//------------------------------// // 7 // Story: Fallen Queendom // by Zeroraid //------------------------------// Sunset took a step back, her attention turned to the young blue haired teen that was holding a pipe in one of his hands.  “You know this guy?” Gentle whispered, his voice starting to go. “He’s my ex.” She confessed. “He broke up with me before the virus hit.” Flash just looked at Sunset, the look on his face like a man halfway there. “How have you been?” “I’ve been better.” Flash looked nothing like the boy in her memories. His hair was a mess, his clothes were haphazardly patched together and that pipe had dried bloodstains on it. “You look…” Dangerous was what she wanted to say. “What are you doing here, Flash?” “Guy can’t visit his old school?” Flash asked before gesturing to Canterlot High next to them. “I’m not surprised you’re here though.” He looked at Gentle. “Who the hell is this?” “This is Gentle.” Sunset stated. “He’s a… friend.” Flash actually laughed at the word she chose. “Friend?” Flash repeated. “I doubt that, you don’t have friends, just minions to do your dirty work.” Sunset winched as she heard the words. Sadly he wasn’t that wrong. She didn’t have friends. Snips and Snails were the closest she had to them, but even she knew they were more servants than anything. They worked for her, and she didn’t bully them in any way or form. Gentle just put a hand on Sunset’s shoulder, giving her that reassuring smile of his as she returned it meekly. Apparently that was the wrong course  of action to perform. “WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU SMILING ABOUT!?” Both teens flinched as Flash shouted at them, gripping his pipe so hard that his knuckles started to turn pale. “I bet you got it in your head that that bitch there is all goody little two shoes don’t you? Well guess what she’s not! That bitch will just use you up and throw you away when she’s done with you!” Flash shouted as he glared at Sunset. “Just like she did with me.” “Flash…” Sunset muttered as she stepped back as Gentle stood in front of her in case things went wrong. “Remember you broke up with me. Not the other way around.” “And you were probably just waiting to get back at me like everyone else you fucked over.” Flash growled as he glared through Gentle to look at Sunset. “If this was what you were coming up with though to get back at me.” He refocused his gaze at Gentle. “Gotta say you downgraded quite a bit.” Gentle simply flipped Flash off. “He’s not part of some plot to get back at you Flash. We were just…” Sunset froze up, looking at the statue behind her and then back to Flash. “Talking.” She whispered.” “Oh yeah, bout what?” “That's between me and her.” Gentle spoke up as stared down Flash. “So… Do you need something, or… can you leave us be?” “Why; you two gonna smooch or something behind the statue?” Flash muttered. “Well, that’s all you’re gonna get out of her, she doesn’t put out.” Sunset twitched as she felt her temper starting to boil over. “Is that why you broke up with me?” She hissed. “Cause I wouldn’t let you “get some”?” “The fact that you were a bitch to didn’t help.” Flash scoffed. “Well maybe if you had some balls I wouldn’t be such a bitch to you.” Sunset countered as Gentle sucked in breath, failing to notice that Sunset was starting to breathe green vapors. “Hey, I got your balls right here princess.” “Really? So they finally dropped huh? Good for you.” Sunset bit out. “Just need that deformed little dick to grow in and maybe you’ll have an actual chance to get some.” Flash growled, breathing green before his eyes turned red, before he stepped forward, pipe swinging. “Fuck.” Gentle raised his bat to protect himself and Sunset, taking the minute to glance back at her with disappointment in his eyes as her red eyes started to return to normal as she realized what she had done. “Flash wait I’m-” “Go to fucking hell you bitch!” Flash shouted, bringing down his pipe again as Gentle pushed Sunset away with his shoulder. “I’m gonna split your head in two!” “No you won’t.” Gentle blocked another swing with his bat as he started to stumble a bit. “Calm down…” He told his counterpart. “The virus amps up your anger, you need to calm down!” He strained his voice as Flash continued to hammer away at him with his pipe and Gentle started stepping back to avoid getting hit. “Who… the hell… are you… to tell me to calm down!?” Flash growled out as he slammed into Gentle