Mystery Scootaloo

by thedarktome


Chapter 14 - Saving the Sunset

The night was rough on Sunset Shimmer. She was constantly woke by nightmares and the bite of a bug from inside the cage that she couldn't see. It was driving her insane. More than she felt she already was. Soon she just let the bug bite her so she could just get some sleep. Finally, after a restless night, she heard the door being unlocked, waking her up from the small amount of comfort the bars of the cage provided. She cracked her eyes open and watched the electronic door buzz open and one of the lab coats walk into the room, carrying a black bag with him. After setting it down, he glanced over to the cage but made his way over to the tables on the side. "Good morning, EX006," he greeted while washing his hands.

"Yes," Sunset replied.

"How are you?"

"Yes."

He looked up at her then grabbed a towel to dry his hands. "Today we have a few tests planned. A few that are close and personal, and another few that just measure your magic. Are you going to be cooperative today?"

"Yes," she repeated without moving from her cell. The lab coat nodded and made his way towards one section of the room to grab something.

"Do you like Equestria?" He asked while grabbing some food out of a cabinet. It looked like it was cereal or something. Sunset couldn't really tell.

"Anything for Equestria," she responded happily. He walked over to the cage and kneeled down to her level, getting close to her face.

"This is Equestria," he reminded her. "Anything for Equestria?"

"Yes," she responded with a smile. "I can't wait to learn more about friendship."

"That's sweet. We're your friends, okay?" Sunset nodded. "Alright. I'm going to let you out so I can put you in some clothes and give you some food before the others arrive. Behave, and you won't get the pony killer, okay?" He raised up the cattle prod and pressed the button, creating a snap from the electricity. Sunset nodded quickly. So he stood back up and unlocked the electronic cage to let her out. She grunted and stood up, then made her way painfully out of the small cage, body aching from the previously tight confinement. He motioned for her to stop in the middle of the room while he walked to the side and reached into the bag he brought in earlier. Just like he instructed, Sunset stood still and kept her eyes on the wall while he pulled out what looked like a few oddities. One of them was a outfit made out of black leather. On the back of it was her name. EX006. But what made it so strange were the cuffs. They were metal, thick and had some flashing lights on them. On both of the ankles and the wrists. He handed them to her, and she took them with trepidation.

"Put them on," he instructed. "That metal on the cuffs is steel and is used to track your movement. And we have another thing for you." While she was putting on the clothes, he pulled out something else that gave her pause. Was that a collar? It was metal and thin enough to possibly choke her. There was an orange pulsing light on the front of it, confusing Sunset.

She looked up to the Lab coat and asked, "Yes?"

"This is a special kind of shock collar," he explained as he pulled out a strange looking key that had three parts to it. He put it in a hidden keyhole she didn't see before. Then pushed it in deeper and twisted it. It made a beep then clicked open. "It's made out of chromium, the hardest metal on this planet. The only way to take it off is with a key that only we have. We also use it to track you during the exercises and tests today. Hold still." She did as asked and let him place the collar around her neck. Then close it. It fit comfortably, besides the two prongs digging into her neck that she felt inside of it. The lab coat put the key back in, then twisted it, locking it in place. It beeped twice, glowing a pulsing red. Then he stepped back to look her over. She was wearing the black sort-of prison outfit that had metal on the end that had locked around her wrists and ankles once she put it on, and the collar that was pulsing orange in the front. She only stared at the wall in a helpless state-of-mind.

The lab coat nodded and then smiled at her. "There. Now, are you ready for breakfast?"

Sunset nodded eagerly and then said, "Yes."


After Celestia told Scootaloo what they needed from her, Scootaloo nearly passed out in surprise. And was very indignant to even respond to the question. Instead, she said, "I'm going to sleep." Then walked out the living area and into her room, jumped on her old bed. And did just that.

Celestia and the others shared a look. Then looked around the home. Rainbow decided to volunteer herself, stood up, and walked towards Scootaloo's room. Poking her head inside, she asked, "Hey, uhh...where do we sleep?" Scootaloo sat back up from underneath her old covers and looked towards the door.

"Well, uhh...I'm not too fond of you guys sleeping in my parents' room, so...I guess you can take the couch and the floor. Just leave my parents' room alone. Let me get you guys some blankets." She reluctantly tossed aside the covers and jumped out the bed. Then made her way towards the dark hallway inside the dark apartment. She walked back into the living room opened a closet door, filled with blankets and other things. "Actually, you know what? The princesses can share my room, I'm sleeping in my parents'. Everyone else, grab a blanket from here and a pillow from the couches. Then get as comfortable as you can. I have a feeling we're going to find Sunset tomorrow, then we can all go home."

"That'd be a relief," Cadance agreed as she grabbed a blanket from the closet. Scootaloo looked at her confused. "You were sleeping in a child sized bed, the best we can do is sleep on the floor in your room."

"Oh, right. Try to be quiet. Luna, stay outta my dreams. Go into Sunset Shimmer's." At that, Scootaloo walked towards her parents' room and made her way towards the large queen sized bed that looked completely different without her parents in it. Especially mom, who would curl herself up in the cutest way possible, then invite Scootaloo in with her. It was a girls thing that dad never understood. Sighing, she closed the door behind her and then walked towards the queen sized bed. She felt along the large dark blue comforter before she pulled it back and placed them back over her. Then settled her head back down onto the pillow, falling asleep a few minutes later. Hopefully somepony wouldn't kick the door in. They'd all be underground right after.

