//------------------------------// // Desperate Pies, Call for Desperate Parties // Story: ULTRA LIVE! Sunset Shimmer // by Cojo5536 //------------------------------// Unlike the last two magical incidents which were experienced by the entire student body and faculty of Canterlot High, a giant monster battle was not something so easily covered up. There was no doubt everyone had seen the two monster duke it out before a gigantic superhero appeared and killed one of them before it flew off. CHS was immediately swarmed by news crews with reporters interviewing the students, teachers and even the janitor about what had happened. The whole thing was also trending online with students posting videos and pictures of the battle. There were comments from skeptics who claimed they were doctored images, hoaxes, or just a publicity stunt for some kind of giant monster movie. The believers and conspiracy theorists, on the other hand, started posting all sorts of crazy stories and theories about what was happening. They ranged from aliens being involved to government genetic experiments, or mutations caused by toxic waste. The craziest was that the world would end as giant monsters wiped out humanity. Some even called the being dubbed ‘Ultraman Ginga’ some kind of ‘angel’ or divine being that was sent from Heaven to smite the evil beasts. Anon-A-Miss was still a problem, but as teenagers were known to jump from one fad to the next due to their limited attention span, a giant monster battle right in their backyard was a bigger deal than a MyStable profile that was spreading secrets. Yes, people got upset about their own secrets being posted, but most of the students were more invested in the giant monsters and Ultraman Ginga. A ragtag crew was currently gathered in the school library. They were seated in a quiet corner of the library, away from prying eyes or eavesdroppers. What they were discussing needed to be done in private. Seated around the table were former Queen Bee and She-Demon Sunset Shimmer, shy and kind Fluttershy, the athletic and self-proclaimed rival of Rainbow Dash Lightning Dust, aspiring magician and local braggart Trixie Lulamoon, and Wallflower Blush. They were quite the unlikely bunch. While they may not seem like it, but they all had one thing in common: they new the identity of Ultraman Ginga. Wallflower and Fluttershy knew because they had witnessed the transformation themselves, while Trixie and Lightning had fought Sunset when she was Ginga. “Alright, you all know why you’re here,” Sunset started. “So, you too, huh?” Lightning Dust asked the magician. “Yes, Trixie was on a rampage as a giant monster,” Trixie confessed to the athlete. “It was Sunset who defeated me.” “Yeah, she knocked me to my senses too,” Lightning Dust admitted. “After all this time, you still got it. Guess you’re not Anon-A-Miss either.” “What makes you say that?” Wallflower Blush asked. “Look, the old Sunset looked out for herself and she’d never risk her life for a bunch of people who hate her,” Lightning Dust answered. “Indeed. She would’ve fought to defend herself, but not others,” Trixie agreed. “She did save my life,” Fluttershy added. “So, if you’re asking me to not tell anyone you’re Ultraman Ginga, Sunset, then I guess I owe you that much,” Lightning Dust crossed her arms. “While Trixie would gain fame for exposing the true identity of the silver giant who saved the school, I have a feeling that would cause unnecessary problems that would make your heroic duties difficult so I will keep silent as well,” Trixie supported. “Really? You, Trixie?” Sunset asked skeptically. “Trixie has no desire to be trampled by a giant monster.” “Say, where are the rest of the Rainbooms?” Lightning Dust asked. “If something weird’s going on, shouldn’t they be here?” “We’re not on speaking terms,” Sunset frowned sadly. “Oh, right. They dumped you after the slumber party post,” Lightning Dust recalled. “Well, at least Fluttershy came around,” Sunset smiled at the pink-haired girl who smiled back softly. “Right now, Sunset needs all the support she can get, not just because of Anon-A-Miss, but because she’s fighting these monsters and Dark Dummy Spark users,” Wallflower said. “We all know you girls got them from aliens, and it looks like at least two aliens