Sweet Apple Acres:
Twilight had yet to return to Ponyville, so perhaps it was needless to say her friends had feared the worst had happened to her.
“Look, Ah’m tellin’ y’all, something’s gone wrong!” Applejack exclaimed slamming a fist on the dining room table. All around her, gathered in her room were the rest of the Elements excluding Fluttershy who had opted out of this meeting for unexplained reasons. “Seriously, Twilight just ups and leaves us without givin’ a good solid reason and we’re expected not ta worry?”
“Darling, think rationally about this,” Rarity said laying a hand on her friend’s own and grasping it tightly. “She’s a busy mare nowadays, you know that as well as I do! Princess duties and all, she could have been called away to Canterlot Castle for whatever reason.
“For whatever reason!?” Applejack shouted. “That’s… That’s not good enough! Excuse me for being worried, but there’s a serial killer about or haven’t ya forgotten?”
“Trust me, I have yet to forgot,” Rarity replied sternly. “What do think I’ve been trying to forget about?” she asked, stifling a sob. “Oh my… those poor ponies…”
“Damn it!” Rainbow shouted. “It’s Kiva, he’s got to be behind this! I just know it! And where the Hell is Fluttershy? This was an all Elements meeting!’
“She said she had things to do,” Rarity replied trying to stay calm. “Mentioned to me that her rabbits needed tending to.”
“She’s starting to distance herself from us nowadays, Y'all know that right? Ah mean, seriously Ah couldn’t have been the only one who’s noticed this right?’
“Well, she’s been awfully dead set on proving Kiva is a ‘nice pony’ as she put it,” Pinkie remarked. “Fool’s errand if you ask me. Even I can see Kiva is a meanie mcmeanie pants!”
“Yeah, but why is she so set on proving this?” Rainbow asked. “I mean, why? What’s she got to gain from all of it?”
“Maybe nothing,” Rarity mused. “I mean, no offense to Fluttershy but the poor dear can be awfully naive and too trusting at times am I correct?”
A few murmurs and nods were the others’ responses.
“How do we know Fluttershy hasn’t been killed by…” Rainbow trailed off her voice breaking. “I mean, how do we know she hasn’t been nabbed by Kiva?”
“Ah’m sure that’s not the case Rainbow,” Applejack reassured. “Trust me on this, if Fluttershy was dead by Kiva’s hand Ah’m almost certain the Princesses would have let us know am Ah right?”
“But… But what if they haven’t found her body yet?” Pinkie whispered as her mane went limp. “She could be lying dead somewhere and nobody would ever know!”
“Relax, the Royal Guards are everywhere,” Rainbow stated calmly for once. Even as she said this, she was trying to fight back the image her mind was giving her of a maimed and brutalized Fluttershy laying dead in some alleyway somewhere. “They’ll catch up to Kiva eventually, I know it. With Tempest at the lead, I know they will.”
“But… But how many more ponies have to die before that happens?” Applejack asked. “Ah say we mount a full-scale search of our own for Kiva!”
“And how Applejack are we expected to do that? Equestria’s massive! Searching it from end to end is an insane job!” Rainbow shouted. “I mean, a small town like Ponyville’s one thing, but…”
“And that’s just it, isn’t it?” Applejack asked. “Ah mean, haven’t all of Kiva’s murders been centered around Ponyville? If he or she’s anywhere, it’s here!”
“I suppose you’re right about that,” Rainbow murmured. “But if Kiva’s here, where would he or she hide? Somewhere remote, somewhere abandoned, somewhere like the…” she trailed off before her eyes widened in realization. The others were soon to follow. “Somewhere like the Castle of the Two Sisters!”
“Well, aren’t you all intelligent?” a male voice asked, guttural in tone. Applejack’s head whipped around and she pulled a shotgun off the wall to face the newcomer.
“And who the hay are you?”
“Allow me to introduce myself. Sorry to say, but you’ve been looking at the wrong person for the killings,” Rook commented as he changed forms into the Lion Fangire. “Say hello to your real killer.”
