//------------------------------// // Trending Jealousy: Rarity vs Trenderhoof // Story: ULTRA LIVE! Sunset Shimmer // by Cojo5536 //------------------------------// Pinkie Pie had just woken up from a bad dream. In the dream she had turned into a monster and forced everybody to party. Then she ended up fighting Sunset who saved her. Only it had not been a dream. Sunset Shimmer and Ultraman Ginga were one and the same. The pink party girl was confused. When everyone thought Sunset was Anon-A-Miss, the big mean secret stealer, it just made sense. Sunset being Ultraman Giant, a giant superhero, did not. But Sunset was Ginga, so did that mean she could not be Anon-A-Miss. Pinkie Pie sat on Sunset’s couch as the girl made some tea for her and some guests that were due to arrive. “Ms. Pinkie Pie, you seem troubled.” Oh, and Pinkie Pie was introduced to Taro, an Ultraman stuck in the form of sentient Spark Doll. Speaking of which, Sunset had a collection of Spark Dolls arranged on her coffee table. “Taro, Sunset is not Anon-A-Miss, is she?” “Anon-A-Miss? Sunset has avoided the subject but Wallflower Blush has kept me abreast on the issue. Honestly, if Sunset Shimmer was Anon-A-Miss, then the Ginga Spark would not have bonded with her.” The Ginga Spark needed to bond with a good person. It had bonded with Sunset Shimmer. Anon-A-Miss was bad. Sunset was not Anon-A-Miss. Pinkie Pie owed her an apology and her thanks, but most of all an apology. The doorbell rang. That must be the others. Sunset walked over and opened the door, “Welcome back everyone, wait, Trixie? I thought that you went home.” “Yeah, well, with monsters showing up and kidnapping people, Trixie would rather be safe in Ginga’s home,” the platinum blonde replied. “Well, come on in. I made some tea.” Once all the residents of the room were settled, they finally turned their attention to Pinkie Pie. “So, Pinkie. I know it’s a bit soon to be asking questions, but do you have anything you can tell us about Icarus?” Sunset asked. However, rather than recognition of the name, Pinkie seemed confused, “Icarus?” The others hesitated, then Lightning Dust said, “You know, the alien that gave you the Dark Dummy Spark?” “No, the guy said his name was Metron,” Pinkie replied. “Alien Metron is at large as well!?” Taro exclaimed “Wait, so there are two aliens running around out there?” Trixie clarified. “That’s what it sounds like,” Wallflower said. Pinkie had gone strangely quiet, “Wait, that guy was an alien?” That got the attention of everyone in the room. “What? You mean you didn’t know?” Sunset asked the party girl. “Hey, just what are you insinuating?” “Nothing, nothing. It’s just that, out of anyone I would’ve thought you would be the one to spot an alien. Especially an evil one.” “Oh,” Pinkie said, becoming downcast, “Well, ever since Anon-A-Miss started, I’ve been losing my Pinkieness. So if that guy was evil, I wouldn’t be able to tell. I guess we know why now.” Sunset frowned thoughtfully. While these aliens and the Dark Giant were a threat, Anon-A-Miss could not be ignored. Left unchecked, Anon-A-Miss could get worse. Already, the tension in CHS was growing with friends turning on each other and people pointing fingers at her. At least she was no longer dealing with it alone as she had Wallflower, Taro, Fluttershy and now Pinkie. Even Lightning Dust and Trixie were onboard, but only because she had saved them from themselves. They needed to deal with the aliens, but they needed to find out who Anon-A-Miss was, expose them, and put a stop to their ways for good. Then they could focus on dealing with the Dark Giant and his minions unimpeded. She was suddenly brought out of her thoughts by Pinkie Pie, who seemed to have realized something. “Hey girls, I know you had to say those things to allow Sunset to beat the monster, but tell me the truth. Are my parties, really samey?” The other girls got uncomfortable at the question, knowing how easy it was to hurt the pink girl, but they could not lie to Pinkie now, after what happened, “Yes.” The partier’s hair went completely flat, “But why did no one tell me?” “Because Pinkie, you are emotionally fragile, and we didn’t want to upset you,” Fluttershy said. “But how? I put so much effort into making them unique.” “Pinkie,” Sunset said, forcing the usually energetic girl to stop and listen, “I know this will be weird, someone else telling you how to hold a party, but here it goes. You like to talk, that much is obvious, but you don’t have a lot of patience for the part of a conversation where you need to stop and listen. Remember when you saw that one guy that you could tell was sad, and you threw a party for, only to find out that his Grandmother had recently passed away? What did he say?” “He said that it felt like I was celebrating her death.” “Right, well if you had just asked what was wrong to begin with, that would never have happened, and that’s the sort of thing you do, constantly. You throw these massive parties together, but because you never ask what makes someone happy to begin with, it just comes out as generic and impersonal. Like a party designed by committee. That’s not even getting into your habit of blurting out secrets when you lose track of your mouth. I don’t tell you this out of malice, I’m telling you this, because it’s that kind of ‘talk first, ask questions never’ attitude that allowed you to fall for Anon-A-Miss in the first place.”   