//------------------------------// // Bulletproof Heart // Story: Bulletproof Heart: Sunset at Little Longhorn // by PaulAsaran //------------------------------// “So this spell of yours can find gems out in the field?” Sunset asked from across the tiny dining table. Between them sat Sunset’s own culinary creation, a hearty mixture of rice and cabbage beneath a thick potato-based gravy. ‘Peasant food’, one might say, but Rarity found it pleasantly rich. And one never said no to potatoes. As her father liked to say, potatoes were Luna’s gift to chefs. She’d yet to find reason to debate the point. “Indeed,” she said, sipping from her glass of warm mead, which was apparently the favorite drink of Little Longhorn. Not Rarity's first choice, but it served. She almost refused it, but relented at Sunset’s insistence it had only the most minute alcoholic content. “Finding gems in the wilds is exceedingly rare, of course, and I don’t use it near as much as I did in my teenage years. Still,” she added as she shivered, “there are times when it comes in handy.” “Can you teach it to me?” Rarity blinked, taking in Sunset’s clasped hands and bright-eyed grin. “W-well, I suppose. I don’t—” “Thank you! Have some more mead.” Sunset reached for Rarity’s mug with all the eagerness of a filly looking to please a childhood icon. Rarity pulled the mug out of her reach swiftly. “No! No, thank you.” The anxiousness that sometimes fell upon Sunset made itself known once more. She hunched back in her chair and poked her fork at her barely eaten meal. “You don’t like it?” “That’s not it at all,” Rarity replied with a sigh. She eyed the mug, which was still more than two-thirds full. “The last experience I had with alcohol ended poorly for everypony involved. I’ve grown wary of it since then.” “Oh. I’m sorry. I guess I should have got you some water from the well.” “Don’t.” Rarity raised her hand to stop Sunset before she could fully escape her seat. “The mead is fine. You’ve no need to go through any trouble.” Sunset hesitated, pouting as she stood locked between sitting and standing. Then her expression firmed. “No. You’re helping me learn. The least I can do is be a courteous host. Besides, it’s only ten steps to the well.” As much as Rarity wanted to object, she stilled her tongue. This wasn’t the first time Sunset showed signs of a more self-assured personality than her frequent meekness suggested, and she didn’t want to discourage that. “Very well, but only because you insist.” Nodding, Sunset grabbed a metal pail from near the door and stepped outside. Rarity waited until she was truly gone before hopping out of her seat and moving to the window. The town was painted in pleasant orange and red hues thanks to the rapidly descending sun. Sunset trudged with purpose for the well, which stood innocuous and isolated in the middle of the square. There remained no movement from the surrounding houses. At least, not from inside the houses. A hint of motion caught Rarity’s attention. There was a pony partially hidden between two of the homes on the opposite side of the square. He or she watched Sunset from the shadows, but otherwise did nothing. The sight filled Rarity with a frustrating certainty. It wasn’t hard evidence, but it was good enough in her mind. More out of habit than anything, she took a moment to check the five-bullet cylinder of her revolver, then pulled the significantly larger 45 caliber pistol from beneath her vest. She pulled the cartridge out, counted it full at nine bullets, then replaced it and the gun. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe it was nothing. She’d rather be prepared than dead. Rarity sat back in her seat at the dining table, took a bite of food, and began surveying the house once more. With a wry smile, she formed her plan. Sunset returned. She levitated the now full pail onto the kitchen counter and lit the fire with her magic. “I’ll just get this to boiling. Don’t want you catching anything because you used bad water, right?” “Of course,” Rarity replied, pretending to keep her attention on her food. “I notice it’ll be night soon. Is there any place better to stay than some…” She worked to exaggerate her shudders, like a proper diva. “Saloon?” “A place to stay? Well—” Sunset went stiff, her back still turned from the table. Rarity barely repressed a smile at the expected reaction. Now, if she’d figured Sunset out as she thought she had, then in three… two… one… “Y-you could…” Sunset shuffled from hoof to hoof, her skirts swaying as her brilliant tail wrapped around her legs. “You could… stay the night. I won’t charge you or