As Rook advanced, Rarity fired a few shots from her horn that only barely scratched Rook. He chuckled and pulled out a stopwatch. “Time Play, start.”
“Move it!” Rarity shouted before she fired another blast from her horn and to her credit this one actually managed to make Rook roar out in pain as it hit one of his shoulders. The exact same one Fluttershy had struck with the Garulu saber not that many days before.
As the group ran, far and away in Castle Doran Fluttershy had discovered the Zanbat Sword sticking out of the wall Even as the Arms Monsters looked on she managed to pull it out of the wall with no small amount of effort letting out a cry of triumph as she did so.
Jiro smiled, finally, Fluttershy’s ascension was complete. His smile soon faded as the bells of Castle Doran began to toll before he shared a look with Fluttershy.
Speaking of fangires, Rook had managed to pursue the rest of the Elements sans Twilight into the Everfree’s outskirts.
“Well, it’s been a fun chase but… Heh, time for the greatest prize of all. Shame there’s two of you missing but I’ll make do…” Rook grinned.
“Well, it’s been a good run Y'all. Guess this is the end of the line…” Applejack whispered as she braced for death.
“Man, this is so not how I imagined I’d go out!” Rainbow whispered tears threatening to break. Seeing Equestria’s bravest reduced to such a sorry state only increased Rook’s pleasure. This had gone better than he’d hoped. The Elements, saviors of Equestria many times over cowering before him!
“Any last requests…?” Rook chuckled.
“Yeah, just one. You dying.” a familiar voice stated, and Rook turned around before his eyes widened in fear upon seeing her.
Fluttershy looked furious at the sight of Rook, the full moon casting light upon her features. Just looking at Rook standing over her friends -Her friends!- with his teeth and claws just sent her into a fury.
“Have you made your peace with Faust?” Fluttershy asked in this completely calm, cold voice. Because you're about to meet Her. Kivat!” she shouted, and quite a few eyes widened as the little red bat fluttered down.
“Coming and biting milady!” he called as he bit down on Fluttershy’s outstretched arm. The ponies and Rook watched in shock as Fluttershy, filled with a newfound resolve gained a familiar set of stained-glass type veins.
“Henshin.” Fluttershy stated as that distorted wonderful violin sound filled the air and even as chains wrapped themselves around Fluttershy forming Kiva’s infamous armor Tatsulot attached himself to her wrist. Tatsulot had smashed through the chains around her anklet revealing what lay underneath and on her shoulder pads making small wings of light rise up before bats of golden light fluttered about and recreated her armor, covering it shades of dark crimson red and black tones.
Once the armor finished forming, Fluttershy flicked her cape behind her with the sound of a whip cracking and charged with her sword in front of her.
“No… No,” Rainbow whispered as she felt a wave of guilt wash over her. “It can’t be. Fluttershy’s... Kiva?”
“Not for much longer I assure you,” Rook growled out. “After I finish up with her, you Elements are next. My greatest Time Play yet, killing all six Elements of Harmony!”
“Yeah… We’ll see about that,” Fluttershy stated calmly even as Rook sent needles flying towards her from his claws. Needles which Fluttershy simply swatted out of the air with her wrist, the Zanbat sword gripped tightly in her other hand.
“Big talk from a little pony. You’ll never be able to defeat me!” Rook laughed. “You never have been. Queen of the Fangires you may be, but you’ve never had the nerve to defeat me! Me, the strongest of the Fangires! I’ve been around since the days of Rockhoof so that makes m-”
“Not caring,” Fluttershy said as she slashed him across the shoulder. “As for your little statement, I’m going to have to correct that. The word strongest has no meaning. The me from today will be stronger than the me from yesterday. And the me from tomorrow will be stronger than the me from today,” she stated staring Rook down. “Point is, nobody’s ever the strongest forever. Not even you. And speaking of you, you’ve been around far too long for me to live and let be,” She followed up with a slash to the other shoulder, her eyes giving her famous stare beneath her helmet.