Pinkie Pie wilted. Sunset Shimmer was right. Because they did not want to listen to Sunset’s side of the story, they turned her backs on her. Sunset was just lucky she found other people who believed in her. Princess Twilight said Pinkie Pie was the Element of Laughter. How could she leave someone alone to be sad. “Sunset. I am so sorry.” “Don’t be sorry, be better. Learn how to stop and listen before speaking. Don’t assume anything if information isn’t there to back it. And lastly, learn how to ask what’s wrong before throwing a party,” Sunset said with a cheeky smile. Pinkie, for the first time since she woke up, smiled, and offered a small salute. The moment was interrupted by Lightning Dust clearing her throat. “You know, not that this isn’t nice and all, but Anon-A-Miss is still giving the aliens a monster factory at our school.” Sunset sighed, “Alright, let’s look at Anon-A-Miss. Maybe we can find some clues” She opened up the Anon-A-Miss MyStable profile on her phone and the girls all crowded around to look at the screen. There were a lot more posts now, and there were a lot more people following the page. There were all sorts of upsetting secrets, but they were not looking at those. First, was the profile image. It had Sunset’s silhouette and in her colors. Now that was a clue. “If you think about it, seems pretty blatant,” Trixie said. “I mean, back when Sunset Shimmer was menacing everyone, she never really had any evidence pointed to her. There were rumors, but nothing ever concrete to point any fingers to her. Anon-A-Miss seems designed to make Sunset look guilty.” “So, it’s a frame-up,” Lightning Dust said. “And we fell for it.” She was pissed. Nobody made a fool out of her. “But who did it?” Fluttershy asked. “OK, so the first post from Anon-A-Miss was about Applejack’s childhood nickname,” Sunset started. “‘Piggly Wiggly’,” Trixie snorted, amused by the nickname but she quickly apologized. “Sorry. Continue.” “We only found out because Apple Bloom called Applejack that,” Pinkie Pie recalled. “Then Applejack told us why.” “So, only Applejack’s family, myself, and our friends at the time knew before Anon-A-Miss posted about it,” Sunset concluded. “Ain’t looking so good for you, Shimmer,” Lightning remarked. “Actually, it does provide possible suspects,” Taro interjected. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy gasped. “You don’t think one of us did it, do you?” Fluttershy asked. “Sunset Shimmer ruled the school and drove you girls apart,” Wallflower reminded. “That’s motive.” “But we forgave her!” Pinkie Pie protested. “Maybe, but people don’t forget,” Wallflower countered. “Maybe one of you wanted to get back at Sunset and came up with the idea after hearing Applejack’s nickname. They took their chance when they could and even made the profile look like Sunset Shimmer.” Sunset Shimmer sighed. Someone held a grudge and resented her. Just because she saved everyone from the Sirens, that did not mean they easily forgot her past self. There would always be people who thought she was just pretending to be good and wanted to make everyone believe she had not changed. “OK, so the next post,” Sunset Shimmer scrolled back to the slumber party pictures and videos. They had fun, but it also looked embarrassing. No wonder the girls got upset. With everyone laughing at them, and with the images coming from Sunset’s phone, it did make her seem guilty. “These were taken from my phone.” “Again, evidence against you,” Taro said. “But that just proves you had them, doesn’t mean you posted. So it’s circumstantial.” “You know,” Sunset looked to Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, “When I drove you guys apart, I did it by stealing your phones and sending texts from them. I even got your e-mail passwords and sent messages to you girls to do it. Anon-A-Miss seems to be using my old M.O.” “So, someone stole your phone, took the pics from it, then put it back,” Lightning Dust concluded. “Seems like it.” She really should lock her phone with a password to prevent future theft. “And besides you girls, who else was in the house?” Wallflower asked, trying to widen the net for suspects. “Well,we were at Rarity’s, so her parents and her little sister.” Sunset recalled. “What are you saying?” Fluttershy asked, worried. “Anon-A-Miss was there and she stole your phone,” Wallflower concluded. “And if you don’t think it was one of the Rainbooms, that could mean one thing.” “Sweetie Belle,” Pinkie Pie concluded. “Rarity’s own little sister,” Fluttershy added. “Well, even if she was Anon-A-Miss, I don’t think Rarity’s going to believe us or listen to us,” Sunset Shimmer said. “We only got a suspect, no proof. Still doesn’t explain how she got Applejack’s nickname.” “Unless Applebloom told her,” Fluttershy suggested. “They are friends, after all.” “Would Applebloom and Sweetie Belle even be part of this?” Pinkie Pie questioned. “I mean, hurting their sisters’ feelings just seems wrong.” “Unless they don’t think they’ll get caught,” Lightning Dust said. She cracked her knuckles. “Lemme talk to them. I can get the answers for ya.” “Let’s not resort to violence, Lightning,” Sunset talked the athlete down. She was mad, definitely, but beating up a bunch of little kids was not something she condoned. “Think we should tell AJ and Rares?” Pinkie asked. “Think they’ll listen?” Sunset countered. Pinkie sighed, “No.” “Didn’t think so.” Those three could be prideful, egotistical, and boneheaded to a stubborn degree. They would need concrete proof to be convinced of Sunset’s innocence. “So, keep an eye on the brats?” Lightning Dust suggested. “I could do that.” “Do it, but try not to be obvious,” Sunset said, “I think we’ve done about everything we can do today, how about we all turn in for the night?” At the sound of a chorus of agreements, the ‘Ginga Gang’ chose their preferred sleeping locations and drifted off to dreamland. *////* The next morning, the group