anything.” Perfect. Rarity’s mood soured, though, as she recalled the reason for her little manipulation. “I suppose I could. Are you sure that’s alright?” Facing her at last, a rosy pink in her cheeks, Sunset nodded. “I don’t have much. Only one bed and all. B-but you can have it tonight! I’ll just—” No, no, no! That was going too far, even without her plans. Rarity leveled a commanding look at her host and uttered a single, forceful word: “Stop.” Sunset flinched as if struck, her eyes dropping to the floor. She said nothing. Her demure, outright docile manner made Rarity’s hackles rise. Standing up, she walked around to stand before Sunset. “Look at me.” After another flinch, Sunset complied, anxiety and fear in her gaze. Rarity set her hands on the mare’s shoulders and tried not to grimace at how Sunset jumped from the contact. “You are an intelligent, capable mare. You have an influential position in this town, particularly over its youth. I have seen that you are capable of standing up for yourself at times. There’s a strong mare beneath that shivering, fearful creature on display, and I want to talk to her.” Though her hands moved up as if to grab Rarity’s arms, Sunset failed to commit to the action. She turned her face away, head and ears lowered. “W-why are you saying such things?” Rarity tried to reposition herself to look Sunset in the eyes, but the mare refused to cooperate. Nonetheless, she said, “I want to know what those boys did to make you so meek.” “Maybe that’s just who I—” “Do not try to tell me this is who you really are.” She spun Sunset around so that they were facing the workstation, which she promptly pointed at. “You have a dream that you pursue, and at significant personal cost. Don’t try to deny it, I know how expensive paper can get even here in the Eastline. And let us not forget the sheer mental fortitude required to teach children. And while I’ll admit it’s a reach to make this connection, you are related to The Flaming Vermillion, an Equestrian legend who very nearly had me eating dirt last year.” Rarity walked back around to Sunset’s front, taking in the pony’s alarmed, almost pained expression. “Don’t tell me this fragile, defenseless creature is the real you, because I don’t buy it for a moment.” Sunset stood there for a time, eyes lowered and cheeks freshly pink. But her weariness and depression hadn’t left her eyes. If anything, she seemed even more timid than she had before, her shoulders hunched and her hands clasped tightly. At last, she said, “What would you have me do, Miss Belle? Stand up for myself? Tomorrow you’ll be gone, and the Gang will still be here. Every day they remind me of what they did to my family. I have to live every night knowing that they could come into this house and take whatever they want, myself included, and I would be powerless to stop them.” Her eyes met Rarity’s at last. “It’s nice that you care, but you just don’t understand the situation.” Rarity grit her teeth but held her tongue. What could she possibly say to that? She wasn’t about to reveal her plans for tonight. So instead she just stared into Sunset’s eyes and tried to will the mare to show her backbone. It was all for naught, as Sunset merely turned away, sat at the table, and continued to eat her dinner. Maybe I don’t understand. She gripped the handle of her revolver, rubbing her thumb against the familiar knub. But I won’t let this situation continue. Settling down in her own chair, she cast a glance at the window. It was all but night now. “I’ll stay,” she said, unable to keep the edge out of her voice. “But I’ll be sleeping in here.” “Are you sure? I can—” Sunset shrank in her seat at the hard expression fired her way. “O-okay.” Acting so heated towards Sunset was wrong, Rarity knew, but she couldn’t help the fire burning within. The little pony in the back of her head reminded her that this wasn’t why she’d come to Little Longhorn. She was supposed to drop off a package then move on. This was a job to pay for her survival, no more. But then, what would happen to Sunset after she left? After how she’d threatened Charmer, retribution was imminent. Rarity was determined to head that off at the pass. And if she understood Bad Apple tactics like she thought she did, then the method for retribution was obvious. Once dinner was eaten, Rarity convinced Sunset to provide her with a means of privacy. To Sunset, this had meant opening up the storage room for the night. Using all her experience as a repulsive teenage diva – perhaps the first time that period of her life had a use – Rarity came up with all sorts of excuses as to why the