“As I said before, you’re Rook, wanted by the Blue Sky Organization for the murder of 120 stallions, sixty mares, ten fillies, five foals, three goats and the massacre of the siren race. Normally Fangires have always just served as nature’s balancing act, but you?” Fluttershy asked as she struck Rook across the chest once more with her blade. “You’re different. You’ve always killed for the thrill of it. I made a promise to Ramon, and the Siren race to defeat you, and avenge them. I do not break my promises,” the pegasus stated all doubts and worries cast aside. She was Kiva, and she would always be Kiva until the day she died. “Tonight, you fall and your little time plays end.”
Rook growled, producing his double ended club. “My games are not going to end!” With a motion, he brought the club down towards Fluttershy’s head. “Fangires don’t need a naive Queen!”
“Naive? Perhaps,” Fluttershy admitted as she blocked the strike with Zanbat before forcing the club upwards giving her an opening. “But I like to think of it more as optimistic. Hopeful even, that one day our two species can coexist. My father had that same hope as well, until Tiramat snuffed it out. I’ve carried the torch he passed onto me since then. Sure, I’ve stumbled, but like I said the me tomorrow is stronger than the me from yesterday.” the Queen of the Fangires continued, slashing Rook across the chest with one powerful blow making him stagger.
“Fluttershy…” Rarity whispered in shock. When all this was over, when she made it out alive of this as she had no doubt she would given Fluttershy’s newfound resolve and sheer power as Kiva, she had a lot of apologies to make. Looking towards Rainbow and Pinkie, she knew they were thinking the same things.
Fluttershy feinted with her sword, forcing Rook to move to block. While his guard was up, she dipped down and swept his legs out from under him.
“Don’t you get it yet?” Fluttershy asked. “Your time’s long since passed. Bishop, the King, they’re all dead. All that remains of the old guard is you, and just you alone.” She pointed her sword tip at his throat. “Rook, now is your last chance to make peace with Faust. Please,” she pleaded. “Just give up now. I don’t want to continue this form of violence any further.”
“She’d never accept me, and you know it!” Rook shouted, firing a few of his claws like needles once more at Fluttershy making her stagger back and scream out in pain. He pulled himself to his feet, twirling his club and slamming it into Fluttershy’s side. The mare was knocked to the ground, clutching her side in pain as her sword clattered up against a rock. Rook began repeatedly kicking her in the side laughing all the while.
“What… what was that you were saying about me not being the strongest?” he continued to laugh madly. “Go on, admit it! I’m stronger than you! I deserve to rule the Fangire race!”
Suddenly, a cupcake hit him squarely in the side of his head.
“Hey, meanie, get away from our friend!” Pinkie shouted as Rook wiped the frosting out of his mane. Huffing and puffing, Pinkie stood up off the ground with several other cupcakes in hand. Rarity was soon to follow, her horn crackling with magical energy.
“Oh look, how attitudes change,” Rook chuckled even as Rarity zapped him with magical energy having very little if any effect at all. “Before you were all out to get her, now you’re trying to save her? Don’t make me laugh!”
Rainbow tried to kick Rook squarely in the stomach with a powerful blow, but her leg was caught and she was simply slammed into the ground by an overhead fist from Rook.
“We’ve… We’ve got a lot of apologies to make,” Rainbow said picking herself up off the ground and landing a few punches to Rook’s stomach. Didn’t matter whether they took or not. She just needed to buy Fluttershy some time until the mare could recover from Rook’s blows. “But we can start at least, by helping her right now. We can start by holding you off, till she picks herself up off the ground. We may not be able to do much, but sometimes just that little thing is just enough,” Rainbow said before shouting: “Fluttershy! Listen, I know this guy’s tough, but you can beat him. So stop sitting around doing nothing and get to it!”
Fluttershy watched in wide-eyed awe, as her friends tried to fend off Rook. She balled up her fists, her knuckles turning white around the hilt of the Zanbat. They were willing to risk their lives, just for her. They didn’t entirely know what was going on, but still, they were willing to help. And what was she doing, laying in the dirt?