As soon as Scootaloo opened her eyes, she saw the familiar grassy plains and nearly cloudless skies. She placed her hands in her pockets and basked in the silence. It was so peaceful. So inviting. Sometimes she wished why Equestria, or Earth never stayed like this for long. Why couldn't it? "Sweetheart, you need to get out of my bed." Scootaloo chuckled and turned around to face her upset mother. Frozen Fire wagged a finger back and forth in her direction with a frown. "You know how I feel when you go in my room when I'm not home."

"And when will you be back?" Scootaloo asked.

"Get out of my bed, Lareen." Scootaloo laughed and ran into her mother's open arms, giving her a warm hug. Frozen Fire leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "You know... You could do the rift spell to get to the experiment."

"I know," she replied. Pulling away, she gave her mother worried eyes. "But I don't want to risk turning everypony into foals and then we lose Sunset because of it."

"I promise you will not turn into a foal Scootaloo. The reason it didn't work the way it was meant to work the first time was because your magic was leaking out in small bits. Not the full capacity it is now. So basically, that was a premature rift you flew through when you were young and arrived in Equestria. It had plenty of problems with it, turning into a foal was just one of the few. But now, it'll work just fine."

"Are you sure?" Scootaloo asked carefully. "And why did dad lie to me all the time about 'the wind'? I can't believe I fell for those."

Frozen reached over and ruffled her daughter's green straight hair. "Well it was just to protect you. I'm sure that if we told you beforehand you would've told somebody and things could be so much worse. And you would be going through the pain Sunset Shimmer is enduring." Frozen sighed and turned to the hills in the distance, avoiding Scootaloo's worried eyes.

"...do you know what's happening to her?" Scootaloo whispered.

Frozen Fire shook her head and replied, "No. But....I can feel her emotions. They are as follows: Serious pain, confusion, and for some odd reason, a mix of happiness and sadness. Deep sadness." Frozen Fire turned to Scootaloo and added urgently, "You have to find Sunset Shimmer as quick as possible and get her back to Equestria. Because she is currently going through more pain right now. Time to wake up, sweetheart and take on this mission." She pulled Scootaloo into another hug then let her go as the wind picked up speed. "One more thing. Remember this phrase. It's the key to get in. 'Infinity mortata cacada.'"

Scootaloo looked at her confused and asked, "What?!" Before the wind came and blew her back into her mind. She opened her eyes and immediately covered them from the sunlight hitting her face. Sighing, she lowered her arms and sat up, looking around the room. This was the only thing in the home that was untouched. Mom and Dad's room. It was in perfect condition. Something was telling her that mom did something to it. Based off of her situation, nothing was really what it looked like. Lareen stood and stretched her arms, then changed her clothes since the police seem to recognize her by face, and made her way to the door to grab the others and hope they didn't burn down the house. Well Celestia, Princess Twilight, Cadance, and Luna anyway. Maybe the others were keeping things in check. She unlocked then opened the door and walked out. The hallway was bright with the morning sun reflecting off the white paint, creating a great morning. It was anything but to some people, she suspected.

Lareen stepped out into the living room and saw both the Twilight's going through what looked like a photo album that contained her parents and herself. Everyone else was asleep and, in Luna's case, mumbling. Scootaloo rolled her eyes and lifted a fist, loudly clearing her throat. The Twilights yelped and dropped the book, creating a loud thud that startled Rainbow Dash awake. She jolted up and looked around quickly, yelling, "HUH?! HUH?! What happened to who?!"

The other three princesses were next and jumped up with magic ready at their fingertips, looking around nervously. Spotting nothing, they groaned and rubbed their eyes. Then turned to Rainbow Dash. "And why were you yelling?" Celestia asked blandly.

Rainbow flopped back down onto the floor by her back and sighed. "I heard a bang so...."

"Sorry!" Both of the Twilight's apologized quickly. Princess Twilight clapped a hand over Twilight's mouth and said, "Scootaloo scared us." They all followed her gaze towards Scootaloo, who was standing in the hallway. She had her arms crossed and was leaning against the edge of the wall, staring at them nonchalantly.

They stared back at her for a moment, a little intimidated before she sighed and said, "We have to move fast. No time to waste."

"What's wrong?" Celestia asked.

"Sunset." She quickly walked into the kitchen and bent out of view. "I spoke to mom during the night. Mom can't actually see Sunset, but she can feel her." She opened a cabinet door and started digging, looking for something.

"I'm afraid to ask but—"

"Sunset's in a lot of pain," Scootaloo interrupted as she dug around, making thumbs and bumps. "She's in pain, confused, and for some odd reason both happy and sad." Scootaloo stood back up and hefted up another experiment. It looked like a small wrist watch that she slapped on and strapped tight. "We have to save her and get her back to Equestria. Then we're coming back and kicking some flank."

Princess Twilight pointed and asked, "And what is that?"

Scootaloo lifted up her hand and said, "A watch. Nothing more. Now we have to get moving, even if it is eight in the morning. Rarity? Do you have any gems that—"

"Of course I do," she interrupted. Rarity stood up and dusted off her blouse. Dress. Scootaloo couldn't figure it out. "I just need to get there."

Scootaloo walked back from behind the kitchen counter, doing something to the watch. It beeped and made a small ascending whine before she stopped and motioned for everyone to get up. Rainbow Dash quickly bounced up and allowed Scootaloo to grab it in her magic, fold it up, and toss it in the closet. She did the same to the others. Then turned to Rarity. "What's your address?"