room wasn’t suitable for a mare of her caliber. Be it complaining about the dust or the extra work required to make space, Rarity laid it on as thick as she could. Part of it was in the hope that Sunset would finally snap and show her authoritative side. This was her home, after all. But her real purpose won out, and a frustrated Sunset finally agreed to help her rig up a simple curtain in a windowless corner of the main room. Flustered and undoubtedly regretting her decision to house Rarity for the night, Sunset promptly went to bed. Rarity then went outside to check on and prepare Ophelia in case a hasty retreat would be needed, grabbing her sleeping roll while she was at. All that was left was to wait. They came later than Rarity expected. Her first clue was the orange glow in the windows. She heard the front door open, its hinges creaking no less loudly now than before. It came as a great relief, as Sunset’s floor was anything but comfortable. She watched three stallions walk in, recognizing one of them as Charming. Armed with rifles and pistols, they slowly snuck their way to the curtain Sunset and Rarity had put up. Once their collective backs were turned to her, she stood and stepped as quietly as possible out from the storage room. She allowed herself only a brief glance out the window, but that was enough. A posse was waiting outside, along with dozens of thestrals. She highly doubted so many townsfolk approved of what was happening. In all likelihood the Gang was trying to make Sunset and her an example to Little Longhorn. They’d certainly get a show. Charming raised his hand, stopping the other two. He reached up, took the curtain, and slowly pulled it aside. All three of them aimed at the apparently sleeping figure in the bedroll. Rarity ignited her horn, and the stallions gave startled cries as the curtain came undone and encircled them. Three shots were fired in vain, then they were wrapped up tight. Rarity cracked each of them on the back of the head with one of Sunset’s pots, which was enough to still their movements. A couple seconds later, Sunset rushed out of her room, clutching a nightgown close as she turned towards what she thought was Rarity’s sleeping spot. Smooth as silk, Rarity stepped up behind her, reaching around Sunset’s shoulder and covering her mouth. “Shh, not a sound,” she whispered, raising her pistol to her lips in lieu of a finger. Sunset nodded vigorously, eyes locked on the unconscious forms at her hooves. “There’s a posse outside. Probably at the back door, too. Lay down on the floor by the front door, and if you see anypony coming in through the back then call out to me.” Releasing Sunset, Rarity took an extra moment to free the unconscious trespassers' weapons from within the confines of the curtain, then started for the front door. She paused when Sunset asked, “W-what are you going to do?” Frowning, Rarity took a slow breath to calm her heart and raised her weapons in demonstration. “Teach a lesson.” Without another word, she stepped outside. There were eight outlaws out front, and the looks of shock on their faces at her arrival were priceless. The dozens of thestral townsfolk behind them began murmuring amongst themselves as she stepped out the door and into the light of their torches. “Good evening, boys. Or is it morning by now?” The leader of the posse stood at the rear of his crew, right by the well. The best way she could describe him was ‘average’, in height, in build, in colors. Indeed, if he hadn't possessed an exaggeratedly authoritative posture, like somepony posing for a painting, she wouldn’t have recognized him as the leader. His dropped jaw closed as anger replaced his alarm. “Where’s my brother?” “Ah, so you’re Crater,” Rarity replied pleasantly. She couldn’t help thinking the poor fellow had been named after his pockmarked complexion. “I’m afraid Charming got caught trying to peek in on sleeping mares.” Her voice grew hard. “So he was punished.” Crater trembled with clear fury. He reached into his vest and pulled out a large revolver. Compensating for something, perhaps? “Just who the hay do you think you are?” “Hmmph, how rude!” Rarity waved her own revolver in a dismissive fashion. “Gentlecolts are supposed to introduce themselves first.” When he only glared, she sighed and shook her head. “Oh, very well, if you insist on being a brute.” She raised her revolver to her right, its metal shining silver in the torchlight. Its polished wood was stained a midnight blue, its name emblazoned upon the wood in glittery silver letters. “This is Silver Lining.” The outlaws reached for their guns. She