were walking to school, talking about various topics. “So, Sunset, if you’re Ultraman Ginga, why didn’t you show up to the party until I became a giant monster?” Pinkie asked. Sunset sighed, “Pinkie, being an Ultra isn’t just throwing on a costume and then becoming a giant. There are rules that restrict them, that make turning into him just to attend a party dangerous, and impractical. For one, being that big requires energy, as Taro explained before I fought Lightning Dust, on this planet, an Ultra’s energy is limited to three minutes. If I became Ultraman Ginga for the party, I would likely not have enough power to fight the next threat that came along. That’s not even getting into what happens when I time out.” “What happens then?” Pinkie hesitantly asked. “Ginga loses all ability to move, fight, or even change back. I would be trapped inside him, unable to escape without some kind of recharge. Does that sound like something anyone wants to see happen at a party in his honor?” Sunset asked with deathly seriousness. “Yikes, point taken,” Pinkie said, making a mental note to get one of the guys into a costume for any future parties. There was a brief, awkward silence as the group dwelled on the nightmarish scenario, until Pinkie spoke up again, “What’s it like being Ginga?” Sunset paused to think about it. Whenever she Lived into a monster, it was like she was in the driver’s seat and piloting the monster like it was some kind of robot. However, when it came to Ginga, it was different. “It’s like I’m being merged with something great and I’m not fighting alone. It’s like he’s there with me, guiding me,” Sunset confessed. “Oooooo, sounds neat,” Pinkie said. “It is. I admit, I wasn’t too keen when I first found the Ginga Spark and met Taro-” “Wait, is that why you ran screaming from Mrs. Harshwhinny’s class a few days ago?” Lightning Dust interrupted, eliciting laughs from everyone except Sunset, who stared unamused at the yellow-haired girl. “... Yes. Anyway, now, I think that finding the Ginga Spark is the best thing that… ever… happened… What?” Sunset trailed off as the group approached the school, finding a massive crowd standing in front of the main entrance. “What’s going on? Did the real Anon-A-Miss come clean?” Trixie suggested, confused. “With this many people? Not likely,” Wallflower said. “Wallflower, think you can get in there and overhear what’s going on?” Sunset asked. “What? Why me?” “Think of it as being our scout and spymaster; you’re better at not being noticed,” Sunset explained. Wallflower frowned. While she hated being overlooked and being easily forgotten, it did come in handy whenever she needed to find something out unnoticed. She was so unnoticeable that nobody even knew she was present until she spoke up, only to be forgotten soon after. They even forgot her name not five minutes after she told it to them.  It did annoy her when classmates who she’d known since elementary school and middle school forgot she even existed, but now was not the time to complain. Sunset acknowledged her talent, so she was going to put it to good use. “Okay, I’ll do it,” she said. “It’s okay, Wally, I’ll throw you a party after school,” Pinkie said, before remembering what she and Sunset talked about, “To your specifications, of course.” “Just buy me a desert at Sugarcube Corner later and we’re good,” Wallflower smiled. She walked into the crowd and began listening. “Can you believe he’s coming here?” one girl squealed. He? Wallflower noted, Who is coming here? “I heard that it has something to do with Ultraman Ginga,” another girl said. Hm, a fan maybe? But this still doesn’t tell us anything, Wallflower thought. “Oh yeah, wasn’t Rarity working on something before Anon-A-Miss started?” yet another girl said. So, someone connected to Rarity and the fashion industry, Wallflower concluded. “Yeah, Rarity is absolutely convinced she could marry Trenderhoof. Ha, fat chance, that gold-digging hussy,” another girl spitefully said. Okay, I think that’s enough for us to work with, Wallflower thought, and returned to her friends. Sunset noticed Wallflower approaching and asked, “So, what’d you find out?” “Well, it seems that there’s a celebrity coming to school,” Wallflower said, “Some guy named Trenderhoof.” “Huh? Wait, HE’S ACTUALLY SHOWING UP!?” Sunset exclaimed in shock. The other girls turned to Sunset with raised eyebrows. “You knew about this?” Lightning Dust asked. “NO! I mean Rarity had been going on about him before Anon-A-Miss started, but I didn’t think he would actually show up,” Sunset said. “Wow, he really could not have picked a worse time, could he?” Pinkie snarked. “He must have already been on his way to Canterlot since before the monsters appeared,” Trixie said, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. “And now he’s interested in seeing Ginga in person.” She turned to smile slyly at Sunset. “Oh, I hope nothing happens while he’s here,” Fluttershy fretted. “Hang on, I thought-,” Wallflower started, but Pinkie cut her off. “Just because we’re not on speaking terms, doesn’t mean we want Rarity to fail, Wally.” “Pinkie’s right Wallflower, we still want the best for her, even if right now, she wouldn’t say the same for me,” Sunset said, “Unfortunately, I feel like this is going to be a disaster.” “Geez, ominous,” Lightning Dust said sarcastically, “Come on Sunset, not everyday is going to need Ultraman.” Sunset sighed, “I guess. Let’s get out of here before we’re noticed.” Her crew nodded, and with that, they removed themselves from the proceedings. *////* Trenderhoof stepped out of his limousine to the raucous cries of his adoring fans. He had made it, he had reached Canterlot, and