//------------------------------// // Volume I - Chapter 7: The Fiend among us // Story: The Amazing Sunset Shimmer // by KozLeMage //------------------------------// A long time ago… “Princess! Princess! Look!” A young excited Sunset Shimmer called after her mentor, the goddess of the sun, Princess Celestia, through the halls of the Canterlot castle. The nominee turned around and looked with pride at her favorite student. She then saw what her pupil brought with her and asked her, “Sunset, what is this?” Sunset Shimmer, who was, at most, nine years old, smiled and replied, “It’s a drawing I’ve made for you!” Celestia grabbed it with her magic, and placed it in front of her face, then, what she saw brought up tears in her eyes. She looked once again at her student and said, “Is that… Luna?” Indeed, the drawing Sunset made was composed of Celestia, Sunset herself, and Luna. Sunset, of course, never saw Luna in her entire life, but Celestia talked about her so much that Sunset knew exactly what she looked like. But Sunset, seeing her mentor in tears, was shocked. “Princess, what’s wrong?” Celestia, didn’t replied but looked at the drawing once again. Tears running down her cheeks. “You… don’t like it?” Sunset asked, watching her hooves her eyes filled with remorse. “I thought that… You told me that you missed her so much… so I thought…” Celestia brought her closer, and embraced her in tight hug. “I don’t like it Sunset… I love it.” “… and then she told me to stop acting like a child…” Sunset confessed. “Wow, Sunset… that sucks.” Rainbow told her, “I didn’t know Luna was such a dick.” After escaping from her home, Sunset called Rainbow in tears asking her if she could sleep at her home tonight. Rainbow, faithful to herself, accepted without any hesitation. When Sunset arrived, Rainbow had poured her a hot chocolate and spent several hours comforting her friend. They were now in Rainbow’s room, watching a cartoon on TV. “Rainbow, don’t say that…” “Dude seriously? After what she told you, you’re still going to defend her?” Rainbow asked. Sunset sniffed and said, “Yes, I suppose.” Rainbow smiled at her, “And I’m supposed to be the loyal one…” Tears began to flow down Sunset’s cheeks, Rainbow passed her arm around her friend’s shoulders and brought her closer to her. ‘And, I’ve ran away from Celestia… again.’ Sunset thought. She tapped her fingers together, thinking of what she could do now. If she goes back to Celestia’s house, her dramatic departure would lose its effect. And, she didn’t know if she could face her or Luna right now. She also didn’t know what’ll happen to school tomorrow, Celestia will try to talk to her, that for sure. And she can’t avoid her in that place because, well, it was actually her school. “What am I going to do Rainbow? I can’t go back after what happened…” “I don’t really know Sunset, if it was up to me, you could stay here as long as you want, but I don’t think my parents will be okay with this, even though they like you.” Rainbow admitted. “But whatever happens, know that I’ll always be there for you. And don’t forget that it’s not just me, the girls will be there to support you too if you need them.” Of course, Sunset knew she couldn’t stay at Rainbow’s for more than a night or two, but deep inside, she hoped she could, but the words of her friend warmed her heart. She wiped her face on the sleeve of her shirt and, against all odds, and to Rainbow’s surprise, Sunset began to laugh. “W-what?” Rainbow asked. “Did I say something funny?” Sunset stopped laughing and smiled at her friend. “I’m glad you’re here Rainbow.” Rainbow was caught by surprise and blushed. But she smiled at her friend and said, “Always.” If there was someone Sunset knew she could rely on, it was Rainbow. Sure, Sunset loved the other girls to death, but she felt she was closer to Rainbow. Maybe that was what a ‘best friend’ was like? Sure, Sunset felt like she could also have called Twilight Sparkle, but Sunset knew Twilight was a smart girl. If she spent more time with her, it’ll only be a matter of time before Twilight founds out the truth. That she was Spider-Girl. Sunset hopped that Rainbow won’t look in her bag, where her costume was. There was no doubt that, if Rainbow or any of her friends founds out about that, they would