raised her 45 pistol to her left, its barrel long and wide compared to its companion. The metal shone a pinkish-red, its wood an eye-catching maroon. Tiny rubies shimmered along its sides. Its name could be seen written in fine cursive along its barrel. “This is Ruby Heart.” They all aimed for her, some of them visibly shaking. “These I think you’re familiar with.” Rarity ignited her horn and worked her magic. A second later four pistols and a rifle emerged from the open front door of Sunset’s house and hovered at her sides, each aimed at a different pony. “I’m sure Charming and his friends won’t mind if I borrow them.” That would have been the perfect opportunity for them to open fire, but it seemed surprise and alarm had crippled their capacity to think straight. The outlaws just stared, weapons half-aimed and postures hunched. “And I am the Bulletproof Heart.” Rarity took aim at the ponies on either side of Crater, working her magic for one last trick. “I don’t take kindly to your treatment of Miss Shimmer. So I’m only going to warn you once: leave Little Longhorn and never come back.” The only sound was the soft murmuring of the thestrals and crackle of the torches. Many of the townsfolk were already backing away swiftly, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire. The bandits exchanged fearful looks, and she could see her title being worked on their quivering lips. At last, Crater noticed that none of the guns were pointed his way. He smiled, slowly, maliciously, and pointed his weapon at Rarity’s head. “Any drifter can claim to be the Bulletproof Heart. You’re bluffing.” Rarity countered with her own smile, batting her lashes at him. In an oh-so sweet voice, she replied, “Oh, no, no, no, Mr. Crater. I’m not bluffing. “I’m stalling.” In that moment the rope from the well, glowing dimly in her blue aura, wrapped itself around his throat. He gasped and opened fire, an act that was followed by his companions. Their shots bounced harmlessly off a small shield just large enough to cover her body, each impact a small hammer to her head. She took it with only a wince, concentrating on pulling the gang leader towards the well with the rope. Confusion reigned for a few brief seconds, and then the guns in Rarity’s magic all opened fire simultaneously. Rarity might have been a crack shot, but she wasn’t so delusional as to think she could accurately fire seven weapons at the same time. Indeed, the very suggestion was ludicrous. But the maneuver served its purpose: the outlaws scrambled for cover from the onslaught like roaches fleeing the light. She even hit one or two. With the lot of them on the move, she released her shield and the levitating weapons and focused on just using Silver Lining and Ruby Heart. The outlaws never stood a chance. Her guns swept across the area in blue and red blurs of motion, and five went down in the first wave of bullets. One of the survivors tried to hide in an alleyway while the other struggled to keep Crater from being pulled by the neck into the well. Leaving those two to their distraction, she walked towards the alleyway. She had planned on advising the outlaw to just leave, but he opened fire as soon as she crossed the corner. It only took one shot from Silver Lining to bring him down, but she was kind and only hit his leg. That left the last two. She approached the well, casually changing out Silver Lining's cylinder with her magic and paying no heed to the groaning ponies scattered throughout the square. When the last bandit saw her coming she went for her gun only to get a bullet in the arm. That was all it took to send her running past the thestrals and into the darkness. Crater, blue in the face, had half his body over the open well, legs kicking at the air as he struggled with the rope. Rarity stepped up beside him and leaned against the well, chin on the back of her hand as she observed him. “This is truly an amateur operation you’re running here, Mr. Crater.” He gasped and choked, boggling eyes locked on her. There was a desperate plea within them, but she was not moved. She tapped the side of his head with Ruby Heart’s barrel. “Under normal circumstances I would make you an offer to give up this profession, but it is to my understanding that you Bad Apples have been tormenting dear Sunset her entire life, and that just will not do.” He reached out to grab her arm. He couldn’t quite reach it at this angle. A desperate whine found its way out of the confines of his throat. “Really, you should consider yourself lucky that the Flaming Vermillion is dead. She wouldn’t have bothered with these games. I should