could begin what he had come here to do. Sure the cover story was that he was there to look into the designs of one ‘Rarity Belle,’ but his true purpose for being there, was to find someone. A red and gold haired goddess of a woman, that had appeared as the model in one of the pictures of Rarity’s line of clothing. That image had set his heart aflame, and he knew then, that he had to meet this girl, but first he had to find her. This Rarity woman has worked with her in the past, so she must know who she is, therefore, his first stop was to meet with the fashionista. *////* All over MyStable and Haytube were images and videos of the mysterious silver giant Ultraman Ginga. He had become an overnight viral sensation since his first sighting. Videos of his first battle at CHS had been posted thousands of times, each with an action-packed soundtrack. During Home Economics, Pinkie Pie decided to bake a cake in honor of Ultraman Ginga. It just looked too beautiful to eat, yet it was also too delicious not to eat. However, memories of the previous night began playing through her head, and she found herself unable to bring herself to eat it. Noticing this, Applejack spoke up, “Hey, Pinkie? You okay?” As though waking up, Pinkie flinched, “Wha-huh? Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” Applejack stared at her blankly, “Ultraman Ginga flew off with ya after the big fella turned ya back to normal. What happened to ya?” Pinkie Pie needed to come up with a believable lie. Thankfully, one of her greatest skills was making stuff up on the spot. She just needed to add in a dash of truth. “Well, Ginga put me down near where I lived and I went home,” Pinkie Pie answered. “I really needed a rest after what happened. I’m just glad nobody’s mad at me for turning into a party monster and forcing them all to party.” “Well, you were possessed by that thing you turned into,” Applejack reasoned. Pinkie Pie did not mention the Ginga Gang, especially Sunset. She knew Applejack was too stubborn to listen to anybody that Sunset was not Anon-A-Miss without proof. “How’s Rainbow Dash? I need to apologize to her,” said Pinkie Pie. “I’d wait til she simmers down. She’s been on the warpath since yesterday and thinks Sunset’s got something to do with these weird monster attacks,” Applejack answered. “Do you think she is?” “I may not like the girl right now, but I doubt she’s capable of making monsters, even with magic. Just wondering, though, how did you turn into a monster?” “Some guy named Metron gave me something after nobody came to my party,” Pinkie Pie answered. “Metron, huh? Weird name.” “Yeah, but he seemed so nice. Didn’t realize he was a bad guy. Listen, if he or some other guy called Icarus comes to you, please don’t listen to them,” Pinkie Pie warned her friend. “They might turn you into a monster too.” It was not often that Pinkie Pie became serious, but whoever these guys were, they were clearly dangerous enough to warrant it. Knowing how grave the danger must be, Applejack could only say, “Okay.” “And tell Rainbow Dash too.” “You can tell her later at lunch.” “Can’t. I’m having lunch with Fluttershy and Sunset.” Applejack instantly soured at the mention of Sunset Shimmer and wanted to yell at Pinkie Pie for siding with the traitor, but she would be causing the scene. It seemed, for whatever reason, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie no longer believed Sunset was behind Anon-A-Miss. In fact, Sunset seemed to be spending more time with Trixie, Lighting Dust, and some girl in a striped sweater whose name escaped Applejack right now. Choking in her disbelief, she could only ask: “Why?” “Coz I wanted to.” “No, why do you think Sunset ain’t Anon-A-Miss?” “Coz the old Sunset when she was bad was way more subtle, don’t you think?” “But it’s gotta be her.” “Like it was ‘Rainbow Dash’ who texted you about bringing the soccer team to your bake sale. Just like it was ‘you’ who texted her back that the bake sale was cancelled.” “That was Sunset-!” “Exactly. Sunset was smart enough to make you both think you lied to each other. Anon-A-Miss just makes it looks like Sunset’s doing it all. That’s not her style. Believe it or not, just think about it, AJ, unless you don’t care that you’ll lose your friends again.” As the bell for the next class rang out, Applejack could only stew in what she had just been told as Pinkie went and left the room. *////* The Ginga Gang sat at their lunch table. As Lightning Dust was sitting with them, nobody had the nerve to harass Sunset to risk provoking the athlete’s wrath. Nearby, at another table, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Applejack could not believe it when they saw Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie sit with ‘Anon-A-Miss’. The Rainbooms had literally been split in two now. What made the situation unbearable was that none of them could convince Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie that they were being manipulated by Sunset. The two pink-haired girls were convinced that Sunset was innocent. Meanwhile, after failing to find the girl he was looking for anywhere else in the school, Trenderhoof decided to simply wait for the lunch break to begin. Now he was in the cafeteria, and he could finally bring his search to an end. Fortunately, Rarity would also be here to ask for directions, and indeed, upon seeing him, she approached with confidence. “Mr. Trenderhoof!” Rarity squealed. “Yes, yes, I know. Thank you.” He had heard this all before from all his fans. “Can you please direct me to the girl in this picture?” He pulled out his phone and pulled up the photograph of Sunset in question. “What? Why?” “Oh, nevermind. I