are distributing Spark Dolls and Dark Dummy Sparks to people and letting them run amok.” That was worrying. If aliens were giving people the ability to turn into monsters, they needed to find those aliens. “Well, they seem to choose people who have been offended by Anon-A-Miss,” Trixie pointed out. “So, it’s safe to say that they’re targetting CHS students exclusively.” “So, pretty much everyone who hates me is going to turn into a monster,” Sunset remarked. “Fantastic.” *////* “Hey, if you’re planning on keeping this ‘Monster Hunter Club’ of yours a secret, you’re going to have to talk to Dash. She saw me turn into a monster,” Lightning Dust informed Sunset and the group. “She did!?” Sunset said with audible alarm, “Dammit, this is the last thing that I need right now.” “Either way, point still stands,” Lightning said with finality. “Not just her,” Fluttershy said, drawing attention to the shy girl, “I called you Ultraman Ginga after you beat Lightning Dust, and they overheard me. Luckily you had just flown off at the time, but Rainbow noticed that I knew something.” Wallflower snorted in remembrance, “Rarity was asking her to allow her to meet the ‘dashing and handsome man behind the giant’.” Sunset stared at Wallflower for a moment, before letting out a giggle, “Are you serious?” She absolutely loved the idea of being able to see Rarity’s face when the reveal happened. “She was on the subject for a good ten minutes, until she came to the conclusion that I had already taken him, and ran off to drown herself in ice cream,” Fluttershy replied. “I still can’t quite believe that actually happened.” “That’s dumb,” Lightning Dust scoffed. “But oh so Rarity,” Sunset sighed, “That girl has problems. I just hope I won’t end up with me having to fight her.” “At least you won’t have people suspect you of being Ultraman, Shimmer. They’ll be looking at guys to see who the giant hero could be,” Lightning Dust remarked. “Nobody’ll suspect it to be a chick, especially the one they think is Anon-A-Miss.” Yes, being the villain was a good way to hide being the hero. “You still need to talk with Rainbow Dash, Sunset,” said Fluttershy. “That’s not going to be easy.” That was an understatement. Rainbow Dash was stubborn, much like Applejack. Both could compete for being the most stubborn of their friends. It was why they both stopped talking after their falling out before. It was thanks to Twilight that they were able to reconcile. Suddenly, an alert sounded on their phones. Anon-A-Miss had struck again. Pulling out the devices, what they saw on the screen made them turn green. “Dude,” Lightning Dust said, “That’s just so wrong.” “What is this? Is the Dark Giant behind this?” Wallflower asked with a retch. “No, with everyone more focused on Ginga and the monsters, Anon-A-Miss was starting to lose steam,” Sunset said, “This, this is someone desperate and struggling to remain relevant in that world.” “That’s awful,” Fluttershy said sadly. “Understatement of the year,” Lightning scoffed. When the first widely seen monster appeared, it was assumed that Anon-A-Miss would fizzle out and die off. But to keep going despite that, was a new level of pathetic. “Uhg, this is going to make speaking to Rainbow and Applejack much more difficult,” Sunset muttered. *////* Pinkie Pie was trying to cheer everyone up. With Anon-A-Miss stealing secrets and putting them up online for everyone to see, there was a lot of sadness and anger in the air. A lot of kids got humiliated when personal secrets were revealed, unable to come to school as a result. Pinkie Pie believed Sunset was behind Anon-A-Miss, but then Fluttershy decided she did not believe Sunset was Anon-A-Miss and decided to have lunch with her. This left Pinkie and her friends confused. On one hand, only Sunset could’ve done it, but then Fluttershy said she did not do it, and Pinkie did not think her animal-loving friend was a liar. Nothing was making sense and while Pinkie Pie enjoyed fun nonsense, this was nonsense that was causing no end of drama. But now there were these monsters suddenly appearing, and a giant that came to save the day. It was all everyone was talking about now and Pinkie Pie wanted to hold a party to welcome the heroic giant; a ‘Welcome to Canterlot High, Ultraman Ginga’ party. But