with enough force it lifted him off the ground and shoved him towards the statue. “You don’t know anything about me or her! So shut the fuck up!” Flash was strong. Where the hell in that body of his did he find this kind of strength? Gentle kicked Flash off of him, forcing the boy to stumble as was forced back and tackled him to the ground. “Flash…please~” He took a breath. “You need to calm down.” Flash kicked in below the belt and rolled on top of him before raising his fists. And started bringing them down on Gentle’s arms. Sunset grabbed Flash from behind as she stopped him from swinging and left him thrashing about. “Stop!” “Get off of me!” Flash shouted as he threw Sunset off of him and turned to her before trying to go after her. Gentle responded by grabbing Flash’s legs and pulling them from under the teen and sent him back down. He mounted the teen again as he put his hands behind his back and locked them in place. “I said get off of me!” “Not till you… calm down.” Gentle felt his voice starting to fade again. All this talking was doing a number on his damaged vocal cords. “Don’t tell me to calm down.” “Flash…” Sunset got to her feet and looked at her ex. “I’m sorry, I really am.” She muttered. “But he’s right, this anger isn’t you.” “What do you know about me?” Flash hissed out as he tried looking at his ex. “Oh right, you know everything don’t you, cause you’re a manipulative lying… doublecrossing…” Was Flash getting bigger? “Bitch!” Gentle found Flash lifting himself up and roared, swinging around as he knocked Gentle off his back. Hitting the ground Gentle heard Sunset scream as he saw an enlarged, practically swelling Flash lifting Sunset up by the neck as he brought a hand back to smash her face in. Gentle rushed in, slowing down just long enough to grab his discarded bat and made a low swing. He hit Flash’s knee and made him buckle, then slammed the but of his weapon into Flash’s hand as he let go of Sunset. “Go!” He ordered as Sunset watched him stand between her and Flash. “Get to safety.” He told her. “But-” Sunset shook her head.  “I’ll be fine, just -” “No!” Sunset countered as she saw flash pick up his discarded pipe and glare at her. “We don’t have time to -” Flash swung his pipe so hard he dented Gentle’s bat and sent him stumbling. “Yeah we don’t.” Sunset muttered as she looked around for something to wield before biting her lips. “I’m not leaving you here.” She declared as she put up her fists. “I got him like this, not you, so I’m not leaving.” Gentle shook his head but got ready nonetheless as Flash roared, charging and swung the pipe he was carrying. Gentle chose to dodge, moving to the side as the pipe dug into the ground. He hit Flash on the arm with his bat, then drove it up to hit him in the face. That seemed to stagger the teen and piss him off at the same time. The pipe was swung in wide arcs as Gentle stepped back to avoid them as Sunset jumped onto Flash’s back and put him in a chokehold. Flash reached behind him as he grabbed the girl and pulled her off of him before throwing her onto the ground and raised his pipe. Sunset kicked him in the dick and rolled as he went down to clutch his pride before reaching for her. His reward was Gentle kicking him in the face and breaking his nose. Flash roared and the green mist returned, causing him to bulk up a bit before grabbing ontoGentle’s leg and raising him up, before slamming him into the ground repeatedly before throwing him towards the statue and cracking it. “Gentle!” Sunset looked back to Flash as she took a step back. “Just… you and me…” Flash growled. “Like old times.” “It’s nothing like old times.” Sunset muttered as Flash charged her and raised his pipe again.  Equestria Canterlot City Looking through a one-sided mirror a mare just crossed her hooves as she watched the scene play out. “Ex vs ex, now that’s something out of a show I’d love to watch.” She muttered before turning her attention to the young man that was getting himself back up and joining in the fight. “Still.” She muttered. “I’m not here for a show.” She confessed. “And neither are you.” The mare stated as she looked to the figure chained and bleeding out on the floor before the mirror. Looking at a shadow of a time past, broken and beaten by her hooves as she glanced back at them, the mare simply stepped forward and sighed. “So what do you say we get started?” “W-wait…” Tirek groaned as he looked at the mare. Her eyes impassive