normally, Thunder Breeze would put his foot down and say no whenever Sunset wanted to not go to school for something that was not educational. But Thunder Breeze couldn't say no to Rarity and her puppy eyes. He agreed, but only if they kept an eye on Sunset.

What he didn't know was it was in fact the opposite, especially after the limousine incident.

The girls found themselves being bounced around in Applejack’s pickup which she affectionately called 'Dusty'. She also considered the truck her 'lover'. The sun still had an hour from rising, so the night sky was lit with the infinite number of stars in the sky. Each one was as mysterious as the last one. Sunset smiled as it made her feel like she was home, waking a few hours early each morning back in Equestria to stargaze.

In front of them was an SUV, which was also throwing their occupants against each other as it struggled to continue on the rocky path. Every so often the sound of the rock meeting metal was heard, causing Applejack to swear out loud in frustration.

"Does it hurt?" Rainbow Dash asked Sunset while yawning, the events of last week fresh in her mind.

"No, it… Tickles when my body changes like that. I guess I never stopped and actually paid attention to how it feels." Sunset replied, her eyes gazing upon the stars.

"How did you find out you had it?" Fluttershy asked.

"It was a long story… I got off the wrong stop on the way home from a concert in the city and… Well, I ended up being chased by some muggers. I was tired, and they were still on my heels. So without any strength, my equestrian instincts kicked in. I shot off a beam of magic that knocked one guy out cold. Everyone else ran away. That’s when I realized that the magic here was different and unpredictable… But it had some of the same characteristics back home, like who can use it. Twilight’s spectrometer is the only thing in this world that's capable of interacting with it. Speaking of which, Twilight, where is that damned thing? I lost track of it after the Friendship Games."

Twilight perked up from her drowsiness. "Oh! It's in my bag."

Sunset became annoyed. "I thought I told you to get rid of it? Who knows what it can be used for."

"So should she throw it away and take the chance that someone could use it?" Spike asked from the same bag that held the spectrometer, and the rest of Twilight’s gear. Even though she was from a magical land of talking ponies and other mythical animals, it still threw Sunset off that she was talking to a dog. They didn't have talking dogs in Equestria though, so talking to him made things… Weird.

"You got a point there," Sunset smiled as she laid back. The stars were still in view from the pickup camper. "One thing that I should fear is that Big Macintosh is still awake, and knows," Sunset said in worry.

"Who, Big Mac? He barely talks to anyone at all!" Applejack joked.

"Eeyup!"


***


They arrived at the campsite at dawn. It was the middle of fall, so the camp was empty; void of life, minus the wild animals who used the trees as a home. They set up camp at the best spot in the campsite, overlooking the river. When it came to their "tents”, it was nothing more than Applejack's truck bed parked in front of the SUV's back end, their tailgates open to make a causeway of sorts between the two cars, as well as a tarp to cover the open space between.

The setup was easy, and the gear and bedding was used to make sure they enjoyed their quick breakfast of a whole grain bars and energy drinks. There was also the question of showers, which was why they chose the campground. They never questioned it, but even though it was deep in Coltoctin national forest was their campground, there was a heated shower stall for some reason. It was the only selling point for Rarity, who could 'rough it' as long as a hot bath or shower was readily available.

Once everything was ready, it was time to enjoy the great outdoors away from the worries of high school, life, and fighting crime with a more demonic looking-form. All of it melted away for Sunset Shimmer. If there was one thing that was worrying her, it was how chummy Flash was with Twilight. Sure, they were a cute, albeit stereotypical hot guy/nerdy girl, couple, but Sunset was still bothered by what could have been. There was also the question of what she saw in him, which was a bit unfair for Twilight since she was not a terrible person… She was just having second thoughts about the entire breakup, even if Flash was the one to end it. She had to talk to Flash about it sooner or later.

She had her chance midday at the riverbed. The beauty of Coltoctin Valley was the temperature, which was always twenty degrees warmer than the mountains surrounding it. So a sixty five-degree day around the Valley was a crisp eighty-five. So it wasn’t surprising that in the middle of fall the group were in beach weather conditions with bikinis for the girls and swimming shorts for the guys. Pinkie Pie and one the drummers for Flash's band, a tall muscular guy named Brawly Beats, were among the couple of the exceptions back at camp, getting the pineapples, onions, and bell peppers prepared for that night’s dinner. Armed with binoculars and cameras, Twilight and Fluttershy were on the river bed birdwatching around the surrounding oaks. Everyone else was in their swimsuits. The only two who were not nearly as nude was Sunset and Flash, who were in a bush together a hundred feet downstream. Dressed from head to toe in camouflage and armed with air rifles, they scouted the rocky riverbed for dinner.

"What do you think Sunny, maybe some rabbit at best?" He asked as he peered out of the bush with binoculars.

"Yeah. I really don't want squirrel, that shit is stringy." Sunset complained.

"Right." He answered back, his skin crawling at the thought.

"Hey, I've been meaning to ask you.. What is going on between you and Twi?" Sunset asked.

"Oh us? Well, we’re just friends. She doesn't seem that interested in me… Scratch that. She wants to tutor me which is strange since tests are not even until next month."

"Do you… Like her?"

"No comment," Flash answered.

On the other side of the river, a raccoon was drinking the crisp mountain runoff when another slinked up next to the one drinking rather shyly. The creature dropped some food next to his opposite, hoping to get their approval.

"Sunset, look." Flash alerted her to the spectacle.

"I see. Aww, the one who dropped the food is trying to mate with the girl." Sunset announced to him.

Flash chuckled. "Yeah, just like us back in the day."

"The only the difference is the raccoon might have been successful," she joked.

They stared at each other intently and began to blush. The soft, cuddly imagery of their once deep relationship called to them.

"Sunset?" Flash asked his ex-lover softly.

"Yeah?" She answered while she lost herself in Flash's blue eyes.

"I got the one on the left," he said.

"Sounds good. On my count." Sunset commanded as they both turned their heads and concentrated on their crosshairs

All the while, there was another eye on the raccoon couple.

"Hey, Twilight! Look! A raccoon is trying to get that other raccoon to mate with it! It always fills me with joy to see love," Fluttershy said as she continued to peer at the critters.

The sound of two loud pops filled the air. Less than a fraction of a second later, the two racoons dropped to the ground, their bodies convulsing from the instant deathblow to their heads from the metal projectiles. The seizure-like movements stopped and their bodies lied still for good, all for a certain animal lover to witness in horror with her binoculars providing a first-row view to the double-kill. There wasn't much Fluttershy could do when she was faced with watching their deaths but to release a high pitch scream of horror that sent many birds in the area into flight.


***


Pinkie and her newfound friend were happy to see Flash and Sunset arrive with their dinner, followed by Applejack and Big Macintosh with their Barlow knives in hand to skin the two unfortunate Raccoons. In exchange, they were to keep the pelts of the animal, which would make a great sweater for Winona in the winter. The brother-and-sister team hung the animals by their feet against a wooden post. They took their time at the beginning, as Pinkie and Flash's bassist were still chopping up ingredients for the kebabs. The second Applejack and Big MacIntosh felt the cold gust, they knew they were in trouble. Off in the distance were a line of menacing-looking clouds that were quickly racing through the countryside. It would hit them in an hour. Applejack and Big MacIntosh picked up the pace, trying to get the pelts off before the rain would ruin the raccoon hides.

They eventually got the fur off and cut the meat for it to soak in vinegar. They’d planned for the meat to soak for the entire day, but the impending rain would dilute it to the point that the meat wouldn’t be tenderized by dinner time. The fun on the riverbed ended quickly and everyone ended up stuck in the 'tent' as the forest around them was assaulted by sheets of rain. The sound of rolling thunder could be heard. The day quickly turned into night, with the campers adding clothes on top of their beach clothes to stay warm.

"Now what?" Rarity asked as she looked outside. The rain not letting up.

"Well ah think ah can speak for everyone when I say this... Ah’m hungry… We gotta be careful, lest this turns into the Donner Party 2.0." Applejack joked.

"Well, we did see that pizza place in town this morning. I don't see how we can’t," Flash commented.

"Crazy idea, but it can work! I even have my fake ID for some whiskey!" One of Flash's other bandmates, a mustached kid named 'Ringo', replied.

"I'm down!" Brawly replied while fishing his pockets for his keys and scrambled to the driver seat.

"Mac, you going with them?" Applejack asked.

"Eeyup. Something tells me they might get stuck in the mud somewhere," he said as he crossed the tailgates to the SUV.


***


The rains stopped an hour after the guys left for the pizza and alcohol, which left the girls with nothing to do but to sit and wait in the bed of the pickup. Fluttershy was the only one asleep, while everyone else was cuddled under a blanket waiting.

Sunset began to field weird. At first she brushed it off as gas, but it grew and grew to the point of it hurting. As her experience told her, she had to take a trip to the ladies’ stall. She did so as the rest of the girls watched her to make sure she wasn't attacked by a bear or a very rare mountain man. As if Sunset Shimmer needed protection from what they knew about her friend, anyway. When she reached the door to enter the stall the gassy feeling gave way to a burning one.

It feels like… No…

She knew in her bones that something was wrong, and that her day was about to go south very quickly. Sunset started marching away from the campsite, her friends slowly climbing out of the pickup to follow her. They shouted at her to come back. Sunset saw them and began to run through the muddy ground. She didn’t stop until she was in a hilly meadow with tall grass as high as her ankles. The gas became unbearable and she dropped to her knees.

"What is going on?!" She hollered as the gassy feeling shot up through her body to her head.

She started to split in half. From the top of her head, the two halves of her body came apart, an aura of red and yellow spouted out like a well. With her friends looking on in silent horror, Sunset was split to two halves, the magic aura leaving her and manifesting itself around thirty yards from Sunset. The magic cut off and Sunset immediately came back together. She began to cough and gag. Her gassy feeling was gone, but she felt like she was missing something… A phone? Keys? When she looked up she realized what she was missing. It was ten feet tall, it was ugly, it was floating, and it was familiar. Fear began to set it for Sunset and her friends.

She was staring directly at the She Demon form she had transformed into time and time again, its soulless eyes affixiated on Sunset.
>  The Devil Went Down to Coltoctin pt 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset looked on at the She-Demon in fear, in thought of what it wanted. She looked to her friends, who were behind the tree line trying to not be seen by the monster. A deep feminine voice called her name, but she didn't hear it. It was telepathic, and meant for her.

"Sunset Shimmer."

"Yes?" She asked out loud, confusing her friends.

"You have used me, the spirit of your old ways, for a while now. The problem with that is that I have gotten stronger with every use. Before, I just consumed you from the inside. Now that your heart is stronger, my abilities cannot consume you at will. Now I’ll have to do it from the outside." The voice explained.

"What!? Why!? I didn't use you for evil, I did it for good!" Sunset asked in shock.

"It is not how you used me, Sunset Shimmer. It is the fact that invoked my power. Irony cannot save you."





"No, it cannot. But my will alone can," Sunset said as she opened both palms at the monster, and fired a beam from her right hand while her left glowed. The beam missed, and the creature flew at Sunset, her mouth open and exposing her many sharp teeth. The girls called out for Sunset, yelling at her to run as the creature closed in on her. A flash of metal zoomed past the girls and stopped in Sunset’s hand, halting the creature’s attack.

"You think I would go down quietly?" Sunset grinned, her father's machete holding against the full force of the She-Demon's jaw. The creature took a swing with her claws, but only hit the air. On the other side of the meadow, on top of a tree branch Sunset reappeared, waiting for the creature to attack.

The She-Demon charged right at her and swung, which Sunset countered by teleporting away at the last second to another tree branch.Her She-Demon form's cut would snap the tree branch off, sending the large piece to the ground below.

"I have to do something!" Twilight shouted as she trudged through the mud back to the van. She was joined by the rest of the girls trying to find cover in the truck.

"Twilight!" Spike yelled as he watched the girls narrowly miss getting crushed by the branches.

"Spike! Get the spectrometer from my bag!" Twilight commanded as she arrived at the truck. Spike disappeared in the darkness of the truck for few seconds and returned with the spectrometer in his mouth.

"Girls, Sunset can't beat that thing alone!" Twilight said as she opened the device up. It went to work immediately, absorbing the magic from her friends.

Sunset saw Twilight's plan as she was teleporting from tree to tree, dodging her attacker’s claws and objected. "No! Let me!-"

That distraction was enough for the She-Demon to backhand the much smaller sunset, throwing her off to the mud far below. Sunset tried to get up and away but was instantly pinned by the creature.

"Once I consume you, I can finally lead an army of able-bodied teens to Equestria! A take-over, just like planned!"

"That wouldn't have worked!" Sunset rebutted.

"Celestia would of never harm my army, she would rather let them take over if it meant preserving lives!" The creature answered.

"Those lives are my friends. I will keep fighting to keep them safe!" Sunset proclaimed

"Oh, yeah!? And how are you do that in the state you are in?!"

"If you know me at all, you know I'm a resourceful cunt," Sunset answered as she reached out to her friends. An aurora of opal formed around the spectrometer. The object was yanked out of Twilight's hands and went straight to Sunset. Sunset opened the device with her thumb, and a brilliant ball of light surrounded her and the device. The light was strong enough to force the creature to back away. 

When the light disappeared, Sunset was changed. The girls were no stranger to that form of her. Her heavenly glow lit up the night, and with no preamble or speech, Sunset fired a steady beam of magic at the She-Demon, the creature firing her fiery own beam to counter. Once the beams met,sparks flew in the middle and began the dance of deathly magic. Both kept pushing more magic against the other, hoping the other would budge. Even though Sunset was as powerful as her counterpart, she still had the energy reserves of a mortal.

"She’s losing! What can we do?" Rarity asked, on the rare occasion of not caring about being covered in the cold, wet mud.

"Spike, get El Diablo!" Rainbow commanded. As Spike disappeared back into the dark trailer, Rainbow felt along the graveled mud beneath her until she found what she was looking for. When she went back up, Spike was waiting for her with the slingshot.

Rainbow grabbed the slingshot, loaded her projectile on the sling and pulled, concentrating on the creature. When she felt the time was right, and when Sunset had all but ran out of energy, she released.

The stone whistled in the night and landed on the side of the creature's head. It was distracted long enough for Sunset to give off what was left in her magic tank to swing the battle her way, the ball that collected in their fight went the other way, right to the shocked creature. It disappeared in the ball as the energy wave blasted into the sky, and out to space.

Sunset had return to normal as the small embers floated from the surviving trees of their battle.. Her friends came to get her, but she waved them off to see what was left of her former self. When she arrived at the small crater, she was shocked to see what was left, to the point of stepping back in fear.

A red jewel: The same ones that were around the necks of the dazzlings and in the chest of Arachne.

It was also cracking.

"You see sunset. Energy cannot be created or destroyed. I am energy. If you can't accept me, I can just manifest around the necks of those in your world. My candidates are a bit ‘dazzling’ for my tastes, but it is what it is."

The girls and Sunset broke a cold sweat. Those three coming back would have been bad for business.

"Alright, what do I need to do?" Sunset sighed as she held the jewel in her hands.

"Swallow me. Let me become a part of you. You can gain my power as long as I can become part of your soul. But, just to warn you, the more you call my power, the stronger I get. In the near future, we will meet again to fight for your body, and your willpower shall be a whole lot less than before since I will be a part of you. You have moments to decide. Tick tock."

As the jewel said that, another form cracked.

"Sunset…" Rarity said.

"I have to. The Dazzlings, the power... Yeah, it will hurt me in the end, but its benefits for the greater good are too much." Sunset lamented

"Ya know they say the road to hell is paved with good intentions," Applejack pointed out.

"You don't think I know, AJ? I have to." Sunset answered.

"What about you, Sunny?! You can get hurt if you agree!" Pinkie begged.

"It's not worth it!" Fluttershy pleaded.

"we can kick the dazzlings butt again, Sunset" Rainbow explained.

Sunset looked to them and shook her head. "I can't, girls. I'm sorry but it seems like the benefits outweigh the costs."

She took a deep breath and swallowed the ruby. She expected that the energy of their bodies merging would kill her or make a dramatic fuse, but instead, she felt nothing. By then she was lethargic and wanted to get some sleep. She walked through the mud, with her friends following behind her. She got on the truck bed, found her bag, and collapsed.

"Is she going to sleep like that?" rarity asked.

Her question was answered with Sunset clasping her hand like a ball, which attracted the mud in the truck bed. she flicked it away, blasting the area in front of the bed with mud-like buckshot.

"Forget I asked," Rarity said as she was fighting the urge to kill Sunset with her own hands.


***


"Do you think Axel managed to score the booze?" Brawny asked. Flash, himself, and Big Macintosh were waiting in the SUV outside of the mini-mart in town.

"If you boys would have told me sooner, I would have brought some Apple Family moonshine," Mac said, looking out the window.

"No thanks, Mac. I want to drink alcohol, not paint thinner," Flash commented.

The conversation ended with the driver side door abruptly opening. The mustached assistant for Flash’s band entered with a paper bag "I got it, guys! Let's get wasted!"

"I think we are going to get more than that. Look," Mac said as he pointed outside. The sky over the mountain range lit up in a colorful assortment. The crackling of thunder was heard as well, even with the clouds and rain moving out of sight a while ago.

"Looks like the girls got themselves into another magic incident… Again," Flash groaned as he reached to the driver seat and took the paper bag from his band mate. "Drive."

The trek to the campsite was quicker going down, even with the mud and rocks, mostly due to Flash pressuring the guy to drive faster because he feared whatever fate might be in store for him if any of those girl's fathers found out… Especially Sunset Shimmer’s.