keep the secret, no matter what happens. But even though Sunset was aware of it, she was also aware that if her friends knew, they’d be in great danger. What’ll happen if Electro or the Vulture goes after her friends? She’ll blame herself for sure, and she’ll never forgive herself either. The evening passed and Sunset felt more and more at ease in the company of her friend, the tears quickly turning into laughter as they play Mario Kart, watched Dragon Ball and talked about the life at school. “… and what are you going to do tomorrow?” Rainbow asked. “You can’t miss school, but you’ll surely run into Principal Celestia, or even worse, Vice Principal Luna.” The fiery haired girl sighed, she knew that. “Well, I don’t know Rainbow, but I know that you’ll be with me no matter what.” She said, winking in her friend’s direction. “You betcha.” Rainbow replied. “And even if I’m not around at that moment, I’m pretty sure Rarity, Pinkie or AJ will. Damn, I’m sure even Flutters will be able to stand up to an adult if it’s for one of her friends.” Sunset sighed, again “I haven’t been a really good friend lately.” Rainbow puts her hand on Sunset’s and smiled at her, “We know that what you’re going through must be tough Sunset. Believe me, the girls aren’t mad at you, not even a little bit.” Sunset smiled at that statement and asked, “So what are they up to anyway?” “Well…” Rainbow started, “AJ’s big bro’, Big Mac, got engaged with our English teacher, Miss Cherilee.” Sunset had to refrain herself from laughing like hell. Instead she just said, “Oh, that’s nice.” “Pinkie beats the score on Dance Dance Revolution at the arcade so, that’s kinda cool.” Rainbow continued. Sunset had played with her once, she’ll never do it again. “Flutters, well… You know her, if she’s not with one of us, she’s at the shelter taking care of her pets.” Sunset nodded at that statement and asked about her last friend, “And what about Rarity?” Rainbow shrugged her shoulders and said, “You know Rare, always at her boutique doing… what did she called that again? Oh yeah, she’s doing haute couture or something like that.” That was indeed something Rarity could have told. But Rainbow frowned, and it didn’t go unnoticed by Sunset. “What is it?” “Well,” She started. “She also said that… It’s been a little while she felt like… someone is stalking her.” Sunset raised her eyebrow, “Really?” “Yeah, well, it’s what she said. But AJ accompanied her home many times and she didn’t notice anything.” “That’s strange don’t you think?” Sunset asked. “Yeah it is-“ Rainbow’s phone started to ring, so she took it. “Oh sorry, I have to reply to this.” And she started typing. Sunset had noticed that, although Rainbow had spent the evening listening to Sunset, she also was often on her phone, well, more than usual. “So, you’re going to tell me who is it?” Sunset asked, sitting comfortably on Rainbow’s bed. Rainbow blushed and hide her phone. “W-what you’re talking ‘bout?” she said quickly, running from her friend’s eyes. “You’ve been glued on your phone all evening, you could at least tell me who it is?” Sunset asked with an innocent voice, but her look implied a lot of things. “It’s nobody! No one! Certainly not a boy hehe, you know me, that’s not my kind of thing, and I’m not ready for a relationship anyway, I’m still young after all, I might think about it after high school but right now I prefer to focus on mystudiesandspendtimewithyougirls.” She finished rather quickly, and took the remote, switching the channel on TV, still avoiding Sunset’s eyes. “I never asked if it was a boy.” After a few seconds, Rainbow replied “I know.” Sunset smiled but didn’t push it. If Rainbow wants to tell her, she will. One thing at a time. Sunset’s phone also started to buzz, and she sighed. She knew it was certainly Celestia or Luna. But when she looked on the number, she didn’t recognize it, so she curiously opened the text. Then, when she saw what it was, she dropped her phone on the floor. Rainbow looked curiously at her, but didn’t say anything when she saw what was in Sunset’s eyes, something Rainbow thought she’ll never see in her eyes. Fear. “Sunset what-“ Sunset quickly picked it up and said, “I have to use the bathroom.” Before running where she said she was going to. Shen ran through the corridor and quickly opened the bathroom door. She locked herself in the bathroom, and looked at her phone once again. But it was still there. A text she didn’t thought she’ll ever receive. Unknown Number – Today: 22:13 P.M I know who you are. A picture of Spider-Girl was attached to it, with an address written on it. ‘What the fuck.’ Sunset was hyperventilating, her hand on the sink preventing her from falling on the ground. She swallowed the saliva that was stuck in her throat and, slowly, she started to sat on the ground, her back facing the wall. “What am I gonna do?” She asked to herself. She looked at the text, and at the picture once again and then, looked at the address written on it. ‘What? Am I supposed to go there?’ She didn’t know who it was, but there was only one way to found out. Sunset waited that Rainbow was asleep, and then snicked out from the window of her friend’s bedroom. She hoped that she won’t wake up in her absence. But she was confident, it won’t take long. She decided that she’ll go to the address written on the picture. After all, he knew who she was, what does she have to lose? On her way there, she thought about it. ‘What if it was another super-villain? Or worse, someone I already know… Fuck.’ She thought to herself. Meanwhile “… What do you mean there’s more than one?” Said the man sitting on his desk chair. He frowned so hard that it made him look constipated. Of course, no one will ever dare to say that. He wore a police uniform but all the badges that were on his jacket proved that he was someone of high rank. “Deputy Commissioner Armor…” The policeman in front of him started. “We thought it’s that… Fiend that all the thugs of the city are scared about.” Shining Armor sighed and settled more comfortably in his chair. “The description fits perfectly with the depositions we had…” The policeman continued, he then handed out a picture of ‘The Fiend’ took the other night, when he was standing on that roof. Shining Armor looked at it, and slammed it against his desk. “All patrols stays alerts,” He said. “I want this cunt behind the bars as soon as possible.” The policeman looked at him with surprise and said. “And… What about Spider-Girl?” Shining Armor stood up from his chair and walked towards the window. “One thing at a time.” He said, looking at the city. Sunset had arrived at destination. It was an abandoned building, in the middle of the industrial zone of Canterlot City. “Creepy.” She said. Nonetheless, she climbed on the wall up to the roof. ‘Okay so, maybe it is a super-villain, in that case, I have to beat him quickly. If I’m missing too long, Rainbow will notice and she will start to ask questions.’ And Sunset hated questions. ‘Or maybe it isn’t, but if that’s the case, I have to ask him how he knew it was me.’ Looking up to the sky, she sighed and said “One day, I’ll kick your ass Universe. And that’s a promise.” She walked to the middle of the roof, and looked everywhere but no one was here. She was now getting angry. But, somehow, she felt it. She felt that she wasn’t alone, she felt that presence. That heavy presence that was surrounding her. “So, I’m here! What do you want?” She yelled, on her guard. Then, she heard someone walking behind her. She turns around quickly to face anyone it might be. Standing just in front of her, was a man, maybe a little taller than Sunset. He was covered with a long dark cape, his face was hidden by a hood that covered his gaze, and a low red mask that looked like a dragon’s face. He gave off an aura, which, for Sunset, wasn’t evil, but showed the pure dangerousness of this person. “Good evening, Sunset Shimmer.” He said, in a much quieter voice than Sunset would’ve thought. “Oh, sorry. Should I say Spider-Girl?” She frowned and stayed on her guard, then she said “You know who I am. But can I ask, who you are?” He didn’t reply. Instead he walked towards her to face her, now, Sunset could clearly saw him. Red glowing eyes looking right at her, the tension was such that Sunset felt in danger. She felt her spider sense telling her to ‘get the fuck out of here.’ But she didn’t. Then, Sunset remembered when she faced Electro last evening. She remembered what he said. He was looking for a fiend or something like that and when Electro shouted at him when he was standing on the roof. She also remembered when Sunset asked Twilight what a meta was. Twilight had told her ‘You thought you were the only one?’ Of course, Sunset knew she wasn’t the only one. She just had forgotten about that. The first year on this world, she had saw on TV that a big green monster had saved several people trapped under a collapsed bridge. She also knew that a rich billionaire living in New York used to be a super-hero from time to time. She just didn’t know there was other like her in this city. Waiting for a reply that didn’t came, she asked “So, you’re a super-hero you too?” “No.” He answered calmly, in a hoarse voice. Sunset had a questioning glare under her mask, so she asked him, “But, I thought Electro was looking for you. You must had fought him before no?” Sunset stayed on her guard, she couldn’t trust him. There was something about him, that Sunset knew he wasn’t just a normal person. She could feel something, something… Magical? No, it can’t be right, after all, magic didn’t exist in this world… Right? No, it wasn’t magic. It was something else… “It’s my fault if he’s like this.” He said, out of the blue. “W-what?” Sunset asked, stunned. “This moron and his friends were standing in my way.” He explained. “I thought he died.” Sunset nodded, at least, it explains everything. Well… not exactly everything. “But, how did he became like… That?” She asked him. The Fiend turned around and pointed a building, far, far way in the city. But it was so big that they could clearly see it. Sunset recognize what building it was. “Discorp…” She whispered. “Always them.” The Fiend said, Sunset could hear a bit of rage in his voice when he said that. Then a question burned her lips, “And… What do you want from me?” The Fiend looked around, if anybody were spying on them. Then he puts out a phone from his pocket, and showed Sunset a video. Sunset knew when it was, it was the time when she was bitten by that spider. “There was camera!” She yelled. “Don’t scream.” The Fiend commanded her. “Don’t worry, I’ve deleted it from their server two minutes after it had happened.” Sunset sighed from relief, “Thanks you.” He puts back his phone in his pocket. “Be careful, I don’t think I’m the only one who saw this.” She nodded, “I’ll be careful.” She said. “But, why are you helping me?” He didn’t reply right away. He walked towards the edge of the roof. “Because of something that happened two years ago.” He said. ‘Two years ago?’ Sunset thought. ‘What happened?’ “Am I supposed to know what happened?” She asked, joining him at the edge of the roof. She still felt the heavy presence, but she didn’t feel in danger anymore. Not now, at least. Maybe he didn’t trust her at first either. He turned to face her and looked at her with his red, heavy glare. “Think.” He said. “What happened two years ago?” Sunset felt uneasy under his glare. ‘What happened two years ago…’ Then, it hits her. Right in the face. Of course… That happened. She jumped backwards, on her guard ready to attack. ‘How did he know that?’ “Calm down.” He said, he didn’t even bother to turn around, as if he didn’t consider her as a threat at all. But Sunset didn’t calm down, on the contrary, she stayed on her guard. “How did you-“ He finally turned to face her. “The most important thing isn’t how or where I learned that.” He said. “But who else knows.” Sunset was about to reply something but police sirens sounded throughout the City, which takes all of Sunset’s attention. She turned towards the city to look where the sirens came from. When she turned to look at the Fiend, he was gone. ‘Of course…’ She thought. She runs on the roof and jumped before shooting a web on the nearest building and started swinging through the streets of Canterlot. She thought about what he said. ‘What happened two years ago…’ Of course she knew. She can’t forget that. Two years ago… Sunset came through the portal from Equestria. It was a thing that he knew about her being Spider-Girl, but how did he knew about that? One thing was certain, and it was that he had all the cards in his hands. ‘Ooookay, let’s go…’ Sunset thought, entering through the front door of CHS. Like always, everyone looked at her, whispering or shamelessly insulting her. She sighed but didn’t said anything and walked through the halls. ‘I have to avoid Celestia and Luna… If that’s even possible.’ She had spent the night at Rainbow’s but Rainbow’s classes started an hour after Sunset’s, so Rainbow was still asleep right now. Rainbow’s father was kind enough to drop her to school, he said that it didn’t bother him since the school was on his way to work anyway. And, truth to be told, Sunset wasn’t in a great mood. She still thought about what happened last night. When the Fiend told her that he knew about her. Everything about her. She hoped he wasn’t an enemy, but then, why would he help her if he was her enemy? Maybe, after all, he was here to help? ‘That’s suspicious.’ She thought. Still lost in her thought she didn’t saw where she was going and bumped into someone. She stood still but the other person didn’t and fell on the floor. “Oh my! I’m so sorry!” She said, back on earth. Then she saw who it was. “Red?” Red Light, butt on the ground, looked at her with an annoyed glare and stood up. “Damnit Sunset, look where you’re going.” He said. She helped him getting up and said, “I’m sorry.” “Yeah, I get that part.” He said, taking his bag and turning around. But at this moment Sunset heard someone calling her. “Hey! Shimmer!” Said the voice. ‘Oh no… Not now!’ She turned to face Gilda and Trixie, both wore a wide smile on their faces. As if, they were happy to see her. But Sunset knew that smile all to well, she used to wear it a lot after all. “I’ve heard you’ve joined the Music Club? That’s hilarious!” Gilda started. And Trixie goes even further, “I’m a little surprised though. I didn’t think that someone would want you in their club.” Sunset keep her calm. “That’s doesn’t surprise me that you didn’t think.” She said. Trixie frowned but Gilda laughed, in unison with all the students present here, and was about to say something but Red beat her to it. “You know those losers?” He asked Sunset. Gilda didn’t like it so she walked towards Red and faced him, she was at least a head taller than him. “Let me get this straight, new boy.” She said. “No one, and I said no fucking one, can call me a loser. Understand?” Red, wearing his known to well annoying look on his face, turned his head in Sunset’s direction, and then Sunset saw, a little smile forming on his face, and he winked in her direction. Then he faced Gilda again and said. “Sorry, I don’t speak loser’s language.” Everyone gasped. ‘Oh no! He’s dead! I have to do something!’ Sunset thought. But she couldn’t, with everyone now watching them. She didn’t know what to do. Then, Gilda stretched her arm, she was going to hit Red, who stood perfectly still, waiting for the blow to come. But just when she was going to hit him, someone yelled at them. “AND WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?” ‘Oh, boy…’ Vice-Principal Luna walked towards them, furry in her eyes. Red turned towards her and puts his hands in his pocket. “Hi, Vice-Principal Luna.” He said calmly. She looked at him, then at Gilda and Trixie and then… at Sunset. “Gilda, Trixie… In my office, now.” She said calmly. “But vice-pr…” Tried Trixie. “I SAID NOW!” She yelled at her. Trixie didn’t push it and did what she was told, Gilda following her, a smile on her face, like she was going to get away with this, like always. Then Luna turned to Sunset. “Sunset, you-“ But the bell started ringing. It meant that classes started now. So, Sunset didn’t listen to Luna and instead walked towards her history classroom. Luna watched her, and sighed but didn’t followed her. She still needs to take care of those two brats in her office. “Wha- It’s tomorrow?” Sunset asked. The six girls were sitting around the wondercolts statue at the entrance of the school. Classes finished an hour ago, and they just sit there and spent some time together, Sunset was lucky that Rainbow’s parents didn’t mind if she stayed another night at their home. Pinkie laughed and said, “Yeah! The most important night of the year!” Rarity, who was painting Fluttershy’s nails, said “Pinkie, darling, I don’t think Halloween is the most important night of the year.” An outraged Pinkie Pie replied, “WHAT? Have you lost your mind? It’s the night when we can go out dressed as anything we want and have FREE CANDY!” She came closer to her and whispered, “You can’t