The bell inside the clock tower rang, announcing that it was seven in the morning. Tempest was still keeping watch on top of the dam while Starlight was sleeping on the ground, holding her rifle. The purple woman was snoring softly until the loud bell woke her up. She sat up and stretched before she looked up at the clock.
"It's morning already?" She asked before turning her head to Tempest. "Is there still no sign of Sunset?"
"Nothing," Tempest said, still looking at the Castle Everfree. "I've been watching all night, and I've seen nothing happen after the Canterlot police left."
"I was afraid you'd say that," Starlight said as she stood up. "She's sure taking her time getting the prince."
"If she's even alive," Tempest said. "Which at this point I'm certain that she isn't."
"We don't know that for a fact. She could still be alive," Starlight said.
Tempest huffed and said, "Glimmer, I admire your devotion to your partner, but we must face facts. Her plan was to use her disguise as Inspector Sparkle to make her way to the prince, simple as that. It's been almost twelve hours, she's not back with the prince, and the police are gone. Assuming she made it inside, odds are they found her and killed her, which is why the police left. Frankly, we're better off leaving because there's little reason to think they captured her alive."
"Or she could be hiding and decided to improvise," Starlight said. "We both know it wouldn't be the first time she did that."
"Even so, it's likely that we're wasting our time," Tempest said. "Sooner or later, Glimmer, you're just gonna have to face the fact that not even someone as crafty as Sunset Shimmer could poss -"
The dark orchid woman stopped herself in mid-sentence as she noticed something black coming out of the lower levels of the castle. She lifted her hand above her eyes and squinted, confusing Starlight.
"What is it?" Starlight asked.
"I see smoke," Tempest said, pointing at the castle. "There's smoke coming out from inside the castle over there."
Starlight looked where Tempest was pointing and squinted her eyes to see a black cloud of smoke coming from inside the third level of the castle. She took out Sunset's binoculars and looked closer to see guards, butlers and maids running toward where the smoke was coming from, carrying fire extinguishers. Starlight smirked as she put down the binoculars and gave Tempest a smug look.
"What did I tell you? That has Sunset written all over it," she boasted.
Tempest frowned and said, "This does look like something she would do, but why?"
"No idea," Starlight said. "But whatever it is, it's something sneaky."
***********************************************************************************************
*five minutes earlier*
Back in the north tower, Flash was standing guard in front of Rough Draft's bedroom door. He was trying to hide his unease overhearing that Sunset might have died from falling into the trap door. He always knew that his ex had a habit of being careless, but he hoped it wouldn't have led to her death, leastways when she was trying to save the prince. Now, he wished more than ever that he could find the printing presses so that the queen could be stopped.
But as he thought about what he could do, his walkie talkie was beeping. He took it out of his belt and adjusted the frequency before holding it close to his mouth, saying, "This is Canterlot 4."
"Agent Sentry, you are to abort the mission and return to Canterlot immediately," Commander Harshwhinny said.
"What? Why?" Flash asked.
"Chancellor Neighsay forced me to drop the investigation," Harshwhinny grumbled. "Apparently, there's some clause to the treaty between Canterlot and Everfree that dictates that all personnel are to pull back if we try anything that might offend our ally. By the sound of things, having a police squadron come there and cause a commotion is all the chancellor needs to shut down the investigation."
Flash groaned and said, "Understood. Though if I may ask, I would like permission to take the prince with me."
"Why would you do that?" Harshwhinny asked. "That would make things worse."
"Not necessarily," Flash said. "Prince Rough Draft is held up here against his will, so it would be our moral obligation to assist him. And besides, he knows about the Horse Bills and what the queen is planning, meaning that he can testify that what we're looking for is there. If I recall correctly, there is a part of the treaty between the countries that makes the chancellor obligated for us to investigate further if we have any witnesses."
The walkie talkie was silent for a moment, making it clear that the commander was thinking about Flash's idea before she replied with a devious tone in her voice, "Permission granted. Be cautious, though, Agent Sentry. You must act as quickly and stealthily as possible so that we don't cause any more trouble."
"Yes, commander," Flash said. "I'll contact you when I have left the country with the prince. Over and out."
Flash put away his walkie talkie and pressed a button on the wall. A rectangular part of the wall opened to reveal a large, black briefcase, and he grabbed it before entering the bedroom. Rough Draft was sound asleep in his bed, wearing pajamas. The secret agent walked over to the bed and shook the prince until he woke up.