When they arrived, they were met with nearly every tree in the camp slashed. Bark, wood, and branches were strewn all over the place. There were places where the debris were smoldering, caught on fire but was extinguished by the damp wood.

"What the actual fuck happened?" Flash asked when stepped out of the SUV. The girls were covered in mud, with the surprise exception of Sunset who was fast asleep in the truck.

"B-bear attack?" Twilight explained nervously.

Flash sighed. "I've dealt with my ex turning into a She-Demon, I've seen three hot chicks turn into flying screaming sea horses, and I saw Twilight here turn into She-demon herself. For just this one time, I'm not going to even question it."

The cars were put back together, the tarp laid back over, and the girls showered and changed in the shower stalls that miraculously survived the battle. The space heaters were wired to spare car batteries as well. In the midst of the pizza and alcohol, Flash scooted to the girls side to of the two car tent next to Sunset. He had to wake her up at times so he knew how to without any thought to the process.

"Wake up, you little shit," he lovingly said as he poked her side. Sunset jolted up and looked around in fear. She calmed down once she saw Flash and his offering of pizza. "Hungry?"

She snatched the plate from his hand and devoured the pizza.

"I keep telling you to stop eating your food like that, Sunny. Anyway. I have been thinking about it and… I've decided to ask Twilight out. The thing is I wanted to make sure that you were coo-" Flash stopped when he felt a mass push up against his side. Sunset fell back asleep, her hands wrapped around him. Her light snoring could only heard by him.

"Ah think you can let her be for the night, Fash. She had a long night with them… bears." Applejack said.

"I can't. Back when we dated if I move when she was sleeping she would make me pay for it," Flash answered.

"I guess that means your other side is open?" Twilight chimed in.

"Would be a weird way for us to study, but sure," he said while opening his arms for her. Twilight pulled out her notebook and opened it up.

"So I took notes on the raccoons you shot, and I found some astute observations of what happens when animals take death blows to the head!"

Should I be horrified that Twilight is interested in this?
> The Family
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Do you love your adoptive father?" Ember Velvet asked, her piercing glare still concentrated on sunset. Sunset's mind was still racing over her victory against She-Demon a few days before, which between the revelation that using the she-demon and the fact the crime rate took a nosedive, and talking to her friends, she decided to semi-retire the She-Demon, only using her in emergencies. It was fun while it lasted, but it was also at the point where it was affecting her sleep patterns and starting to wear down on her grades. “The She-Demon” announced it to her father through a devilish looking letter and envelope. Thunder breeze was disappointed but understood, since she was basically doing it for free.

Ember Velvet and Sunset Shimmer had warmed up to each other enough that Sunset was willing to give away some secrets, like who she liked, and even some of the gossip at school. But sunset was not willing to give up the whole "I'm a magical pony from another world" thing, especially since her family still had no clue about it.

"I do, he brought me in with open arms, fed me, clothed me, raised me when he didn't have to. I don't know If I can ever repay him for his kindness," Sunset replied.

"So it's safe to say that you're willing to do anything for him?" Ember followed up. Sunset studied Ember, trying to figure out where she was going with this. It was cryptic as it sounded like she was trying to lead her to a path she did not want to go down.

You ain't getting a hoofin’ slip from me, woman.

"I would risk everything for him and Hazel. They mean the world to me."


***


At the same time, in a warehouse deep in the Baltimare harbor, an oncoming storm was brewing. The warehouse itself was dilapidated with the rafters rusting out, many missing sheet metal sidings, and rats that all but ignored the humans that had decided to occupy the warehouse. The missing sheet metal siding gave the thirty men on their knees a good, final view of the Baltimare Bay. Around them were five black-clad men, all in ski masks and weilding submachine guns.

The captured men looked at the others who were captured as well and recognized each other as members of all the other gangs that existed in the city. Many of the men knew each other, fought with each other, shot at each other, or shot their friends and family. They were captured and drag there by many different mean, some were picked up off the street with windowless vans, others were taken from their homes at gunpoint had to watch as their wives and children were shot execution-style before they were taken, some were even offered as a sacrifice by some of the bigger gangs to protect the necks of the higher ups. They knew it was the end of the line for them. A few were crying, others were mumbling to themselves in prayers. Some were silent, unsure of what was to happen.

Hours passed, and their knees were in searing pain, as well as their arms. Whenever someone had to move or try to stand up to remedy the pain from their knees, they would be hit by the butt of the gun from a guard. They wanted the ordeal to be over, even if it meant their deaths.

Their fears or relief became true when they heard the car roll up outside the warehouse, and then heard the footsteps of people walk in. A few looked back for a quick second to see the eyes of who ordered their deaths. 

There was four of them, three twenty-something adults and one older man in a business suit, who was assumed to be the ring leader. The two younger men had a different style of each other. One had a white and baby blue sports suit that reminded them of the eighties fashion. The other man had a red and black zoot suit, carrying a Tommy Gun. His face was concealed by a thin, black masquerade mask. The woman, however,  was a looker: petite, babyfaced, and looked like a young teenager with the long, plain dress she was wearing. She was the one that the few that looked back at and broke a cold sweat because she was carrying an ax.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here!?" the woman asked as she played with her ax and eyeing the line up in front of her.

"Hey, guards! I ain't a fink, I want them to see the faces of the people who we will bump off, Eh?! " the man with the Tommy Gun barked.

With a few commands of the guards, the thirty men turned to see their captors using their knees and keeping their hands up.

"These are?" the older man asked as he lit up a cigar.

"They are the top lieutenants of each of the gangs in the city. A few of them actually head them as well, Pap." the woman said.

"Ya, we just fucking ice these fuckers, and then let them motherfuckers know we run this fucking town now, maen!" the Man in the eighties clothing suggested.

"Whatever you say, Montana. Can we get this over with? I got a gin mill to hit up and keen dolls to bang," the man with the Tommy Gun asked.

"Masquerade, you gotta learn how to enjoy this shit. Like the cat playing with the mouse, tossing it around like a rag doll, making the mouse think it's going to get away. Then, as the cat gets bored, it puts the head of the mouse in her mouth, clamps down on her neck and rips it off, bone and all, right before she eats it!" the woman commented.

"Lizzie, I fucking love you to death, sister, but you are fucking psychotic." Montana replied.

"I know, I think I creamed just thinking about it," Lizzie replied.

One of the gang members had enough and got up and started to run for the opening of the sheet metal behind him.

"Oh no! You ain’t beatin it from here that easily, palie," Masquerade bellowed as he let loose a burst of bullets, two of bullets ripping through the man's knees, the rest of them ended the lives of the them where were on their knees next to the guy a moment earlier . The gang member cried out in pain even as he tried to crawl away, slipping on the blood of the two men who were put down in the gunfire. He was stopped by Masquerade stopping in front of him. Masquerade pressed the barrel against the top of the man's head as the man sobbed. He was about to press the trigger until...

"Hey! Speakeasy! Let me have him!" Lizzie hollered at Masquerade.

"No, get your own!" Masquerade spat as he stepped back and pulled the trigger. The gunshot echoed across the warehouse and made the man limp, a gush of blood pouring from the wound.

"Dad!" Lizzie cried out.

"Lizzie, you have the other guys here to choose from," Papa said as he continued to puff on his cigar.

"But that one was trying to get away!" she whined.

"Just kill one anyway!"

"Fine!" she moaned as she pulled out a pouch from her purse. She unfurled it to reveal a transparent raincoat. With her ax, she walked down the line of prisoners, looking at each one of them in the eyes and reading their fear in complete arousal. The sound of the ax head being dragged along the ground echoed throughout the warehouse. She walked up to one and squatted, her panties and delectable cleavage in clear view of the prisoner. 

"Hi! You're cute!" she complimented the gang member. The man said nothing, trying to look down and away from her exposure

"Aww, you don't think I'm pretty?"

"You're a monster." he mumbled.

"A monster? Aww, and here I was hoping to have you be a slave or something. Of course, Father would never allow it but I would have tried. I really would of." Lizzie lamented.

"My wife and child are dead because of you all. You could've let them live!" he sobbed in anger.

"See, honey, that's the thing, They’re loose ends. They would have talked and that would be bad for us. Besides, I bet your wife isn't as hot as me, well, other than being so after being pelted by hot lead, but I don't think that-" Her speech was interrupted with the man spitting on Lizzie's face. Lizzie licked it off of her and smiled.

"I'll consider that a last kiss," she said as she stood up and turned around. "Too bad, but just like my Tinder app, I'm going to have to…SWIPE LEFT!"

Lizzie twisted around, swinging the ax with her body. The blade crashed into the man's head, blood spraying on the side of the man next to the cut-down gang member.

"We could've had some hot steamy sex!" she raged and she continued to hack away at the body of the man. "Now I feel better,"

She took off the raincoat and threw it to the side, and adjusted her dress. "How about you, Montana? Want one?"

"No, fuck off! I'll fucking waste my energy on motherfuckers that fucking deserve it," Montana snapped.

"Okay… Now what, Daddy?" Lizzy asked.

Papa dropped the cigar and began to think. Looking at his children and then the prisoners, he then walked up to the center of the line of gang members and dropped a fancy looking envelope in front of them that was addressed to the Baltimare PD.

"This was fun while it lasted," Papa said as he snapped his fingers twice. His children followed behind him to the limousine waiting for them. The guards by that time had gone behind the captured men. And when the family had left, they opened fire on the rest of the men.


***


Thunder and Hazel were woken up by a late night call, which Thunder answered by reaching over his wife.

"Hello? Yeah? Where? Okay, and I care because? Oh…,” he pinched the bridge of his nose, “I'll be right over."

"Is that your midnight booty call?" Hazel groggily joked.

"No, they found thirty men executed in a warehouse in the harbor, all gang members," Thunder answered as he sat on the side of the bed.

"I thought you didn't care about gang on gang violence?" Hazel asked.

"Normally, no. But this one has a manifesto." Thunder said, amused. "So, are you pregnant yet?" he asked as he kissed his wife on the forehead.

"I still can't feel the lower half of my body after last night… You’re still are as fun as our first time, boy," she answered as she reached up to give her husband a tender kiss. "Now, come back as soon as you deal with this mess. I want to go again before Sunset comes back from school today."

> Human 8
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So why do we have to give this new student a tour of your school?" GLADIS asked as Sunset walked down the empty halls of Canterlot High. She had no jacket that day due to the unseasonably warm fall day, but that was to change with the first snow of the year only days away. In the meantime, Sunset observed the school she had spent her time at for the last few years, and all the memories that came with it: The most pressing, however, being the bad ones. 

They were subsiding in the minds of her classmates but were still prevalent, being the biggest elephant in the room. Sunset worked every day to repay the damage she had done to her peers, helping out with anything with anyone, but she knew she could never repay them. For now, she was contempt with the endless charity drives and helping her peers with any situation for the time being.

"Because I want the new student to see the new me before they hear about the old me," Sunset sighed. It was the same line she spoonfed herself on why she had to. Again, when she gave the new students the tour, it always brought back the bad memories.

"But no one talks about that anymore," GLADIS commented. Her speech recognition software displayed in Sunset’s contact HUD the number of times certain words that were tagged as relating to her past was in a sharp decline.

"Yeah… But… Just shut up and go with it, I might meet my future husband… Or failure." Sunset answered with a smirk. It was mostly girls that she toured, save the socially awkward guy or two, but who knows? Maybe the next one would be the guy to take home for papa's approval.

"Shouldn't you be thinking about the murders?" GLADIS asked, displaying the multiple headlines and crime scene photos of the murders. The photos of the bodies were upsetting for Sunset, especially the man with his face disfigured by the "ax like trauma to the head." Gladis was updating Sunset all day through the police server, which turned out that there were more to the murders that many were reporting, but still…

"Nah, I'm retired remember?" Sunset said. "It's my daddy's problem now."

"So, am I just a useless piece of talking program now?" GLADIS asked, her main purpose of being with Sunset defeated. It calculated it was to be a 98% chance of being something for Sunset to talk to, which activated loathe.dll.

"You never know when I will use she demon again. Besides, as much as I think that little experiment was behind me, something tells me that who or whatever was behind the killings will force me out of retirement." Sunset observed, also loathing having relived the sleepless nights, the sneaking out, the lies and the hidden life that was near to impossible to hide from her very sharp parents.

As they turned the corner, Sunset stopped, and her heart skipped a beat.

Did I just turn lesbian?

The girl was petite with long, black hair that went down to her thighs, thick rimmed glasses, as well as dressed in a slightly revealing skirt and blouse that made her look like a club goer more than a student. Sunset took a deep breath and approached her with her best smile.

"Hi, are you the new girl I'm supposed to show around?" Sunset asked.

"I am," The girl said in a thick accent as she reached her hand out for a shake. "Lizzie Bowden"

"Sunset Shimmer," Sunset answered as she gave Lizzie's hand a quick shake.

“Quite an unusual name, are you from this country?" Sunset asked.

"I just moved here from Sicfilly, an island near Itfilly." Lizzie answered.

"Yea, but the name, just like-"

"-like the ax murderer, yeah. I got that all the time in the old country. My father had a thing for criminals, which you can see he took it a bit too far when he named me," She answered with a wry chuckle. "I can’t wait to see my new school!" Lizzie said with glee.


* * *


Sunset gave Lizzie the tour. Every corner was explored, every wing and section of the school covered, and the history and traditions of the school as well. Lizzie seemed interested, but only to a flustered Sunset Shimmer, who thought of maybe going bi just for this one girl. The best part of doing the tour was that Celestia or Luna never checked up on her, so dragging a cute boy or girl to a closet for a “Welcome to Canterlot High Makeout Session” was never out of the question.

Other than that, Sunset was intrigued getting to know the new girl, and it seemed some of the boys give both of them a double look

"Any cute ones available?" Lizzie asked as they passed a few guys from the football team.

"At this school? You’re better off finding someone from Crystal Prep Academy." Sunset joked

"Yes, my father and I toured that school and decided to come here for that reason," Lizzie explained.

Both girls giggled as the bell over their heads rang in a fury.

"That's lunch… Do you want to meet my friends?" Sunset asked.

"Sure!"

The lunch was packed as always, but there was always room for one more with Sunset's friends. When Lizzie joined, she was instantly the belle of the table. When she was not talking theoretical physics with Twilight, she was talking sports with Rainbow Dash. When she was not talking sports with Rainbow Dash, she was trading recipes of the old world with Pinkie. When she was not talking to Pinkie about recipes she was giving farming secrets to Applejack. And when she was not trading farming tips to Applejack she was talking conservation with Fluttershy, and when she was not talking the joys of joining Greenpeace from Fluttershy, she was flipping through her phone with Rarity, showing her the stylish clothes that her homeland was famous for.

As Sunset ate her lunch, a text came through her phone. The four digit number was was a dead give away to who it was

"Something is up with this one."

"What do you mean GLADIS?" Sunset texted back

"She seems too perfect, Mary Sue almost."

"You're just imagining things."

"Alright, don't forget about your appointment today either."

"Thanks, Mom."

> Sunny Came Home 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset's former home was a white mansion that was bigger and more lavish than all of the mansions in the gated section of this Canterlot, which was reserved for the many elites and aristocrats that occupied the city. Most of the thirty-two bedrooms were lavishly decorated, each with a theme of a certain city in the word, like the "Griffonshire" room or the "Diamond Dog City" room decorated with all different kinds of jewels. Most of the rooms stayed dormant for months on end, save for the many guests when there were parties for all of the Canterlot elites or something more simple like when the family was over for Hearth’s Warming Eve and Day. Picking up after the family's events and day to day messes required a small squadron of butlers, maids, cooks, janitors, and gardeners that stayed in what looked like a hotel in the back, surrounded and covered by the expansive garden that Sunset's mother had made. Even with all that, the house was empty that fateful night when sunset returned home for the last time. When Sunset realized her parents were out of town and the staff had gone to sleep, she smiled.

What good timing.



She trotted through  the grand foyer and up the stairs to her room, which took a few minutes to navigate down the hallways with silk sheets and rugs from Saddle Arabia. She entered her room which was the second largest bedroom in the estate, right behind her parent's lavish master bedroom that took up the entire third floor. Her room was a museum of her travels as a child. Photos, posters, souvenirs of all the different cities and nations she visited were on display, as well as her many awards and accomplishments she had racked up over the years. All her hard work, her discipline, her life's work was to be erased after that night. First came her saddle bag, which levitated and wrapped around her body, ready to take anything she needed, then came a hoodie and a scarf. Her favorite leather jacket also flew from the closet and wrapped around her, and she took the time to put her forehooves in each sleeve one by one, before leaving the room she called her own for her entire life.

As she left her mansion home for the time, she came across a giant portrait of her family, her father, mother, and a younger version of herself, in happier times, before being the Princess's protege; before the fight that happened a few hours earlier. Sunset looked at it and gave a small 'hump' as she left, grumbling about her parents that were never there, leaving her to the care of a Princess who she was thinking about the entire trot from the estate to Canterlot Castle.

Sunset was an ambitious student, always demanding to learn more. More than her average students, more than her teachers, the dean of the school, and even to learn as much knowledge as Celestia herself. When Celestia denied the more advanced studies, she became belligerent, cursing at the Princess for holding her back and storming out of the castle in anger. That was an hour ago, and with the night upon Equestria, Sunset knew she was good to go on her plan. There had been talk of one of the mirrors, portals to parallel universes within.

