The light began to die down and Snips and Snails uncovered their eyes. They searched for Sunset, and their hearts froze when they saw her.
She was standing in the middle of the room. Her skin was no longer marred with bruises or cuts, and was now a pale ashy grey. Her hair now reached past her waist, was a darker red and now had streaks of black along with the vibrant yellow. In place of her regular clothes was a simple black dress, similar to a night gown, that stopped just above her knees. She appeared to be wearing gloves and boots, but upon closer inspection Snails realized that it was her bare hands and feet, stained black with veins running up her arms and legs.
Sunset slowly opened her eyes to reveal bright golden eyes with black sclera and slitted pupils, tiny black veins appearing underneath. Her lips were black, but neither boy thought it was lipstick.
The biggest change of all was the frightening, but very familiar, large batlike wings protruding from her back.
Sunset began to inspect her new body, her expression stoic. Snips and Snails exchanged a worried glance, silently begging the other to say something.
"Holy shit."
The group turned to see Dumbbell, his eyes wide as saucers as he gazed upon Sunset's demonic form.
His hands shaking, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "G-Gilda...w-w-we gotta a problem he-"
The call was interrupted as a black hand grabbed Dumbbell's and squeezed, crushing the phone. Dumbbell howled in pain as shards of glass and plastic embedded themselves in his captive hand. He dropped to his knees as he tried in vain to pull his hand away. As he looked up with misty eyes, he saw Sunset glaring at him. There was no hatred in her unnatural eyes; only cold indifference. She calmly bent his hand back and a loud snap! echoed throughout the room.
Dumbbell's wailing intensified as Sunset let go, allowing the brute to collapse to the floor. She stared coldly at his huddled form, before turning to the two frightened younger boys behind her.
"Let's go." she said quietly, and calmly walked out the door.
Snips and Snails gazed at Dumbbell's broken form, then at each other, before following her out.
Gilda did not spook easily. In fact, she was the type of person people usually ran away from very fast.
But from the strange sounds and lights coming from inside the factory, to the blood-curdling scream she just heard, she decided to cut her losses and get outta dodge before the cops showed up.
But as she approached her car, she realized someone was standing in her way. A very familiar someone.
"How did you escape?" Gilda hissed angrily. "And where's Dumbbell?"
Sunset did not reply. Instead, without breaking eye contact with Gilda, she merely snapped her fingers.
Gilda's car was enveloped by a green light before disintegrating into dust.
Gilda snarled. "Oh that is it, you ugly bitch!" She pulled out a knife and charged. "I am gonna-"
Sunset waved her hand, almost lazily, and the knife began to melt. Gilda cried out as she dropped the hot metal, cradling her burnt hand.
With a cry of rage, she charged again. This time Sunset grabbed Gilda by the throat.
"You never learn, do you?" Sunset asked, almost bored. She placed two fingers on Gilda's forehead. Two black veins crept from her fingertips and into Gilda's eyes.
Gilda screamed as her eyes turned completely and utterly black.
Dropping the now blind girl, Sunset turned to where Dumbbell's car was parked. A large fireball formed in Sunset's hand and launched itself at the car. It exploded in flame upon impact.
Gilda desperately scrambled around on the ground, reaching out with her hands. "What's going on?! What did you do to me?! ANSWER ME, DAMMIT!!!"
Her business completed Sunset turned and walked back to where Snips and Snails were waiting, leaving Gilda to her fate.
A flash of red light, and three figures appeared in front of the Canterlot High statue.
While Snips and Snails looked about in bewilderment, Sunset had her back turned to them, her hair and dress blowing lightly in the winter wind.
"Umm, thanks.....we can probably get home from here." Snips said after a while.
Sunset said nothing.
"....ummm....are you-" Snips paused. It was obvious that Sunset wasn't okay. "....How do you feel?"
"....Cold." came the flat response.
Snips rubbed his arm awkwardly.
"You two should get home. Your parents are probably worried."
Snips nodded and turned to leave.
"Oh....and you two shouldn't come to school tomorrow."
Snips froze, and turned to Snails, who mirrored his alarmed expression.
Sunset began to walk away, when Snails cried out. "Wait!"
Sunset stopped, but didn't turn around.
Snails fidgeted. "Look...boss...I know that things haven't been going right for you and....those guys back there....they probably deserve it but....I...."
He looked at Sunset's back imploringly. "Please.....don't do anything you're gonna regret."
"......Go home, Snails."
A flash of red, and Sunset was gone.
A feeling of helplessness crept over the boy, and after exchanging one last glance with his friend, they both headed for home.