see her now. Later, dear.” As the man strode away from Rarity, her jaw just dropped as she was so swiftly rebuffed by the man of her dreams. As her shock gave way to anger began growing, an unnoticed man in a red vest observed the event with an evil intent. *////* “Oh crap,” Lightning Dust suddenly cut off the current conversation, “Don’t panic girls, but Rarity’s crush is coming over here.” “What?” Sunset asked, turning to see who Lightning was referring to, only to find Trenderhoof approaching her. He stopped in front of her and just stared, open mouthed at her. “Uhm… Can I help you?” “You are even more beautiful in person,” Trenderhoof blurted out, startling Sunset. “Excuse me?” Sunset asked, confused. “Oh! My apologies, my name is Trenderhoof.” “I’m Sunset Shimmer. I know who you are, Rarity could never stop talking about you,” she then raised an eyebrow, “What do you mean, ‘in person?” “Well, I’ve seen you on HayTube. That performance you did during the Battle of the Bands, I saw how bright you shone. That was amazing special effects, by the way,” Trenderhoof explained. “Since then, I’ve always wanted to meet you, but never got the chance until now because of my busy schedule.” “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Trenderhoof,” Sunset smiled, relieved that he believed the events of the Battle of the Bands were done with visual effects. It did mean she did not need to cover up any magical events. “I was hoping, if you were free later, that we could have dinner together.” “He’s asking you out on a date,” Pinkie Pie whispered excitedly to Sunset. “Really? I hadn’t noticed,” Sunset whispered sarcastically back, “Look, Trenderhoof-” “Please, call me ‘Trend’.” “Okay, Trend? It’s sweet that you’re interested, but with everything going on here, I’m just not in the market for a boyfriend right now.” Trenderhoof’s eyes widened in slight panic, “Well, perhaps not as lovers, but as friends until you’re comfortable around me?” “No, I mean I’m not looking to date, period. Like have you seen the kind of other stuff that’s been happening here? I’m not sure anything even vaguely romantic is the best idea right now.” Trenderhoof was crushed. Here he was, after all this time, and the girl of his dreams did not return his affections, “Okay, I understand. I’ll just, get out of your hair then.” He turned away and began walking off. “That was brutal, Shimmer,” Lightning Dust remarked. “Really? I mean, I was just trying to be nice and shoot him down gently. I’m really not really looking to date anybody,” Sunset replied. Honestly, with Anon-A-Miss, the monsters, and her responsibility as Ginga, dating just didn’t seem to factor in her life anymore. “But he was so nice and handsome,” Pinkie Pie pouted. “I’d ship you two.” Wallflower looked thoughtful. “Sunset, are you sure rejecting him like that was a good idea?” she asked. “Did I do something bad?” Sunset returned. “All I’m saying, with the Dark Giant’s agents giving out Dark Dummy Sparks, anyone who’s had a bad day could be a candidate,” Wallflower answered. “Oh, you mean like how Hawk Moth turns people into Akuma?” Pinkie Pie asked. Everyone looked at her, puzzled. “What, have you girls never watched ‘Miraculous’?” “I’m sure he’s fine. I mean, he looks disappointed, but I’m sure he’ll bounce back,” Sunset said, dismissing Wallflower’s worries. *////* “Rarity, where are you off to in a hurry?” Applejack asked. “I just need to powder my nose, darling. Excuse me.” Rarity hurried out of the cafeteria. Avoiding everybody else in the hallway, she entered the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her. Rarity was livid as she glared at her own reflection in the mirror above one of the sinks. First, Sunset Shimmer stole her place at the Spring Fling, then she tore apart her friendships, then she made Anon-A-Miss, and now Sunset Shimmer was trying to steal her Trenderhoof? She even had the audacity to reject him, that bitch! Did she think she was too good for him? In her rage, she never noticed the bathroom door open. *////* In the hallway, Trenderhoof had collapsed against the lockers in a barely composed mess. What was he to do now? If Sunset Shimmer would not be his, what was left for him? “Hm hm hm, never assume that something that happens, isn’t something you can blame on someone else,” a voice suddenly laughed. Trenderhoof snapped his head up to find a big eared, small eyed man looking down at him, with a vile grin. “I’m sorry, who are you, sir. You seem a bit old to be a student.” “You are right, hm hm hm. I am Icarus and I am a teacher here. Now would you like to know the truth about your rejection?” Trenderhoof’s eyes widened in an instant, and he shot to his feet, “What!? You mean that there is skullduggery behind this!?” Icarus’ grin widened, “Hm hm hm, indeed. The girl Rarity, has been desiring you for some time. As such, she has filled Shimmer’s ear with talk of how horrible a person you are, to insure that you would be all hers.” “THAT WICKED HARLOT! I WILL SEE HER RUINED FOR THIS!” “Hm hm, that is just what I wanted to hear! Now here,” Icarus said, holding out a black, rabbit-eared toy and purple dagger, “You will need these.” In blind fury, Trenderhoof grabbed the objects as the dark aura engulfed him. Icarus backed up as he began fading away. “I have a wager to win.” *////* The ground suddenly shook, like an earthquake, causing alarm throughout the school. “Oh come ON!” Sunset yelled in frustration, and ran outside with her friends following her. There, on the campus grounds, was a four legged, gold skinned reptile. Taro, popping out of Wallflower’s bag, did not seem impressed, “... Goldon?” “What’s with that tone?” Wallflower asked. “Goldon is an absolutely pathetic monster. It has no ranged weapons, and it's only special ability is that it can consume gold. That, and burrowing.  