Rarity quickly told her the location. A shop in downtown Canterlot across from the park. "I know exactly where that is," Scootaloo responded. She lifted her right arm, which was glowing white and shot out a small bolt. It shot forward and snapped in the air, creating a straight blue glowing line in the space of reality. They all stared at it for a moment, then turned back to Scootaloo. She was staring at it, a faint sense of nostalgia on her mind. The last time she opened it up, she was running away from the people that were trying to kidnap her and experiment on her. Years ago. Now, she was going to be the one chasing them. Karma's a kick in the flank.

She pointed at the line and said, "Here's your rift. Just pull it open like a curtain and walk through. Princess, do you have the book?" Princess Twilight lifted up the bag that held the books in it that she got from somewhere. Scootaloo wasn't going to dwell on it. Instead, she took a deep breath, pulled aside part of the rift, and walked right through. She stepped out into Rarity's boutique, which looked pretty similar to the one in Equestria with her eyes closed, frozen. Cracking one open, she looked around and froze. There was someone in there that she was definitely not expecting to see. Celestia jumped through the other side next followed by the other princesses and the Equestria girls. Celestia looked at Scootaloo's face. Then followed her gaze towards what she was looking at. The other girls noticed and turned in the same direction.

Scootaloo was staring at...Scootaloo, who was looking exactly like her, save for the green hair. They were both open-mouthed and frozen in surprise. Sweetie Belle and Applebloom were sitting at the table with her in the kitchen, eating what looked like breakfast, also in a frozen state. Sweetie Belle had a full spoon of sugar stopped in front of her open mouth. And Scootaloo was holding a breakfast biscuit in front of hers. Until Sweetie dropped the spoon.

Both of the Scootaloo's screamed and started running around, confusing both sides of the group. The Equestrian Scootaloo grabbed Rarity by the collar of her shirt and pulled her down to her face. Since she was stuck in a teenager's body, she was unfortunately smaller than her. "Get the gems now so we can get out of this nightmare!!" Then she grabbed her and pushed her up the stairs, following along.

Applebloom grabbed Scootaloo by the arms and looked her in her freaked out magenta eyes. "DID YOU JUST SEE WHAT I SAW?!" She yelled into her face. Then started shaking her. "There's two of you!!"

"I know!" She responded loudly, not exactly yelling but a close call. She shrugged off Applebloom's hands and took a deep, calming breath. "Okay!" She huffed. "I just saw another me."

"And she ran upstairs with my sister," Sweetie Belle added. Then gasped. "What if there's another Rarity?!" She was about to scream again before someone pressed a hand against her mouth. Scootaloo teleported back downstairs after she heard what Sweetie Belle said and quickly toned her down.

She gave Sweetie Belle a pleading look and whispered, "Please....no more screaming." She removed her hand at the same time Rarity flew back down the stairs with the mentioned gems, yellow diamond and red quartz. It looked like she just washed them since her hands were wet.

"Found them!" She declared. Scootaloo turned around and quickly walked back over to the group who had gathered around when Twilight pulled out her notes from inside the bag.

"Okay!" She said happily. Once reaching a certain page, she stopped flipping. "Our next step is to get to the store in Manehattan and start digging. But that's the hard part, we can't exactly dig in Manehattan without being seen."

"We won't have to dig in the street," Scootaloo informed her. They turned to her for more information. "We always had a backup plan for searching for experiments. Echolocation. Or Equestrian Echolocation. When we get there, I'll use my magic. Now, let's go! We have to save Sunset!" She raised her arm and created another rift then rushed right through it, followed by everyone else. Once it closed back, the building was quiet. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were staring in shock once more. After awhile, Sweetie Belle swooned a little, then fell off the chair and onto the floor.


After breakfast, the other lab coats had arrived, prepped and ready. After hearing the way she spoke, the head Lab Coat assumed The Box had done some damage to her brain after shocking her thirteen or fourteen times, possibly sealing the Facility's rules in her head. Either temporarily or permanently. Only time could tell. She could only say four known things: Yes, No, I can't wait to learn more about friendship, and Anything for Equestria.

After Sunset had her cereal, the Lab Coats quickly put her through a test. It was a stamina test that involved a treadmill. After getting on, they attached some cords to the metal cuffs on her wrists into slots she didn't see before. Then instructed her to run with the treadmill. After they got their reading, they did a strength test to see how much she could carry. She could carry a good one forty, impressing the lab coats even more.

While they were testing her, Scootaloo's group arrived in an alley behind the designated jewelry store through another rift. Scootaloo jumped out first and flattened herself against the brick wall. She slowly slid down the alley and listened to the sounds of the city. It was crowded alright. There were so many sounds.

"Okay," she whispered to herself while the others followed her example. "So one of us was correct when you said it'd be really crowded."

Twilight checked her watch and said, "It's twelve twenty-four. Lunch time. We'd have to wait."

Scootaloo looked over her shoulder with narrowed eyes and shook her head. "Uhhh, I don't think so! Sunset Shimmer's in pain and we're not going to be sitting here in an alley waiting for these humans to move so we can save her!" Scootaloo turned back around and took a knee. Then placed her right palm on the ground to send in some of her magic. The Princesses could feel it pulsing through the ground.