know, I fought her once. Fortunately for you?” She stood up straight and holstered her weapons, then smiled at him. “I am not a killer.” The rope unwrapped from around his throat, and Crater scrambled to get away from the well. “However.” The rope darted forward once more. It caught him by the leg and dragged him back. He gave a raspy scream and clawed at the stones, but soon she had him hovering upside down over the well. This required a lot of effort on her part, for he was by no means a light pony, but it was worth it for the look of horror on his face. Ignoring the strain on her horn, Rarity turned him to face her. “Since the Flaming Vermillion is no longer available, consider this town under my protection now.” Her eyes narrowed as she growled in his face. “You won’t get a second chance to walk away. If I have to come back here, my generosity won’t save you. Is that understood?” He nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes, I get it! Now put me down!” She grinned and stepped back. “Glad we understand one another. Ta-ta!” Her magic cut off, and Crater fell screaming into the well. The rope snapped taut, and his scream shifted from fear to agony. She wondered, mildly, if his leg had been broken. Well, it wasn’t her problem. Turning around, she paused upon realizing that some of the thestral townsfolk were still watching, not a one of them without a dropped jaw. She set her hands to her hips, flashed her best smile for them, and said, “Feel free to leave him down there as long as you deem appropriate.” Without another word, she stepped over the dead and wounded outlaws and returned to Sunset’s house. The mare herself stood half-hidden in the doorway, gaping at her as if she’d just sprouted a second head. Saying nothing, she retreated back into the house as Rarity entered. It took only a couple minutes to drag the three unconscious outlaws in the curtain out and dump them in the square. Only once she was back inside and the door had closed behind her did she let her smile fade. Rubbing her aching head just below her throbbing horn, she groaned. “Note to self: find less demanding ways to put on a show.” “That was— Rarity, you— I— How—?” Sunset fell into one of her dining chairs, her efforts at speech fading into unintelligible sputters. She’d forgotten all about her nightgown, leaving a lot more skin visible than Rarity needed to see. Rarity elected not to comment on this, instead tossing the sheet into Sunset’s lap. “Hold that thought.” She marched for the back door, using her horn to turn the knob – no sense breaking the door in the process. With all the strength she could muster, she kicked it open, not surprised when it slammed against a solid body on the other side. A second kick succeeded in opening the door fully, and she stomped out into the back road to stand over a mare. The pony squirmed and moaned, clutching at her bleeding muzzle. Rarity whipped out her guns and aimed them at the two remaining earth ponies. “Anyone else?” They didn’t stick around to test her, disappearing into the night without bothering to fire a shot. One of them even left his gun behind. That done, she put Ruby Heart away and grabbed the still moaning mare by her shirt. It took a bit of effort, but she managed to stand the mare up with one hand while the other kept Silver Lining aimed at her chest. “Sorry about that, darling, but a lady is entitled to her privacy.” Her pleasant tone disappeared entirely. “How many are in your little posse?” One hand still covering her soaked nose, the mare raised the other high, eyes locked on the gun. “I shurrender,” she cried, voice nasally through her broken muzzle. “D-don’t shoot!” Rarity dug the barrel into the mare’s chest, pulling her a little closer as she did. “How many?” She kept her tone even but commanding; she wanted the girl to answer the question, not empty her bowels. “Th-there’sh, uh… Junker makesh nine, um… Elefen! Elefen of ush!” Eleven? So she’d already encountered all of the Gang in Little Longhorn. Not much of an occupying force, but then, the Gang probably didn’t think it needed one with the Vermillion dead and the town in their pocket. Rarity dropped the wide-eyed youth, who promptly fell to a sitting position. “I’ve already threatened your boss, so I won’t bore you with the details. Just know that I have every intention of making life miserable for the lot of you if I learn you’re still doing this sort of thing in the future.” She started to turn away, but paused to shoot one last, threatening look at the trembling mare. “I will find out.” Her task done – for now – Rarity returned to the house, closing