You might not have a lot of trouble this one as long as you aim for the neck,” Taro explained. “So, that’s it weak spot?” Sunset could work with that. Suddenly, another tremor shook the school, as a tower of darkness formed opposite the golden burrower, becoming a bipedal, upright, black creature with long rabbit-like ears. “Grief Monster Hoe!” Taro gasped. “‘Hoe’? That monster’s name is ‘Hoe’?” Lightning Dust tried not to laugh at the ridiculous name. “What’s so funny?” Taro asked. “‘Hoe’s’ another word for ‘whore’,” Wallflower responded, blushing. “Oh,” Taro said, simply. As the Ginga Gang looked at the two monsters, a tension between them became apparent. “Wait, are they going to fight each other?” Lightning Dust asked. No sooner had she said that, the monsters charged at one another and began wrestling. “Not good,” Sunset took out the Ginga Spark but then Fluttershy grabbed her arm. “Sunset, are you sure you’ll be able to handle this? It’s two monsters,” Fluttershy said worriedly. “I’ve gotta do this, Shy. There’s nobody else who can,” said Sunset. “Taro, which monster should I use for this?” “I suggest Lunaticks. As a choju, it’s currently one of your most powerful monsters,” Taro recommended. “You’ll need its firepower against these foes. Prioritize Hoe first, that monster is the bigger threat.” “Do your best, Sunset,” Trixie encouraged as Sunset dug out her monster’s Spark Doll from her backpack. The redhead ran behind a nearby corner of the building so she would not be seen. ULTRA LIVE! LUNATICKS! *////* On a rooftop overlooking the battle, two aliens watched the ensuing mayhem. “Really Metron. Goldon? That’s the best you could do?” Icarus was not impressed. “Do not write me off yet you wretched bat, Sunset has yet to enter the battle,” Metron reminded. Then a light shone over the battlefield, “Speak of the Ultra.” *////* When Sunset entered the fray she could hear the users inside the monsters. “HEART-BREAKING BASTARD!” “EVIL, CONNIVING BITCH!” “Rarity!? Trenderhoof!?” Sunset screamed in disbelief. The two monsters stopped fighting instantly and turned to face the newcomer. Trenderhoof froze in joy and reached Hoe’s arms out towards Lunaticks, “Sunset, my love, you came! Now we can defeat this gold digging whore together.” Sunset’s shock immediately gave way to anger, “DON’T YOU TALK ABOUT RARITY LIKE THAT!” She then launched an eyeball at Trenderhoof, knocking Hoe down. With her attention on Trenderhoof, Sunset failed to notice Rarity rushing up to her. Goldon leapt upon Lunaticks and bit down on her arm. “Ow! Rarity, what are you doing!?” “YOU STOLE MY CHANCE FROM ME!” The fashionista shrieked with rage. Sunset tried to shake Goldon off when a blue beam of energy knocked the reptilian monster away. “My love! Your prince has come to your rescue!” Angered by the interference and proclamation, Rarity screamed. Her Dark Dummy Spark flashed as ot syphoned her magic. “TAKE THIS!” Goldon roared and fired a beam of diamond dust from its mouth. The sharp shards sliced into Lunaticks and Hoe who both howled in pain. Some of the diamond dust got in their eyes, blinding them. “Hey, Taro! You said Goldon was useless!” Lightning yellec. “I don’t understand! Goldon never displayed such abilities before!” Taro cried. “Rarity must be using her magic!” Pinkie Pie correctly guessed. Goldon roared and tackled Lunaticks and began stomping on it. Hoe recovered and kicked Goldon away. The two then engaged in a fight in the city. People screamed as they fled for their lives as the two monsters began to crush buildings underfoot. “Sunset, you need to stop them!” Wallflower shouted as the brawling monsters were destroying Canterlot. Sunset’s eyes narrowed as she gripped the Ginga Spark tightly. Determined to stop the two monsters, the Mark of Courage appeared on her hand. The Ginga Spark opened, releasing Ginga’s Spark Doll. “Here we go, Ginga!” “ULTRA LIVE! ULTRAMAN GINGA!” Ginga emerged from a pillar of bright light, replacing Lunaticks. “YOU’RE GINGA!” Rarity shouted in rage before firing a diamond dust beam with Goldon. Quickly, Ginga produced an energy barrier which protected him from the assault. He approached Goldon while blocking the beam. “Sorry about this, Rarity!” Sunset apologized and she had Ginga kick Goldon in the head, multiple times, knocking the monster down and hopefully out. “My sweet Sunset. Those crystals look beautiful on you,” Trenderhoof praised. “Not interested! Ginga Thunderbolt!” Sunset launched the lightning attack at Hoe but they passed through the monster’s body. “Huh?” “Be careful, Sunset. Hoe is immune to projectile attacks,” Taro warned. “Now you tell me. OK, so no Ginga Cross Shoot then,” Sunset frowned. “I know.” Hoe rushed at Ginga and the two grappled. “You tried to attack me! How could you!?” Tears fell from Hoe’s eyes and dripped onto Ginga. There was a sizzle as the liquid made contact with the Ultra’s body. “Acid Tears!” Sunset yelled as she felt the burning sensation too. She had Ginga break away from Hoe and then land an uppercut that knocked it back before landing a kick to its midsection, sending the monster reeling back. “Ginga Saber!” Ginga’s crystals glowed white as he conjured a blade of pure light on his right arm. Turning his attention back to Hoe, he went for the kill. Hoe quickly ducked and then retaliated with a headbutt, knocking the Ultra back. Thinking quickly, Trenderhoof had Hoe produced a fog which was produced from the holes in its neck. The black fog covered the area in seconds, hiding the monster from