“I… I may not be able to fight or at least damage this creep,” Rarity shouted to her friend. “But I can provide you with a handkerchief to wipe your tears. Celestia only knows how long you’ve been crying, and some of that has probably been our fault I admit, but the time for tears is over now.”
“We, at least until you regain your strength can keep this guy busy!” Applejack shouted as she kicked Rook in the face actually making him stagger. “Now my Ma and Pa would probably be ashamed of mah behavior over the past few weeks, judging someone until Ah truly knew them but Ah’d like ta think Ah’m making up for it in some small way right now!”
The words of Fluttershy’s friends’ bounced around her head. Her hands trembled with barely contained energy. She knew in her heart that she couldn’t just sit back any longer. With slow grace, she rose to her hooves, Zanbat held out at her side.
“Girls, step back,” she urged, staring Rook down. “This is something I have to finish myself.”
She stepped forward, letting the girls retreat before charging Rook. The Lion Fangire raised his club and readied to block the oncoming blow. Just as she was on top of him, she spread her wings and jumped over him. She flipped in midair, slashing Rook across the back before twirling back to her hooves with the help of her wings.
“In the back?” Rook roared out in pain and indignation. “Low move from the Queen of Fangires! I thought you were above such things!”
“Nothing you wouldn’t have done, I’m sure,” Fluttershy simply stated in response slashing him across the shoulder before kicking him through a tree. She noted how Rook clutched his shoulder in pain, and thought back.
Rook roared in rage, before he charged once more at Kiva only for the Garulu Saber to strike him in the shoulder. Fluttershy backflipped away and spun once her boots touched the ground again taking advantage of the fangire’s shock to land another blow across the chest before kicking him in the wounded area making Rook stagger back.
Fluttershy smirked in the present day as Rook clutched his shoulder pad in pain. “Looks like I hurt him there more than I thought...” she mused to herself before remarking: “Old wounds flaring up again?”
“DAMN YOU!” was Rook’s only response before he came charging out of the woodland once more fangs and claws bared. Fluttershy stepped backwards to avoid the claw swings before blocking the next few blows with her Zanbat sword. She then flung her cape across Rook’s face a few times temporarily making the Lion Fangire drop his guard. She pressed her advantage, stabbing her blade into his wounded shoulder.
Rook then headbutted her, making Fluttershy stagger back before he slashed her across the chest with his claws drawing a bit of blood.
“So you do bleed. Excellent,” Rook smirked licking his lips for what he was sure to come. Suddenly, a flurry of shots hit Rook making him stagger back as Tempest stepped out of the shadows with IXA Calibur in hand.
“Now why do you have to be so stubborn Ms. Shy?” she asked. “I’ve got a few sins to make up for myself, and besides Riders help other Riders out right?” she asked with a small smile before transforming into IXA letting a few erratic bolts of electricity fly each hitting Rook by some manner before Tempest went into Burst Mode as her face mask opened up.
“T-Tempest?” Fluttershy whispered out.
“So sorry I’m late, but you know how it is. Don’t have the luxury of a Fangire tracking system like you do with your Castle,” Tempest replied. “So, I have to make do.”
Just then a familiar timberwolf leaped out of the shrubbery eyes aglow with green light as he latched onto Rook’s arm biting down hard. Even as Rook tried to fling him off, Jiro had no intention of letting go.
“Mind you, I do have the usage of one very embittered Timberwolf. And… Oh yes, one other thing,” Tempest remarked as a blast of lavender magic hit Rook in the face cracking some of his skin. “One Princess. Friendship is Magic, right? Seriously, why you’re so intent on going this all alone is beyond me when in my mind, two Riders and their friends are better than one pegasus.” Tempest remarked.
Fluttershy managed a smile beneath her helmet, her posture relaxing slightly. “You think I’d know that much by now,” she said to herself. “Looks like I need to wake up.” Reaching for Tatsulot, she pulled on his tail.
“Oh, that is a terrible joke, Milady!” Tatsulot exclaimed in glee. “I’ve never been so proud! BASSHAA FEVER!” Tatsulot yelled out as Ramon was summoned into Fluttershy’s hands in Magnum form and combined with Tatsulot.