Her words with Celestia were still etched in her mind as she walked down the dark, empty Canterlot street. Her determination and drove pushed her straight to Canterlot Castle. With Sunset's status, many of the guards and maids paid no mind to the young unicorn, letting her into the deeper parts of the castle that were normally off limits to the common rabble. Right next to Celestia's private library was another room, the room Sunset entered. Inside was a mirror, which Sunset knew lead to another world. Celestia deemed it off limits, but in Sunset’s mind, if that place had magic it would be a perfect place to start again,

"Sunset Shimmer!" Celestia said, calling out to her pupil as Sunset was about to disappear into the mirror.

"Don't try to stop me!" Sunset commanded.

"You don't have to do this! you can still-"

"Still what?! Keep being your little pet to 'train'?" Sunset spat.

"Sunset, you are a capable student and an amazing magician, but you still need more training and discipline!" Celestia pleaded.

"No! I'm ready for it! You keep saying no but I can feel I am ready!" Sunset replied.

"Sunset, you are capable of many great things, just trust me!" Celestia said, slowly walking closer to Sunset, hoping she would see reason.

"I don't want to grow old and die being 'your protege' like your last one," Sunset said as she was about to enter. "Take heed, Celestia. Next time I return home, it won't be for a homecoming. I will return to Equestria as a conquer, and I will show you my potential then,."

With those remarks, Sunset walked into the mirror, the last time Sunset ever saw or even talked to her former mentor.


***


‘Now I have done it,’ Ember thought as she looked over Sunset, who was curled on the couch, inconsolable over the memory of that night. Ember tried to talk to her, ask her about the memories as she cried, but could not get a word out of her.

"Sunset, you know you can tell me anything. I won't say a word to anyone," Ember pleaded, only to get a shaking of the head as Sunset continued down the path of her past.

"Do you want to end this today?" Ember asked, concerned about Sunset's sanity more than anything. There is always a chance to help someone when they were having a break. But, when they couldn't even get a word out and could not be consoled, there was no point in trying until the patient had calmed down.

In the meantime, all Ember had to do now was to call the parents over and explained what happened, how she tried to get information from Sunset's past, which her parents were interested in finding out as well,. She also scheduled for the next appointment, which was in a few weeks. In the meantime, Ember still had her duty.

She left the room and went down her office's hallway to the waiting room, where Sunset’s parents were waiting.

"Did she?" Hazel asked as they stood at attention to the psychologist

Ember shook her head in disappointment.

"I'll go get her," Thunder Breeze sighed as he disappeared into the hallway. He would appear a minute later, carrying Sunset out of the room and to the truck.

"I thought she would be strong enough to finally tell us this time," Hazel sighed.

"Sunset is a strong girl, but some memories are so traumatic that even the strongest of us can't endure it," Ember said.

"Sounds like my husband. Every time his parents are mentioned or the anniversary of the crash comes up he locks himself in his study with a bottle of whiskey." Hazel lamented.

"I see. Well Hazel, I don't think we can get anything out of her, it's been three tries already."

"Alright, I guess when she’s ready to tell us, she will."

> Enter Lizzie
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When it comes to crimes and their effectiveness, Lizzie Bowden never liked to kidnap for ransom. She preferred to just chop the person’s head and balls off and mail it to whoever needed to see the message. With the kidnap for ransom you have to catch the person, feed them, hold them in a place where they can't go away, and then if the people don't pay you have to shot them and send them their head anyway, just with wasted food and time.

In the back of her personal town car, Lizzie was hard at work. She had already stuffed her long hair in a wig that gave her short bangs that went down to her jaw line and working on applying fake freckles, her blue contacts in their small, white case waiting for her to use.

The town car drove through the downtown area late at night with no traffic, heading towards the docks. The area was hit hard during the recession, which gave those in the criminal business, like herself, a place to hold more… "discreet" practices. She finished putting in her contacts as the car stopped in front of an abandoned apartment building.

With her ax in her hand, she left the comfort of the warm car and walked into the crisp fall night once her large, muscular chauffeur opened the door for her. She grabbed his bottom as a "thank you" and disappeared into the apartment building. It was dark and musty. The ceiling and drywall was all over the floor, along with the insulation. Patches of black mold peppered the remaining walls. Lizzie went in the first room to her right, where her victim was. The sound of a gas generator filled the air, and the only thing it was powering, a flood lamp, was shining on an old man that was bound to the chair in the middle of the room.

"Sorry it took me a while, I had to freshen up," Lizzie said as she placed the ax next to him. The old man was wire-eyed and sweating, not for the ax or Lizzie's growing murderous reputation, but Lizzie's catsuit showing him everything. It was zipped down enough to give him a full view of her cleavage, especially when she sat on his lap, her chest inches from his face.

"So, do you know I took you from your home to here?" She said as she took off the rag that was covering his mouth

"Well, I hope it’s something sexy." the old man blabbered.

Lizzie smiled as she grinded her bottom on the old man's hip just once. "No, you're gonna tell me everything you know about Thunder Breeze, and I promise you that I will kill you after we fuck, and not before."

The old man was breathing heavily. For a man of his age, he was waiting for his sweet release of a heart attack while he was asleep or the agony of catching dementia. So the prospect of one more rush to the head before both of them was chopped off was enticing.

***

The sound of a shopping cart's plastic wheels moving through the asphalt rattled in the night, as the figure pushing it moved through the many barrel fires of the city's homeless. The chauffeur was leaning against the building, on his phone, waiting for Lizzie to be done with her business. The hooded figure pushing the cart along came too close, so the driver decided to rough that person up, keeping them away from possibly seeing what was going on inside.

"Hey! Go back the other way, you bum!" The gruff sounding chauffeur said, reaching into his pocket to pull out his brass knuckles as he walked towards the homeless person. When he got close, he saw the limping person spring into life. Their small fist had an opal aura, which crashed into the chest of the taller chauffeur. The power of the hit threw the bigger, stronger, and meaner guy flying into the tinted window that blocked anyone on the outside from seeing in.

"Son of a bitch." Lizzie barked as she got off the man.

Once the man was inside, Sunset peeked in the hole in the window to see the former police chief and family friend.

Bingo.

* * *

Sunset kicked down the door of the building and slowly made her way in, her machete in her hand and ready to swing at anything that moved. She turned the corner to see the old man tied up, panting, and staring at the backside of the woman who was tying him up.

"Who the fuck are you?" Lillie asked.

"Who the fuck are you?" Sunset replied.

"I asked you first," Lizzie barked.

"I asked you first," sunset replied smugly.

"Stop copying me!" Lizzie demanded.





"Stop copying-" Sunset tried to say but was interrupted by a ax flying at her face. She ducked out of the way and caught a fist of Lizzie that made her stumble back. It gave Lizzie enough time to grab her ax and take another swing at Sunset, missing her and throwing her off balance. Sunset took the time to take a hack at Lizzie's back, only for the machete to meet the wood of the ax.

"You think I'm a fucking newbie at this, cunt?" Lizzie asked.

They broke off the fight and stared each other down from across the room, waiting for their chance to attack. Sunset charged Lizzie and came out swinging. Her form was erratic, and her swings were random. Lizzie would either duck out of the way or have her handle meet the sharp machete.

Lizzie saw an opening and jabbed Sunset in the rib, and took a few swings of her own. Each time Lizzie's longer sings missed a quick Sunset who ducked out of her way. This time, her ax got stuck in the wall. She charged Sunset and tackled her to the ground. They rolled around, smashing each other's head against the concrete for a few seconds until one rolled the other over and did the same. A catfight.

"You fucking slut, cunt!" Lizzie would scream.

"Fuck you, you fake titties, cum dumpster bitch!" Sunset hollered back. They continued to roll on the floor, grabbing hair and trying to get an advantage on the other.

As Sunset and Lizzie traded punches on the concrete floor, Sunset’s mind was also on her friend. He was the reason she found herself in her family. He had always mentored her, even after her fall of grace. If there was someone that was worth dying for, it was him.

Don't worry old man, I got your back!

She worried about his aging heart and the excitement of nearly getting killed. But, little did Sunset know that the old police chief's mind was filled with one thought.

COME ON ACCIDENTAL TITTIES! I DON’T CARE WHO, JUST LET ME SEE SOME TITS!

In the middle of the fight, Sunset saw her opportunity when Lizzie was on top of her. She didn't give herself any preparation and headbutted her opponent, both of them dazed from the blow. Sunset got up, and with a few boxing punches to Lizzie's stomach and chest, the woman in short black hair was on one knee, clutching her ribs and breathing heavily.

"Fuck you!" She screamed as she pulled a gun from her exposed bra and fired a few shots from her snub-nose revolver at Sunset, who blocked them with her magic. Lizzie disappeared out of the room and to her car. Sunset gave chase, only to see that during the fight the chauffeur had gotten back out to the car through the window Sunset threw him through. They speed off into the night, dodging, weaving and narrowly avoiding hitting the homeless who used the street as their camp.

Sunset heard the sirens of the police in the distance, so she scrambled back and picked up Lizzie's ax and her own machete.

"You hurt?" Sunset asked.

The old man stared at her, then at her body, and back at her.

"You that She-Demon?" He asked.

"Yeah..." Sunset said, trying to mask her voice.

"You think I can see you in your She-Demon form? I'd love to see what's under that dress!" The old man asked.

“YOU FUCKING OLD PERV!”
> The Harpies 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It started a few weeks before that night, and it happened every night. The sweet voices calling out her name. Before, they felt miles away, or from a distant mountaintop. Every night since her first time hearing it, it became louder and louder.

One night, she heard the song. From a distance a few weeks ago it sounded heavenly. Now whatever was causing the noise was off key and sounded like cats fucking while scratching a chalkboard. It kept her awake, but it seemed that only she was hearing it, or else her father would hunt whoever was making the noise with his old assault rifle he had in his military days that he kept behind his night table.

Then, it started calling out her name. That definitely woke her up, and she knew that it was for her. She sighed and got up in her dark room, naked. She scrambled for a quick pair of clothes, just jeans, a bra, and a hoodie and went to the bathroom and put on the HUD contact carefully. Her putting it on activated GLADIS, who turned on faster than usual, knowing it was going to be in some action.

Morning, Sunset. GLADIS chirped

"It’s still night time," Sunset replied as she strapped the machete sheath across her chest.

It’s midnight. GLADIS corrected her.

"Fine, whatever. I have bigger shit to worry about. You hear that?" She asked.

Hear what? Have you finally gone off the deep end? GLADIS analyzed.

"Shut up. I hear something calling out my name. I'm finding out who or what it is." Sunset proclaimed. "Turn off the security system."

GLADIS did as Sunset commanded, and the home alarm system shut down. That gave Sunset the opportunity to open the window and hop down to the wet grass.

It would be easier if you teleported, GLADIS observed.

"Yeah, but where is the fun or challenge in that? Alright, you can turn it back on now," Sunset commanded.


***


The noise had her going from her house to the school. When she saw the school in sight, her heart sank.

Oh, I hope it's not related to the portal. It would be bad for Equestria if Celestia has to deal with that waking her up.

Sunset walked around the school and to the soccer field, where the music stopped. The lights of the stadium turned on, and revealed her friends huddled together in fear.

"Girls! What happened!" Sunset hollered as she pulled out her machete.

"Don't come close! It’s a trap!" Rarity cried out.

"What?" Sunset asked.

"She said it was a trap."

An odd, feminine, voice came from the top of the school, and Sunset had to do a double-take. There were three of them. They had the faces of young women, probably Sunset’s age, but their bodies were covered in feathers, their arms were replaced with wings and their feet razor sharp talons.

"And she is right. You walked right into it," The winged creature proclaimed.

Good Job, Sunset. GLADIS congratulated.

"Alright, what's the big idea?!" Sunset demanded as she pointed her machete at them.

"We are the Harpies. I, Apello, and my sisters Ocypete and Celano are the Agents of Punishment. We heard you did something really bad!" Apello commented.

"Really bad," Celano chimed in.

"In fact, your outbursts of magic a while back attracted the cryptids, the creatures that normally hide in the shadows. They are on their way to converge on this 'school' to find their way into a new world world of magic!" Ocypete added.

Celestia dammit.

"I guess I will have to do my best to keep you creepy bastards from wreaking havoc on both my homes!" Sunset proclaimed.

With that, the harpies lept off the building and flew above Sunset, circling overhead. Sunset looked to her friends, all six of them, and gave them a smile and a thumbs up.

The harpies saw that as their opportunity and divebombed down towards Sunset. Like a hawk attacking their prey, they swooped down on her, their talons aimed directly at the girl. When they were close enough, she disappeared in a ball of opal, and reappeared directly above them. The harpies looked up to see a rain of energy beams coming down from a falling Sunset Shimmer. Each harpy was hit, and each wailed from each shot, their feathers falling onto the soccer field like a ticker tape parade.

The harpies flew upward to the falling Sunset. She was unable to move in air, so all she could do was fire away. When a harpy was close enough to swipe at Sunset with her claw, Sunset would slice it with her machete and teleport somewhere else. Over the course of a few minutes, Sunset had the upper hand in an air battle where she had no way to move, leaving cuts all over the harpies’ legs.

The harpies became tired, and flew back to the roof of the school. Sunset teleported back to the ground and collapsed on her side, heavily breathing and emitting a smug grin.

"How was that, bitches!?" Sunset bellowed.

The three harpies looked to Sunset’s friends, then to each other.

"It seems you were not the only one who has wronged."

Oh fuck, Twilight!

Sunset disappeared and reappeared on her feet by the girls. She raised her hand and it lit up. It took it a few seconds, but Twilight's magic capture device came from the direction of her house.

You realize you left the alarm on, right? GLADIS observed.

"I got it to go through the chimney, they didn't set a alarm system there. Twilight, get their magic and use it if they get you, I'll hold them off!" Sunset commanded as she charged at the low-flying harpies.

She ran into their attack and used her beams and machete to fight them off, tiring the harpies. Unfortunately, Apello had a good opportunity, and smacked Sunset out of the way. She got up and teleported back in front of the girls.

"Looks like I got no choice on this one!" Sunset announced.

"Wait Sunset! What about what the She-Demon said?!" Rarity asked.

"Too late!" Sunset replied. 

Sunset disappeared in a ball of fire and reappeared as the She-Demon.

The harpies stopped their charge, and flapped in mid-air, the grass above them waving with their breeze.

"Well, well." Celano observed.

"Well! Have at me!" Sunset commanded. Celano charged at Sunset, and kept her busy. The other two went after Twilight.

"Twilight, run! Get as far from our friends as you can!" Sunset command as she traded claw swipes with the one harpy.

Twilight ran as soon as she saw the other two harpies give chase, the two laughing as they closed in on Twilight.

As for Celano, her fate was sealed when she chose to take on Sunset herself. The She-Demon caught her talon as she tried for an attack, and with one heave the She-Demon slammed her into the hard, short grass. Feathers flew in every direction as Celano laid dazed on the ground.

Sunset placed her hand on the chest of the unconscious creature, and fired a beam. It pierced the skin and made the creature slowly dissolve into thin air with a sizzling sound. Sunset took flight after the other two sisters. Twilight tripped and fell near the goal post, and scrambled against it. A quick pat on her chest revealed she left the magic capture device back with her friends, and with the harpies on the attack, it looked like she was a goner. Until a flash of opal appeared between them. The harpies stopped, and their anger rose. The She-Demon, holding up the slowly-dissolving head of their sister.

"You little bitch!" They both hollered as the charged the She-Demon. A three-harpy battle was tough, but a two-harpy battle was manageable. Both sides charged, with Sunset flying right into a wall of talons. They missed, and Sunset ended up on the chest of Apello. The harpy's chest was blown away, making a clear hole in the center of her body. The harpy fell, which left sunset alone with Ocypete. Ocypete screeched as she gave one last charge at Sunset while she stood, her hand sticking out with two fingers--the two fingers representing both her sisters that she killed. When the harpy raised her talons up for the attack, Sunset launched one last beam, which also hit the harpy dead center. The lifeless body of the harpie tumbled on the ground, and began disintegrating on the spot.

When she returned to normal, Sunset was grappled to the ground by Twilight.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" She cried in fear and joy.

"It's no problem, I'm glad you're okay!" Sunset replied.

They held each other's hands as they got up, only to be surrounded by their friends.

"Ya sure ya not worried about the demon tryna getcha again?" Applejack asked.

"I am, but I could not live with myself if anything happened to you gals," Sunset replied.

They heard a growl, and all the other girls looked around. Fluttershy hid behind Rainbow Dash. Rainbow had her fists up, ready to start swinging. all but one girl was on edge.

It was Sunset Shimmer, and it was because the growls were coming from her.

"i guess there's no harm in a late-night run to the diner," Rarity joked as she pulled out her phone to call a taxi.

The rest of the girls were in agreement, but Sunset realized she had left her money in her backpack.





"That's okay, I have you covered... as a thank you," Twilight said with a hug. As the group made their way from the soccer field to the waiting taxi out in front of the school, Sunset’s heart skipped when she saw Twilight, walking and resting under her heart. She knew it was love. When she saw her other friends, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash, she felt the same skip in her heartbeat. She loved all of them. Seven girls, treating each other like family.

It was then that Sunset knew that no matter the challenges, she would always have at least two families to help her in her times of need.

> The Game
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As far as sporting events went, Thunder Breeze tried to make an appearance as much as he could. He was a man of the people, and he loved the people of Baltimare enough to spend time away from his family to show his appreciation. When the sporting event also invited him to throw the ceremonial first pitch, it was like icing on the cake.