with Anon-A-Miss posting secrets and turning friends against each other, she doubted she’d be able to get everyone to come to the party. What a bummer. *////* Elsewhere, a man in a red vest, blue long sleeved shirt and pants, and wearing a flashing yellow necklace found a discarded party invitation. “Pinkie Pie?” the disguised Metron said reading the name of the party host, “Interesting, perhaps I should take a page out of Icarus’ book and meet this human myself.” He began his march to meet with the pink party planner. *////* Pinkie was right to suspect a low turnout to the party, having found a decent number of invites that had just been thrown away or discarded. This depressed the party planner who only wanted to spread some cheer. What would she have to do to get people to turn up? “Excuse me,” a firm, masculine voice spoke, “But you seem to be having some trouble.” Pinkie sighed, “Well, I was going to throw a party for Ultraman Ginga, but no one wants to show up because of the mon-.” The party planner suddenly gasped, “OH MY GOSH! SOMEONE NEW! I NEED TO GET ANOTHER PARTY READY! LIKE, RIGHT NOW!” Before the curly haired girl could get far, however, the man raised a hand, “How about you focus on the one you already have planned first.” Pinkie’s hair deflated like a balloon at the reminder of the struggling party, “B-b-b-But nobody wants to show up to that party and I can’t come up with something to bring them in. Which is weird since I’m the number one Party Planner in the city. Wait, what’s your name?” The man seemed annoyed, but answered regardless, “I am Metron, and I believe that I have what you need.” This caused Pinkie to perk up, “Really? What?” “Simple, give the attendees the chance to meet a monster,” Metron replied. Pinkie’s hair reinflated as her features lit up, “That’s it! I can dress up as a monster, then get one of the guys to be Ultraman Ginga and-.” Metron cut her off with a laugh, “I believe you misunderstand. I have something far more impressive in mind.” “Huh?” Metron then reached into his pocket, and pulled out a monster doll and a dagger-shaped device, “Take these, and all you desire, will come true.” Pinkie’s eyes were locked onto the Dark Dummy Spark as her eyes began to glow with its colors. She went and took the device, grasping it in her hand. Metron smiled as the pink girl instantly bonded to the device. While her desire might be a pure one, it was not incorruptible. Even the best of intentions could be warped. *////* Rainbow Dash was headed home. Like everyone, she too had received an invitation to Pinkie Pie’s party, and like everyone else she decided not to go. She was not in the mood. She could have told the reporters that Lightning Dust had turned into a giant monster and yet she had not. It just sounded so ridiculous that nobody would have believed her without proof. She was also confused. Fluttershy said she no longer believed Sunset was Anon-A-Miss. How? It was obviously her and up to her old tricks again. She was never their friend. Rainbow Dash bumped into Pinkie Pie on the way to Sugarcube Corner. This was not good. Pinkie would be upset that nobody was coming to her party, especially her friends. However, Rainbow Dash could not leave the pink girl without an apology. “Sorry, Pink-” “Dashie! So happy to see you! Look what I got!” “Pinkie! What are you doing with  that!?” Rainbow yelled as she saw Pinkie Pie holding a monster doll and the same magical device Lightning Dust had. “I’m going to make everyone smile again!” She touched the Dark Dummy Spark to the monster’s foot. DARK LIVE! GANGO! Rainbow prepared to run from another giant monster, but rather than grow, Pinkie merely changed shape. When the darkness cleared, a monster as tall as an adult man stood in the girl’s place. Rainbow took a cautious step towards the girl-turned-monster, “Pinkie? You okay?” Pinkie was silent for a moment, then loudly chirped, “YEPPERONI!” “Ahh!,” Rainbow exclaimed, “Don’t do that!” “Okei-dokie,” Pinkie chirped. “Seriously, are you okay? The last time I saw that happen Lightning Dust turned into a rampaging jet powered bird.” “I’M GREAT! BETTER THAN GREAT! I FEEL LIKE I JUST ATE ALL THE PASTRIES IN THE WORLD AND NEVER GOT A BAD TUMMY ACHE! “ “So? No desire to go on a murderous rampage?” “Hmmmmmmmmmm… Nope