Rook managed to fling Jiro off, but the wolf simply rebounded off a tree and landed in front of the girls, snarling protectively. A massive purple fist slammed into Rook’s chest making him stagger before a left cross was to follow as Riki stomped out of the woods.
“Guess the gang’s all here, really…” Riki chuckled. “You forget Rook, Fluttershy’s not the only one with a bone to pick with you…”
“Everyone,” Fluttershy started, green energy swirling around her like a whirlpool, “I can’t even begin to say how much I love you all. But maybe I can show it!” She rose into the air, the whirlpool growing in strength.
“Yeah… you might want to back away right about now,” Jiro warned the rest of the Mane Six, who took the hint and scrambled out of the way.
Fluttershy gave a battle cry, surprising everyone that she actually rose her voice. Her whirlpool swept forward, catching Rook up in its current before tossing him away. To Fluttershy’s surprise, Rook still had managed to find the strength to stand, clutching his shoulder pad.
“Tempest, his shoulder! That’s his weak spot! I’ve hit him so many times there, it’s hurting him so badly he can’t focus on anything else!” Fluttershy shouted, and Tempest nodded changing IXA Calibur to its blade form as Fluttershy holstered the basshaa magnum and redrew the Zanbat sword.
A loud whistling sound came from Zanbat, Fluttershy grabbing the crossguard and sliding it up the blade until it shone with red light. “WAKE UP!” Kivat shouted as this happened.
Tempest removed the mouthpiece from her helmet, slotting it into IXA Calibur and pressing a sequence of buttons on the number pad. “R-I-S-I-N-G!” the mouthpiece turned transformation device stated as pieces Tempest’s armor flew off and her helmet crest rearranged itself her armor letting off an even more intense blast of heat than ever before.
“Well… this is new?” Tempest murmured not really sure how to react as she studied her new form. “Didn’t know the upgrades would go this far…”
“Well, I did say I did upgrade the IXA system didn’t I?” Twilight smirked.
“You can admire it later,” Fluttershy chided, charging Rook and slashing him. Jiro came from the right side and tackled Rook before Riki came from the left and shoulder charged the fangire.
“Point taken,” Tempest commented as she struck Rook across the shoulder making him scream out in pain. “Though a certain somepony is definitely getting a big thank you after this…” she trailed off looking at Twilight for a moment before she pulled out both IXA Calibur and the Ixariser and fired them at Rook making him stagger back from the sheer force of the gunfire.
“I think you’ve been around long enough, gotten a bit bored of toying with you…” Tempest muttered. “Let’s finish this eh?” she asked looking at Fluttershy who simply nodded.
“Agreed.” she stated, her palm glowing with the Kiva Insignia before she launched a massive version of it at Rook pinning him to a tree. She and Tempest then shared another nod before they ran towards Rook, leaped off the ground and flipped in midair both aiming a flying side kick at the Fangire.
“RIDER KICK!” the two shouted before the kicks impacted with Rook shattering on contact.
Panting and sweating, both Tempest and Fluttershy collapsed to the ground out of sheer exhaustion their transformations canceling. Twilight ran to Tempest’s side helping her up with Riki did the same with Fluttershy.
“It’s… It’s finally over.” Fluttershy whispered feeling a sense of relief wash over her.
“Uh, Milady?” Kivat asked before he looked upwards and Fluttershy’s eyes widened in horror at what happened next. She watched Rook’s essence float up in the air. It appeared unstable, flashing erratically. In a matter of moments, a white flash came from it, blinding everyone watching it.
When the flash died down, a massive Sabbat had manifested in the sky, letting out a mighty roar and tossing fireballs everywhere.
“Oh… Oh my Celestia…” Twilight whispered as one deadly fireball came right towards her. She knew she would never have enough time to throw up a shield and closed her eyes waiting for what came.
“TWILIGHT!” Tempest shouted, before something shoved Twilight out of the way in a red blur of motion. As the fireball died down, flames licking at her red armor stood Luna as Kuuga, her Arcle having repaired itself over the one thousand years she’d spent inside the moon.