"Uh. Huh? What? What's going on?" Rough Draft asked, as he sat up and yawned.
"Pardon me, Your Highness, but I've come to get you out of here," Flash said.
"What? You are? Why?" Rough Draft asked.
"Well, you see, I'm not who you think I am," Flash answered. "I'm not a security guard working for the queen. I'm Agent Flash Sentry of Canterlot's secret service."
"Secret service? Then what are you doing here?" Rough Draft asked.
"I was on an assignment to find the printing presses where Queen Adagio has been making the counterfeit money," Flash explained. "But I just got ordered to abort the mission with permission to get you out of here. My commander is hoping you will testify that the Horse Bills are real so that I can go back to finding them and nabbing the queen."
"Yes, absolutely," Rough Draft said. "I will do anything to stop her. But is there any way we can find out if someone I know is still alive first?"
"I assume you mean Sunset Shimmer, Your Highness?" Flash asked.
"You know her?" Rough Draft asked.
Flash scoffed and said, "Know her? I dated her."
Rough Draft stared at Flash, taken aback, and said, "So, you're the guy she mentioned."
Flash looked back at the prince, astonished, and said, "Seriously? She told you that she dated another guy? She must trust you more than anyone else."
"What do you mean?" Rough Draft asked.
"Well, without going into too much detail, Sunset and I were kinda doomed from the start," Flash said. "We kept going back and forth between being enemies and allies, flirting in the process, before we finally started going out. But no matter how fun it was, she was always holding back. Sometimes I would find her looking at a rose necklace she hides under the shirt when she thinks no one was around. Whenever I asked her about it, she acted hostile and refused to give me an honest answer. Eventually, I ended it because I knew she was never going to trust me completely."
"Really?" Rough Draft asked. "She did promise to always treasure her necklace when I gave it to her, but I didn't think she would act that way over it."
Flash smirked at the prince and said, "Honestly, Your Highness, man to man, I think dating me was just a means to try to fill a void in her heart. But, after the mistrust we had and seeing her go through the lengths she made to help you, I think we can both agree that there's only one person who can fill that void."
Rough Draft briefly smiled before he looked away with an uneasy look.
"I hope she's okay," he said.
"So, do I," Flash said. "I want to say Sunset's been in worse spots than what she might be in now, but after seeing all the traps and security this place has, I would… wait a second."
Rough Draft looked at Flash, confused as the secret agent made a funny face, and started sniffing. He then felt a strange smell touching his nostrils and started sniffing too.
"Do you smell smoke?" Rough Draft asked.
"Yeah, I do," Flash said. "I think it's coming from outside."
The two men walked over to the large window and looked down to see the smoke reaching the top of the castle. They looked down and found Adagio's people running towards where it was coming from inside.
"The castle is on fire," Rough Draft said worryingly.
"I don't think so," Flash said. "If anything, it's likely Sunset?"
Rough Draft turned his head to Flash and asked, "How can you be sure?"
Flash smirked at the prince and said, "Your lady is many things, Your Highness, but subtle isn't one of them. I think she caused the fire to create a distraction."
"A distraction? For what?" Rough Draft asked.
"More than likely, to save you," Flash said. "And if she is, we better be ready because she's going to do it in a way that's going to attract attention to anyone who isn't focused on that fire, and we might have to fight our way out of here."
"I see," Rough Draft said. "Then I better get dressed for when she arrives."
"That would be best, Your Highness," Flash said.
Rough Draft nodded and hurried to his wardrobe to start changing out of his pajamas. Flash, meanwhile, took off his coat, opened his suitcase, and took out a double shoulder holster. As he put it on and started loading two pistols and a submachine gun, he glanced at the window where the smoke could still be seen.
"You better know what you're doing, Sunset," he whispered.
*******************************************************************************************
Back in the printing room, Sunset had set a pile of fake money ablaze. The fire was covering the room with smoke as she tossed boxes of counterfeit bills to keep the fire going. Twilight was rapidly going through papers on the desks, eager to find anything she could use to make her case against the queen. Sunset tossed more fake money with a mischievous grin until she heard fire alarms sounding off.
"Hurry up, Twilight! They're going to be here any minute!" She called out.