just a desire to make people SUPER DUPER HAPPY!” Pinke clapped her hands and all of a sudden she and Rainbow Dash were in the school gym which was decorated for a party. DJ Pon-3 was at the turntable, rocking some tunes and there was a spinning disco ball. Rainbow blinked, “What?” “It worked. IT WORKED! THAT GUY WAS RIGHT! HEHEHE! THIS MONSTER GRANTS WISHES! I CAN GET EVERYONE TO THIS PARTY NOW!” Pinkie screamed, somewhat crazed. “Um, Pinkie? Maybe tone it down a bit? You’re kinda freaking me out here,” Rainbow said uncomfortably. “Oops, sorry Dashie,” Pinkie said. But the damage had been done, Rainbow was now worried for herself and the rest of the school. *////* Sunset’s crew meanwhile, had decided to hang out at Sunset’s house after school, having opted to avoid Pinkie’s party, knowing the rest of the Rainbooms were likely to attend. Trixie, however, had opted to just return to her home. Lightning Dust had been introduced to Ultraman Taro, and she seemed to take an immediate liking to him. Now, the four girls were ready to hear the answers they had been waiting for since the question was first asked. “So Taro, now that we have some peace, why don’t you tell us about your home planet?” Sunset said with a smile. “Oh,” Taro said, clearly somewhat homesick. “You don’t need to, if it hurts too much,” Fluttershy said, disappointed that it seemed that they would not be getting be getting answers. “No, it’s only fair that you hear the story of Planet Ultra,” Taro said, placatingly, then took a deep breath. “I hail from the Star of Ultra in Nebula M78. We were not always Giants of Light. A long time ago, we actually looked like humans. While human civilisation was only in its infancy, our kind had advanced in terms of wisdom and technology. We were practically a utopia. However, one day, our scientists discovered that our sun was going to die. In order to survive, the greatest scientific minds came together to create our planet’s greatest achievement: the Plasma Spark. It was an artificial sun that would guarantee our survival in these dark times. However, at the time, they were unaware of the magnificent side effects of the Plasma Spark. Its energies changes us, transformed us into silver giants with incredible powers. Our planet soon became known as the ‘Land of Light’. Some time after, we decided to dedicate ourselves to become protectors of the universe, fighting for peace and justice, and thus the Ultra Space Garrison was formed.” “So, you were like giant space cops?” Lightning Dust asked. “That is an apt summary, Ms. Lightning Dust,” Taro confirmed. “Not all Ultras in the Multiverse were affiliated with the Garrison, however, but they still fought for the same reasons.” Then he whispered, “ Most of them anyway” “Wait, what was that last bit?” Wallflower asked. “Oh! Uh, nothing,” Taro attempted to deflect. “Taro, don’t lie to us, what is it?” Sunset pressed. Taro sighed, “Though the Ultras are known as heroes, it is, sadly, not unheard of for Ultras to stray from the light. Most infamous, was Ultraman Belial. A young Ultra with a bright future ahead of him, however, his aspirations were too high. He attempted to steal the Plasma Spark for himself, and was burned for it. We had no choice but to exile him into the stars where it was assumed he would eventually die. Instead, his immense hatred attracted a being known as Alien Reyblood. He fused with it, and returned to Planet Ultra as an unstoppable force of pure evil. It wasn’t until Ultraman King, the single most powerful Ultra, stepped in that he was stopped, and imprisoned in a massive space station above Planet Ultra.” “Wait, if this ‘Ultraman King’ is so powerful, why couldn’t he beat the giant?” Lightning Dust asked. “Lightning, Taro only said King was powerful, not all powerful,” Sunset reminded, “He could have been fighting a smaller battle elsewhere.” “Or been ambushed-” no sooner had Wallflower said this, that she suddenly popped out of existence. The other three inhabitants in the room simultaneously shot to their feet in alarm. “What the f-” Lightning began before she too, disappeared. “Sunset, what’s-” Fluttershy vanished last. Sunset was terrified, Wha- What’s happening? *////* The three taken girls reappeared in what appeared to be the school gym in