“It seems I was right to don this armor once more,” Luna commented, looking up at the massive glowing gold chandelier-like spirit. “I’m sorry for not having stepped in earlier, Fluttershy. Consider this my compensation on the matter.”
As another roar cut through the sky, Castle Doran appeared and Luna leaped skywards and let out a shout of: “Cho-Henshin!” as her entire body crackled with golden light before her armor turned a sharp black color. Luna flapped her wings, rocketing towards the sabbat propelled by Doran’s flame breath, her left hoof crackling with golden electricity. “Begone foul beast!” she shouted, breaking out the Royal Canterlot voice. She shot through the beast’s neck, the thing shattering instantly. Each piece exploded in multicolored light, something that was likely seen across the country before the sky lit up like fire for just the briefest of moments night turning to day as Luna descended from the flames her armor seemingly untouched.
“Now… Now it’s over,” she stated. She relaxed, her armor dissipating. “I forgot how tiring that was…” she sighed her transformation canceling itself out fully before she fell forwards into Fluttershy’s arms.
“Yeah, it’s over…” Fluttershy thought even as her friends rushed up shouting apologies and bringing her into hugs.
‘
Sugarcube Corner: One Week Later
Time passed, and still more apologies were to come as the truth came to light. The rest of Fluttershy’s friends apologized over and over for ever even thinking Fluttershy was this mass murderer and not stopping to consider any other alternatives. It was pleasing to her at first, and especially pleasing to both Tempest and Vinyl but after a while, even they got sick of it.
“Seriously guys… This… This is too much!” Fluttershy stammered out as Pinkie shoved a slice of cake into her mouth.
“Nonsense, this is your “We’re sorry for thinking you were a serial killer when in fact you were a hero party!” Pinkie babbled. “Now eat!” she ordered before shoving more cake into her friend’s mouth.
“...You know, as rewards ceremonies go, this isn’t so bad really,” Kivat remarked nibbling at some cake that had been filled with wine made just for him. The closest thing to actual blood anyone was willing to risk. “I mean seriously, it’s about time you got recognized for your exploits, so why not enjoy it?” he advised before letting out a little burp. “I know I am! ...Hey, think anyone can find me a medal?”
“Trust me, that’s being considered,” Twilight chuckled. “You and Fluttershy both have more than earned a few. I’ll talk to Celestia about it, and see what I can do huh?”
“Party Fortissimo!” Tatsulot said, wearing a goofy little party hat and blowing on a tiny horn. Somehow Pinkie had managed to find both items in his size. Don’t ask how, but she had. Nearby, Jiro was busting out moves on the dancefloor -very poor dance moves at that- while a sea of cautious ponies looked on from afar.
Nearby, Riki tried reaching for some wine before Rarity slapped his massive hand away. “Ep-ep! No, that’s not for you! Last thing we need is a drunk Frankenstein’s monster! Don’t think I haven’t heard what you get up to!”
“Awww…” Riki sulked hanging his head comically.
Fluttershy walked over to him, patting his side and whispering, “Don’t worry, I’ll sneak you some that you can have at the castle.”
Nearby, Kivat fluttered about in a drunken manner before smacking right into a nearby beam and sliding down to the floor, little birds flying comically above his head.
“...On the other hand…” Fluttershy reconsidered.
“Oh, you wouldn’t believe the orders I’ve been getting as of late. Seems vampire-themed fashion is very très chic this season!” Rarity babbled.
“Oh?” Fluttershy asked, looking away from Kivat. “Any chance you could make me something?” She turned her head down to herself. “I’ve been thinking that I should embrace my role as Fangire Queen. Openly and proudly.”
“Well, hasn’t someone gotten a boost in confidence!” Vinyl said proudly as she wrapped her arms around her marefriend from behind and kissed her on the cheek. Overhead, Kiva-La fluttered about and landed on a rafter, watching the proceedings.