"Not until I find the evidence I need!" Twilight shouted.
"Twilight, that evidence isn't going to do much good if we don't start hiding!" Sunset yelled.
"But I need it!" Twilight shouted.
Sunset growled in frustration, irritated by Twilight's stubbornness. She looked around to find a couple of blueprints next to her and grabbed it and several rolls of fake bills. She ran over to Twilight, forced her to turn around to face her, and stuffed the blueprints and the fake bills into her trench coat pockets.
"There. Enough evidence to bring down an empire. Now, let's go!" She shouted.
Sunset grabbed Twilight’s wrist and dragged her to the back of one of the printing presses next to the main entrance. Sunset peeked around the corner of the machine just in time to see the doors burst open, and several guards, maids, and butlers came in, led by Tirek. The maids and butlers were carrying fire extinguishers while the guards were holding a large water hose. The servants started using their extinguishers on the edges of the fire while Tirek's men shot a long beam of water at the center of the fire.
"Okay, it looks like they're completely focused on the fire," Sunset said. "Now, when I say go, we're going to sneak past them and make our way outside."
"Got it," Twilight said before something hit her. "Hey, is this how you snuck past me when you stole the diamonds from that museum last year?"
Sunset gave Twilight a smug look and said, "Come on, Twilight. You're the inspector. Surely, you can figure it out on your own."
Twilight glared at the amber thief, who turned her head away to look at the guards and servants taking out the fire. Sunset lifted her hand in front of Twilight, signaling her to get ready. After waiting a couple of seconds, Sunset prepared to signal Twilight to go until she heard a familiar young voice.
"Tirek! Where's Sunset Shimmer and the inspector?!"
Sunset and Twilight looked at each other, shocked before the latter took a peek from the other side of the printing machine and saw Cozy Glow and Wallflower Blush on the second floor. The greenish-gray maid wrung the water out of her dress while the pinkish-gray one looked at Tirek with a murderous look in her eyes.
"What are you talking about? They're dead," Tirek said.
"They escaped the catacombs and trapped us in the waterhole before coming this way!" Cozy Glow shouted.
"We haven't seen anyone coming down here, so they must still be here somewhere," Tirek said.
"Find them!" Cozy Glow yelled.
Twilight turned to Sunset, who groaned childishly and pinched the area between her eyebrows, having overheard the maid and the captain.
"Why won't the people I trap in this heaven-forsaken castle stay trapped?" She whined.
"What do we do now?" Twilight asked.
Sunset huffed and said, "There's only thing we can do, and you're not gonna like it."
"And that is?" Twilight asked.
"Run!" Sunset yelled.
Before Twilight knew it, Sunset had already left her hiding spot, and she hurried to catch up with the thief. The guards and servants were too distracted by the fire to notice the two women running towards them before Sunset and Twilight barged through them. By the time Tirek realized what happened, the thief and the inspector were racing up the stairs.
"There they are! Get them!" Tirek shouted.
"No! You focus on the fire! I'll go after them!" Cozy Glow shouted as she climbed down the ladder and chased after them.
Sunset and Twilight climbed up the stairs as fast as they could, shoving maids and butlers that were walking down the steps with fire extinguishers as they ran. They made their way to the exit and found themselves inside a three-story tall chapel. They looked around the area and realized that the stairway to the printing room was behind an altar with a tall golden, ornate cross standing on top of it.
"Double or nothing, Queen Adagio has this chapel for show and doesn't practice the faith," Sunset said.
"That goes without saying," Twilight said. "Now, keep moving!"
They ran to the other side of the chapel and found themselves outside in the third-level courtyard. Sunset and Twilight had a moment of relief to be out until they saw several more guards running towards them from the other side of the yard, swords ready.
"Great. They're everywhere. How are we going to get to the prince?" Twilight asked.
Sunset frowned, unsure of how to answer Twilight's question. She looked around the area until she noticed an outside staircase leading to the top of a tower. She looked up and saw that at the top was the landing platform where the autogyro was. The amber woman had a wicked grin on her face as the wheels in her head turned.
"Tell me, Twilight, do you have a fear of heights?" She asked.
Twilight looked at Sunset, confused before she turned to where Sunset was looking. It took a couple of seconds before she understood what was on Sunset's mind, and her pupils shrank.
"Oh, no," she said. "There is no way we're going to do that."