the midst of a party. A banner reading ‘Welcome to Canterlot High, Ultraman Ginga’ hung above the DJ in colors matching the titular hero. “What?” Fluttershy said. It was then that the girls noticed that they were not the only ones there. The gym was absolutely filled with their fellow students in various stages of dress, apparently having been plucked from where ever they were beforehand. A monster suddenly danced onto the stage, startling everyone. “Hello, everybody!” Gango yelled cheerfully, wearing a pair of shades and holding a microphone. “Thanks for showing up to the ‘Welcome to Canterlot High, Ultraman Ginga’, Welcome Party’!” “Hm, a party and I was invited,” Wallflower remarked. It was a novel idea. She was often overlooked and never got an invitation. Well, now she was at a party but she wasn’t sure she wanted to attend. “Wait, I recognize that voice,” Fluttershy realized. “Pinkie Pie.” “That crazy monster is your crazy friend?” Lightning Dust gawked. “You know, guys! You all made me really sad when you didn’t come to the party, but now that you’re here, we can finally have a good time! So, come on, let’s dance!” The music dance and like puppets on strings the students danced but not of their own will. It freaked them out, and they began to cry in panic, but Pinkie Pie only heard cheers of joy. *////* “Fluttershy!? Wallflower!? Lightning!?” Sunset exclaimed when the girls suddenly disappeared. “Taro, what happened to them? They just disappeared!” Was this magic or something else? “It would appeared they were teleported away,” Taro concluded. “Is it the Dark Giant or one of the Dark Spark users?” Sunset asked. “The latter. We need to rescue them,” Taro said. “But where do we start looking?” Sunset asked. *////* Fluttershy did not like this, she did not like this at all. Being forced to danced as Pinkie Pie wore the skin of the monster was a terrible thing. Her feet were beginning to ache and she was exhausted already. Meanwhile, Pinkie Pie was oblivious to her ‘guest’s’ terror. All she cared about was having her party, but the guest of honor had yet to arrive. “Hey, I planned this party for Ginga! Where is he?” Fluttershy heard and quickly got an idea. She danced her way toward Gango. “Pinkie, you really want Ginga to come?” Fluttershy asked. “Yeah, I set this party all for him!” Pinkie Pie whined. “I can call him for you,” Fluttershy said. “Really? You can? Really, really?” “Yes, I can. I just need to get my phone.” “OK! Call Ginga over!” Fluttershy was given control of her body back and she took out her smartphone. She sent a quick text to Sunset Shimmer: *////* Sunset Shimmer took out her phone. “It’s from Fluttershy!” ‘S.O.S.CHS. Pinkie’s a Monster.’ “Of course, it has to be in CHS,” Sunset frowned. That should have been the first place she looked. “C’mon, Taro!” *////* Sunset arrived at the school and could hear loud music coming from the gym, like there was a party inside. She went toward it when she was suddenly flung back by some kind of invisible barrier. “It’s a forcefield!” Taro yelled. “Now, you tell me,” Sunset groaned as she got back to her feet. “Everyone’s trapped in there. We need to get them out. But this forcefield’s going to be a pain for us to get through.” “Do you have any ideas?” “If I had my unicorn magic I could just rip a hole open in the barrier, but I don’t have the luxury,” Sunset grumbled. That was the limitation of her human body; she did not have her magic which would’ve made this easier. “Perhaps instead of getting inside, we bring the little party outside,” Taro suggested. “You mean transform?” Sunset asked, “Nice idea but as long as Pinkie and the rest of the school is in there I would do more harm than good. Wait, I just got an idea.” She pulled out her phone and shot a text to Fluttershy. *////* “‘I’m outside, but Pinkie has made a forcefield to keep me out. I need you to piss her off so she comes out to where we can fight’,” Fluttershy read out loud. “I don’t like this,” Wallflower said, “Making her angry is more likely to just make her more dangerous.” “But Sunset can’t come in here. So we need some way to get Pinkie Pie outside.” said Fluttershy. Lightning Dust grinned, an idea popping in her mind. “HEY, PINKIE PIE! ANON-A-MISS IS OUTSIDE AND WANTS TO RUIN THE PARTY!” Lightning