Princess Twilight stepped around Scootaloo and looked around the corner at the town. They were in what looked like an expensive shopping center, complete with buildings that had supportive columns and outside eating areas. Just like Twilight said, it was lunchtime. And it was crowded.

"Found ya'," Scootaloo anounced. She stood up and peeked out the alley again. Then motioned with her head towards an empty sidewalk. "It's a few feet under there."

Celestia looked out with her and asked, "What exactly will you do to retrieve it? And why do I feel I will not like the answer?"

"Because you won't. I'm going out there right now, breaking that ground open, and pulling it out. Princess Luna? You're coming with me to shield us with a spell. Everyone else? Stand to the side and keep a watchful eye out. Windows, cars, rooftops, you name it. The enemy could be anywhere waiting for us. Let's go."

Scootaloo lit both her hands with light and dark magic and walked out the alley with a face of determination. Luna followed along quickly while looking up and down the street. It was a busy shopping area, that much she could tell. A group of people had stopped and were talking on top of the area Scootaloo was going to dig through, laughing and such.

Scootaloo rolled her eyes and stopped beside one. She tapped his shoulder, ceasing his laughter and getting his attention. "Hi, can I help you?" He asked kindly.

"Yes, I need you and your group to step to the side," she responded blandly. He raised one eyebrow and looked behind him to the others who were sharing his confused expression.

Then turned back and said, "There's more room you know."

Scootaloo rolled her eyes and yelled, "Fine! Stay there! You're holding me up and annoying! Arggghh! Luna, make me a shield! I'm getting dirty." Scootaloo took a knee and put her dark magic hand to the ground in front of the guys while Luna turned. She put out both of her hands, connecting her thumbs and gradually created a light blue orb around them.

"Oh dude, back up back up!" One of the guys said. They quickly ran to another area while black tendrils seeped out of Scootaloo's hands and spread over the concrete, creating a cobweb of the magic.

Everyone else was starting to take notice, dropping their food and standing up to get a better look. "Celestia!" Luna yelled. "Eyes and ears! Anything?"

Celestia, Cadance, and Princess Twilight stepped out of the crowd of people and looked around, trying to get a good look. "I don't see anything yet," Princess Twilight yelled.

"Good!" Scootaloo yelled before stopping the magical flow. "I'm tossing this in the street! Shisld yourselves!" She stood back up then stepped back and started using light magic. The black webs in the gradually turned white. Then the concrete began to lift. The part in front of Scootaloo soon broke off from the rest of the ground and lifted up higher in the air, revealing rocks, then a lot of soil with something silver inside sticking out partly.

Scootaloo then put all caution to the wind and tossed it over her head behind her. The Princesses on the other side quickly put up a shield while everyone else ran away screaming. It hit the street and combusted, shooting out dirt and soil that flew around everywhere. Once the dust cleared, the only thing left of that explosion were a bunch of soil and concrete in the street, and a large steel box with handles on the sides.

Scootaloo stood up and dusted off her hands while the others dropped the shields. Scootaloo jogged into the street and looked it over, placing her hand on the very large steel lock. "Yeah, this is mine!" She concluded.

"Of course it is, who else just puts big blocks of steel in the street?" Rainbow asked sarcastically.

Scootaloo glanced this way and that before she answered, "A pirate."

"Are you a pirate?"

Scootaloo shrugged and said, "Well I just did what pirates do. Came out of the blue, pushed a guy out of my way, yelled 'arrrghhh', broke something, stole something, and now—" She lifted her finger and pointed at an incoming police car. Shocking the air with another bolt, she opened another rift. "—I'm about to leave. Let's go."

Princess Celestia used her magic to pick up the giant steel box then walked slowly into the rift, followed closely by everyone else. It closed once the police cars screeched to a halt. Sergeant Looper and Lieutenant Mayweather hopped out of one and stared at the space they were just at a second ago. Looper growled and banged his fist on the top of the car.

"Buck!" He yelled. "They got away again!" Lieutenant Mayweather closed her door and walked over towards the hole. "They're just way too fast!"

Mayweather hummed and looked down into the twelve foot deep hole. It was cut into a perfect cynlinder. "They're looking for something," she muttered. "But...what?"


The Equestrians stepped out onto the roof of a building far away from the crime scene that overlooked the city. Scootaloo ran over to the edge and looked down onto a slow street. They were a good distance away from the scene. Celestia softly placed the large steel container down onto the rooftop before the rift closed behind Princess Cadance. It soundlessly touched the ground, and Celestia let it go. Scootaloo walked back over to them and reached in her pocket, pulling out the key. Meanwhile, Rarity reached in her own purse and pulled out the gems.

Princess Twilight looked around with her hands on her hips and huffed, "Okay! We got the container." She turned around towards the group and asked, "Now what?"

Celestia stepped back while Scootaloo kneeled in front of the large lock. Holding up the key she answered, "We unlock the box, take out the device, get you geeks to complete it, track down Sunset, break her out and break someone's face in the process, then get back to Equestria to do damage control. Of course I have to grab all of my parents' stuff from the apartment though. These guys aren't going near anything that's Equestrian."

"We'll have to connect a portal to the apartment to get back into Equestria from there," Celestia suggested. Scootaloo nodded and lifted the heavy lock. She put the key in through the bottom and twisted it. The lock popped open immediately. She took off the lock and then quickly pulled back the lid.