the door softly behind her. She turned to find Sunset still sitting at the table, staring at the front door in a daze. Holstering Silver Lining, Rarity waved a hand before Sunset’s frozen face. “Miss Shimmer? Hello? Anypony home?” Sunset nearly fell out of her seat. She raised a shaking finger to point at Rarity. “Y-you’re the Bulletproof Heart.” Glad to find her host no longer paralyzed, Rarity smirked and went to sit down in the chair opposite her. “Yes, I do believe we’ve covered that.” “Okay.” Placing her palms flat on the table, Sunset stared at them and took a few slow breaths. Her shaking gradually faded. Once they’d passed, she looked up to ask, “Why didn’t you tell me?” With cheek in hand, Rarity studied her nails. They looked a fright. She wondered if Sunset had access to a nail file. “Wherever the Bulletproof Heart goes, trouble tends to follow, usually in relation to the Bad Apples. But if nopony knows she’s in their midst, then trouble doesn’t know to show up. I’ve made it a point not to advertise it at every opportunity.” Sunset promptly pointed at the front door and demanded incredulously, “Then why did you announce it out there?” “Because I believed the secret was already out,” Rarity replied calmly, checking Sunset’s nails as she did. Hmm, yes, not too shabby. She had to have something Rarity could borrow. “I thought Charming and his goons recognized me during our encounter at the cemetery. I may not announce my title to every pony I meet, but that’s no protection against reputation.” She pulled out Silver Lining, making sure the name inscribed on its side was in full view. “This by itself tends to be a dead giveaway.” Sunset considered this, lips twisting into a scowl. “They’ll come back.” “And so will I.” “When?” Sunset raised her hands wide, doubt plain in her narrowed eyes. “Why?” “Once a year. Or when you send word for help.” Sunset’s posture slumped slightly, hands still raised. “Me? How am I supposed to do that?” Rarity shrugged. “Little Longhorn has a bank, does it not? Or a post office?” “What does that have to do with anything?” At Rarity’s questioning look, she sighed. “We send messages via caravan or rider to the next town over.” Smiling in satisfaction, Rarity declared, “I have a friend who is… very high in the bank’s management system. I will send him a little request regarding this issue. From that point on, if the Bad Apples are back in town then you need only send a message through the Bank or post office and it is guaranteed to reach me regardless of where I am.” “You can do that?” Sunset blinked. “You would do that?” “Yes and yes.” A yawn overcame Rarity, but she wasn’t ready to call it a night – morning? – just yet. “I said I would protect this town, and I meant it.” For a little while, her host merely stared at her, as if she were speaking some foreign language beyond pony comprehension. Then her expression darkened. “Did you kill Stormy?” The query sliced through Rarity’s growing weariness like a knife. She sat up straight and opened her mouth, but hesitated upon seeing the fire in Sunset’s eyes. Where had that question come from? Rarity pursed her lips, sucked in a long breath, and relaxed. “No. I didn’t kill her, but I was there.” Sunset studied her, clearly seeking some sign of deception. Her hands clenched and unclenched a few times before she asked, “How did she die?” There was no need to think on the answer. Rarity remembered the event vividly. “My friends and I were engaged in a fight with the Bad Apples. Stormy Flare charged in, attacking anypony in sight regardless of what side they were on. She was already heavily injured at the time. Even a pony as capable as she has limitations and, frankly, she slammed into hers at full speed.” More intense scrutiny. Rarity didn’t flinch; she’d faced far worse than Sunset’s furrowed brow in her time. They were discussing one of them even now. In the end the fire died. Sunset sank back into her chair, pressing her fingers to her forehead. “That sounds like something she’d do. She was growing more and more unhinged every time I saw her. I figured it was only a matter of time.” Once sure the mare wouldn’t say anything more, Rarity gave her a small nod. “I’ll tell you whatever I can if it will help, and I will assist Little Longhorn if I need to. I only ask for three things.” As if by instinct, Sunset hurried to close her nightgown up, expression darkening once again. “What things?” Rarity raised a finger. “First, I’d like to know more about the Rainbow Gang. Since ponies keep insisting on comparing me to them, I should probably learn more about them. All my information