Ginga’s site “Crap!” Sunset cursed and then let out a yell as something heavy slammed into Ginga. It was either Hoe or Goldon had gotten back up. Ginga swung his blade but missed Hoe before taking another hit from his blindside. “I can’t see him! How can I beat him if I can’t see him?” She got an idea. “Of course!” Ginga spread his arms to the side and began to spin, rotating faster and faster until he was a spinning blur, blowing the fog away with immense centrifugal force. The  fog was blown away, exposing Hoe. “Wait, Sunset! Let’s talk about this!” “No!” Ginga leaped at Hoe and slashed him with the Ginga Saber. “Ginga Saber Slash!” The blade of light sliced through Hoe and it collapsed before exploding. “Good,” Sunset then heard the Color Timer beep as it began to flash red around her. “Running out of time here.” “Sunset, watch out!” Taro yelled right before Goldon slammed into Ginga. The gold-eating monster got on top of the Ultra and began stomping on him with its feet. “YOU’VE RUINED EVERYTHING! THAT’S ALL YOU DO! THAT’S ALL YOU EVER DO!” “Rarity, listen to me! This isn’t you! Please, stop!” Sunset pleaded, but her pleas reached only deaf ears as Rarity wanted to pummel her to dust. “OK, then tough love it is!” The crystals on Ginga’s body glowed purple as the crystal on his forehead glowed the brightest. “Ginga Slash!” Ginga released sharp light blades from his forehead which exploded on contact, knocking Goldon back and driving the monster off Ginga. Once he got some breathing room, Ginga stood back up to face Goldon. “This is for your own good, Rarity! Ginga Cross Shoot!” Ginga fired his signature beam attack which destroyed Goldon as the monster erupted into a huge fireball.“ *////* After Sunset had changed back, her group rushed into the city to find Rarity. She was eventually discovered in the ruins of one of the many buildings that had been stomped on. Sunset ran over to the unconscious girl and gingerly lifted up her head, “Rarity? RARITY!? Please! Wake up!” Thankfully, Rarity’s eyes slowly opened as she drunkenly looked around at the girls surrounding her. Suddenly she realized who was holding her, and weakly demanded, “Get your filthy hands off me.” Sunset flinched, “What?” “I said, ‘get off!” Rarity weakly yelled, pushing Sunset away. “Hey! She just saved you!” Lightning Dust said, indignant. “She took everything from me! My dignity, my dream man, my friends, EVERY-!” Rarity began ranting while shakily standing up, but was cut off when Taro flew in front of her face. “NOW YOU LISTEN HERE YOU UNGRATEFUL WITCH! IF SUNSET DID ANYTHING YOU ACCUSE HER OF DOING, SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BECOME ULTRAMAN GINGA!” That shook Rarity’s conviction severely, but she was unwilling to lose  the argument, “But-” “Rarity,” Sunset interrupted, “Even before you guys zapped me with the Magic of Friendship, I didn’t have anything. Sure, I had power, followers, but nobody I truly cared about. I did not have any friends or warmth or anybody I trusted. But when you girls accepted me, I realized what I was missing all along. Tell me, would  I really throw away something so precious just to humiliate you girls? Would I really throw away the people who call me family?” “But you drove us apart,” Rarity reminded. “It was Twilight who brought us back together.” “Did Sunset hold us down and force us to not talk to each other? No, that was us. All Sunset did was give us a nudge,” Fluttershy countered. “Everything that happened after we were driven apart was a result of us not talking again.” Rarity was at a loss for words. Fluttershy was right, “But what about Trenderhoof?” Pinkie facepalmed, “Rarity? Do you really think that Sunset meant to take him from you? It just sort of happened.” “But, she turned him down.” “Do you really think it’s the best idea for Sunset to be in a relationship right now?”  Wallflower asked, with a flat stare. The girl in the striped shirt had a point. With Anon-A-Miss, the monsters, and being Ultraman Ginga, Sunset likely had no time to commit to a relationship at the moment. Rarity sighed, defeated. “C’mon, let’s get you out of here. You’re a mess and you look like you need to fix your hair and makeup,” Sunset said as she offered her hand to the fashionista. With some hesitation, Rarity took the hand and Sunset pulled her up. Rarity stood up and looked around at all the destruction caused by her fight with Trenderhoof. She blanched, horrified by what she was partly responsible for. Sunset already knew what she was thinking. “It wasn’t your fault, Rarity. That Dark Dummy Spark messed with your head,” Sunset said gently, reassuringly. “But-” “No, you were being manipulated. Besides, it’ll take time, but people can rebuild.” “Hope they got some damn good insurance that covers this,” Lightning Dust quipped. As the group walked away, Rarity dared to ask the question. “Sunset, you’re really not Anon-A-Miss, are you?” “Well, I did pony up to help you beat the Sirens. What do you think?” *////* Applejack and Rainbow Dash were looking for their friends when they caught sight of the group. They felt betrayed when Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy decided to side with Sunset Shimmer, but that did not mean they stopped caring about them. “Where could they be? When those two monsters showed up, they just sort of vanished,” Rainbow asked, barely composed. Fluttershy was her best friend. If she was hurt in the fight, she would never forgive herself. “Ah’m sure they’re fine, Rainbow. Ah’m more worried about where Rarity went. She went into the girls’ bathroom then never came out,” Applejack placated, badly. “Ya don’t think one of those monsters was her do