"It's either this or we keep tackling people all the way to Rough Draft's room and back, hoping we don't fall into any more traps," Sunset said.
Twilight opened her mouth to protest, but she stopped herself and thought about it before she reluctantly accepted Sunset's logic.
"You better know what you're doing," she said.
"We'll find out soon enough. Now let's go," Sunset said.
Twilight huffed before she followed Sunset to the stairway. By the time they started climbing up the steps, Cozy Glow and Wallflower Blush were outside, and the former immediately spotted Sunset and Twilight.
"They're heading for the autogyro!" She shouted.
"Why are they going there?" Wallflower Blush asked.
"Sunset Shimmer is probably trying to use it to get the prince!" Cozy Glow answered. "Go after them! I'll contact the queen!"
"Yes, ma'am," Wallflower Blush answered before turning to the guards. "Everyone follow me!"
The greenish-gray maid started rushing up the stairs with the guards running behind her while Cozy Glow ran to the other side of the courtyard toward the elevator. She grabbed a walkie talkie from the butler standing next to the elevator before she went inside and pressed the button to the top floor. As the door closed and the elevator went up, she adjusted the frequency to the walkie talkie before holding it close to her mouth.
"My queen, come in. This is Cozy Glow," she said.
"Cozy Glow, what is going on down there?" Adagio asked, irritation filling her voice. "Tell me you have the ring."
"I wish I could, but Sunset Shimmer and Inspector Sparkle escaped the catacombs," Cozy Glow answered. "They set a fire in the printing room and are now heading to the autogyro."
"Imbecile!" Adagio barked. "Why is it so hard for you to kill two women?!"
"You can rebuke me all you like later, Your Majesty. Right now, we need to stop them from getting to Prince Rough Draft," Cozy Glow said.
Cozy Glow heard a vicious growl from the speaker before Adagio said, "Have everyone closest to the north tower arm themselves and meet me up there! Rough Draft does not leave that tower!"
"At once, Your Grace," Cozy Glow said.
Meanwhile, Sunset and Twilight made it to the top of the tower with Wallflower Blush and the guards still chasing after them. Sunset climbed into the cockpit and looked at the various levers and buttons, instantly nervous. Twilight climbed up to the side of the cockpit and noticed the amber woman's look of unease.
"You said to come up here, and you have no idea how to pilot an autogyro?!" She screamed.
"Hey, I'm figuring things out as I go," Sunset replied.
"Oh, Lord, help us," Twilight groaned. "This is what I get for listening to you of all people."
Sunset bit her lip as she looked through the labels for the switches before she said, "Okay, I think I got it."
She flipped the switches before she pulled the lever next to the steering wheel. The engine started to turn on, making Sunset smile boastfully before it slowly turned off with a whine.
"Okay, I don't have it," she confessed.
Twilight scoffed and leaned closer to the cockpit to look at the labels herself before saying, "You're supposed to turn off the brake. It's right next to the ignition."
"Oh. I knew that," Sunset said sheepishly before she followed Twilight's instructions.
The engine roared, and the blades on the top and the tail of the autogyro started spinning. Wallflower Blush and the guards made their way to the top just in time to see the flying machine rolling toward the edge of the platform. They ran toward the autogyro, desperate to stop Sunset and Twilight from taking off, but by the time Wallflower Blush could grab the flying machine by the tail, Sunset lifted the autogyro up, causing the maid to nearly fall off the edge. Wallflower Blush and the guards could only watch as Sunset slowly managed to keep the autogyro steady.
"See? No problem," Sunset said. "I knew I'd figure it out
"No, you didn't!" Twilight rebuked while holding on to the side of the cockpit for dear life. "Now, how do you plan to leave with the prince when there's room for only one person in the cockpit?"
"Oh, I have a good idea for that," Sunset said with a flirtatious look in her eyes. "Now quit criticizing me and hang on. I'm gonna try to turn this thing."
Twilight tightened her grip on the side of the cockpit as Sunset carefully turned the steering wheel clockwise, trying not to make a sharp turn that would cause Twilight to fall off. The autogyro slowly turned around, making a U-turn until it was facing the north tower. Sunset then pulled the lever on her left side, and the autogyro levitated higher until it was at level with the roof of the tower.
"Okay, Twilight, this is the tricky part," she said. "You're gonna have to fly the autogyro while I get Rough Draft."