Everyone looked inside at the strange giant device. In the middle, it looked like a silver propane tank with a black screen attached by screws. There were a bunch of colorful wires connected to the side of the screen that led back inside the propane tank and at the top of the device were four large steel dishes with receivers in the middle of each. At the bottom were four long silver legs, currently folded in to preserve space. And on the sides od the propane tank were solar panels. Not jutting out, but stuck on.

"This looks like a satellite," Twilight commented. Princess Celestia shrugged and motioned for everyone to step back a safe distance. Once they were she used her magic to slowly levitate it out. It creaked and groaned a little, giving both of the Twilights a sense that the device was heavy. Scootaloo strode forward and grabbed the legs. Then extended them while Celestia righted it. It creaked a little once it hit the ground and Celestia relinquished her hold on it. She took a few deep breaths while they all looked it over.

Twilight started feeling it in wonder. The identical Princess sharing her exact same reaction. "This is a marvel," both of the Twilights whispered.

Cadance turned to Scootaloo who was looking through the book. "How do we power it?" She asked.

Scootaloo held up a finger while she searched, eventually finding what she needed a few seconds later. She pushed her way through the group then knelt down at the base of it. She pressed in on what looked like a separated block, which pushed back out on a pivot. It had two spaces inside of it that had tiny caps on the top and bottom made out of aluminun foil. Scootaloo presented her hand behind her and yelled, "Gems!"

Rarity quickly handed her the gems. Scootaloo placed them in the designated spaces, then folded the Aluminum foil over the tops and bottoms of the jewels completely. Then pushed back in the port. The screen on the machine blinked a light blue, catching their eyes. Then glowed again with a rotating black star in the middle. Celestia turned to Scootaloo who was reading the details about it in the book. The machine beeped three times, getting her to look up. It had what looked like a radar screen on it, complete with gridlines and numbers.

"Okay, it's up and running!" Princess Twilight cheered. "But... it's not showing anything."

"Yeah," Scootaloo agreed. She turned around and pointed two fingers at both of their faces. "That's why you geeks need to fix it. One Twilight is a genius in magic and can build a portal in twenty seconds, while the other is the equivalent in science. This is a mix of both."

The two girls glanced at each other, a little irked at being referred to as "geeks" but shrugged nonetheless. Twilight raised two fingers and said, "Give us two hours."

"Well get to it!"


After two hours of some more simple testing, the lab coats were ready for the main event. They had cleared out the center of the room a little for space and placed some more cords on Sunset's cuffs. Then instructed her to stand in the center of one of one end while they placed a steel table on the other. The lab coats also had a high definition camera setup and trained on her body.

"Okay, Sunset." She looked from table to the group of five lab coats holding clipboards. The camera was blinking red, actively recording her. The main Lab Coat pointed towards the table and declared, "Equestria wants to see what you can do with your magic! Care to show them?"

Sunset nodded and said, "Yes!"

"Alright! On the count of three show us your best trick! One...two...three!"

Sunset closed her eyes, pulled her arm back, then swung a ball of fire at the table. It hit and shattered it like glass. Along with melting the pieces. The lab coats quickly looked at the readings on their instruments, taking note of all the muscle, heart, and brain activity.


Princess Twilight screwed on the last metal slab on the machine and then stepped back, smiling proudly. She patted the side of the machine and announced, "Done! Everyone can stop complaining now!"

Scootaloo and the other Princesses were deep in a conversation, planning a retrieval while the others were on the side talking about other things. Rainbow Dash grunting every now and then about how long it was taking the "Egghead Twins" to repair a satellite. Scootaloo turned around and quickly abandoned their conversation. Reaching in her pocket, she took a knee and popped open the open the gem dock. Everyone else came around while she placed them inside and then shut it back. Then turned her attention back to the screen.

It displayed the loading cycle then the radar screen. This time, there were actual points in the middle. And a smaller one away from it. Scootaloo jumped up and proudly slapped both of the Twilights on the shoulders. "Good job, geeks! Dunno know how but ya' did it!"

"You're welcome," Princess Twilight replied. The two rubbed their sore shoulders and pointed towards the small lonely dot. "I believe that is Sunset Shimmer. If so, she's over fifty miles away."

"I can easily get us there," Scootaloo commented as if it were no big deal. She really wanted to make Princess Twilight jealous. "But I need to make sure it's really her." The dot suddenly pulsed, catching her eye. "Hey..." It pulsed two more times then held a steady glow. "It's a magical signature! Someone's using magic!"

Celestia took a closer look. "It has to be Sunset," she confirmed before turning to Scootaloo. "How far is she?"

"It looks like....over fifty miles out," she responded. Twilight shook her head. Didn't she just tell her that? "I can get us there, but it would take us time because I've never been fifty miles outside of Canterlot City before. That and we'll need to bring this with us." She patted the side of the machine. "So I'll be taking a few stops every now and then to get a view of the land from the air, and then continue from there."

"Then let's go," Cadance responded eagerly. "We need to save Sunset."

"Okay. It looks like she's in the western area of this state. So we'll head that way. We're heading into the belly of the beast. It's good to be paranoid. Celestia grab the experiment please. And follow me." Scootaloo opened another rift and stepped through while Celestia lifted the experiment with her magic. The group quickly ran through, Celestia taking the rear before the portal closed. Starting the pursuit for Sunset Shimmer.


One of the lab coats handed Sunset a bottle of water, then said, "Equestria's proud of you! You've been a good little pony!"