Dust yelled at the top of her lungs. “Oh that’s not a problem, it’s not like she can come in. I made sure of it,” Pinkie said, clearly bitter about the slumber party. “Crap, I thought for sure that would do it,” Lightning Dust said, sweating. “That won’t work, there is only one way to get under her skin,” Fluttershy said, she took a few calming breaths, then screamed out, “THIS PARTY IS BORING!” The entire room became deathly quiet, “What?” Wallflower catching onto what Fluttershy was doing added her voice, “This party is just ‘another Pinkie party’ completely identical to your other parties!” “What?” Pinkie repeated, with a slight growl.   “Yeah, your parties are all the same! Balloons, streamers, confetti and noise! Where is the difference!?” Lightning Dust joined in. “WHAT!?” Pinkie demanded. As Pinkie was distracted by Wallflower and Lightning Dust, Fluttershy went over to Rarity, Rainbow, and Applejack, “Spread the word, get Pinkie mad so Ginga can fight her.” “How could you know that?” Rainbow asked. “Just trust me, please,” Fluttershy pleaded. Rainbow stared at Fluttershy with suspicion, however, Pinkie still needed to be stopped, so she could only sigh, “Okay Flutters’ we’ll do it. One angry Pie, coming right up. Hey Pinkie…!” Pinkie Pie was swiftly overwhelmed by dissatisfied party goers. They were bored? At her party? UNACCEPTABLE! But she did not know what else to do, so she just stood on the stage stewing in growing anger. “Hey, Pinke,” Fluttershy spoke up one final time, “If you really want Ginga to show up, you should become a giant.” That did it. That was the cake that finally broke the Pinkie’s back, “FINE! IF A GIANT IS WHAT YOU WANT, A GIANT YOU’LL GET!” She then popped out of the gym and once she was outside she began to grow. *////* “Hey, Taro. How strong is your Ultra Psychokinesis?” Sunset asked. “Essentially, I can move objects,” Taro answered. “Could you, I dunno, rip a hole open in a forcefield?” Sunset asked. “Just big enough for me get in.” “That is not how Ultra Psychokinesis works. I cannot just rip apart a forcefield with it,” Taro said, offended by the question. “I can lift things, cause disorientation, and block projectiles. But for things like blocking prolonged energy attacks or breaking energy shields, it can’t do that.” “Okay, I’m sorry, it’s just, we need to get inside to save everyone.” “I understand, but trust in your friends. They can do this.” Then the pair’s wait was rewarded by the sudden appearance of Pinkie Pie’s Gango, now gigantic, and very angry. “Gango!? Sunset, be very careful, that monster is a wish-granter, anything Miss Pie wills is reflected on the world around it,” Taro warned. As if demonstrating her power, the CHS suddenly turned into a massive bouncy castle at the metallic clang of Gango’s hands. “Right, so it can do basically anything,” Sunset concluded. Sunset dug into her backpack and pulled out the Miclas’ Spark Doll. “Alright Miclas, you’re up!” She touched the Ginga Spark to the sole of the Spark Doll. “Hyah!” Sunset raised the Ginga Spark up as it began to shine, engulfing her in its bright light. ULTRA LIVE! MICLAS! *////* The screams of the students and faculty continued from inside of the bubble, further infuriating the now gigantic Gango Pinkie controlled. “WHY ARE YOU SCREAMING!? YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE LAUGHING! BOUNCY CASTLES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE FUN! SO HAVE FUN!” “That’s enough Pinkie,” a new voice declared, enraging her. Pinkie Pie saw Miclas, but the Dark Dummy Spark in her hand allowed her to see Sunset Shimmer within the monster. “SUNSET SHIMMER! HOW DARE YOU SHOW UP TO MY PARTY UNINVITED!” “Pinkie, look at what you’re doing! You’re scaring everybody! You can’t force people to have fun!” “YES I CAN! THIS MONSTER CAN DO ANYTHING I WISH!” “No it can’t! It can influence everything except people! That monster is not some ‘make people happy’ easy button! The longer you stay as that thing, the more likely you are to just kill someone!” “DON’T TELL ME WHAT I CAN OR CAN’T DO YOU PARTY CRASHER!” Pinkie let out in a final scream before charging at Sunset. Sunset moved Miclas out of the way causing Gango to run right past and trip, faceplanting on the ground and shaking the city. “Seriously, Pinkie! Stop