"What?! I can't do that!" Twilight shouted.
"Sure, you can," Sunset encouraged. "Just keep it steady while I hop on the roof."
"But I've never flown one of these things before," Twilight protested.
"Neither have I, but I've managed to do okay," Sunset said. "Now get ready. I'm about to get out."
"Wait! No! Hol - Sunset Shimmer!" Twilight screamed.
Sunset climbed out of the cockpit, and Twilight quickly grabbed the steering wheel to keep the autogyro level. The poor grayish mulberry inspector reluctantly climbed inside the cockpit while Sunset carefully walked on one of the autogyro's wings and jumped onto the roof. She walked over to the window, carefully trying not to slip and fall off the edge, and kicked it open. Sunset leaned her head in the window and smiled warmly to find Rough Draft and Flash looking up at her.
"Sunshine!" Rough Draft shouted with a bright smile.
"Did someone order a heroic rescue?" Sunset asked.
"No, but I'll gladly sign for it," Flash said. "I hope you know how to get us up there."
"I sure do," Sunset said as she took her grappling gun out of her belt. "I trust you still remember how to use this."
She dropped her gun into Flash's hands, and he took a couple of steps back before he fired it at the window. The hook attached itself to the edge of the window, and he gave it a good tug to make sure that it's secure before turning to Rough Draft.
"You go first, Your Highness," he said.
"Okay, but how do I use it?" Rough Draft asked.
"Just hold on tight and press the button on the right side," Flash answered.
Rough Draft hesitated, feeling nervous until Sunset called out, "Don't be afraid, babe. I'll pull you up at the top." The prince gulped before he pressed the button, and the gun slowly lifted him to the window. Sunset reached out for Rough Draft until he made it to the top, and she grabbed his hand and pulled him up into her arms. The couple hugged each other tightly before as they kissed.
"I told you I'd be back soon," Sunset said.
"Yes, you did," Rough Draft said. "I'll never doubt you again."
"You won't need to once we're free," Sunset said.
Rough Draft nodded before he frowned and asked, "But how are we going to escape on the autogyro with Flash and the inspector?"
Sunset chuckled while looking at her beloved flirtatiously and said, "Oh, I was thinking Flash and Twilight hold on to the sides of the cockpit while I fly with my sweet prince on my lap."
Rough Draft stammered and looked away with his cheeks turning red. Sunset giggled before planting a kiss on his cheek.
"I miss seeing you blush, Rough Draft," she said. "It's as adorable as ever."
"S-s-stop it! That's not helping!" Rough Draft shouted, his cheeks turning crimson.
"It wasn't supposed to, lover boy," Sunset said.
"Hey! You think you can stop being snoggy-woggy and help me up?!" Flash called out.
Sunset snapped out her loving gaze and sheepishly said, "Oh, yeah. Sorry, Flash."
She undid the hook on the edge of the window and dropped her grappling gun into the grayish amber man's hands again. But, just as he was about to fire the gun, the bedroom door opened, and a couple of butlers and maids walked in with guns. Before the servants could do anything, Flash drew his submachine gun and fired, forcing them to exit the room. He threw a grenade for good measure before looking up the window.
"You better get that autogyro ready, Sunset. Odds are I won't hold them off for long!" He called out.
"Got it," Sunset said before turning to the autogyro. "Alright, Twilight, bring it back over here!"
"I'm trying!" Twilight shouted as she struggled with the controls.
The autogyro moved back and forth, barely staying level. Twilight panicked as she accidentally lifted the machine higher, causing it to fly over Sunset and Rough Draft's heads. Sunset ran up the steep roof, hoping that Twilight would fly close enough to the top that she could jump back into the autogyro and take over.
But suddenly, the amber thief felt something small zoom through her body. She stood still in shock and looked down to find a hole in her shirt right below her chest. She stared at the hole in a state of shock, not hearing Rough Draft screaming her name before her legs gave out. Sunset rolled down the slope toward the edge of the roof before Rough Draft dived in and stopped her with his body. At the same time, Flash made it up the window with the grappling gun before several bullets flew past him, causing him to drop his gun and take cover.