"Yes?" Sunset asked. The lead technician was beginning to wonder if Sunset had suffered some brain damage. The electricity in that Box was a little more than they planned. And based off the red bruising on her body, she had gotten electrocuted fourteen times. It could have possibly hurt her a lot more than estimated. Possibly permanently.

"Yeah!" The lab coat responded enthusiastically. "But we want to see it one more time. And this time we want to see you at your greatest, okay?"

"Yes!" Sunset responded happily.

"Make Princess Celestia proud." The lab coat stood up and made his way back to the group to discuss their findings before Sunset stood up and readied herself.

***

After a few minutes of "Space jumping", the group landed once more outside of a wooded area. Celestia set down the experiment and looked at the readings. The blip just spiked again, this time a lot bigger than last time. Twilight adjusted her glasses and said, "She's two miles up! We can get there right?"

Scootaloo looked at her as if she were joking and opened another rift. Then jumped right through with the others. They arrived on the other side, across from what looked like another patch of woods with a lot of bushes on their right. Once Celestia was out, she set down the experiment and looked at the readings once more. Gasping she pointed right at where they were on the experiment. "We're right on top of her!" she said.

"In that case, keep your voices down," Scootaloo whispered. "They wouldn't just leave Sunset Shimmer alone in the woods like this." The group quieted down and looked around, trying to find a clue. Princess Twilight looked over at the bushes then turned to a different area and froze. Something was a little off about what she just saw. She pivoted on her heel and turned back to the bushes. They were awfully big.

"Guys," she whispered. The others turned to her and walked over. Princess Twilight pointed to the bushes and said, "Something's off."

"I'll say, they are way too big," Scootaloo agreed.

"And too symmetrical," Princess Twilight added. The two glanced at each other then darted forward. They pushed some of the bushes to the side and looked inside. Straight through a steel gate.

"Gotha," Scootaloo whispered before she backed out and opened another rift to get on the other side. "Everyone who is originally from Earth, stay here and watch out. We'll be back with the package and then we're heading back to Canterlot City. Princesses, we're going through and kicking some sorry flank because they kidnapped Sunset." Princess Celestia gave her an unamused look. "And~ save Sunset," Scootaloo added.

"Thank you," Celestia agreed before they walked through. The rift closed leaving the Equestria girls on the other side hoping, and the Princesses on the other side looking around, exposed on the gravel road. The day was beginning to set, leaving the environment dark and scary. The Princesses were paranoid, taking caution with every breath they took.

Scootaloo moved her eyes and trained them on the noticeable light in the distance across from them. As well as another gate with some figures moving around. She ran to the side into some shrubbery and kneeled in the grass. Then motioned for the other four to follow along. Once they were all situated, she whispered, "They may have night vision. So they can see in the dark. This is obviously a facility. There are two steel gates, possibly cameras, guys with guns, and a lot of armory. And plenty of lights."

Celestia peeked out and looked towards the fence down the road. She spotted a group of five down there talking and doing other things before looking back at Scootaloo. "How do we get inside?"

Scootaloo hummed and rubbed her chin. Deep in thought. After a few seconds she grinned and nodded. "That could work," she muttered to herself.

"What could work?" Princess Luna asked.

"Remember what I did at the castle back in Equestria?"

"The wild clouds of—oh no," Princess Twilight groaned.

"Oh yes. It has a lot more violent properties. I'm going to bust open the gates and clear a path. I'm going to attract some attention. The rest of you find a way inside behind and keep up your shields. Because if one of those bullets hit you, you're done. Game over. Just go when you have the chance." Scootaloo stood up and raced out of the hiding place, rushing straight for the guarded gates and the oblivious men talking smack.


"So I told her, 'Get lost, I have work in the morning," one of the guards said while adjusting his night shades.

One of the guys took a drag on his cigarette from a chair and asked, "What'd she say?"

"She was all, 'Where do you work?'I was all, "The government of the United States.' She asked, 'What Department?' I said, 'Check out my badge, it's on the dresser'. So she reached over, grabbed it, looked at it then said—WHAT THE BUSCK IS—" The guards were suddenly thrown back against the gate, which blew into a bunch of scrap metal when four black clouds flew right inside. The guards stationed inside turned over and cocked their weapons before the clouds somehow grabbed them and threw them into one another. Some into the metal building that was painted in nothing but lights, reflecting the silver. One of the clouds layered over it for a moment before resuming. A tiny black spot on the top of it began to spread, eating away at the metal. Scootaloo needed all the help she could get.

One of the guards picked up his radio after being thrown into a metal pole and relayed, "SHUT DOWN THE FACILITY! WE'RE UNDER AT—AHHH!" Scootaloo picked him back up and threw him into the woods. But the message had already been sent.


"Keep at it sunset, almost there," the lead lab coat cheered while reading the instruments. The device was currently pinpointing the source of the magic in her body. Sunset was levitating a heavy piece of metal that looked like it belonged on a tank in front of her. The percentage was at ninety-five percent. Ninety-six. Ninety-seven.

A sudden alarm started blaring through the room, causing Sunset to lose focus and drop the metal on the floor. The lab coats groaned at the display on the screen, which read signal lost before they looked around, finally hearing all the screams and the crashing going on outside. "What's happening?" One of the women asked.

The lead lab coat listened closely before something blew up outside, shaking the facility. Sunset screamed and dove to the floor before one of the tools from the ceiling fell on the ground. "Get her in the box and keep her in there for safety."