With him that evening was his wife and child. They were among the heavy traffic to get to the stadium, which was expected to be a sellout; Game Seven of the Playoffs, and the winner goes to the Equestrian League Championship Series. It was also against their rivals that hailed from Manehattan,.

As Thunder and Hazel listened to their country music and talked to pass the time, Sunset was listening to her own music on her tablet in the backseat of the pickup truck.

Or so they thought.

“"The Family" is Baltimare PD's code name for them. They are a real family, hailing from the island of Sisfilly. Kidnapping for ransom, money laundering, murder, gun trade… And, they are here in Baltimare for more fertile grounds." Gladis reported.

"What caused them to do that? They must have been enticed by something," Sunset whispered to her headphone's microphone.

"… The capture of Risky Line was the reason from intercepted communications. It created a power vacuum that was too enticing for them to resist."

I have no space to myself, and I must scream.

"Well, shit," Sunset replied. "Do we know who they are?"

GLADIS did not answer, just a rotating circle in the middle of the table that let Sunset know that the program was at work. GLADIS produced four images and zoomed in on each one.

"Papa-The Boss of the organization. Ruthless and cunning is what they have described him as. He has three Capos, all of them his children."

"Montana-Eldest son, as cruel and as cunning as his father. His nickname comes from his style in dress, action, and speak to imitate a fictional criminal named '”Scarface."”

"Masquerade-Second son, is known for his “Roaring Twenties” style. He is usually out and about with a white suit and a white masquerade mask."

"Holy shit, these guys are real characters," Sunset quietly smirked.

"Lizzie-Youngest child and only daughter to Pappa. She is known for her methods, which usually include hacking victims up with an ax."

Wait, what the hell.

"That's her! That's the one we fought!" GLADIS mentioned.

"Yea, she was a hell of a fighter. If they really are trying to take this city under their rule, I hope they are ready for us," Sunset proclaimed.

"They will go after you for being the daughter of the police chief. they have kidnapped and murdered family of those who stood in their way," GLADIS warned.

"Let them come, I cannot wait for them to try me."


***


When the announcer introduced Thunder Breeze to throw the ceremonial first pitch, the crowd roared in applause and cheered. Considering he and Baltimare's finest had dealt with so much- namely, the takedown of Risky Line and the riots that crippled the city years earlier-the boys and girls in blue won a special place in the city's hearts.

All except one suite apparently.

"Fuck you!"

"Go suck a dick!"

"You're lucky I don't shoot you dead right now!"

Sunset was in a suite that the baseball club provided for the family, giving them a luxurious view of the game. Sunset sighed, all of her friends unable to make it. She knew her friends would probably cuss out the suite next to her for saying that to her father. If she would have done it, she would have ended up with both her feet up their asses.

She turned to see the two bastards saying those things, and her heart stopped.

Celestia dammit!

She recognized both of them instantly: Montana and Masquerade.

They were drinking beers and continued to hurl insults at her father, hurling insults to her nation during the national anthem, and hurling playful insults at each other. They were loud and obnoxious.

Can I just fight them now?


***


"Hey, Boss!" One of the bosses advisors yelled out from across the indoor suite. Lizzie was in the room and was close to walking out on the balcony and sewing her brother’s mouths shut. Instead, she had a plate and piled it with the buffet; crab legs, corn, and rice. She also grabbed a beer and was preparing for the trip to the balcony, which would end with her shutting them up.

"Yeah?" Her father responded.

"Just a warning, but the Chief of Police has the suite next to us." He warned.

Papa began to laugh. "Should I invite him over for some beers and to “invest” in his well being?

"I got the checkbook with me if you think he can be bribable."

Lizzie never liked the bribery part of the business, preferring less pleasurable persuasion techniques like kidnapping, kneecapping, hanging off the side of a building, etc etc. Still, she recognized why it would be a good idea to just pay the police off than to risk a war with, oh say... The Feds.

Lizzie walked to the balcony with a beer and her plate in hand just as the home team ran out from the dugout and onto the field while the crowd roared and fireworks over the scoreboard in the center field lit up the night.

She turned to see the poor saps who would eventually die because they made the mistake of associating with a dead man of a police chief. 

Lizzie froze when she saw her. Sunset did the same when they locked eyes.

No… They both thought in unison.

"Sunset Shimmer!" Lizzie called out

"Liz! OMG! I didn't know you were here!"

"Yeah, kinda got dragged here by my family," Lizzie answered sheepishly.

"Right?" Sunset responded back.

Be friendly, but an arm’s length. I'll have to kill her eventually. They thought.

It was then that Masquerade saw what was going on and walked over.

"Hey Doll, just to let you know, your father is a real bastard."

Sunset had a clenched fist and was ready to jump to the other suite and start swinging, but Lizzie did it for her, elbowing Masquerade in his crotch, causing him to gasp as the air was sucked out of his lungs.

"You dumb Dora!" He hollered, holding his crotch as he collapsed on the floor. Montana watched what happened and began to laugh.

"I have to apologize for both my brothers, they're idiots." She explained

"Oh!"

"Yeah... Beer?" Lizzie offered.

"Not an alcoholic kind of person, sorry."

"We all have our vices, I understand."

They continued their small talk as the first inning wore on. Their conversations were interrupted occasionally by either action on the field or one or both leaving to get more food.

The conversation turned to the boys in school, and one flash sentry.

"I want to date him," Lizzie admitted.

"There's a waiting for list for him."

"How about you Sunset, are you in that line?" Lizzie asked smugly.

"No… We used to date. Didn't end so well. Don't think we could get back together now." Sunset said.

"I see."

As if on cue, Thunder appeared on the balcony on Sunset’s side. Papa did the same with Lizzie to light up his cigar.

Lizzie and Sunset froze when the two older men looked at each other and locked eyes. They knew they were enemies. Those two knew who the other were. Sunset, Lizzie, Masquerade, and Montana were ready to fight their way out of the stadium.

The two men gave each other a fake smile and head nod before returning to what they were doing. Everyone else sighed in relief.

Sunset gave Thunder a hug and, with Hazel at the same table on the balcony, watched the game.


***


"Well, that was oddly disappointing," Thunder said as he got out of his seat at the end of the game.

"Well, there's always next year," Hazel said as she got up too.

"Honey, we said that the year before that, and the year before that, and the year before that. In fact, we have been saying it since 1984," Thunder lamented.

As Sunset got up from her seat to head home, she got one last goodbye from Lizzie.

"See you in class!"

"You too!" Sunset smiled back.

As they went back to their families, their minds were now racing about the new situation of being friends with their enemies. Eventually they would have to settle it, but for now, they could just pretend to be friendly and wait for the other's guard to be down.

> The Ride
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Well, shit."

Sunset Shimmer loved the rain. She would take long walks in it back in Equestria. But when it came to her backpack, her guitar case and the possibility of getting sick, walking in it was a no-go. Her parents were off doing something important: they were going to talk to a fertility specialist to see if trying again for a child was plausible. Sunset smiled and thought of the brother or sister she might have. Having to find another way home was a small sacrifice for that small bundle of potential joy/nightmare.

At the beginning of the day, she doubled down on the weather app on her phone. She believed the weather would clear up by the time band practice was over and would enjoy a nice sunny walk home. Even when her friends offered a ride home, she still trusted in her app, believing that even with the continuing downpour, her own coding and prediction model would prevail. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Her friends left. The teachers, the principal and vice principal, everyone left… Except one person.

The sun was starting to set, and for the most part, there was only one parking spot that was occupied. She knew that car well. It took her on many dates, joy rides, and food runs. That blue sports car was staring at her. Its owner was on the base of the steps in front of her.

"Need a ride?" Flash Sentry asked.

She looked down the front stairs of the school to see her former boyfriend, a bit wet from the rain, his umbrella trying its best to shield him from the downpour. He had a smile, and a hand extended. Either she was to walk home or take the awkward ride.

Sigh.

* * *

"How was school?" Flash asked as he started up the car.

"Well, it's gotten better now that I'm not being asked every day if I wanted to have sex," Sunset smirked.

"And yet…"

"Sorry Flash, I ain't that easy," Sunset answered with a wink. "But, it was fun dating you, even if it was for the popularity," Sunset said.

"Yeah, I got to admit, it was fun," Flash replied.

"Remember our first dinner date?" Sunset asked.

"Yeah, all dressed up as we went to McDonalds and had our fill of one dollar cheeseburgers. I saved a month's allowance for that!"

The former lovers laughed. Even with the messy breakup, they still were friends and enjoyed each other’s company. Outside, the rain was still pouring, and Sunset was still unsure when her parents would get home. Which gave Sunset Shimmer an idea.

"Hey, Flash?"

"Yeah?"

"What are you doing tonight?" She asked.

"Homework and fucking around. You?"

"Well, my parents are not home, and I really want to make it up to you… Whatever means necessary," She said with a wink

"Any?" 

"Any," Sunset said with a confident grin.

* * *

"I was hoping for sex." Flash lamented

"I know, but let's be honest. Who were you trying to fool, me or yourself? Besides, free pizza," Sunset laughed.

"Yeah, yeah. It's still nice," Flash replied.

From the parking lot they stopped by a pizza place and then went straight to Sunset's house. Hours had gone by since they arrived, and it was already near midnight. Sunset's head was rested on Flash's shoulders, watching a B-listed black and white horror movie. Watching really bad horror movies was their favorite past time when they dated.

"So Flash, what are you doing after high school?" Sunset asked.

"Well, I'm thinking of… Everton." Flash nervously answered. Sunset lifted her head and looked at him.

"Don't tell me you're doing it for Twilight," Sunset said.

"No."

Sunset glared at him, the kind of glare that made Flash cringe. It only lasted a few seconds before Flash finally fessed up.

"Yes, I am going just for Twilight."

Sunset began to laugh. She knew he liked her, but not enough to change his plans for his future to go to the same school as her, especially since Everton was one of the most elite schools in the country.

"Hold up, you made fun of my dream to become a rock star, now when I actually want to do something you still laugh?!" Flash objected.

"I never said it was stupid, just difficult. Being on tour, missing your family."

"You mean OUR family?" Flash joked. "I'll be honest, even if it was for the personality, I did like the thought of spending the rest of our lives together."

Sunset blushed, "You old charmer, you."

"Well, did "us" ever cross your mind?"

It was a tough question, a really tough question. Not that having that thought of getting married and having a family with him ever came to her, which it did. But it was one where she knew that she was falling into the trap of having feelings for Flash again. She wasn't ready to get back together. Hell, she wasn't ready to get in a relationship with anyone, at least not yet. But, to tell him that she didn't have any feelings for him back then, even now to some extent would be an outright lie. She also didn't want to be seen as stealing Flash from Twilight, or even Lizzie

Fuck Lizzie, tbh. Anyways, here goes nothing.

"Yeah, I thought we could have been more... a family, you know?" She confessed.

Sunset watched as Flash beamed, and began to slowly reach in for a kiss. She began to blush. Unsure of what to do.

Well, the borrowed time you have been living with is up. Make your choice.

It was a tough choice. Kissing him would mean the interest to go back out with him, saying no would confirm any chance of them getting back together was dead and he would most likely move on to Twilight. If there was only a way for something to make him stop and buy her even more time to choose -

The low, grinding sound of the key entering the lock was heard. Flash opened his eyes and sat back up straight. He was courageous enough, but not suicidal to try to be seen kissing Thunder Breeze's daughter.

Thunder Breeze and Hazel Cinnamon walked in and began to flip out.

"Sunset! Flash! What the hell do you think you're doing… leaving perfectly good pizza out to get cold! What are your major malfunctions!?" Thunder Breeze shouted.

"Sunset! what the hell do you think YOU'RE doing… I had a perfectly good dinner plate in the fridge for you, instead, you waste it on pizza and chill?!" Hazel bellowed

"I forgot that your parents were like this," Flash cracked a smile

"Oh please, as if your's are better."
> Ballroom Blitz
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Alright! Listen up!" Thunder Breeze barked.

He was in full tactical gear in a room deep within the main police building, away from the prying eyes of the public. Only a few of Baltimare's finest were ever allowed in there, reserved as a planning and gear load up for SWAT operations and emergencies. He was shouting the attack plan to the members of the operation, who were still dressing up, getting their gear and guns ready for the action that was to come.

"The DA now has enough evidence to bring Lizzie Bowden of "The Family" in for murder. We know she is at this nightclub here, at Mares Point. We will need all ways in and out of Mares Point covered, I want that ferry that goes from there to the inner harbor closed as the operation is going on. I want all available helicopters circling overhead, and I want all boats blockading the harbor. I need our best men in the club sweeping every inch of that place for her. Check each person and escort them out!"

The SWAT members were still loading up. They had clothing and armor to put on, There was still gear to grab and weapons to check. There was also one last person to account for.

"Where the hell is Solar?!" Thunder wondered out loud.

Solar Sword ran into the room breathing heavily but was already locked and loaded for the mission.

"Sorry Chief: Had some bad Thai food last night, didn't sit so well, " Solar answered.

"So you're good to go, or what?" Thunder asked.

"I'm good now," Solar answered.

"Alright, time to look like heroes, SADDLE UP!"


***


The club was musky, dark, and loud. It was packed with the partiers all over town, seeing how it was THE nightclub to go to. At the VIP section, that was where the rich and the famous came to play, one section was more exclusive than the rest. Only the most attractive were allowed in by the occupant’s horde of tailor suited bodyguards. If one was lucky, they would be treated to their own open bar, a mass of underwear-clad partiers, and a whole slew of makeout sessions going on in the couches. In the middle of it all, sitting on a chair that was elevated above the rest like a throne, a young Lizzie Bowden sat alone, watching her "kingdom" from below.

She had a martini in her hand, although too young to be in that club, much less to drink, it didn't matter. No one had the gall to stop her either way. To do that, you had to get through her guards, and she wasn't a pushover herself, her trusty ax always within arms reach. The first sign of trouble was when one of their suited guards came rushing up the stairs and to them, causing a commotion within her VIP suite.

"Cops…*Gasp* on their way *gasp* raid!"

The ones where were not involved with her panicked and they rushed down the VIP suite and ran as far from Lizzie as possible.

Damn, so much for that orgy tonight, Lizzie thought.

"Alright, let's get out of here boys!" She barked.


***


As Lizzie got up and started her guarded march out of the club, she was being watched from up on top of the skylight windows overhead. Sunset Shimmer knew that when her dad was staying to work at nights, something was up. One check of emails later, and she knew he was finally taking down Lizzie. She also knew that he would need all the help he could get, especially since it looked like he had a mole in his department.

“How do you want to do this, Sunset?" GLADIS asked.

"Well, she can match me blow for blow. All I need to do is buy time for daddy to take her down." She responded.

"How will we get in? We won't have much time before she leaves."

"Just hold on to your butt," Sunset breathed.

"Sunset, I'm a program, I don't have a -"

Sunset disappeared in a light of opal and reappeared in the middle of the dance floor. Everyone who was near Sunset was kicked back, sliding on the dance floor and bringing the club to a halt. When Sunset looked up. Lizzie was in front of her, and like the time in the abandoned building, they were face to face.

"Well well, if it isn't the masked girl," Lizzie said.

"I'm stopping you from leaving, you will face justice. I'm giving you a choice, you are going down the easy way or the hard way.

"Axman!" Lizzie hollered.





One of her men ran up to her and handed Lizzie her ax. She held it down, ready for Sunset to make the move

"I guess we are doing this the hard way then," Sunset grinned.

Sunset pulled out her machete and charged. Her attack was stopped by Lizzie's ax. She took a few more swings, each one ending the same way, but Sunset did not relent. Eventually, Sunset made a mistake and left her side open. Lizzie took that and kicked her in her rib, causing Sunset to back off her attack. Lizzie charged Sunset, took a few swings with her ax, but was too slow and letting Sunset get out of the way. The crowd was still making their way out, trying to also avoid the blade battle occurring on the dance floor.

Sunset grabbed a beer bottle from a table and got close to Lizzie, smashing the bottle over her head. Both girls dropped their weapons and began to trade blows. There was hair pulling, punching, biting, kicking, and clawing. A true cat fight. Sunset took a swing to the face but caught Lizzie's fist. She took that opportunity to grab another bottle and smash it against Lizzie's head once more. Somehow, Lizzie got the upper hand and punched Sunset in the stomach, folding her over. Lizzie picked up her opponent and slammed her back on the bar, the many cups and bottled breaking on impact and cutting up Sunset’s back. Lizzie grabbed Sunsets black turtleneck and dragged her across the bar and against the wall when the bar space ran out.

Sunset couldn't get up, covered in broken glass and alcohol, and her body had shut down for the moment.

Lizzie smiled and went to walk over to her ax.

"Alright, time to finish this," Lizzie smiled.

As she picked it up, the sounds of many sirens were heard in the distance, and Lizzie knew she ran out of time.

"Liz! what do we do!" one of her bodyguards cried out.

Although Liz wanted to kill off the She-Demon and take the glory of it, she also didn't want to go to jail.

"Alright bitch. I'll spare your life, just this once," Liz spat as she walked away.

"Listen! Everyone out in the front. I'll take the back way. I will hide until the coast is clear, and then we will meet up at the baseball stadium. Alright?! Now go!"

Lizzie's men did what their commands dictated and blended with the masses trying to escape through the front. By the time Lizzie looked around and found the way to the back, Sunset was already up and running after her

"You just don't give up, do you?!" Lizzie hollered. As she busted out of the back door

"Not when I can easily see your fat ass bouncing!" Sunset replied.