this! I don’t wanna hurt you!” “TOO LATE, ANON-A-MISS!” Pinkie swiftly got back up and attempted another charge with Gango, but Miclas just dodged her friend’s wild tackle again, once more sending her to the ground. “Ouchie. NO FAIR! YOUR MONSTER IS FASTER THAN MINE!” Suddenly, Sunset felt sluggish, and Miclas began slowing down. “Oh crap.” Gango roared and charged at Miclas. Unable to dodge, Sunset Shimmer was forced to put up her guard. Catching Gango, Miclas began to wrestle and struggle with its opponent. Sunset managed to win the wrestling match and got Pinkie into an arm lock. “Pinkie! You aren’t violent! Please just give up!” “LET GO!” Once those words were said, an electric shock shot through Miclas, forcing Sunset to release Gango. Pinkie was upon Sunset in a blur, swinging Gango’s metal claws wildly at Miclas, dealing damage on every swing and forcing Sunset back onto the defensive. Finally, Sunset managed to catch Gango’s right arm and countered with a right overhand punch to Pinkie’s throat. “OW! STOP FIGHTING!” Pinkie screamed. The effect of those words on Miclas were immediate, and very effective. Miclas dropped all offence and defence and just stood still as Pinkie charged again. *////* “Why isn’t Sunset fighting back?” Lightning Dust asked, watching the fight from inside the bouncy castle that was once the gym. “Remember how Pinkie got us all here?” Wallflower said, “That monster grants anything she wants, so tell someone to dance, they dance. Tell someone to freeze, they freeze. Pinkie must have commanded Sunset to stop fighting.” “Then we need to distract her somehow. With someone as ADD as Pinkie it shouldn’t be too hard,” Lightning Dust said as, outside, Gango body slammed Miclas again. Fluttershy was terrified of everything that was happening. She knew the intent had been to anger Pinkie, but she did not think the party girl had quite this level of rage within her. Now Sunset was in trouble, and she could not do anything to help her. Another big hit shook the building, causing something to fall and drape over her head. When she threw it off in a panic, Fluttershy saw that it was the party banner. She was suddenly struck with inspiration. “PINKIE!  ULTRAMAN GINGA IS HERE!” *////* In an instant, Pinkie lost all of her rage. “GINGA!? WHERE!? WHERE!?” she screamed excitedly, looking around frantically. Sunset smiled, “Thanks, Fluttershy.” Looking at Pinkie Pie, Sunset could not help but just pity the poor girl. She was so desperate for a party, to help cheer everyone up, that she fell victim to the alien that was giving out Dark Dummy Sparks, regardless of the consequences. The pink girl just wanted people to be happy, and while Sunset was still unhappy about the way Pinkie Pie had treated her due to Anon-A-Miss, she did not want her to become this monster. Sunset Shimmer wanted to save her. The Mark of Courage glowed on the back of her hand, triggering the Ginga Spark as it opened and released Ginga’s Spark Doll. “Here we go, Ginga!” ULTRA LIVE! ULTRAMAN GINGA! Pinkie Pie was blinded by the bright light. When it died down, Miclas had disappeared and standing before Gango was none other than Ultraman Ginga. “Sunset...You’re Ginga...?” Pinkie Pie gaped. As if a spell was broken, Pinkie Pie’s will to fight seemed to fade away. Ginga was the one who saved them from the monsters, but Sunset was a huge meanie behind Anon-A-Miss, but Sunset was also trying to save everyone from her. It was making her dizzy. “Pinkie, I’ll explain everything later, but please trust me,” Sunset pleaded. Pinkie Pie had trusted Sunset, but she had betrayed them, or had she? Was Sunset really behind Anon-A-Miss? Fluttershy did not seem to think so. And Sunset was Ginga, a hero, a hero could not be the bad guy behind Anon-A-Miss. Pinkie Pie was mad at Sunset Shimmer but she adored Ultraman Ginga. It was so confusing, but then Pinkie Pie listened to her heart. It told her what she needed to do. “OK, Sunset. I trust you.” Sunset smiled as she accessed another one of Ginga’s techniques. It wasn’t exactly an attack, but it would finish this fight. The crystals on Ginga’s body glowed green as a soothing aura radiated from his body. The green aura projected a shiny soft ray of emerald sparkles that rained down on Gango. “Ginga