so far comes from secondhand sources.” Sunset’s ears perked as she thought on this. “That’s… Yeah, I can do that.” “Excellent! Second, I want you to get your hands on a gun.” Sunset recoiled as if struck. “W-what? No! What do you expect me to do with that?” “Learn to defend yourself, for one.” Rarity grimaced at the negative response she’d received. “If this town had ponies who would stand up for themselves then this kind of thing wouldn’t happen in the first place. I’m not going to offer my aid to a town that expects me to do everything.” “The Bad Apples put this town to the torch!” “And they’ll do it again,” Rarity countered calmly. “I want to help you, Sunset, but I may be anywhere in Equestria the next time they show up. It could take seasons for me to arrive, far too late to make a difference. That’s why I said I would come to help if I need to. If a town this size can’t learn to chase off a dozen inexperienced bandits like Crater and his cronies, my protection means nothing.” “B-but, I… We…” Sunset wrung her hands, shivering as she fought for some kind of argument. “We are not heroes!” “I’m not asking you to be.” Now it was Rarity who narrowed her eyes. “But I am asking you to grow a backbone.” “I’m not qualified to do this. What if we die?” “You can either defend yourself or stay on your knees,” Rarity countered forcefully. “At least with the former you have a chance of living.” Sunset jumped to her hooves, knocking her seat over in the process. She glared down at her guest and pointed an accusing finger. “None of this would have happened if you hadn’t shown up in the first place! This is your fault!” Ah, there was that forceful pony Rarity had seen under the surface. It was about time she showed up. Rarity leaned back and crossed her arms, meeting Sunset’s livid gaze. “You’re right, but that’s not something I have any control over. I’m not going to apologize for where fate places me. Regardless of what you or I want, regardless of what is fair, this is the situation you find yourself in. The only question now is: what are you going to do about it?” Sunset, pale and fuming, muttered and glowered at the table between them. She clutched at her night dress as though she wanted to choke something. After watching this for a few seconds, Rarity stood and walked around the table to set a hand on the mare’s shoulder. “I’ll stay a little longer. Show you some things. Help you get started. You’re a teacher, Sunset, and I know you’ve got the willpower if you’d just open yourself up to it.” “You don’t know anything about me,” Sunset growled. “I know enough.” With a comforting smile, Rarity set a hand to Sunset’s face and made her look at her. There was anger in those eyes, and doubt, but Rarity could see it: a deep-rooted desire to do something about the situation she’d been trapped in her entire life. Maybe it was only in her head, but she’d take that chance. “I was once nothing more than a clothier afraid to so much as touch a gun, and now I am one of the most well-known drifters in Equestria. If I can do that, surely this town can learn to stand up for itself. I’m asking you to get that started. I can see it, Sunset: you’re a lot like me in the places it counts.” Sunset chewed her lip, but the subtle changes – the stiffened shoulders, the raised head, the straight back – revealed to Rarity all she needed to know. At last, Sunset asked, “And if I do this, you’ll come to help us if we need it?” The most telling thing about Sunset, at least to Rarity, was that she never questioned whether the rest of the town would follow her lead. Emboldened by that subtle confidence, Rarity nodded. “I will help you face whatever threats are too big for you to handle.” Sunset bowed her head. She shifted. It took Rarity a moment to realize the mare had reached out to touch Silver Lining in its holster. Rarity almost drew back as a fresh wave of anxiety struck, but reined in the impulse. She had to wonder just what Sunset was thinking as she ran an amber finger along the gun’s handle. At last Sunset met Rarity’s gaze, and the determination in those cyan eyes was the most satisfying thing Rarity had seen in recent memory. “I’ll do it, if you teach me.” “Wonderful!” Rarity clapped her hands once and returned to her seat. “You have no idea how glad I am to hear that.” “I just hope you’re right about all this.” Sunset started to sit again, but paused, brow furrowing. “Wait, what’s the third thing you wanted?” “Oh, right.” Letting out another long yawn, Rarity raised her hand to show her poorly groomed nails. “You wouldn’t happen to have a file lying around somewhere, would you?”