say no to free candy.” Rarity laughed and said, “I think I’m going to pass on this one, we’re a little to old to go trick or treating, no?” Pinkie was about to say something, but Applejack put a hand on her shoulder and said, “Ah’m with Rare on this Pinkie. We’re not ten anymore sugarcube.” “But-“ The puffy haired one tried. “Let it go Pinkie.” Rainbow said. “Besides, we can just have a girls night at my place? What do you say?” “I think that’s…” Then Pinkie really thought about it, and a wide smile appeared on her face. “… a fantastic idea!” “Then it’s settled I guess.” Sunset said. “And thanks again for allowing me to stay at your home Rainbow.” “Don’t mention it.” She said, winking at her friend. Fluttershy put her hand on Sunset’s and said with her hushed voice “I hope everything is okay Sunset…” Of course, Sunset told her friends about what happened between her and Celestia and Luna. She was surprised that Celestia didn’t tried to talk to her today. Well, she was glad she didn’t, she needed some space right now. She was going to forgave them, of course, but not now. She was till mad after all. ‘Gnnh, I guess I really am a teenager. Despite my real age.’ She thought. That’s a thing Sunset never told to her friends. Sunset wasn’t really seventeen. The mirror has the particularity of rejuvenating all those who pass through. If she was in Equestria, she should have around twenty-seven or twenty-eight. But none of that matters now. And even if she was older, her body and her mind, is one of a teenager. It wasn’t just her body that changed, but her whole being. So, no surprise if she’s acting like one. “Okay be careful now!” Sunset called Rainbow Dash, who was standing on a chair on her toes, changing a lamp for an RGB one. “Don’t worry Sunny, I got this.” It was Halloween today, and Sunset and Rainbow were preparing the house for the girls night they have planned. Rainbow wore a disguise of The Flash, her favorite comic book super hero, and Sunset was a zombie. Nothing too over the top but it should do it. Rainbow’s father bought them a lot of soda, candy and stuff like that. It actually was a lot for just six girls. “Hey Rainbow” Sunset called, facing the tables full of candy. “You think it’s enough?” “Ahah, I know, it is a lot of candy. But, don’t forget there’s Pinkie Pie. So, I think we don’t have enough.” She said, half-joking half-serious. Sunset laughed and Rainbow joined her. “Hum, Sunset?” “Hm?” “Hum, I should have told you but… I’ve also invited Red.” Said Rainbow, blushing and avoiding her friend’s look. Sunset looked at her and said, “Hum, it can’t be a girls night if its not just girls here.” “Yeah I know…” “I’m joking Rainbow, I don’t really care, he’s cool.” Sunset said, taking a can of coke. Rainbow sighed in relief, “Okay good.” Of course, Sunset cared, Red was a mystery for her and she hated mystery. She didn’t forget what she felt the day she met him. She hasn’t felt it since, but she knew there was something about him. Then, now she thought about it… It seems like… Lost in her thoughts, Sunset didn’t felt her phone ringing in her pocket. “Hoi Sunset!” Rainbow said, “Your phone’s ringing.” Sunset grabbed it and checked who it was. She sighed and put it back in her pocket. “Who was it?” Rainbow asked. “Celestia.” Sunset said. “You’re not going to take it?” “She’s going to leave a message, I’ll call her back tomorrow.” She said, taking a sip of her coke. “I’m not in the mood for this, after all, tonight is a ‘girls’ night, right?” “Well,” Rainbow thought “If it’s really bothering you, I’m sure that with a wig and a bit of makeup, Red can become a girl in no time if you asked Rarity.” Sunset puts her coke on the table and looked seriously at her friend. “Okay, now I want to see this.” Here he was, standing on a roof not too far away where his destination was. Adrian Toomes looked again at the picture his boss sends him. It was a beautiful woman, he had to admit it. But an order was an order, and he didn’t want this goblin to harm his daughter. So, he had to do it. Even if he can’t look into a mirror ever again. He had to kill her. He then turned the picture and looked at the address and the name written on it. He sighed, he didn’t know this woman, but he was sorry for her. Really sorry. “I’m sorry… Celestia.”