“Watching my friends fight Rook for me made me think about things,” Fluttershy started, returning Vinyl’s hug. “If I want Fangires and ponies to coexist, I have to embrace that side of me and show the world that we’re not all monsters.”
“Man, I’m still surprised at all of this. Fangires, you and Vinyl hooking up, Luna being an ancient Kamen Rider… The works!” Rainbow exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air. “What next? Is Faust herself going to return?”
“I find it wise not to tempt fate,” Jiro said in passing.
"Well, if you ask me I'm in full support of the relationship," Octavia said. "It's about time you found somepony for yourself Vinyl."
“Honestly darling,” Rarity stated. “I’m as surprised as anyone else about you and Vinyl. Didn’t see that one coming a mile away, and I’m normally on top of these things. I don’t mean to be rude, but Vinyl’s… well, Vinyl and you’re well… you!” she exclaimed.
“Some things just work,” Vinyl offered with a shrug, pulling away from Fluttershy but leaving an arm around her shoulder. “Like pickle juice for a hangover. And if you keep on drinking that cider, Rainbow Dash, that’s exactly what you’re going to end up with!” she yelled looking pointedly at the mare in question.
“Since when did you become my mother?” Rainbow shouted back.
“Call this payback for treating Fluttershy like crap,” Vinyl stated, levitating the cider over to her in an aura of blue magic.
“I said I was sorry!” Rainbow whined. “What do you want me to do, get on my knees and grovel?”
“No,” Fluttershy said pointedly, cutting off any response from Vinyl. “Rainbow, you already did plenty when you and the girls fought Rook. I more than forgive you. Vinyl, lay off her please?”
“Fine, fine.” the mare grumbled. Rainbow sniggered.
“Well, looks like she’s got you on a leash!” Rainbow chortled, and at both Vinyl and Fluttershy’s shared blush she laughed only harder. “I didn’t mean literally you two! But damn!”
“Guess it is always the quiet ones…” Tempest thought as she looked towards Twilight remembering last night’s… activities. Containing her blush, she walked out of the room trying to think of anything else. Why did friendship lessons have to be so damn hard with her?
Unaware of exactly what her ‘student’ was thinking about Twilight was currently walking over to Fluttershy. “Hey… Uh, listen. I heard about what happened to the Dazzlings from Ramon. What really happened I mean,” she stammered out. “And I… Uh, well I got to thinking you know?”
“Thinking about what?” Fluttershy inquired, tilting her head.
“They had the best of intentions didn’t they?” Twilight asked placing a silence spell around the area so nobody would overhear them. “And yet, nobody’s ever thought about welcoming them back to their home now that the truth is out…” she murmured feeling rather guilty and ashamed of herself. She should have asked the Dazzlings about why they were so intent on gathering Equestrian magic, why they resorted to such desperate means. Instead, she simply just assumed they had villainous intent and had the Rainbooms along with Sunset friendship laser them.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea, Twilight!” Fluttershy beamed, her eyes twinkling at her friend. “When do you think we should try and get them home?”
“Well, why not right now?” Twilight asked. “I mean, there’s nothing stopping us is there?”
“An angry Pinkie that threw this party?” Vinyl countered, pointing at the princess.
“Well, I wouldn’t say angry, more like apologetic but…” Twilight trailed off before realizing what Vinyl meant and her eyes shrunk to almost comical proportions. “Oh. Right… Yes, well… I um…”
“You go girls!” Pinkie exclaimed, throwing her arms around Fluttershy and Twilight. “Go on, bring them home! I’ve got a welcome back to Equestria party to prepare! Yippee!” she exclaimed bouncing off.
“How did…?” Vinyl asked. “That was a silencing spell you just cast right?”
“Don’t question it,” Twilight groaned. “It’s Pinkie.”
“Well, we have our blessing,” Fluttershy said, giggling. “Let's head to your castle and get going.”
So with that, once preparations were complete the duo along with Ramon entered the human world in search of the Dazzlings.
“You sure about this Twilight?” Sunset had asked upon hearing what Twilight intended to do. “I mean…”
“Trust me, I’m sure,” Twilight smiled.