Rough Draft looked up to find one of the tall windows in the corner of the tower turned into a platform where Cozy Glow was holding a machine gun attached to the railing and Adagio was standing beside her. Rough Draft and Flash turned their heads to find another platform on the other side with another maid aiming her machine gun at the special agent. Adagio smirked triumphantly as she looked at where Flash was hiding behind cover.
"So, it seems I have a rat in my castle that I let stand close to my beloved groom. How careless of me," she said. "I'll have to interrogate you later, Mr. Rat. But first, kill Sunset Shimmer, Cozy Glow."
"With pleasure, My Queen," Cozy Glow said as she aimed her gun at Sunset with a sadistic grin.
Rough Draft covered Sunset with his body, and Adagio said, "Rough Draft, move away."
"No!" Rough Draft shouted. "You'll have to kill me to get to her!"
Cozy Glow fired her weapon, and Rough Draft ducked as bullets hit the area surrounding him and Sunset. He covered the love of his life as best he could until Adagio lifted her hand, and the maid stopped shooting.
"You're very brave, Rough Draft. Loyalty is a valuable trait in a husband," Adagio said.
"I'm not your husband!" Rough Draft shouted.
"Not yet, anyway," Adagio said. "Since you're so devoted to your thief, my love, I'll make you a deal. If you cease your rebellious ways and marry me, I'll forgive you and make sure Sunset Shimmer gets medical help."
"Yeah, right! You're obviously lying!" Flash called out from his hiding spot.
"I've never lied to my groom, Mr. Rat," Adagio said. "If he comes to me with the ring, I'll make sure Sunset Shimmer gets the best medical attention money can buy."
"How do I know that I can trust you?" Rough Draft asked.
"What other choice do you have, Rough Draft?" Adagio asked. "Your thief is getting weaker by the second. She just might die right here while you're trying to protect her. So, what's it going to be?"
Rough Draft hesitated, feeling stuck in the situation. He looked at Sunset, who had her eyes shut and was clenching her teeth, trying to ignore the pain. A stream of blood was running down to the edge of the roof. He wished he could think of an alternative, but he knew that he had no power over what was happening apart from choosing whether or not to help Sunset.
"Sunset, where is the ring?" He whispered into Sunset's ear.
"No. Don't do it, Rough Draft. She's lying," Sunset said weakly.
"I have to take that chance," Rough Draft said. "I'd rather marry her than let you die."
"No. I won't let you," Sunset said.
"Look into her right jacket pocket," Flash said. "She always puts things in there."
"Darn you, Flash," Sunset growled.
Rough Draft reached onto Sunset's pocket and took out his ring. He then kissed Sunset on the head and said, "It's going to be okay, Sunshine. I promise." Sunset whimpered in protest as Rough Draft stood up and held out the ring close to the edge with a serious look.
"I have the ring," he announced. "Now have your maids drop their guns and back away. If I see either of them attempt to grab their guns and shoot Sunset or Flash, I'll throw the ring into the lake."
Adagio smirked and said, "You heard your future king, ladies. Back away."
Cozy Glow and the maid on the other side of the tower frowned before they reluctantly lowered their weapons and backed away.
"You too, Adagio. Back away," Rough Draft commanded.
"As you wish, my love," Adagio said as she backed to the other side of the railing.
Rough Draft looked down at Sunset, making sure she was still alive before walking over to Adagio. He turned around to make sure that the maid on the other side didn't try anything as he walked. The queen and her head maid waited patiently for him while the teenager leaned her head close to her mistress.
"Are you going to give the criminal medical help, Your Grace?" She whispered.
"I'm a woman of my word, Cozy Glow, and I intend to earn Rough Draft's trust," Adagio replied. "But just because I'm giving her medical attention doesn't guarantee she's going to be saved from her wounds."
Cozy Glow resisted the urge to smirk so that Rough Draft wouldn't get suspicious. But suddenly, a heard loud crash was heard, and everyone but Sunset looked up to find that Twilight had smashed through the roof. With the inspector losing control of the machine, the autogyro slid down the roof, causing Rough Draft, Adagio, Cozy Glow, and the other maid to duck and cover. Seeing this as the opportunity to escape, Flash emerged from his hiding spot and scooped up Sunset just in time to grab the plane by the side before it fell off the roof. Cozy Glow took her gun and started firing at the autogyro before Rough Draft ran over to the platform and forced the gun to face up. Adagio grabbed the prince by the wrist and pulled him into the platform, holding him down to the floor. The two of them struggled until the queen took the ring out of Rough Draft's hand.