ya?” “These days AJ? Who knows,” Rainbow flippantly responded. “It’s jus’ Pinkie told me something in home economics that bothers me.” “Really? What?” “That Sunset ain’t making the monsters, some guys named Metron and Icarus are.” Rainbow stopped walking and turned to Applejack with a glare, “Yeah? And how do you know they’re not connected to Sunset?” “Ah don’t, but Pinkie talked like she had met them before and was terrified.” “All the more reason to stop Sunset and fix the school.” “How? Sunset is the one with the journal, and with Fluttershy and Pinkie with ‘er we can’t use the friendship lazer.” “THEN WE’LL FIGURE SOMETHING OUT!” Rainbow Dash screamed, fed up with, what she perceived as, Applejack’s whining. As the two girls stared each other down, the friends they had been searching for walked out of one of the destroyed buildings. Noticing them, Rarity turned to the Ginga Gang and said something that Rainbow and Applejack could not hear, before approaching them. “Hello there  darlings,” Rarity said, weakly. “Rarity? Why were you with her?” Applejack asked in shock. “Don’t you dare, Rarity, DON’T YOU DARE!” Rainbow snarled, knowing what was happening. “Yes, I believe Sunset.” “BUT-!” “Applejack, Rainbow Dash, please respect my decision,” Rarity interrupted. “But Rarity, she’s bad news!” Rainbow Dash tried to reason with Rarity. “Really? I’m starting to doubt it,” Rarity told them. “But Anon-A-Miss-” Applejack started. “Sunset has everything to lose and nothing to gain from Anon-A-Miss. Even back when she ruled the school, everything she did had a goal besides to amuse herself. She wanted power, influence, praise. Anon-A-Miss just seems too juvenile for her,” Rarity interrupted again. Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash fell silent, but of course neither was budging from the ‘Anon-A-Miss is Sunset’ train. “Just think about it: If Sunset had truly not changed, would she have helped us against the  Sirens? Would she have accessed the Magic of Friendship to Pony Up?” *////* “Hey, if beating up your friends is the only way you can get them to listen to you, you should try that with Dash and Applejack,” Lightning Dust suggested. “I’m not gonna beat up my friends, Dust,” Sunset sighed. “Your choice, but just consider it. People tend to listen when they can’t walk away or push you away,” Lightning Dust winked. Sunset sighed, “Even if I did try that, I wouldn’t be able to do much because outside of Ginga, I am a terrible fighter. Why do you think I avoided getting physical when I was a rampaging bitch?” That caused the gang to pause. “Really?” Trixie asked. “Ginga was guiding me in the fight,” Sunset answered. “All those moves, they were his.” “Wow, so if anyone started swinging right now, you would fold like a piece of paper?” Lightning Dust asked. “Well, Ginga did teach me a few moves already. I should be able to handle myself now.” “That, and I’m right here,” Taro added, causing the girls to begin laughing. Sunset then noticed Trenderhoof crawling out of his own ruined building, and into the street, Um, girls? Could you give me a moment?” “Huh? Yeah sure,” Pinkie said. “Thanks.” Sunset said, and began walking over to Trenderhoof, “Hey Trend.” “Sunset,” Trenderhoof whispered, “What did I do wrong? What did I do, to make you hate me so?” Sunset sighed, “Really? You’re still on about that? Okay, look, Trend, some advice from girl to guy: Girls, don’t like guys who come off as desperate. You ran here, from who knows where, for a girl you never met, confident that she could never say no, and then had no clue what to do when she did say no. Does that sound even remotely sensible?” Trenderhoof paused at that, “Well, when you put it like that, it does sound rather daft.” “Ya think?” Sunset snapped, before calming herself, “I don’t hate you, Trend. It’s just, with the monsters, and Anon-A-Miss, and my responsibilities as Ginga, I don’t have enough room on my plate for a relationship as well.” With all these problems laid out in front of him, Trenderhoof sighed, “I suppose I can accept that.” “Good to hear,” Sunset said, and began walking back to her friends. “Sunset,” Trenderhoof spoke up again, “After everything is over, do you think that maybe, I could have another shot?” Sunset mulled the question over for a moment before saying, “We’ll see.” When Sunset reached her gang, she found that Rarity had finished with Rainbow and Applejack, and for some reason Wallflower was giving her a smug smile, “What?” “Told you so.” “Wha...?” “I told you refusing him would come back to bite us.” “D’oh!” The girls the gang began laughing once again. *////* “YOU DAMN CHEATER!” Icarus shrieked. “Why what’s wrong Icarus? Where has your confidence gone?” Metron said smugly, finally having wiped the bat’s own smug demeanor off its face. “WHAT’S WRONG!? YOU KNEW THAT GIRL COULD ALTER GOLDON’S ABILITIES!” “I didn’t know she could, I just thought it possible that she could.” “Grrrr that-that-that- “SILENCE!” A new voice growled out, causing both Metron and Icarus to snap to attention. “MY LORD!” they said in unison. “HOLD YOUR TONGUES!” The voice boomed again, “YOU TWO, THREW ONE OF THE PRIMARY REASONS ANON-A-MISS EVEN EXISTS INTO THE LINE OF FIRE! AND FOR WHAT REASON, I ASK!? BECAUSE YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD WIN SOME CONTEST FOR MY FAVOR!?” The voice laughed humorlessly, “UNDERSTAND THIS YOU TWO! I GAVE YOU LIFE, I CAN JUST AS EASILY TAKE IT AWAY, NOW CEASE THIS PISSING CONTEST AND DO WHAT I MADE YOU TO DO! A POWERFUL NEW SPARK DOLL HAS APPEARED, AND I WANT YOU TWO TO ACQUIRE IT FOR ME! DO NOT FAIL ME!” As the aliens’ master disappeared, the pair realized just how hard they had screwed up.