“Well, in that case…” Sunset trailed off before taking a deep breath. “If you’re really sure, I’ve heard they’re living in a warehouse outside of town. Just be careful okay?”
“Don't worry, we're not helpless,” Fluttershy assured. Though, she had no real idea if her Fangire nature translated onto this side of the portal. Eventually, after a bit of wandering around and some helpful hints from a few other hobos, the threesome found out exactly where Sunset had gestured them to. Twilight wished Sunset had come along herself, but given her history with the Dazzlings it was only natural so she wasn’t surprised she’d opted out of this.
“H-Hello?” Twilight asked, pushing the warehouse door open making it emit a small creaking sound. “Aria, Adagio? Sonata? Anyone?”
The trio scanned the derelict building, hoping to find signs of life. Eventually, Ramon stumbled upon the three girls who really looked as if they’d seen better days huddled up around a makeshift fire. “Over here!” he hissed out, and Twilight and Fluttershy came running with the Element of Kindness covering her mouth in shock to hide the gasp and fighting back tears at the state of the former Sirens.
Twilight wasn’t far behind. “By Celestia…” she whispered. “I never knew…”
The former sirens were shivering, smelling like something rotten and bore dirty disheveled hair that Rarity would probably faint at if she ever saw. Adagio, in particular, was coughing heavily. Her eyes narrowed when she looked up and saw Twilight.
“Well, well. Look at what the cat dragged in…” Adagio practically snarled.
“Girls, we know the truth,” Fluttershy started, sucking in a breath and putting on a brave face. “You never intended harm to Equestria.”
“Yeah? Well, it sure as Hell took you long enough dumbshit,” Aria stated. “Do you know how long we’ve had to fend for ourselves after you rainbow lasered us?”
“Far too long, I think,” Twilight replied guiltily. “Far too long…” she murmured before pulling out a sheet of paper. “Here, it’s an official Royal Pardon. See, it even has Celestia’s signature!” she continued, gesturing to a familiar stamp resembling the sun. Beside it, was Twilight’s own signature.
“We want to welcome you back to Equestria,” Fluttershy elaborated. “I can offer you a place to stay until you find something for yourselves.”
Adagio was studying Ramon curiously. “You’re… You’re one of us aren’t you?” the woman asked. “A siren, like me.”
Ramon nodded. “Yeah, one of the last of them. Things have changed since you’ve been banished. The Fangires rose to power, before being defeated by Madam Fluttershy here,” he explained.
“R-Really?” Adagio coughed out giving Fluttershy a look of abject shock. “You… you really defeated the Fangires?” she asked her eyes watering not daring to believe it.
“Well, I had a bit of help but…” Fluttershy trailed off pressing her fingers together nervously. “...Yes,” she finally said, hiding behind her bangs.
“Seriously, you of all ponies?” Adagio blinked out, before coughing once more. “God, can’t believe of all things, a simple human sickness is going to be what’s the end of-”
“Don’t you talk like that,” Fluttershy said sternly reaching out her hand. “If there is a hand reaching for help, and I don't reach out my hand when I can, the regret would make me wish I were dead... I reach out my hand, because I don't want that. And right now, it looks like you could use a hand,” she continued, her voice softening. Sonata and Aria looked at their older sibling pleadingly, it wasn’t like they had a lot of options. Nobody would take them in, knowing of their reputation. And here was a golden opportunity, offering itself up on a silver Princess adorned platter. Swallowing her pride, Adagio finally relented.
“Alright… Fine,” Adagio answered after a long silence. “But just one thing?”
“And what’s that?” Fluttershy smiled.
“Me and Ramon, well… He’s got to fill me in on what’s happened since I’ve been gone,”
“I think I can do that,” Ramon replied. “Come on Adagio, let’s go home…”
“Agreed.” Adagio smiled for the first time in what felt like centuries and walked the long walk home back to the mirror portal. As she did so, she passed a woman that looked strangely like herself tossing a strange red medal in her hand and blinked as their eyes met before thinking nothing more of it. She was finally going home, and that’s what mattered.
The End