"Finally, I have it back!" she said triumphantly.
"Sunset was right! You are a liar!" Rough Draft barked.
"Oh, don't give me that, Rough Draft. I didn't lie," Adagio said. "I said if you gave me back the ring I'll give Sunset Shimmer medical attention. It's not my fault if that idiotic inspector intervened, and the rat used that to take her away."
"And yet you didn't hesitate to fire at them," Rough Draft said.
"That was Cozy Glow, not me," Adagio said. "I didn't give her the order to fire upon them. Did I, Cozy Glow?"
"No, Your Majesty, you did not," Cozy Glow replied.
"You're making excuses. You never intended to let them live at all," Rough Draft accused.
Adagio shrugged and said, "Well, I would have kept my word for you, my love, but if they didn't survive, it wouldn't be so terrible. Your ex is still a criminal, after all, and I can't have any of them snitching about my operation. I know you understand."
Rough Draft glowered at the queen and said, "Say whatever you want, but I will die before I marry you, Adagio."
Adagio frowned and said, "Is that so? Well, there are ways that I can keep you from doing that, my love."
*************************************************************************************
Back near the clock tower, Starlight was looking through Sunset's binoculars in horror, having seen far enough to witness everything that happened at the noth tower. The autogyro was heading toward them with smoke coming out after crashing into the roof. Twilight was still struggling to stay airborne while Flash had one hand on the side of the cockpit, and his arm wrapped around where Sunset was shot. The secret agent saw Starlight and Tempest at the top of the wall and mouthed something out to them.
"What's he saying?" Starlight asked.
Tempest lifted her hand above her eyes and squinted to get a better look. She analyzed Flash's mouth movements closely before her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped.
"He's going to drop Shimmer!" She shouted. "I think he's expecting us to catch her!"
"What?!" Starlight asked. "How are we supposed to do that?!"
Tempest took a second to think before she ordered, "Get in the car!"
Starlight didn't hesitate to do as she was told as she grabbed her anti-tank rifle and rushed to the slug bug with Tempest. The purple woman turned on the ignition and slammed on the gas while the autogyro was getting closer to them, and Flash turned to Twilight.
"Hold steady so that we're right above the car," he instructed.
"I'm trying!" Twilight shouted in panic. "I can only do so much when this thing barely has a tail!"
Flash turned his head and realized that the tail of the autogyro was falling apart. He muttered under his breath and looked down to see that they were getting closer to the car. Tempest climbed up from the sunroof and held her hands up while Starlight was driving. The grayish amber man waited until he was just above them before he let go of Sunset, and she landed right into Tempest's arms.
"There are entrance and exit wounds right below her chest area!" Flash called out.
"Understood!" Tempest replied.
The dark orchid woman climbed back down and laid Sunset down on the backseat. Starlight slammed her foot on the gas and drove ahead while Flash climbed up to the cockpit.
"Come on. We gotta get off now," he said.
"I can't!" Twilight shouted in fear.
"Yes, you can," Flash said. "This thing is not going to last much longer. We need to jump off right now!"
"We can't do that!" Twilight shouted. "At this height, there's no way we can -"
"Trust me, we're going to be fine," Flash said, stretching out his hand. "Now, take my hand and get out of that cockpit now!"
Twilight hesitated, unsure of whether or not to believe Flash until she realized that the autogyro was heading straight toward a tree. She took Flash's hand, and he pulled her out of the cockpit, wrapped his arm around her waist, and jumped off. Twilight screamed in fear until Flash took out Sunset's grappling gun and shot it at a nearby tree. The hook wrapped itself around a branch, and the rope broke Flash and Twilight's fall, leaving them dangling a few feet above the ground. Flash pressed the button, and the gun lowered them to safety as the autogyro crashed and burst into flames. Twilight took a moment to collect herself before she saw Sunset's car driving away.
"SUNSET SHIMMER!!!" She shouted with her hands on both sides of her mouth. "DON'T YOU DARE DIE BEFORE I CAN ARREST YOU!!! DO HEAR ME!?! I'M STILL GOING TO BRING YOU TO JUSTICE!!!"
Flash snorted out a laugh, and Twilight glared at him, asking, "What's so funny."
"Oh, nothing," Flash replied. "I just think you look cute when you're acting authoritative, miss."