Comfort.” Inside Gango, the Dark Dummy Spark in Pinkie Pie’s hand disintegrated. This caused Gango to shrink down into a ball of light. Ginga caught the light and opened his palm to see Pinkie Pie resting in his palm as the Gango Spark Doll flew up and entered Ginga’s Color Timer. “Pleasant dreams, Pinkie Pie.” The bouncing castle vanished, freeing all the trapped students. As Sunset watched the students and faculty slowly exit the gym, she smiled at their thankful looks and cheering, then lifted up into the sky. *////* “Where is she taking her?” Wallflower asked. “Probably back home, better to get their talk done as soon as possible,” Fluttershy suggested. “Speaking of, we should probably get back to Sunset’s place,” Lightning said. “Can Trixie come with?” The three girls turned around to see a shivering Trixie. “Trixie? What’s wrong?” Fluttershy asked. “Well, Trixie was just taken from her home, so she isn’t exactly feeling very safe right now,” the magician responded, shakily. Fluttershy was overcome with sympathy for the scared girl, and rushed over to hug her, “Oh Trixie, of course you can.” Lightning Dust gagged at the display, “Can we go now? I think I’m getting a cavity just looking at this.” The girls shared a laugh at that and made to leave the school, until the unmistakable voice of Rainbow Dash cut through the air, “FLUTTERSHY!” The four girls turned around to see the chromatic haired girl being held back by Rarity and Applejack, “I KNEW YOU WERE INVOLVED IN THIS SOMEHOW!” “Rainbow please, not now,” Fluttershy started. “NO, NOW! WHERE DID GINGA TAKE PINKIE!?  HOW IS SUNSET CONNECTED!? WHY WON’T YOU TALK TO US!?” Lightning Dust suddenly stepped between Rainbow and Fluttershy, and said in a deadly calm voice, “Rainbow. I get that you’re frustrated, but taking it out on Fluttershy isn’t going to help. If you really want to know what’s happening around here, talk to Sunset. Until you work up the balls to do that, stay out of this.” With that, Lightning walked back to the other three girls, and began their walk back to Sunset’s home, while Rainbow glared at their backs. Rainbow Dash swore, if Sunset was behind the recent monster attacks, then she would have to stop her. *////* In a nondescript section of Canterlot, Metron was not pleased, he had been so certain that the combination of Pinkie Pie and Gango would be a sure victory. But the girl had thrown the fight the instant Ultraman Ginga had entered the picture. Metron growled. “Oh my, how surprising. The happiest girl in that school, with an adoration of Ultraman Ginga, failed to perform when Ultraman Ginga appeared, hm hm hm,” there was that damn bat. “I do not need your smug preening Icarus.” “Do you not? Any idiot could see that your plan was doomed to fail, hm hm hm. You just chose a manic party girl instead of someone with true malice.” Metron growled, “That girl had every opportunity to end the fight, but instead, she decided to waste time with slapstick antics.” “Yes, because, evidently her driving motivation is laughter, hm hm hm. She likely thought it would be funny.” Icarus took out a tablet and then opened up the Anon-A-Miss MyStable page. He looked at all the older posts before he stopped at the ones that showed the Rainbooms at their slumber party. There were embarrassing photos and videos. Pinkie Pie was with them, as were the others. According to his investigation, these girls used to be friends with the girl who was now in possession of the Ginga Spark but Anon-A-Miss had caused a rift in their friendship. Metron was losing ground in the argument, then a thought popped into his head, “Say, Icarus, would you like to make a wager?” “Hm?” “Tomorrow, we will each select a user with reasons to want to fight and pit them against each other.” “Oh, a boxing match between users? Hm hm hm, sounds delightful. Very well Metron, I accept your challenge. Though, you do understand that Sunset Shimmer will not stand idle while it happens, correct?” “Of course, which is why it will be judged by endurance, the first monster to fall loses,” Metron challenged. Icarus sighed, “That sounds dull, but unavoidable. Very well, hm hm hm, tomorrow then.” He then faded from Metron’s sight. “Yes” Metron said, pulling out a tablet and bringing up the sleepover pictures, “Tomorrow.”