"I'm so killing you!" Lizzie hollered as she turned around in the dimly lit Baltimare alleyway. Lizzie quickly pulled out her small revolver from her ankle holster and aimed it.

"Fuck you!"

Before she can fire her pistol, she was tackled from behind and violently thrown on the asphalt floor by dark, bulky figure. The shock of the hit jarred the gun loose from Lizzie's hand, and it slid far from her reach. Sunset teleported to the roof of the club just to see the helicopter lights beaming down on the takedown. When that happened, Sunset realized the figure that took down Lizzie was none other than her father, Thunder Breeze.

As soon as his men slapped some handcuffs on Lizzie, he got off of her.

"See you in court, cunt," Thunder spat.

Thunder looked up to Sunset and admired her. Thunder was caught in the question of: "Who is the she-demon? what did she want from the community?" that the public was talking about.





"She-demon!" Thunder hollered.

Sunset remained still, overlooking her father.

"Thank you again! As you can see with ‘the family’, I have my hands full. It's good to know at least someone is on my side."

Sunset nodded and ran off, using the roof of the club as a runway. She turned into her She-demon form and flew off into the night.

So, will that be the last we heard of Lizzie?", GLADIS asked.

"I doubt it, People like her will always find their way back in the business. Besides, there's the rest of her family." Sunset replied.

Speaking of: how will we deal with the rest of their organization?" 

"We will deal with them one by one. Every time they pop up we put them down until they get tired of it or Daddy arrests them. we can't give them any chance for success." Sunset said, determined in her cause.

She was slightly peeved that her retirement was short-lived, but her father needed all the help he can get. Even though she or he would not like to admit it, but the department needed the she-demon, and the she-demon needed the department... mostly to help her father, because she was willing to go through hell for him. 

"What about now?" GLADIS asked

"Well, dad still has to book her and put her in the system. So.... Im stopping by a diner for a milkshake and a juicy burger!"
> Slow Dancing in a Burning Room
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, about Flash Sentry..." Ember asked.

"Yeah?"

"It seems that I have the gist of your relationship with him. The last part I want to know is the breakup. How did it transpire, and how did you feel about it?"

Sunset shifted herself on the couch, trying to compose herself. Even with her and Flash joking about when they were dating, it always made her feel uncomfortable. Ember caught on.

"Is it difficult to talk about?"

"I mean, I can talk about it… It's just… It makes me feel guilty when I think about it," Sunset confessed.

"But he broke up with you," Ember replied.

"Yes, he did."

"Why?"


* * *






It was a stereotypical normal day in the halls of Canterlot high. Lunch had just begun so the student body was making its way to the cafeteria for their long awaited meal and time to hang out with friends. They were also looking around, weary of Sunset Shimmer. By that time, the once sincere and kind Sunset Shimmer of middle school was now gone, replaced with the bully, manipulator, and liar that she was now infamous for. She was also super intelligent, the top of every class and A's on all of her tests. She manipulated her parents, teachers, and school into believing that she was a perfect angel, had no issues and always had that moral compass pointed to the light. To her peers, they would rather just see Sunset shove that thing right up her ass.

It took a year or two, but her boyfriend finally felt the same sentiment as his peers.

She walked into the lunchroom, and the room became silent. She walked by everyone with her standard smug grin, knowing that she owned them and none of them had the balls to stand up to her.

"Hey, Flash!" She said as she walked up to him and wrapped her arms around him. A tinge of rage started to build because she had a feeling what he was about to do.

"Why did you do that?" Flash asked

"Do what, sweetie?"

"I know what you did. How can you ruin someone's project because it was better than yours?!"

"I did no such thing!"

"Really? Then why were you carrying the head of the model this morning?!"

Sunset was silent. She had thought no one else was in the hallway that morning. The silence was more than enough for Flash.

"You were not the same sunset I fell in love with all those years ago. I'm sorry Sunset, but it's over between us." He said as he grabbed his bag and walked out of the cafeteria. Sunset had the entire student body looking at her, and she instantly snapped.

"You think you can do that to me, Flash Sentry!? Watch your back, boy! I will get you back for doing this to me!"


* * *


Sunset thought about the aftermath on the drive home.She was listening to her music as her parents did their traditional politics talk. Flash dumping her took a backseat to her planning to conquer Equestria. She guessed she would have gotten him back by making him her personal love slave once the takeover was complete.

But, then came the last part of the plan, and Twilight Sparkle. Sunset sighed and realized that through the downfall of her little superficial empire that, and her chance to show that she was above them, it was all gone. Her new life as a humble sixteen year old doing whatever she can to make up for her past wrongs seemed to have been better than the prospect of a malevolent, omnipotent goddess enslaving a magical world of talking ponies.

"It was for the best, I suppose", Sunset thought as she felt a vibration coming from her backpack. Although Twilight wasn't sending messages like before, it was still nice to get a letter back every other day.



Dear Sunset,

Have you tried talking to him?

Your Friend,

Twilight.



P.S. Can you put a good word with him for me? Maybe see if he still likes me still?

"Oh Twilight, you should just date him already," Sunset thought as she sat the book down. She planned to write back to her that night, but before then, she had a boy to text. She picked up her phone and sent a text.

"Are you still mad at me over what happened when we went out?" She texted. Her heart began to beat faster and her breathing picked up as she fawned over the potential answers.

Flash's answer came immediately. "I see those sessions are making you think."

"You know that the whole ‘me seeing a psychologist’ thing is supposed to be a secret." She quickly reacted out of embarrassment.

"Then next time don't tell the entire school," he replied. Sunset knew she was a blabber mouth at times, but she didn’t realize just how bad her mouth was. Then again, what she went through, even the strongest of people would probably need their head examined anyway.

"Fuck. Anyway… Are you?"

"Sunset, I forgave you a long time ago. Don't beat yourself up about it," was the reply.

"Okay," Sunset replied, still unsure if he truly forgave her or was paying her lip service. Even if he told her to not beat herself about it, the guilt still haunted her daily. Mostly she would see him around and would, even for an instant, imagine if she didn't go down this path, herself under his arm. But, it was not meant to be, even if a minuscule but vocal part of her wanted it.

"Although, if you want to really make it up to me, you could put in a good word in for me with Twilight."

Sunset read the text and had a wry smile on her face. Eventually one of them was going to make a move, but it seemed like when that would happen, they would probably be on their deathbeds.

"He is persistent, I'll give him that."
> Masquerade
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Oh lord! Your father is doing something stupid again!" Hazel hollered.

Sunset, Hazel Cinnamon, and Hazel's mother were sitting and watching the drama unfold on the television.

An hour earlier, a bank robbery occurred, and a guard was shot. The would-be robbers were shooting at the armada of cop cars in front of the building. On top of the marble steps, and behind a marble column, a police office was tending to the wounds of the shot security guard, using his shirt to stop the bleeding on her thigh.

The live television feed showed Thunder, in full tactical gear leading a group of twenty to thirty SWAT officers moving up the battle, moving from car to car with bullets causing sparks on the hoods above them. Even under heavy fire, they still moved.

"I hope he gets shot," Hazel's mother said nonchalantly.

"Mother!"

"Your father would be turning in his grave at the fact you married a military man."

"Don't put words in my mouth, Barb! And I'm not dead for the thousandth time!" Hazel's father shouted from the other room.

"I-I'm sorry, I can't watch any more," A teary-eyed Sunset said as she got up and started her way to her room.

"Nice crocodile tears," GLADIS reported.

"Oh shut up, GLADIS," she whispered. "Get ready, we’re going to help him,"


* * *


The television only showed so much. They didn't show the chaos in the command post, the officers who were scared, but ready to go in the war zone to stop the shootout.

Thunder Breeze was one of a few in the firefight who were ex-military and still remembered their training. Get covering fire and move up. Each SWAT member also carried a small first aid bag for shooting victims, for the guard who was still bleeding out against the marble column.

The shootout was going on to an hour, and the guard was still crying, yelling, the pain of getting shot still there and only getting worse with the hot sun directly striking her black and white striped skin.

The officer that was stuck in the column with her had his shotgun out, ready to take down the first robber to come out of the doors to spray bullets down to the barrage below.

Under the most fire out of everyone advancing, Thunder made it to the bullet-ridden police car in front of the blockade, the sound of the ricochets all around him. Right next to him, Solar Sword threw himself against the patrol car, dodging bullets as well. His rifle replaced with a military grade ballistic shield.

"Well, ain't this fun!" He shouted with a smile.

"Yea! It takes me back to Luang Prabang!" Thunder shouted back. "Where are the other shields!"

"Right behind us!"

Thunder turned back to see that behind the cars were other tactically clad officers, some carrying shields, others with rifles.

"Perfect! Alright, listen up! Our target is to get those two out of the line of fire. I could care less who is in there, even if it’s "Masquerade". We get them out of there, and we will find a way to get the hostages out! Ready! Let's go!"

Solar raised his hand and threw out a three before getting up with the others holding the shields. Thunder got behind him and began to advance under a hail of bullets along side with the others. They closed the gaps as they advanced, creating a moving wall of steel. When they reached the two stuck officers, Thunder and Solar ran down the wall with their bodies below the wall to the injured woman. They picked her up and began to slowly retreat, making sure they were shielded, the wall also backed out with them, taking shot after shot but not breaking down the wall.

As they slowly retreated down the steps, a misstep sent the three tumbling down the steps, away from the protection of the wall of shields, and out in the open, save Solar’s shield that was on his back. It wasn't much protection for the three of them, but it was better than being caught in the open under automatic fire.

The wall broke down, and Baltimare's finest scrambled to the line of fire to protect their chief. It was then when the she-demon dropped out of the sky, skirting above the trapped thee and landing on top of the marble steps, her shield blocking bullets.

The armed robbers retreated, with she-demon calmly walking into the bank. It wasn't the grunts she wanted, she wanted Masquerade.

With the sound of an old time horn, an antique twenties era Ford sped off from the side of the building and down the blocked streets, narrowly missing the officers that were guarding the blockade. She-demon ran out of the bank, expanded her wings, and flew off after them.

Sunset had the advantage of her agility for the tight maneuvers and a street that was clogged with traffic. But it didn't mean the armed men were not going to fight back. In fact, their leader called out the window, while the car was speeding down the streets, and stood on the roof. Masquerade was no doubt obsessed with the roaring twenties and the prohibition era. His all white suit and the car screamed his interest in that era, as well as his gun.

He fired his Tommy in rapid bursts, trying to take down she demon. Every bullet bounced off her opal shield and landed harmlessly on the ground below. Once his drum ran out, he unbuckled one of the many drums that were hanging off his belt. It became more fruitless, and Sunset decided to go in for the kill.

Masquerade saw her attempt coming. He pulled out what looked like a black cylinder with a red button at one of the ends of it.

"Sunset, you father, and his men have just entered the building, and it looks like he might have rigged the place to blow," GLADIS reported.

Oh shit.

The She-demon stopped her attack by disappearing in a ball of opal.

At the same time, Thunder and his men stormed the bank with their weapons drawn, looking for suspects to arrest and hostages to free. The hostages were in one corner, huddled behind a knocked over office desk.

The She-demon appeared in the center of the room, making everyone jump back in surprise. With her magic, she levitated everyone next to her and made a shield that encompassed everyone. Less than a second later the entire building went up in an explosion and subsequent flame. They all watched in horror as the roof and walls gave way and fell on top of them. They heard the roof land on the bubble but didn't crush them. They also began to rise, outside of the smoldering ruin and to the command post. That day, and that gun battle, no one else was hurt, and the shot guard was to survive her wound and make a full recovery.

"Thank you she-demon. Though I kinda wish you left me to die in that fire, at least it will be painless compared to the hell I'm going to go through with my wife and daughter for that," Thunder said.
> Another Life
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Going to see the Fertility doctor again. Made you some Lobster Alfredo and a small helping of fixings. Don't order pizza again, or you're grounded."

Sunset took a look at the text message and smiled.

Tonight was the night if the appointment was not canceled. She had an urge and was going to go far to fulfill it. Since she first landed in that world, she had longed of returning home. Even when the portal was opened permanently, she still couldn't go home, or in fact, she didn't want to even if her her heart yearned to return. But, there was a place she could go instead.

She looked around the classroom. It was test day, and everyone was down on their own papers, filling out their answers. Twilight was next to her, having already finished the Pre-calculus test in three minutes. Sunset looked down and realized that she had filled out her answers deep in thought.

She took one glance and saw that all of them were correct and she had shown her work as the teacher directed.

Sigh.


* * *


Sunset returned to an empty home, again. It had become more common now, which she didn't particularly mind, believing that it was because her parents were more trusting of her to make sure the house didn't blow up while they were gone. It had advantages, like being able to walk around her home naked for hours at a time.

She went straight to the kitchen and tossed the pasta,string beans and garlic bread in the microwave. When she set the timer, she stood in the hallway, keeping an ever vigilant watch on the driveway. It was one thing to order food while Hazel's food sat uneaten, it was another to throw it in the microwave instead of reheating it. Microwaving Hazel's food was a death by strangling sentence.

Once it was ready, she raced to the kitchen to put it out of the Tupperware, tossed the food on a plate, washed the Tupperware and threw them in the dishwasher with a few clean pots and pans to make it look like she did reheat the food.

She went upstairs, did her homework, and waited for the sun to go down. Winter was rapidly approaching, so by the time she has changed into her all black cargo pants and turtleneck, it was dark. All that was left was to transform to The She-Demon form and fly off into the chilly night.


***


She flew south, well away from Baltimare, and to the City of Canterlot. Sunset always found it weird that the high school was named after the city that was not even close to it, but she shrugged.

When she saw the house she was looking for, she circled it a few times to see if anyone was on the flat roof, which the owners of the house thought to turn it into a garden. She slowly and silently dropped in. hiding in some bushes as soon as she turned back to her human self.

With a pair of binoculars, she peered into the dining room of the house across the street and saw a four-member family enjoying a delicious dinner delivered to them by a troupe of well-dressed, well-mannered butlers.

They were all in their Sunday best as the began to eat. The father, a balding, middle-aged man with yellow hair, tan skin, opal eyes, and a goatee. He was her father, and although she never was close to him back home, there was that level of respect that was expected of a father-daughter relationship.

To his right on the dinner table was her beautiful mother in a velvet red dress, Sunshimmer. With the exception of her father's streaks of blond hair and eyes, she was almost like her mother. She had her red hair and her amber skin. They were close, but not enough where Sunset would stay in the pony world on her last night there.

Then there was her… Or this world's version of her. She had the same look, same everything… Only happier it seemed. Just like Sunset, she was savagely tearing into the t-bone steak that was in front of her, a stark contrast to the prim and proper white and pink dress she was in, something Sunset would normally have reservations dressing in unless the situation called for it.

The fourth person sitting at the table was a surprise to Sunset, and it made her feel heavier and a bit sad. She was younger, had Sunset's mother's red hair and skin, with her father's eyes. Sunset knew it when she laid eyes on her: she had a little sister back home who she had never met.

The family dinner was like the ones back home, but happier. Instead of her parents lecturing her to be better, these parents from that world were not being like her parents. Every time her parents spoke, Sunset and her little sister would laugh. It was a loving, supportive, and kind family, something Sunset didn't have when she grew up.

"Something bothering you? You are quiet for once." GLADIS asked.

"It's nothing, it’s kind of something you don't understand."

"I have seen you transform into a flying creature. What's one more supernatural thing to overload my database."

Sunset sighed. " I don't know, it's this whole 'having a little sister I have never met' business. I mean, I was an only child before I went to this world, and now there's a chance there's another person in my family that I have never met. But, I know I can't meet them, even if I miss them and want to go home to see them again."

"I can't calculate a reason why you can't go home for a bit."

"I know that if I do, I would want to stay. I would leave everything behind and try to rebuild what I lost back in Equestria, but I know I would be hurting people I love here too. Let us not forget that my father needs me more than he is willing to admit, especially with "The Family" declaring war."

"Sunset, what if you were to return after you deal with them?" GLADIS suggested.

"I think I'm going to go with that, a little daycation. Anyway, let's go home," she smiled.

She disappeared from the bushes and reappeared as The She-Demon on the roof. She turned around to take one last view of the dining room. It turned out, she was being watched by herself, a look of wonder and awe. Pretty soon her sister looked to what Sunset was looking out, pointed to her and said something in excitement. Her parents joined in and they watched her as a family, what was supposed to be her family. All Sunset could do was give them a wry smile, do a thumbs up, and fly off into the night, heading home.
> A Tunnel Too Far
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset shimmer was a sucker for field trips: hanging with friends, getting her hands dirty, and the fresh air. So, when it was for a mundane place like the old fort that once guarded the bay many years ago, she really didn't care, as long as it was something.

They had their first few classes which went by murderously slow because of the anticipation, then started their field trip during their homeroom class. They moved as a class through the halls and to the two buses, trying to whisper so that the other classes won't be disrupted. The classes then became loud and unruly as soon as they left the doors of the school, in full excitement for the trip.

"It's gonna be cool not to be in class, but the old fort sounds so boring!" Rainbow dash said.

"Better than being cooped up inside!" Pinkie said.

"And plus a pizza dinner afterwards! count me in!" Flash inserted, Sunset and her friends sitting in the first two rows in front of him.

"I'm okay with that!" Sunset happily replied back to her ex.

The bus left the school and up the old ninety-five freeway to Baltimare. The trip would usually take twenty minutes, that was until the bus driver saw something on her GPS. She picked up her citizen's band radio that was next to her and relayed to the other bus that a major accident happened in the city, and they were rerouting everyone to the Old Fort Tunnel. The traffic was slow, going and stopping every few seconds, each stop draining the impatience of everyone in both buses, but they managed.