Two of the lab coats calmly stepped forward and helped her to her feet. Then led her to the box. She started to cry and protest, but it was useless. They unlocked the box and told her to sit down on the floor, pull her knees up to her chest, and stay still to avoid any damage. Then they closed and locked the door back. Sealing her once again in darkness.


While the guards were all distracted, the princesses quickly ran inside past the fence and out into the line of fire with their shields up. One of the guys were thrown over Twilight before three cars followed suit. The facility in front of them was being slowly ate away by what looked like black acid on the sides. And the guards towers were falling to the ground, filled with screaming soldiers. "She is trashing this place!" Celestia yelled while she looked around. "So much for 'Clearing a path!' Where's the door?"

"I'm looking for it!" Twilight responded before a truck rolled across her path, filled with a lot of guys. She stopped before the black clouds joined together in front of her. Scootaloo jogged to a stop and wiped her brow, smiling.

Placing her hands on her hips, she said, "Whoo! That was fun! Now let's find Sunset." She turned around and ran towards the building with a shield up. The Princesses stared at her in disbelief before Twilight shook her head and followed along. Along the way, they passed by moaning and groaning guards on the ground, all in pain from the quick attack they suffered within two and three minutes. Soon, they entered into a busted up garage that Scootaloo must have destroyed, currently being ate away by the dark magic spell that Scootaloo applied somehow. She slowed to a quiet tip-toe on the concrete and looked around. The emergency lights were flashing inside. A dark red that lit their path every few feet, each time it pulsed.

Twilight tapped her shoulder and pointed towards an elevated door on the far wall made of steel. Then whispered, "The way inside." Twilight took the lead and ran up to it. She was disappointed when she realized it had a lock on it. Until Scootaloo lifted up her foot and kicked it in. Then ran inside.

"Sunset, sound off!" She yelled.


The guards cut off the lights in the lab and hid in a corner, weapons ready. They were breathing hard with racing hearts.

"Sunset sound off!" a child's voice yelled out, making them even more tense.

"Scoots, I don't think it'd be wise to—"

"Forget being quiet! I just ripped this place to shreds within three minutes. The least I could do is let them know I'm coming first, SUNSET! Twilight, check that room! Just kick the door open. They took something from us, we're taking something from them. No mercy." Something suddenly kicked the door open, taking the guys off guard. Twilight poked her head in and looked around. One of the guys slowly pointed their gun at her head, preparing to shoot before a hand tore through the wall and knocked the weapon out of his hand.

He screamed, and made Twilight jump. She turned her head and noticed them watching her from the side. Scootaloo pulled back her hand while Twilight reached over and turned on the light switch. The five technicians were standing there with weapons, ready for a fight before Scootaloo ran in and pushed one of them into another, knocking the two to the ground before zapping the other three with magic, knocking them out cold. She walked forward and zapped the other two, knocking them out before taking the chance to look around. Twilight glanced with her while Celestia walked inside with Cadance.

"We must hurry," Luna responded as she stopped at the door. "They will bring reinforcements soon. and the others are still by the gates." Scootaloo looked around the room and took note of the cage stuffed in the corner.

"A lab," she assumed before spotting the giant metal door at the end. "Hey. What's that?" She asked, pointing to it. Twilight shrugged and walked over to it to assess. Then stopped in front of it and felt the surface.

"It's warm," she responded. "Why is that?"

"Chemicals?" Celestia guesses as she walked over. Luna looked out the door with her bubble shield up, keeping an eye and ear out.

"Doubt it," Cadance responded. She looked it over and motioned towards the voice box on the side. "It looks like a voice activated vault. Why though?"

"Wait..." Celestia interrupted. "Quiet. listen." The group got quiet and listened closely. Trying to hear what Celestia hears. "Do you hear that?" Scootaloo listened intently. It was barely recognizable. But every now and then she could hear a change of pitch. But it was muffled.

She walked closer to the vault and pushed her ear against it. Then she heard it plain and clear as it could get through a seemingly hollow metal door. A sniffle. She pulled back and turned her head to face it with shock. "There's someone in here! I heard a sniffle! Sunset, is that you?!" She placed her ear back against it and listened closely.

"....yes."

Scootaloo gasped and backed away. "She's in here, we need to get this door opened." The princesses looked it over, but the only way inside was the voice lock.

"Should we wake one of the—"

"No, they could stall and we'd be sitting ducks," Scootaloo interrupted Cadance. She placed her chin in her hand and thought quickly. What did all the guys in the movies she watched years ago do when.....

Scootaloo blinked when she remembered something. Then threw up her hands and said, "Mom? You're a genius." She could just feel her mother gloating. Scootaloo walked up to the voice box and said, "Infinity Mortata Cacada." The red light above the box changed from red to green. Then the gears inside of the door started working, unlocking and pulling the heavy door open. The Princesses could hear the sniffling now, plain as day. Scootaloo grunted impatiently and forcefully pulled the door the rest of the way open, revealing Sunset's cowering form. She had her knees pulled up to her chest and her face buried between her knees. She was wearing the cuff-fitted black leather outfit with EX006 on the back, and her feet had large black holes on them. They couldn't see the metal band around her neck though.

"Sunset!" Princess Twilight cheered. She ran inside before Scootaloo grabbed her arm and pulled her back out.

"Are you nuts?!!" She scolded. "This box is warm! There's something inside of it!"