as she stared at the weakened centaur. He truly was a shadow of his former glory. So weak, so...harmless. But give him time and he would grow to be a great threat to Equestria and herself. But at the moment they were both shadows. Weaker than their past selves - their true selves. Still, this “her” was still stronger than the present “him”. “Perhaps we can… come to some sort of agreement?” “No.” She muttered and activated her spell. Scarlet light flashed beneath his feet. Occult light flared into existence as she watched. The pentagon was burning and Tirek screamed. She didn’t care. “I spent half a year tracking you down after we escaped Tartarus. I’ve no intention of delaying my plans a moment longer.” Enough time had passed after all and while she was patient, she had her limits. Besides, this spell had a very limited timeframe. She couldn’t afford to let this pass her by. So she chanted, casting old spells as her sacrifice struggled against their bindings. It was no use, those chains though pure metal were more than the aged centaur could handle at the moment. “Why… are… you… doing… this?” Why indeed. She held no grudge against the centaur in particular. She was not his enemy. But to do this she needed a live sacrifice. What better than the sacrifice being one of the nations greatest and potentially deadliest enemies. In a way she was doing Equestria a favor, removing Tirek, and yet it was all to further her own particular set of goals. The last incantation left her as she watched Tireks body disappear and with it the occult light grew stronger,having taken the remaining energy carried by his soul and stabilizing within the mirror It was ready. “Bring them here.” Earth Canterlot City Sunset weaved to the side, stepped on her ex’s enlarged arm and grabbed his face before kneeing him basically flipping over the teen. She kicked off his back as he rubbed his face and made towards the downed boy as Flash started to radiate mist. “Ow~” Gentle groaned as he opened his eyes and looked around, attention turning to the girl that was still fighting. Flash had likely broken one or two of the teen’s ribs with his last hit, but it was gonna take a lot more than that to keep him down for long. “Gentle!” Sunset knelt next to him as he got his bat ready as they both stood before the statue failing to notice it starting to ripple. “Come on, we need to hide somewhere..” Sunset ordered as Gentle made a noise. “Where would we go?” It hurt to talk. “We go back to the others, he’ll just follow us.” “I know but the school, maybe we can hide in there.” Sunset muttered as she glanced beyond Flash to see Canterlot High. “If we can get by him, maybe we can-” Sunset didn’t finish that though, a strange - familiar feeling coming over her as she looked back, the statue forming some kind of molten array as her eyes widened. “No way…” The array burst, tendrils of scarlet energy ripping from it as they latched onto the pair of teens. “W-what in Equestria?!” Sunset struggled as did Gentle, Flash however simply looked on in confusion at the sight before him before his rage started to spike and he charged forward, pipe raised as he made to strike either Sunset. Gentle moved, blacking out as the pipe smashed into his head. ??? Time Later “Gentle… Gentle?” He knew that voice. The dazed teen thought as he felt someone shaking him. “Come on Gentle wake up, please?” ‘Sunset?’  “Is he going to be alright?” He wasn’t sure, felt like he just got blitzed by maybe ten Footballers. “Yes, he took a pretty hard hit, but I stopped most of the damage that was done done.” Did he know that voice? No he was pretty sure he didn’t. “Right… Thank you for that.” Sunset’s voice sounded a bit relaxed. “But who are you?” “I think it’s best if I answer that, when your companion wakes up.” She was told as Gentle groaned. “Oh, speak of the devil.” “Gentle!” Sunset called out as Gentle opened his eyes  and stared at the ceiling. “Easy.” Someone grabbed him, he paid them little attention as he just stared upward, attention still in a haze. “You’re finally up.” Sunset muttered as his blurred vision focused on her. The pained haze wasn’t gone but it was fading, and with that he was able to think and better yet see a bit more clearly. “You’re gonna be ok.” Gentle nodded his head before staring ahead, more out of confusion than anything. What he saw was the oddest - and possibly the cutest thing he had seen since all this started. Two… horses, two