All except one.

Rarity was hyperventilating, and one or two minutes away from a panic attack.

"Are you okay, Sugarcube?" Applejack asked.

"Who? Me? Of course, darling how can I not be nervous with a cramped crowded space with little to no escape if something happens and will most likely cause our doom if something does happen I can't be nervous about that right?!" Rarity nervously chuckled.

"Rarity, this thing is made of steel reinforced concrete, built to high architectural and engineering standards, and has monitors making sure that there isn't too much pressure from the bay above! it's practically safer than an overpass!" Twilight added.

"I don't know if you want to say that Twilight, you're basically inviting for it to collapse!" Pinkie added.

Rarity became pale and shoved her head between her knees. "Wake me up when we get out of this place!"

"Good Job, Pinkie!" Rainbow Dash said.

"What!? when you say something won't happen, it will!"

"Can we not!?" Applejack added.

"Fine, but I don't think playing with the forces of chance will do us good!" Pinkie said as she crossed her arms.

Just as she did, an explosion rocked the roof of the tunnel a few hundred feet ahead of them, the lights in the tunnel suddenly turning off and the screams of everyone and the rushing of the water into the tunnel can be heard.Rarity started to cry as everyone in the buses started panicking.

"Everyone! get out of the back door and start heading back to the tunnel entrance!" Celestia commanded, moving along the aisles to get everyone moving, the emergency xit bell ringing along with the sounds of chaos that was being echoed in the tunnel. Rarity was the only one who wasn't moving.

"This isn't happening! this isn't happening! I just wanna be home!" she cried.

"Flash! Get her out of here!" Sunset commanded.

"Aye!" He replied, picking her up and carried her out of the front door and to the entrance.

Sunset looked around. She knew that lives were already lost, and as the giant wave was headed to them, much more might be lost, including her classmates and friends.

Well, so much for this secret.

Sunset opened the roof exit with her magic and jumped from a seat, using her strength to crawl up to the roof.

"Sunset! We have to go!" Celestia commanded. Sunset's heart was beating, she was sweating. She had the fear of everything racing through her veins. The fear of failure also was washing over her, but, she had to do it. She raised her hand and took a deep breath. A magic barrier was instantly created, covering the entire tunnel in front of her. The water slammed against it with a tremendous fury, nearly knocking Sunset back and collapsing the barrier, but she held on.

She turned around to see that her entire class, her friends, random students, were witnesses to the raw power that was Sunset Shimmer's magic.

"Get out of here!" Sunset commanded. Sunset command jolted Celestia, who then lead the evacuation of the tunnel. Sunset knew they didn't have much time to get out, neither did she.

"Hey GLADIS! You seem silent!" Sunset hollered.

"I'm enjoying the show."

"Well isn't that nice?! Call Twilight!"

***

Twilight and her friends were the last to leave the tunnel, escorting a tired Flash Sentry who was carrying a sobbing Rarity. They still had to climb a hill on the outside and to a triage center that was hastily set up. On the hill, before the road dipped to the tunnel, a worried Thunder Breeze looked on, a few policemen racing to Sunset's group, and realizing she was not there.

Twilight felt the vibration from her phone and answered it.

"You okay, Sunset?"

"Peachy! Very, very peachy! Hey, pass this along to everyone: do not tell anyone else or especially my father I have this power, alright?! Celestia, Luna, our classmates. I want this magic between us!"

GLADIS hung up the phone, and Sunset knew it was time.

"Well, GLADIS, ready?" Sunset asked.

"Not really. You're the mortal one here if you drown I will still live on in the main tablet."

You bitch.

Sunset dropped her hand, and the barrier, and made a break for it. The wave was large, it was quick, and it was dragging all the cars with it. There was no car that stopped trying to change lanes, so running between the lanes was her saving grace, while the wave had to work a losing battle against gravity. Eventually, physics caught up to the wave and it finally stopped near the mouth of the Tunnel, leaving Sunset to rest her back to a million dollar car as if it was any other car.

I need to start working out and stop wearing high heels.

She eventually got to her feet and started the long, lonely walk to the outside. She was greeted with the blinding sun, and the ear piercing sound of the armada of paramedics, firefighters, and police cars. She did not stop walking until she was in the arms of her father.

"What did I tell you about playing hero. Scared me and your mother half to death there," Thunder playfully said.

"Sorry dad. What happened?"

"Dunno, we will find out who or what did this soon enough. For now, we have to work on saving as many lives as possible."

"I did all I could."

"I know sweetie, good looking out and checking if anyone was trapped in their cars still."

Not really, but okay.

A text message came up and Sunset took a look after she broke her hug from her father. It was from GLADIS.

"Look at the helicopters, one of them is not like the other."

She did, and she couldn't see it at first.

Police, News, News, News, County Sheriff, Hospital Airlift, Firefighter, County Firefighter, Civilian, News, News… Wait.

She looked to the black helicopter that was joining in the frenzy. It's door was open, and sitting next to the door, with a disgruntled face, was the familiar white suit and mask of "Masquerade". He shook his head and closed the door. After that, his helicopter flew off to the city.

Did… Did he do this to take me out?
> Sunset Driver
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset Shimmer, and to an extension, her father, had one of many things in common: they hated lines and they hated waiting in said lines.

So, when they were in line to take Sunset's driving test, they were less than pleased. Still, it gave them time to socialize, which between their daily life struggles it became harder and harder to. There was also the change of Sunset being behind the wheel, or that the modified pickup truck was replaced with an economy car that was rented for this test. Sunset driving Thunder's baby to take a driving test? Na.

"I really hope you pass this in one go so we don't have to wait like this again," Thunder complained as he was leaning nearly flat in the passenger seat, reading the most recent issue of "Police Officer's Magazine"

"Me too, but I don't think I need it, dad," Sunset confessed.

"Well, you can get your own car… After you get a job and pay for it of course… You can do errands for me and your mother."

Sunset got defensive. "Wait, I thought it was for my 'greater good', I knew you had an ulterior motive!"

"I'm not the DA here! Trust me, sweetheart, after you have children you will make them do everything you don't want to do."

"I won't," Sunset replied.

"I said that to my old man doing the exact same thing, at this exact same DMV! And here I am, about to do the same thing," Thunder said.

It took a few more minutes, but it was finally Sunset's turn to take the test.

"Good luck, sweetie," Thunder said as he leaned over and gave Sunset a kiss on her forehead before stepping out. He was nearly sliced in half by the death stare from the tester. She was older, larger, and had the face of being absolutely done.

She slowly got herself into the driver's seat and slammed the door in Thunder's face in anger after he moved the door to help her close it.

Fuck this bitch.

"The chief is your father, huh? Well, one of his men gave me a ticket this morning… You better be perfect to make sure you drive with his officer's draconian standards, kid."

Great.


* * *


Sunset did her best, but every small misstep had the tester yelling at her, marking it against Sunset's test, and triggering the instructor to continue her rant against her father, who she voted for his opposition in the election… The same opposition candidate who promised to remove the police and create a peaceful city by giving everyone gold stars for doing good deeds.

Sunset was up to the test, she had prepared endlessly for it. Unfortunately, she knew that her rookie mistakes would be her undoing, and she was doing plenty of them. She took it as a learning lesson, and she hoped her crazy hippy instructor excuse would be enough for her father.

So over this already.

She felt two rapid vibrations in her back pocket, a text.

After a few seconds, GLADIS spoke up through the earpiece. "Oh, I thought you were allowed to look, you're being-"

The car was rear-ended by another car, which made the two women jolt back against their chairs.

"Well, isn't that great!?" The instructor bellowed.

The car hit them again as Sunset slowed down.

"Drive!"

Sunset listened to GLADIS, and floored it in the busy major street, swerving around cars, each one honking in anger.

"What are you doing, young lady!? This is hit and r-"

A few gun shots firing in the distance stopped the woman, who instead of lecturing she was yelling.

"Oh god, they are trying to kill us! No! No! No!"

The gunfire continued. The sounds of the bullets hitting the car were heard.

"Looks like you are taking gunfire, would you like to-"

"Yes! Chase music!"



So far, it was only one car shooting at through the busy Baltimare streets. She took a sharp left on a red light, hoping that would shake them off. They took the left on the red light as well, nearly being sideswiped by a commercial van. Sunset continued to drive erratically, narrowly avoiding cars of all kinds, while her assassins were struggling in their own right. Sunset was running out of luck, and options. The only thing she hadn't tried was city hall… And their trap spring car barriers.

"GLADIS, can you delay the crash barrier at city hall?!"

"Of course!"

"Alright, let's do that!" Sunset said as she took a hard right and raced to City Hall. There was a road that was paved in brick and used for people to travel from the building to the square across the street. It also had sensors If someone was speeding to the street at a high speed, it would trigger crash barriers before the vehicle would arrive. Sunset sped past the empty brick street with no issue. She stopped and looked in her mirror to see the attackers catching up

"Drive! Drive!" The instructor cried.

Sunset stayed. She watched as the SUV arrive at the street and….

"Now!"

The guard barrier sprung up from the ground instantly, giving no chance to swerve or stop. The SUV hit the barrier and the car became crushed, right up to the dashboard.

Sunset smiled and drove off.


* * *


Sunset's bullet-ridden car hobbled to the part of the parking lot where the people applying for their license parked. waiting for them was Thunder Breeze.

"You're not shot, are you?!" Thunder frantically asked, hugging his daughter.

"I'm fine dad, I don't know about her, though."

They both watched as the instructor got out of the car, shaking and would most likely be taken away in the ambulance that had just arrived, its sirens piercing the mid-fall afternoon.

"S-Sunset shimmer…. I w-want to thank you… I-I can't offer much but y-you p-ass the t-test," She stuttered before handing Sunset the long piece of paper that showed she pass.

"All's well that ends well?" Sunset asked her father.

"Well, first I'm probably going to get murdered by your mother over having to lose the security deposit… As well as find out who tried to kill you,"

Sunset had an idea, she just had to look. Sure enough, across the street was a black limo, and she was anticipating 'him' to be sitting in the limo, giving the death stare through his white masquerade mask before rolling up the window. Instead, he was leaning next to the door, eating a hotdog and slurping down a soda from the convenience store . As soon as he locked eyes with his target, he panicked, threw his full soda and half his hot dog on the floor and into the limo. It was there he gave Sunset the death stare as he rolled up the window. The limo drove off, as an armada of police cars were arriving at the DMV.
> Little Songbird
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

With the windows covered, Sunset stood in front of her sliding closet mirror, only in her black underwear. When she usually did that, she was lost in thought, or to decompress before something big. This time it was the Annual Officer's Ball.

Next to her was an elegant red dress that rarity made for her for the purpose of the event.

Too bad it's getting ruined after tonight.

She began to get ready. Her first action was to pick up the slim bullet resistant vest. It was red in color to match the dress in case it was visible.

Then she took the small holster and wrapped it around her inner thigh. Normally, her father would not let her carry, but he had no choice. The slit on her dress made it easier to reach in and pull it out, but also to show off her legs.

“Shall we go over it one more time?” GLADIS asked as Sunset sat down on her chair, and started to apply makeup.

“Why not?”

“Alright,” said the tablet as it flashed photos, emails, and data across its screen. “Police intelligence received a tip that masquerade will be crashing the party. His goal will most likely be to kill yourself, or your parents, whoever he can get to first. He has done it before back in Scifilly.”


“Can't wait to meet him" Sunset said as she started to put a clear rubber film on her lips. “How do I look?”

“Trashy.”

“Shut up!”


***


"I always like it when we take the limo, it feels nice to be treated like a celebrity for once!" Hazel smirked as she took a sip from her scotch.

"Well, you need to be actually famous, not an over glorified fry cook," Thunder laughed.

Hazel grabbed an ice cube from the ice bucket and threw it at Thunder playfully.

"You know that's assaulting a police officer," Thunder said as he moved to sit next to his wife.

"How did you know I like to be in handcuffs."

"Wow!" Sunset hollered

"Shut up! We're trying to get laid here!" Her parents shouted her down.


***


They arrived with a thunderous applause when they entered the hall. Thunder breeze took his time, handshaking everyone in the room on his way to the elevated table where he and his family were sitting. Solar was there sitting at the table as well, with random hookup girl number three hundred and forty-five.

She began to look around, trying to find her target.

"Looking for a boy to dance with?" Solar leaned next to her.

"Maybe."

"How about that kid, he looks smart" Solar pointed.

"I know him, he is a weirdo."

"Exactly, you two can be weird together!" he smirked.

"Shut up!"

"How about that boy?" he pointed to another.

"Oh, yeah, dance with the over aggressive jock who likes to grope everything, and I mean everything! Pass."

"You're going to be a virgin forever at this rate."

"Well, maybe you can help?" Sunset joked.

Solar became uncomfortable, and checked to see if Thunder Breeze was within hearing distance. "Wait until you're eighteen… Or you can take a chance with that one over there!"

"Who, that boy? The one who tried to kiss me last year?"

"Maybe he changed?"

"Yea, that girl who is making out with him now sure thinks so. You're really bad at this!"

It was then when Sunset saw Masquerade. It wasn't hard since he was the only one wearing his signature white suit and masquerade mask. He was slowly shifting through the crowd, headed to the table from across the room.

"You know, i'll head down to the dance floor and see what happens", Sunset said as she got up. She walked down the platform that lifted the tables. When she found a good spot in the crowd watching the dancing, she readied herself.

"What is your plan to keep him from attacking?" GLADIS asked.

"You'll see," Sunset whispered into her earpiece.

Masquerade was approaching but had not seen Sunset. Her glimpses of him when she turned her head showed that he was aiming right for the table, where her father and mother were. He was ten feet from her or so when she decided to step forward, in front of a larger man, and sprang the trap.

She looked on at the dance floor longingly, giving the look of "I wish I had someone to dance floor with". It wasn't hard, the lonely eyes, one hand caressing other sides lower arm. She didn't dare turn around and waited for the inevitable tap on her back, which came without fail.

"Hey, would you like to dance, doll?" Masquerade asked.

Sunset seemed timid, but her heart was beating like a rabbit, she was fighting to urge to blast him back to the stone age.

"Sure," she shyly said, extending her hand out as an invitation to lead her to the floor.

The big band was playing an upbeat dance tune when Masquerade stopped. He placed his hand on her hips, and they clasped their hands together and began to move. It was awkward at first, both dancers staring at each other, unsure of what to do. Sunset could help but be lost in his baby blue eyes.

"I know who you are," Masquerade said

"You do?" she asked, ready for what he was about to possibly do.

"You play in that band, I saw you at the fair last year,"

"Oh, The Rainbooms? Yea, I can't tell you how much hell I had to go through to get in that band."

"I could imagine, little songbird."

Sunset giggled. "You know how this works right? you have to buy me dinner and have a good second date to give me pet names."

"I can't help myself, sorry doll," he smiled.

They continued to dance, talk, and flirt. Sunset could help how handsome and charming he was. He said he was from Scifilly, and he was in this country to help with their business since he had perfect English, with that small twang of the old country.

By the end of the dance, they were all smiles. If he was younger and not out to kill those she loved, she would of at least hoped he would invite her to a date, but….

He began to caress her cheek and leaned down for the kiss. She didn't move and allowed their lips to meet. It was short and sweet.

"I feel I should come clean," Masquerade said.

"What do you mean?" Sunset asked.

His smile and demeanor turned from a warm smile to a sinister one. "My name is Masquerade, I am the member of "the family". I hope you enjoyed that kiss because let's say it's a bit, toxic. Sorry, little songbird, but time to die."

Sunset took a second to process this and laugh. And she had a big reveal of her own as well, her smug grin present as she pulled the clear rubber coating that she applied while in makeup.

"Rubber lips. You've done it so many times before. You're nothing but predictable!" she laughed.

In a fit of rage, he drew his pistol and fired three shots at her, all she can do is raise her palm to try to stop the bullet, but the force of the three shots and her heels made her fall on the ground. A mass panic broke out as Masquerade bolted in the chaos, to make his escape.

"Well that sucked, he was such a great kisser too," Sunset said as she got up in the chaos, the three lead bullets that were aimed at her all collected in a tight, floating opal ball.
> A Tear for my Enemy 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Through the chaos, Masquerade managed to escape the hall, through the kitchen and to the back alley. He continued to run, even if he was in pain from the pinch of his white oxford shoes. He knew the cost of getting caught.

Right behind him, Sunset appeared from the back door, disappearing in the opal flash, and reappearing on top of the roof, her red dress replaced with her all black uniform. She continued the chase, hopping from roof to roof.

Masquerade turned and saw her. He pulled out his pistol and fired off a few rounds, all of them stopped by the barrier created by Sunset's raised hand. It was there when they both stopped and stared at each other where she transformed into the She-Demon.

He took off after seeing her transform, a little quicker, and a little more trigger happy, his right hand close to his now visible holster. He left the vast network of the alleys and went across the street to the other block and its maze of alleys. On the same street, the armada of chasing vehicles, lead by the jacked up pick up truck of Thunder Breeze, spotted him and raced to him. The many officers stopped where Masquerade disappeared into and charged, most, if not all of them in their suits instead of their usual officer uniforms. Thunder was commanding them, carrying a semi-automatic rifle in contrast to his team's pistols.

Masquerade turned the corner into one of the alleyways to find that it was a dead end. He didn't care and started climbing the ladder at the end of the alley. His feet and thighs were sore and he was drawing heavy, labored breaths. He was grunting with each step climbing the ladder, only to stop halfway. On the roof of the brick building was the She-Demon, staring down at him menacingly and ready to attack. He slid down and tried to get out of the alley.