"Yeah, Sunset!" Celestia responded. Scootaloo looked down at Sunset, sho was shivering and shaking in fear. Celestia walked around Scootaloo and leaned down to her, offering a concerned look. "Sunset? Can you hear me?"

Sunset slowly lifted her her head, revealing the large skin laceration in the middle of her forehead and the chromium band around her neck, slowly pulsing red every now and again. She had a scared look in her eye that made Celestia shiver. Princess Twilight leaned down next to Celestia and accidentally brushed the wall. "AHH!" She yelled when it shocked her. Scootaloo quickly pulled her back out and looked her over.

"What happened?" She asked urgently while Twilight rubbed the burn.

Princess Twilight blinked at her in horror then turned to the box Sunset was in. The walls were made out of steel, as well as the ceiling. The only thing that wasn't steel was the floor which was concrete that Sunset was sitting on. Scootaloo followed her gaze and noticed the same thing. Then turned around and pulled Celestia out of there, who groaned and turned back to Scootaloo with the most irate look she could manage.

"What is your problem?!" She yelled. "Can't you see—"

"That box is electrified!" She interrupted. Scootaloo walked in and put up a light body shield. Then touched the side. It started sparking and turning like crazy, creating a light show in the dim lighting. Sunset screamed and Scootaloo immediately stopped. "If you touched this wall you would have been electrocuted! And that hurts! That door is probably electrified too! That's why it was so warm! The only thing that isn't is the floor which is concrete. Which is why Sunset is curled up like this!" Scootaloo kept her shield up and then kneeled down to look Sunset in the eyes. "Sunset, we're going to get you out of here, okay?"

Sunset shook her head and said, "No."

Scootaloo gawked and said, "No? What do you mean no, you're in an electric box that can kill you!"

She shook her head again and said, "No."

Scootaloo shared a worried look with the others before turning back. "What's your name?" She asked her.

"Dear Princess Twilight..." Sunset responded.

"......what?"

"Something's obviously wrong with Sunset," Luna said from the door. "And let's go already!"

Scootaloo turned back to Sunset Shimmer. "Sunset, we're leaving and taking you back to Equestria!"

Sunset gasped and smiled sweetly. And yelled, "Anything for Equestria!"

"That's the spirit!" Scootaloo gripped both of her hands and pulled her to her feet, then calmly led her outside the box. Princess Twilight closed the box back before Scootaloo opened a light blue rift. Sunset squinted at it then got a quizzical look on her face before she was pulled through. The other Princesses soon followed after before the rift closed, leaving nothing but destruction and pain in their wake.


Twilight and Rainbow Dash were pacing outside the gates of the facility while the others were sitting by the road, keeping an eye out. "I just realized..." They all turned to Rarity, who hand a finger to her chin. "If someone did arrive, how would we get in contact with the five inside?" Twilight and Rainbow Dash blinked. Then glanced at each other before a crack of light sparked in front of them. There was a straight bright blue line in front of them, getting everyone's attention enough to stand up and wait.

Scootaloo walked out first, still holding Sunset's hands who was looking nonchalant before the princesses walked out behind her. "Sunset!" Rainbow cried before darting forward and pulling her into a hug, still holding Scootaloo's hands.

Sunset smiled and said, "I can't wait to learn more about friendship!"

Rainbow pulled back and looked her up and down, directing her sights at the metal cuff around her neck pulsing red. She pointed a finger and asked, "What the buck is that? What did they do to you in that—"

"No time!" Scootaloo interrupted before opening another rift. "Let's move!" She jumped through the portal with Sunset before everyone else followed after, leaving the scene of the event. After the rift closed, all was quiet, save for the helicopters coming towards the facility with lights. Along with the Canterlot City Sheriff's Department. The Marine Corps were riding in the helicopters, looking down at the scene of the facility. Some of the building had somehow been torn off and was lying on the ground. Multiple vehicles were tossed around, and a few guards were tending to each others' injuries. The helicopters stopped overhead and the Marine's lowered a rope to lower down. Once on the ground, they lifted their guns and proceeded to scout the area.

Captain Looper landed with the Lieutenant and looked around the scene. He put his hand over his eyes and stroked his face while the other was on his hip. "Well...I guess they were looking for our test subject," he commented.

"She was looking for our test subject," Lieutenant Mayweather corrected. She walked towards some of the vehicles, which looked like they weren't hit by explosives, bullets, or anything else. Turning to a guard being looked over by a bunch of medics, she pointed and asked, "How did this get lopsided like this?"

The guard made an arch with his arm and said, "She threw it. The wanted subject threw the vehicles around with clouds of black smoke. Then ripped one whole wall of the building off, based off of what I heard from the radios."

"Captain!" The two commanders looked towards a soldier who was running towards them holding something with rubber gloves. "You may want to read this."

The captain took the letter and read it over to himself. "If you ever attempt to attack or take over Equestria, its citizens, its property, or anything else Equestrian by force, it will be the last and final move you ever make. You have earned my ire, humans. Test my patience, and the City of Canterlot will be mere rubble in a matter of seconds. And I will stand in the middle of it, alive to tell the tale. You kidnapped my friend and possibly tortured her for knowledge on how to use magic. You want magic that badly, I will show you my power. Which is infinite. Test me.

"'Lareen Carson. Aka, Princess Scootaloo.'" The Captain and Mayweather shared a glance before looking back at the scene. It definitely didn't look like they were joking. The facility was still falling apart by what looked like black acid, eating away at the steel. It seems the humans had crossed a line. And the ponies were angry.