pastel colored - cartoon like horses with horns of varying length. Unicorns? He blinked, confusion still across his face as he looked between the two before he opened his mouth. “The… fuck?” One chuckled, the other gave a weak smile, seeming to expect that kind of response. “Gentle.” Sunset’s voice left one of the pastel colored ponies. “Gentle, it's me Sunset.” She told him as Gentle just stared in disbelief. “Can you remember what I told you about my past?” Gentle just stared at the pony for a moment before  thinking back. The pain filled haze still got to him, but he did remember. “Pony.” He muttered. “Yeah.” Sunset chuckled. “Magical pony.” “Yeah.” She repeated as Gentle took a breath and sat up. Bad idea. “This is…” Sunset began as she gestured to herself. “This is the real me.” Gentle didn’t say anything, instead just looking at the duel haired girl - mare(?) and tilting his head in confusion. “What do you think?” “… cute.” Gentle muttered. “You look… cute.” Sunset smiled, flourishing slightly at the compliment and nodded. “Thanks, you don’t look that bad yourself.” Again Gentle tilted his head in confusion as he heard the words before raising a hand to his head to scratch it. Felt like there was something wrong with his hand so he looked at it and… His response was probably accurate. He screamed, quite loudly at that. “WHAT THE FUCK!!!?” It hurt to scream, that didn't mean he was stopping though. He got to his feet, stumbled for a moment and dropped back to the floor he caught himself though, stopping himself from kissing the floor. He tried again… failed, again… failed. Eventually he gave up, simply sitting on the floor as he started to sign. Or at least tried to; his fingers were gone apparently. So he went with the next best thing; waving his arms in obvious panic. What the hell happened to him? Why was he a pony? “Gentle, Gentle it's ok!” Sunset stated as she tried to get Gentle to calm down as he looked himself over. “You’re supposed to look like this.” “All my things are pony things!” His voice cracked in pain. “And where are my pants?!” “Yeah those don’t stay with us on this side of the portal.” Sunset stated as she used her magic to bring over a small mirror. Goddess, she missed being able to do magic. Staring at it Gentle just looked at his reflection, somewhat in shock.  Again he saw a horn though it seemed a bit different from Sunset’s and again he saw two very big ember eyes. The skin - coat color was the same fair shade he had grown used to throughout his life, and the mess of black hair wasn’t exactly foreign either. Nor was the scar on both his neck and cheek. He was a pony… And yet… “I’m…” His voice died as his vocal cords reached their limit. ‘Adorable.’ Shaking his head he turned to Sunset, his attention turning once more to confusion as he calmed down. He tried signing with his hooves but that failed, still Sunset caught on to the attempted question and nodded. “The portal opened and brought us to Equestria. We’re in my home world…” Sunset explained as she looked over to the silent mare who’d simply been watching the exchange. “You can thank her for bringing us here.” She paused. “As for who she is…” “My name is Pale Arts.” The mare stated as she stepped forward. Pale Arts was tall, very tall at that, but she wasn’t as lithe as Celestia, Sunset noticed. She had a long pale gray mane that was braided and a matching tail. Her coat was a pale brown, but it looked more from a lack of light than anything, and her eyes were a golden orange. What was curious though was that she had markings on her face. Two like tears and one like a third eye beneath her horn. “It’s a pleasure to meet you two.” “Right.” Sunset admitted as she helped Gentle up. “My name is Sunset Shimmer.” Sunset stated. “And this is Gentle.” Gentle awkwardly waved. “Thank you for helping us out back there but why did you-” “I have my reasons.” The mare stated as she stepped forward. “I just wish our meeting was under better circumstances.” “What do you mean?” Sunset asked as Gentle just looked on. “Equestria is not as you remember my dear Sunset.” Sunset flinched as she heard an old nickname. “Times have changed it, and I’m afraid not for the better.” Pale Arts admitted as she started walking towards the window. “Though you don’t have to take my word for it.” She stated as she pulled the blinds from the window and let them see the city beyond it. “See what has become of Canterlot City yourselves.”