It was there that Baltimare's finest were waiting for him, their guns and flashlights drawn on him. The helicopter overhead beamed its light on him and illuminated him. In front of him, the police. Behind him, the She-Demon.

It was the end of the line for him.

"Alright, Masquerade. This has gone far enough," Thunder Breeze bellowed.

"Turn yourself in, they will help you!" The She-Demon shouted.

"What she said. We don't want any more violence than there should be. I am willing to put past your attempts at me and my family, just please surrender!" Thunder added.

"Stop! Stop! Both of you!" Masquerade shouted as he put his hands over his head in angst. "Fuck you! Fuck all of you!"

He began to holler and groan in unintelligible rants for what felt like forever, like an addicted person in the worst of their withdrawal. In his mind, he was being articulated of his emotions, his frustration, but was not putting the words right when spoken.

At the end of the speech, he pulled his gun out, which made the officers back off a little bit, their weapons still aimed at him.

"Put the gun down!" They all shouted.

What is he doing?!

In one swift motion, he put the gun to his head. Sunset realized what he was about to do and was overcome with fear.

"No!" She shouted, raising her hand out to pull the gun out of his hand and stop him from taking his own life.

For the rest of her life, Sunset would forever be haunted by this moment.

The sound of the gunshot echoed through the alley, and in the ears of Sunset Shimmer. She watched as Masquerade's body collapsed like a sack of potatoes on the cold asphalt, a pool of blood already forming around his head.

Thunder and his men charged forward to the body. The chief kicked the gun out of Masquerade's lifeless hands and checked for a pulse as part of the procedure, all the while his men watched the She-Demon.

"She-Demon seems a bit distraught, Sir."

He looked up to see that she had her hand on her head in panic. She flew off into the night, leaving the police with confusion and a very messy crime scene.


***


"Honey, did you see Sunset when you left?!" Hazel frantically asked as soon as she answered Thunder Breeze's phone call, searching in the chaos of the hall for her daughter with one hand holding her phone while the other covering her other year to block the noise.

"No, I haven't. I just wanted to tell you that the danger is over, for the most part. The shooter took his own life," Thunder replied.

"Okay, that's good," Hazel replied sarcastically."I still have to look for Sunset!"

"Check with the EMTs. If they didn't haul anyone off then that must mean she must still be building.” He turned to his subordinates and barked his order. “Have our guys back in the hall sweep every room for her!"

"Okay, I love you," She said.

"Love you too," he replied as he hung up and continued to work.

Hazel was getting frantic and wanted to try one last thing before getting the police involved. She sent one last text to Sunset.

"If you don't answer me, I'm going to go through your room."


***


By the time the text reach Sunset, she had transformed back to herself and was in her red dress in the boy's bathroom. She had been sobbing flying back to the hall and still was crying in the stall.

"Men's bathroom," She texted back before sinking her head into her knees.

Her mother busted in, out of breath, a few moments later, pulling her daughter off the ground and hugging her.

"I was so worried about you! Are you hurt?!" She said in her motherly tone.

Sunset opened her palm to show the three bullets that Masquerade used to try to kill her.

"Oh dear," Hazel said in horror.


***



Hazel and Sunset took a cab home, with Sunset still not letting up in her sobbing the entire time in her mother's arms.


"It's okay, Sunset. The guy is gone. He won't hurt us anymore,"


As she continued to sob, she knew that it wasn't about the fear of getting shot at or the fact that her and her family’s life was in danger.


She was sobbing because she couldn't save him from himself, and had to watch him take his own life.
> Gravedigger
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset Shimmer looked out of her window on a rainy Saturday, the winds were on and off, and it looked downright miserable.

It's like poetry.

Sunset had a pair of jeans and a jacket when she left her room and eventually her empty house, through the back sliding glass door. She hopped over the brick wall to the alley, where she had her hoodie to cover her head. It was a longer walk to the bus stop from just going outside, but there was a price for getting caught, no matter who was probably keeping an eye on her, either being friend or foe.

It was also why she took the bus instead of a taxi or a ridesharing app since both left a paper trail. She waited in the bushes near the bus stop, waiting to see the bus in the distance before stepping out. She did when it arrived and took it to the city.

The rain did not let up when she arrived at the bus stop by the city's cemetery, still keeping a lookout for surveillance. She quickly wandered into a gas station parking lot, where she was relieved that the woman's restroom was unoccupied.

It was dirty, the floor was messy, the walls, and the mirror was tagged permanent marker. It seemed a good enough place to put the plan into action.

She raised her hand to the air and sighed.

Hope this works.

She snapped her finger, and she once again disappeared into the opal orb, when it faded, the jeans and hoodie were now an elegant, lacy black dress, black gloves, and a black sun hat. Her hair was straight, its crimson and yellow hair replaced with a lighter and darker shade of brown, her eyes were brown as well. Her hand had a black umbrella.

She left the bathroom, opened her umbrella, and walked in the rain She crossed the street to the front of the gated cemetery, and saw the second part of the plan, the small boy selling bouquets of flowers. She bought 2 dozen roses and one individual one. Her first stop was well away from the eyes of the funeral taking place. The two marked graves in front of her were her father's parents; Spring Rain and Power Breeze. She never got to meet them, but was grateful that they raised Thunder to be the father that Sunset needed in her most time of need.

She placed the two bouquets of roses on each of their graves and gave each tombstone a kiss.

Thank You.

With her one loose rose, she moved on to the funeral on the other side of the massive cemetery, passing by the many rows of tombstones, obelisks, and mausoleums. She often thought how many ended up here, especially the ones with just one date, with the name of "baby"


***






Sunset arrived at the funeral, the only one going on. The lingering feeling of guilt was barely survivable, seeing the crying, the grief. She felt like she had failed all of them, failed to bring their kin from the brink of death.

The priest was in the middle of a verse, the brown casket still above the ground for all to view. A wreath with a picture was next to the priest, looking over the ceremony taking place. It was an older picture on a frame, one of a teenage masquerade, unmasked in a button up shirt and jeans posing next to an old house in the old country.

Under the watchful eye of two prison guards, Lizzie was there. She was holding an inconsolable older woman along with Montana, who Sunset presumed was their mother. The old woman cried and had outbursts in a foreign language that Sunset did not understand. As the funeral continued, Sunset walked up to the casket and placed her rose on top of the casket, which already had roses piled on top from everyone else.

"I'm sorry, I hope you are at peace, wherever you are," She whispered before bowing her head and having a moment of silence as a sign of respect.

The priest finished, which was the cue for the casket to finally be lowered.

"Il mio piccolino! Il mio piccolino!" The old woman cried over and over. As the lowering of the casket ended, the old woman hobbled over to Papa, who also was in tears watching his oldest son be lowered to the ground. She continued to wail, while her husband held her. Montana had his arm over Lizzie, the siblings wiping back tears with black handkerchiefs.

All the while, Sunset watched on with the gut-wrenching guilt that somehow, she was responsible for his death.


***


When the ceremony was over, it was time or Lizzie to return back to confinement. The advantage of having money was affording really efficient lawyers, who convinced the judge that she needed to be in a mental institution instead of prison. So, her orderlies and a member of the baltimare police watched on as Lizzie said her goodbyes to her family before stepping into the back of the van. Montana helped his mother back to the limousine, leaving Sunset and Papa alone in front of grave

"You one of his 'girls'?" he asked.

"What?"

"I know my son liked to fuck, got himself in trouble doing it back home. I knew he liked it young, but not as young as you."

Sunset smiled and kept her face straight, "I'm not underage if you are thinking that way."

"He was my boy, I wouldn't care either way," he replied, wiping a tear.

"I don't know if a strangers sympathy means anything, but I'm sorry for your loss," she said.

"Thank you, child. You don't have to be sorry. Only Thunder."

"Excuse me?"

Papa began to get angry, the wind starting to pick up as well as the pain. "Police killed my boy, they are going to pay for what they did. If they want a war, they got a war."

He started to walk away, but Sunset couldn't stop with just that cryptic remark. "what do you mean?"

Pappa turned around and smiled. "Eye for an eye, child for child."
> Ransom
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Normally, Sunset would quickly finish her homework and join her father to watch television or help her mother cook, depending how much of a "superwoman" Hazel felt. Those days, however, was dwindling. Her parents were with the fertility specialist, again. It left Sunset to either have a prepared dinner waiting for her, or a fruit cup that told Sunset they were going to go out to eat when they got home. She came home to a fruit cup, so Sunset smiled when she knew she was going to have fast food in a few hours.

She took the cup and walked over to the couch. She turned on the television and prepared for an afternoon of channel surfing.

It was short lived.

The local channel broke into a cartoon for a special report. As the minutes went buy, Sunset was given the low down: another child kidnapped. The photo of the child was there. her orange hair and green skin made her cute as a button. Almost immediately, they went to a press conference with her father leading it. He seemed a bit winded, probably yanked from his appointment to handle this mess. As he explained the situation, he looked extremely angry, having to deal with another kidnapped child. It turned out she was the daughter of a millionaire living in the Trotsville section of town.

"And due to a ransom note and how the girl was taken, we believe the motive is, in fact, a ransom"

While that was going on, the flashback with Risky Line came back to her. Her emotions, her fear, her anger. The fact that Fluttershy and she made it out mostly unscathed was nothing less than a miracle. She stopped thinking after the conference and resorted to instinct.

"GLADIS!" she hollered out loud.

In her earpiece, she heard the sounds of the program wake up.

Hello Sunset, are we going to have fun tonight?

"You bet! I need you to pull up the file of this case."

It took GLADIS a few minutes to gather the data and its interpretation, sunset went into the kitchen for a cold water bottle from the fridge, thinking on where he could possibly be. She knew it where he was, people are not but predictable.

"Okay, GLADIS, which warehouse?"

They are not at the docks.

"Do they have a phone number?"

Yes, but they are trying to get a warrant to find the location.

"Do I look like the law?"

Sunset, this is illegal. Unusual search and seizure. They finally installed the ethics and law code in my programming.

"I am a private citizen, in fact, I'm not officially a citizen anyway!"

Touche…… Okay the location is in your HUD

Sunset didn't waste any time. she had all the doors locked, ran out to her backyard, transformed into The She-Demon once more and took flight towards the city.


* * *


Sunset usually avoided the neighborhood the kidnapper's cell phone was pinging, She would usually take a pop shot in her general direction or two, either from people on drugs or trying to start a fight. She would feel sorry for the person who taught them to aim and flew on. That night, she had no incidents. The beauty of townhouses was that they were connected together in a large row, so she landed on top of the house at the beginning of the row and began to run to the house, dodging air conditioning units and chimneys as she went along the way. The entire neighborhood was abandoned, save for a few bums taking over the houses. With her magic, she saw what was going on in the house

The child was bound to a chair in the living room, gagged as well. She had been crying for hours, hoping that the nightmare would be over. The kidnapper was in the kitchen, taking a nap using two chairs. His hat was over his face and his high powered rifle resting next to him.

The ringing of his cell phone woke him up. He checked the messages and sighed.

"Nope! Haven't got any response! Looks like a finger has to go!"

The girl starting struggling, even if it was in vain. He left the gun there but pulled out his machete.

Sunset returned as the She-Demon and started to fly straight up.

Sunset?

"I still have the element of surprise! I think I can take him out in one go!"

As soon as she was high enough, she stopped flying and dove head first into the house. He was right behind the child when sunset impacted the house. Both floors gave way as she reached the dining room, knocking the man back against a plaster wall.

As soon as she landed, and the child safe, she was ready to fight, only to see the child more afraid of her than her situation, which guilted Sunset to turn back to human and fight that way. It was more fun for Sunset to fight as a human anyway. She immediately pulled out her machete and went to work cutting the rope that was used to tie the girl. She saw the man wake up and get his machete. She only had a few seconds before she had to prepare for the machete fight, but was still cutting off the rope. With one last slice, the child was free and hopped off the chair, letting Sunset use the chair as a shield from the machete attacks. She tossed the chair at him which gave her a chance to ready herself. He kept his attack, each attack being met with Sunsets blade.

"GLADIS, would love to do your end of the plan!" sunset said as she continued.

Doing it now.

"What plan!" man hollered

"Check your phone!" he stopped, and slowly walked backward to the kitchen, not letting her leave his sight. When he checked, he hollered in anger.

"What?!"

"Your encryption is gone, the police is on their way!"

"You stupid bitch!" he cried as he picked up his rifle. Sunset grabbed the girl and ran upstairs, dodging the hail of gunfire that exploded the drywall behind her. The sirens were blaring as Sunset stopped in the empty main bedroom, the hole from her dive gave the child her first look at the night sky.

"They are not going to take me alive!" he hollered as he pulled out a device from his jacket.

"Aw crap!" Sunset said as she transformed back to the She-Demon. The child was freaking out when Sunset transformed, but Sunset knew what she had to do, grabbing the child and flying out of the hole she created.

What is he doing?

"Don't know, all I know is red button equals-"

It was then that the entire building exploded, sending brick and wood all over the neighborhood. The police used the lee of their cars to shield themselves from the debris.

"That."

She was still in the air after the blast looking at the police until she saw her father. She simply glided down until she was floating over her father. She dropped the unharmed child for him to catch and flew off into the night
> End of the Line 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a peaceful night in Baltimare's mental asylum. There was no sudden outburst from a patent, security was down to a skeleton crew, and even the mice were taking the night off from scurrying through the ventilation shafts with audible clanks.

It drove Lizzie to near insanity. The peace and the tranquility were new to the daughter of the mob, and she hated it.

Still, there was perks in the madness.

She would have loved to be in the state penitentiary, to raise hell and make that her little personal castle, even if it was under the guise of incarceration. Thunder Breeze knew this, so he had her in the loony bin.

Now, instead of using shivs on her father's enemies in the big house. She was in her one person padded cell, enjoying her nightly tea, cookies, and reading a riveting chapter of "The Prince", while taking mental notes. She was already thinking ahead to her next book: "The Art of War"

"I hope something exciting would happen," Lizzie sighed as she looked at her wristwatch. She saw that the clock struck ten and waited for a minute.

"I said! I wish something exciting would happen!" she shouted. A few second later she heard an explosion from the other side of the institution. The lights when off and a light shaking rocked the room. The alarms went off as soon as the lights turned back on. Outside, she heard the masses of her prison mates startled by the developments. Many went on rampages, attacking anyone nearby. She stayed in her cell and waited as the plan went, but she wanted to get her hands on someone and start killing.

Suddenly, the door busted opened. A few black-clad men with tactical gear and assault rifles entered the room.

"Liz! Pappa came to get you!"

"Excellent!" she said as she got up from her chair. She kept the book and even took "The Art of War" from the small bookshelf on the foot of her bed.

"Before we get out of here, mind if we take a small stop? I have unfinished business to take care of."


* * *


They were deep in the riot, as they heard Baltimare's police start to surround the institution, making sure no one was able to leave.

The inmates were ripping everything off the wall, and throwing them at either each other or at doors or windows. She even saw a few bodies of guards laying about, with various state of death, either being the purple face of suffocation or straight decapitation. The rioters left her alone, knowing what she would do to them if they were to attack her, also the three men with assault rifles looked mean enough by themselves.

"Where are we headed?" One of the men asked.

"Special protection unit," she answered.

"Whats out there?"

"I have to get some answers that will help us with the She-Demon."

The special protection unit was a unit in the institution that protected those who would be otherwise killed in the general population: celebrities, politicians, former police. The main population of the wing was pedophiles, and it required an extra layer of security.

The guards there had long abandoned their post, leaving the unit to the mercy of the riot. They entered the wing through the Plexiglas guard entrance and were in the wing, which was least kept up than the rest of the institution, adding to the general disgust the people who ran the prison had for the inhabitants, but being forced to protect them. They didn't bother looking inside, but they assumed that whoever were in those cells were scared for what was about to happen next.

They went to the last door, and with the pass code entered, the door opened.

It was a padded cell like Lizzy's cell, but with no windows. Also, there were words scribbled all over the walls. Emotions, names, places, feelings were hastened written on the wall, and it was grouped over a name, the names were mostly female.

The man was disheveled, smelled of body odor, and was squatting in the center of the room, in his underwear, rocking back and forth. he didn't stop, even with Lizzie standing in front of him.

"You must be Risky Line," she said.

"Who are you?" He said, his wild eyes staring at her.

"A friend. What is this?" she said as she continued to look around.

"When the she-demon took me, she came to me in human form! she took the memories of the girls and boys I trafficked and gave me their memories…. I CANT GET THEM OUT OF MY HEAD!" He shouted.

"What they went through, what they felt, what they feel, it's now taken over! It won't fucking leave my head! The she-demon even gave me her memories!"

"So you met the she demon?! Who is she?!" Lizzie frantically asked.

Risky pointed to a section of the wall above his bed, which compelled Lizzie to walk over there. She saw the persons: Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle, Thunder Breeze, Hazel Cinnamon, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Flash Sentry. There were places too, like Equestria, Canterlot High, Baltimare. There were also objects or events: Fall Formal, Twilights Crown, She-Demon, Daydream.

They all were wrapped around a name

The name was Sunset Shimmer.

"Oh Sunset, Sunset, Sunset! You sneaky bitch!" Lizzy gloated with glee as one of the armed men took a photo with a camera phone.

"You got what you needed. Lets go!" the guard said.

"How are we getting out! We are surrounded!" Lizzie hollered.