Twilight's cheeks turned red, and she barked, "The name is Inspector Sparkle, buster. Now, take me back to Canterlot."
"You can't command me. I'm a special agent," Flash said, smirking.
"Prove it," Twilight said.
Without hesitating, Flash took out his badge and held it up to Twilight. She adjusted her glasses to read the badge and said, "Okay, so you're a special agent for Canterlot. In that case, that makes you even more obligated to help me get back."
"And why is that?" Flash asked.
"Because I need to get to Chancellor Neighsay and give him proof that there is a counterfeit operation in Everfree," Twilight replied.
Flash's smug expression instantly disappeared. Twilight tilted her head in confusion as the grayish amber man stood still like a statue.
"I'm sorry. Did you say you have proof that the printing presses are there?" Flash asked.
"Do you know about them?" Twilight asked.
"I've been undercover looking for those machines for months," Flash said. "Chancellor Neighsay just forced my superior to have me pull back before you and Sunset tried to rescue the prince."
"Really?" Twilight asked.
"Really, really," Flash replied. "So, on behalf of Canterlot Secret Service, Inspector Sparkle, please tell me you have legitimate evidence."
Twilight smirked and reached into her pockets to take out the folded blueprints and the rolls of fake bills. Flash gazed at the evidence in awe as though he was looking at the holy grail itself. He then looked up at Twilight and smiled as he stood up straight and put his hand behind his back.
"Why don't we start over," he said before he took a bow. "Special Agent Flash Sentry at your service, Inspector Sparkle."
Twilight couldn't resist the urge to giggle, finding Flash's sudden change of demeanor to be amusing before she played along and gave him a curtsey.
"Inspector Twilight Sparkle at yours, Agent Sentry," she said.
Flash chuckled back and said, "I think we're gonna have a lot to talk about, Inspector Sparkle."
"Twilight," Twilight said.
"Twilight," Flash corrected with a smile. "So, tell me, how did you come across this evidence?"
****************************************************************************************
Meanwhile, while Starlight was driving, Tempest was tending to Sunset, who was lying down on her back in the backseat. She removed Sunset's jacket before she opened a briefcase behind Starlight's seat, took out a first-aid kit, and started cleaning the wounds as best as she could. Sunset was moaning and whimpering with her eyes shut as Tempest put pressure into the bullet holes.
"We need to get her help fast," Starlight said, terrified for her friend.
"The queen might send her people after us," Tempest said. "We should leave the country and get Shimmer help beyond Queen Adagio's jurisdiction."
"We can't do that," Starlight said. "She'll never make it if we take that long to get her proper care, and there's no way the guards would let us leave with someone bleeding to death in the back."
"Then what are we going to do?" Tempest asked.
Starlight bit her lip, unsure of how to answer the samurai's question. Her grasp on the wheel tightened as she shut her eyes and said the first thing that came to her mind.
"I think I have an idea," she said. "It's a risky idea, but if it saves Sunset, I'll try anything."
"Okay, what is it?" Tempest asked.
"First, we gotta go far enough to make sure they haven't followed us, and then we're turning back," Starlight said.
"What?! Are you out of your mind, Glimmer?!" Tempest shouted.
"I told you it's risky," Starlight said. "But there's someone back at the Castle of Luna who's the caretaker of the place. If they're not following us and if we're careful enough, we just might be able to find her and convince her to help us with the queen and her people having no idea that we're still in Everfree."
Tempest frowned and said, "That sounds too risky."
"Anything we try is going to be risky, Tempest!" Starlight barked, glaring at Tempest through a rearview mirror. "I'm going to roll the dice with whatever is the best chance Sunset has, so are you with me or not?!"
Tempest glared back at Starlight through the mirror. Then, she sighed and hung her head, saying, "Fine. Do what you think you have to do. Just don't get us all killed while doing it."
"Fair enough," Starlight said as her eyes went back to the road.
Tempest grumbled quietly before going back to focusing on Sunset. The bleeding had stopped, and Sunset's breathing was starting to slowing down. The amber woman quivered in pain, but she also looked sad as though she was having a nightmare. Tempest could only watch as Sunset kept muttering two words before she lost consciousness.
"Rough Draft. Rough...Draft. Rou...Rough...Draft. Rrrrroooouuuuggghhhh…"