"Old sewer tunnels will take us to a cove. There's a boat waiting for us.

"Excellent!" Lizzie said as they were about to leave.

"Wait!" Risky shouted, still in the fetal position.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I did you a favor, now return it!"

Lizzie sighed. "Okay, what do you want!?"

"Release me."

"Release you?!"

"Yes, please. Before the police comes."

"Are you sure?!"

"Please, release me from this place."

"Ok."

She took a kbar knife from one of her guards and walked up to him, his face pressed against her stomach. She lowered the knife down, right to where it would land: at the base of his neck.

"Thank you, my friend," Risky said.

Like a viper going for the kill, Lizzie's death swing was quick, and it was vicious. In the last clear second of his life, as the blade cut off the spinal cord, the memories were gone, it was over. It was the end of a monster, and although many would cheer the death of Risky Line, it would be Risky Line himself who cheered his demise the most.

> Extinguished Ember
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ember Velvet: Wife, Mother, Psychologist, snack lady for her daughter's soccer team. Even with her busy life outside of her practice, she always took time for her clients. A few hours ago, she had her last session with Sunset Shimmer. It was emotional for her since Sunset was a major success. She had turned from queen bitch to a positive member of society. Although, even with that she had to sigh since she couldn't get any information from her life before she "dropped from the sky".

Still, she had Sunsets file on her desk as she finished up her full report she was to send out to whoever needed it, namely her father's health insurance company. The reports were laborious and lengthy, but they provided Ember the income to support her family.

"And send!" she shouted as the email containing Sunsets report was sent through email, and with that another day in the books for Ember. She smiled as she got up in her small office to file Sunsets file away for what she hoped would be the last time. She sat down to read her emails, and do her usual tasks before she left the office

She continued diligently, Ignoring the clock. She heard the sirens go off in the distance with the sounds of helicopters buzzing overhead. She thought nothing of it and continued

"Probably a chase going on, those get boring after a while," she sighed.

It was then she heard a knock at the door, and it opened. Her young secretary peeked her head in, her thin glasses nearly falling out of her head.

"Miss Velvet, I'm heading out. Everything okay?"

"Yes, enjoy the rest of your night."

"I will!" Her secretary cheered as she slipped back outside.

Ember continued with her work, determined to make sure that when she set foot in her office tomorrow morning, there would be no issues.

It was then that the electricity in her office shut off, and the computer.

"Well, fuck me for saving," she grumbled as she waited for the electricity to turn back on. It took less than ten seconds, and when it did, everything was the same.

Minus the hand around her neck, holding a knife.

"We don't carry cash here. My wallet is in my purse," Ember said, he head straight forward not wanting to startle the other person in the room

"I'm not here for that," the feminine voice said.

"What are you here for, miss.."

"Just call me Lizzie,"

"okay Lizzie, what did you come here for."

"everything you have on Sunset Shimmer,"

"I can't give you that. Heck, how did you know she even goes here?!"

"What, you don't think the family has someone paid off inside the police department?"

That name gave Ember chills. She knew who the family was, their psychopathic tendencies. The fact one of them was behind her with a knife to a throat nearly made her break. She still had a way out if she was a fast enough. Being the police department's go to psychologist gave her some perks, like a concealed carry permit. The small revolver concealed in her jacket. It was within reach, but to slip her hand in there and to use it with the knife on her throat was a bit much.

"Who is the mole?"

"Like I'm telling you. Because there could be chances you survive this!"

It was quick and silent, but when it was over, Ember was on the ground, holding her throat which was flooding the area around her with blood. She was gasping and writhing in pain.

"It'll be all over soon, No one survives a slashed throat for long. If the loss the blood doesn't get you, the asphyxiation will." Lizzie folded her knife and walked over to the large filing cabinet. She picked out the S's and then found Sunset Shimmers manila file.

"Okay… Hmm, interesting. We will definitely use this! And her school schedule! all the better!"

Ember Velvet knew she was going to die in her office, she was already losing blood and didn't have much time. When she fell over her jacket went with her. She took one bloody hand off her throat and reached into her jacket's pocket for the gun.

"Not a lot of information, but at least it will be enough to help us when we kill Sunset Shimmer tomorrow." Lizzie smiled. "thanks again"

Lizzie quickly turned around and pulled out her pistol to see Ember. Ember was raising hers as well, tearing in fear, tearing in sadness, and in anger.

You're not killing sunset, over my dead body Ember thought as she committed as her last action in life to protect Sunset Shimmer.

A shot rang out in the office, and at the end of it, Ember became lifeless, with a sliced throat and a bullet through her forehead.


***


There was one thing that detective Techie Dagger hated was having to go to a murder scene in an office in the morning. Usually, a maid or someone else would find that person in that office and would be traumatized for life. In this case the young, hot secretary.

"I hate these days," the detective said as he entered Embers office, which had crime scene analyzers in hazmat suits swarming the place, getting all the evidence needed for the case.

"They got you busy?" The coroner asked.

"They pulled me off the prison riot case for this. Pedo Pete got his head split in two with whatever someone used to kill him. Couldn't of happen to a better person.

"Anyone else they rubbed out?" the coroner asked.

"Lizzie of the family is missing…. Wait a minute!?" The detective hollered.

"What?!"

"Lizzie may have broken out. Pedo Pete and Ember Velvet, they must have had something in common since both deaths are with knife wounds!"

"Okay, and?"

"They have also connected another way… Why would Lizzie stop by here after breaking out, there must be a connection!"

"Must explain the blood on the filing cabinet," someone cried out

Dagger hurriedly went over to the file cabinet to look inside. On and inside the cabinet was blood.

"okay, she took a file under the last name of "Sg and Si".

"Sunset Shimmer, sir" the computer analyst cried out.

"So, Lizzie killed risky line, who failed in kidnapping sunset, and killed Ember Velvet, who was Sunset's psychologist.

"So, what are you saying?" the corner asked.

"Call Thunder Breeze and get a squad car to pick Sunset up from school, Pronto!"
> Lockdown
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





At the same time as the investigation was going on at both the asylum and Ember's office, an alarm clock was going off in Sunset's room. Sunset slammed the snooze button with a fist and opened her eyes to her room, brightened and colorful with the morning light. Each wall held photos or memorabilia of her life: photos of friends, concert tickets, and other things. She got out of bed and stretched, her pajamas hugging her body tightly in the slightly cool room, the faint sound of the AC flowing in the vents

On her desk, among the clutter of papers and textbooks was her tablet starting up, as well as her favorite program.

"Good Morning," GLADIS said.

"Morning!" Sunset said as she finished her stretching. " I have a feeling today is going to be a great day,"

“Last time you said that you were kidnapped by Risky Line, who is dead by the way."

"Wait, what?!"

The newspapers headlines were flashing all over the tablet's screen

“Risky Line is dead, Lizzie is missing and presumed escape. From what the reports are saying she had something to do with his death since his head was nearly split in half by a sharp object.”

Sunset huffed as she continued to stretch. "I can take her again, no problem."

"Is that confidence or arrogance," Gladis asked?

"I'm not going to lie, arrogance. I would love to see them try to take me down," She said as she walked in the bathroom for her shower, her clothes hanging at the far end of her bathroom counter. Sunset took a quick shower and when she got out, The news of Ember's death just came across GLADIS

“There's something else you should know, Ember-”

"Sunset! Breakfast!" Sunset heard.

"Tell me later, I'm off to school!" Sunset hollered as she took her backpack and ran off, not even grabbing the HUD contact lenses.

"Morning mom!" Sunset said as she dropped her backpack at the door of the kitchen, giving her mom a hug from behind before settling down to the table. Her breakfast was crepes, which was filled with strawberries and blueberries. It only took her a few minutes to scarf down the food, and she gave Hazel one last hug and hurriedly left to walk to school with a spring in her step.

The weather was clear and warm as sunset stepped out of the house and into the morning. She took a deep, breath and began her walk to school, the feeling that the day would be an amazing day did not leave her mind. She would meet her close circle of friends in front of the school's statue and walk on to their first class, and the beginning of a great day


* * *


Sunset was in the third period, which was one of the few classes where she didn't get a seat that gave her a good look outside, in fact, the teacher had the windows closed to show the class a slideshow presentation on early history.

While that was happening, a five van convoy pulled up to the school. When the vans stopped in the parking lot, a full army full of men in suits. Each one with a pair of sunglasses and slick hair. They split into three groups, each one walking straight to a door. As they entered, the last one to get in locked the doors together with three large zip ties. Once he was done the three groups converged down the halls, headed straight to the principal's office.

Sunset Shimmer had her head in her hand like a stand, nearly dozing off in class when she felt her phone vibrate in her jacket's inner pocket.

She waited for the teacher to continue to write on the board when she slipped the cell phone to her knee to see what was the message. She was half expecting something unimportant when she saw the message from a number she didn't save on her phone or one she recognized.

"Sunset, this is Techie Dagger, a detective for Baltimore PD. I have a reason to believe that you might be in danger. If you hadn't heard by now: there was a riot at the institution, Risky Line is dead. Lizzie escaped, Ember Velvet was found murdered. I think this all comes back to you since you had a run in with Risky and Ember and Lizzie was a classmate. GET OUT OF THERE NOW! I AM ON MY ON MY WAY TO GET YOU MEET ME AT YOUR HOUSE AND I WILL TAKE YOU AND YOUR MOTHER TO HEADQUARTERS!"

Sunset was numb, she knew Techie Dagger in passing but never spoke to him. She couldn't stop thinking of Ember, the many sessions they had, the help that Ember gave her. The care that she received from her and not a chance to fully thank her for talking to her.

She was about to burst into tears when the teacher started to yell.

"Sunset Shimmer! Are you texting in class?"

Sunset could speak as she began to tear: "I…I"

The intercom became alive and a studdery Principal Celestia could be heard

"C-can all students report to the Auditorium for an emergency assembly. Do not pack anything, do not use the restrooms, head straight for it. "

Everyone was confused about it but began to stand.

Even Twilight was confused by the message.

"What do you think is going on Sunset?" Twilight said as she turned around. Twilight did not see the Sunset Shimmer she knew at Sunset's desk. Instead, a dusky haired woman was sitting there, nearly on the brink of tears.

"Sunset?"

Sunset didn't say a word but had a finger to her lips to keep Twilight quiet.

They both got up with the class and went to the gym. Many of the students became scared when they saw two armed men guarding the doors.

"Gladis, what's the situation?" Sunset whispered as she kept her eyes closed to activate her HUD.

Nothing happened.

Sunset had a wry smile as she hung her head when she realized her cockiness had finally caught up with her. "Of all days…"

Everyone sat on the floor, looking around at the many armed thugs as what was assumed their leader walked up to the mic, dragging Celestia around by the back of her neck.

"Everyone, these gentlemen don't mean any harm, as soon as their demands are met they will release us!" Celestia said nervously.

"I never said that!" he shouted as he shoved her away from the microphone.

"Listen Up you little brats!" he said.

"Sunset, what's going on," Twilight whispered. The rest of the girls were also there, looking at the dejected sunset shimmer.

"Get away from me" she whispered back

"Sunset, we can help"

"No you can't, just go before they are on to me! Please, i'd rather know you are safe-"

"Sunset Shimmer!" The leader shouted.

Her friend's eyes perked up and realized what was going on.

"You have gone far enough with you and your fathers bullshit. We are going to say this once: show yourself and accept your bullet to the brain or we will shoot one person on the hour, every hour!" He said.
> Standoff
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The first to arrive on the scene was a black, unmarked police car, which stopped in front of the school. The moment the unmarked car arrived, the two men stationed in the classrooms above the doors fired their rifles, which made Thunder Breeze and Solar Sword duck behind their car with their hands to their holsters.

"I don't think their firing at us," Solar said.

"That's because… Oh god dammit!" Thunder shouted as he realized who they were shooting at. One of the students had snuck out of the roundup but had got herself caught and hiding behind what was left of the horse statue. The shooters were trying to draw her out so they can take her down.

"Keys," Thunder ordered

"What are you planning?" he asked in worry.

"Something incredibly stupid, don't tell my wife," he said as he took the keys from Solar. He went over and opened the truck, and pulled out a rifle and a few of the rifles magazines and tossed them to Solar.

"Here, you're going to cover me in three."

"Thunder, you are absolutely fucking crazy."

"Two!"

"Are you really going to do this?!"

"One!"

"Hold the fuck up, I'm loading this son of a bitch!"

Thunder got up and began to run while crouching, one of his hands on his holster.

"Fuck!" Solar shouted as he got up and fired his semi automatic rifle at the two windows, causing the men to duck away from the windows. Solar held his fire and only took a shot when one of the guys decided to pop their head out. "Hurry the hell up, Thunder!"

When Thunder Breeze reached the girl, she was obviously frightened, her only injury was a scraped knee that hindered her ability to get away when she tried to run.

"Can you run!?" Thunder asked,

"Yea!"

"Let's go!" he yelled as he helped her up and they began to run back to the car. A few more squad car arrived as well, their officers had their rifles drawn and aimed at the building. The helicopter was in the distance, moving at its top speed to the scene.

"You crazy old man!" Solar said as he ducked behind the car.

"One down, many more to go!" thunder said, catching his breath.


	* * *


While the shootout was happening, everyone in the gym became frightened by the sounds of gunfire being heard. Some of the students and teachers wanted to move away from the doors or windows, but the armed thugs kept them from getting up with kicks or punches.

What was more terrifying, was a few of the thugs were wiring a square pressure plate in the center of the room and were finalizing the pressure plate bomb, which was to go off if the person who would be standing on the plate decides to step off.

"Well, somehow this has gotten worse," Sunset thought as she saw the bomb being completed and the thug standing on the pressure plate.

"What can we do now?!" Twilight asked, seeing the situation go downhill.

"I don't know, you have to take out the guys but without getting anyone here killed. First I have to take out the guy and stop the bomb, but that means Celestia gets shot," Sunset observed, as she looked to Celestia on her knees on stage, the leader had his rifle aimed at the back of her head

Sunset knew there wasn't much time.

"Girls, a favor."

Sunsets friends crowded around her, which left sunset concealed in a wall of flesh, and concealed from the thugs. In her bag was an old flip phone that had a prepaid service attached to it. It took it a while to turn on, and when it did she made one last call.


* * *


Within thirty minutes of the takeover, the city's armed response units, mobile headquarters, and a triouge unit was set up in front of the school. An army of Baltimore's finest, clad in heavy black military body armor and weapons had the school surrounded. Unless the gunman planned a helicopter escape, they were going nowhere.

All of that was playing out on live television in the nearby grocery store. Hazel Cinamon was on a mission herself: highest quality meat for that night's meat loaf. Normal people just picked out what they saw on the counter of the butcher stand. Hazel, a chief, was in the back, walking through the slabs of meat in the freezer, looking for the indicators that the frozen slabs would have a better taste compared to their counterpart.

She chose the right one, and the burly butcher took it back to the front counter cut it up into slices. Once it was wrapped up in the butcher paper for her, she was ready to go home and start cooking. She continued to look around the aisles as she slowly pushed her cart. She was the second in line in the only check out that was open, but the line didn't move. The grocer, bagger, and the customer were frozen, glued to the television. She looked up and froze, her mouth hanging down. In front of her was the images of the police surrounding Canterlot High, Sunset's high school. She didn't say a word, but bolted out the door and to her car, abandoning her shopping cart inside.


* * *


Hazel parked her car at the first open spot by the police line she could, not caring that it was to be blocked off by the news vans and the crowds that were beginning to form. She pushed herself through the crowd and under the police tape. An officer raced over to stop over but stopped himself once he saw who she was. Hazel made a bee line to the mobile command post trailer, where she saw a grim faced Thunder looking at the security cameras of the school they managed to hack into.

"Is she okay?!" Hazel asked as they shared a hug.

"For now, she just needs to hide… They took over the school looking for her."

Hazel's face went white.

"I don't even think she is even being held hostage, I don't see her in the feeds," Thunder said as he sat down, looking at the live feed of the auditorium. He recognized Sunsets friends despite the grainy, outdated black and white cameras, but no Sunset anywhere near them.

It looks like they are crowding around someone… Must be Sunset they are after, but why?

Thunders phone went off and looked at the number, which was one that wasn't saved or one he recognized.

"Hello?"

"Dad!" the whisper cried out.

"Sunset!" he hollered as he nearly fell off his chair. "Hang on, let me put you on speaker. Your mother is with me."

"Mom!" sunset said as thunder placed the phone on speaker.

"Sweetie, are you hurt?" Hazel asked.

"No, but if we don't do anything soon, they will shoot someone."

"I know sweetie, we will get you guys soon," Thunder said.

"Dad, they have pressure bomb in the middle of the room. If you make a move, the guy will step off and trigger it.

Thunders face went pale. It added to the already rough situation.

"Dad, I won't let them shoot someone because of me."

Hazel began to tear up, and thunders hands were beginning to shake.

"Don't say that! We will come get you, you hear me? I'm going to get you," Hazel shouted.

"I know. A guard is coming this way. I love you both," she said.

"I love you, sweetie, stay strong," Hazel said.

Sunset hung up after that and left Thunder to contemplate what can be one in the short amount of time that they were allotted. Federal agents were on their way, as well as the bomb squad, but they would not arrive before the deadline.

Sunset sat there in the crowded bubble that her friends made, unsure of what to do next. The minutes turned into hours and each second was an eternity by itself.

Even so, the eternity added up, and no attempt to rescue them was made. What did snap people back to reality was the chirping alarm that came from the leaders watch.

"An hour had passed, oh well… Time to shoot someone"