//------------------------------//
// Episode 10: Operation Sundown Pt 7 
// Story: Sparkling Harmony EQG: Agents of SMILE: Operation Sundown 
// by Captain_Cosmos 
//------------------------------//

SMILE HQ
Canterlot City
October 31st, 2022
2005hrs

Everyone in the CIC of SMILE HQ watched as the energy dragon appeared over Agents Medley and Autumn, unbelieving of what they were seeing. “Uhm…I’m not the only one seeing this right?” One of the people asked.

“A dragon? Where the heck did that come from?” Asked another.

“Wherever it came from, it completely decked Sundown.” Another commented.

Director Derrick wasn’t saying anything, but his mind was racing as he watched. If that's who I think it is, Sparkler’s one step closer. He thought as he watched Sparkler touch the dragon. Only a matter of time.





Canterlot High
Canterlot City
October 31st, 2022
2005hrs

Sundown roared as she fired her magic wildly at her enemies. “You will all pay for ruining my plan!” She growled.

Autumn kept firing at her with the Sparkmobile’s heaviest firearm while dodging Sundown’s blasts, and continually missed her shots. “God this demon’s agile.” She said.

“But is she fast?” Rainbow commented as she ran past Autumn and towards Sundown, clenching her fist and landing a blow to Sundown’s face.

Sundown growled at the blow and fired on Rainbow, who dodged the shot. “Hahah! Missed me!” She taunted the demon.

“Rainbow, don’t tick her off.” Applejack said as she threw a sandbag at Sundown. Pinkie came up beside her and threw one of her explody orbs that made the sandbag explode all over Sundown.

“Aww come on. Taunting’s part of the superhero gig.” Rainbow said as she continued to dodge shots. “Rarity knows all about trendy stuff right?” She asked.

“Not when it’s adversely affecting the situation.” Rarity responded as she blocked another magic shot with her diamond shield, before producing another smaller diamond disk that she threw at Sundown. “You’re just making her more mad.”

“And while we are trying to keep her off focus. There’s such a thing as going too much.” Twilight commented as she used her telekinesis to redirect a magical blast back to Sundown.

Sparkler meanwhile took to the sky using her now-functional wings. She was blasting at Sundown from above with her watch blaster, which had returned to normal operation. “I can’t believe these things weren’t actually functional before now.” She commented. “Good thing I never tried to fly before now.”

“You are capable of so much more than just flying Sparkling Medley.” She heard the dragon say.

Sparkler rolled her eyes. “Ok. Sure, maybe ELABORATE a bit? If there’s something I can do that can help, we could use all the help we can get.” She told the Dragon.

At that moment, she felt something appear on her back. She reached back and was surprised to feel a familiar shaft of a guitar. She drew it out from her back and her eyes widened. It was unlike any guitar she had seen before, and she only recognized it was a guitar thanks to the strings on it. “A guitar?” She asked.

“Play a tune, and it shall release an effective sonic waveform.” The dragon told her.

Sparkler really doubted the effectiveness in this case, but seeing as how she did ask the Dragon to elaborate, Sparkler strummed a few Notes, and a Sonic blast shot from the sound hole (actually guitar term) and slammed into Sundown, forcing her down to the ground. Sundown growled as she looked up to the sky. “Grah! You’ll pay for that!” She yelled as she took to the skies after Sparkler.

Sparkler took off flying through the sky, with Sundown tailing her. Rainbow saw what was going on and took off through the sky after them.

Nearby, Chase, Lyra, Bonbon, and Micro all watched as they saw Sundown, Rainbow, and maybe most shockingly of all, Sparkler, who they saw was suited up differently. “The heck?” Chase asked as they watched.

“I-is that Sparkler?” Lyra asked.

“Look like it?” Bonbon responded.

They saw Sundown blast Rainbow back and blast at Sparkler, who narrowly dodged the attack. That was all Chase needed before he pressed the fire button on his steering wheel, and his car started firing stun lasers at Sundown from its headlights.

One of the shots connected with Sundown and she growled as she saw the incoming flying car and fell back.

Sparkler and Rainbow saw the car coming and Sparkler smiled. “They’re back.” She said as she flew up to the driver’s window, which was down. “Please tell me you got the De-Evilizers.” She said.

“We got them.” Micro responded. “And good news, I managed to save us some time by syncing them up on the way here.” He said.

“Great!” Sparkler responded. “Get down there and set them up.” She said.

“You’ll need to get Sundown on the ground for it to work.” Micro responded.

“Leave that to us.” Rainbow responded. “Sparkler, that apparent Sonic attack should help.” She said.

“Maybe?” Sparkler asked.

“Sonic attack?” Chase asked.

“You missed something big. We’ll explain later.” Sparkler responded. “Now go!” She told Chase.

Chase nodded and flew the car down to the ground. Sparkler turned to see Sundown charging right for them. “Alright Rainbow, time to corral Sundown like sheep dogs.” She said.

“Aye aye Sparkler.” Rainbow said as she and Sparkler started herding Sundown back to the ground.

On the ground, Twilight saw the flying car land on the field and the four other agents of SMILE get out with pyramid looking devices. “Look! They’re back.” She said.

Lyra, Bonbon, Chase, Micro, and the Rainbooms gathered together. “Alright. We got the De-Evilizers.” Lyra said.

“We need to set them up at the corners of the field, and when we activate them, we’ll have 2 minutes to get Sundown into position.” Micro told them.

“What happens when those two minutes are up?” Pinkie asked.

“Sundown is physically and mentally pulled right out of Sunset.” Micro responded. “After which, we can do as we please to Sundown without endangering Sunset.” He said.

Twilight was happy that it was going to be over soon, before she heard her inner demon’s voice again. “Ooh. I hope it works for me too. I’m tired of You beating me down.” She said.

“No!” She growled out loud, for everyone to hear.

“Twilight?” Rarity asked. “What’s wrong.

Twilight stiffened when she realized she said that out loud. Knowing that it wasn’t the time or place to try to hide it, she sighed. “I can’t be in the area of effect when it activates. Otherwise Midnight Sparkle will be released.” She said.

“Midnight Sparkle?!” Everyone gasped. “Do we have a code Midnight too?!” Lyra asked. Worrying.

“You have a code for that?!” Twilight asked.

“We have codes for everything.” Bonbon responded.

Fluttershy, who had been sitting on the sidelines since the performance, glanced up and saw Sparkler and Rainbow fast pushing Sundown back down to the ground. “She’s coming back.” She said.

Everyone saw what Flutters was talking about and Autumn turned to her fellow agents. “Set those things up and Lyra, Chase, and Bonbon get a weapon from the Sparkmobile. Now we need to keep Sundown on the ground.” She said.

Everyone nodded and broke off, Fluttershy went with Micro while the other three agents ran for the other corners of the field.

Sparkler played her new guitar again and used the sonic attack to force Sundown onto the ground. “Come on everyone! Let’s kick her flanks!” She called out.

Everyone, feeling a second wind over the news that it was almost over, kept the pressure on Sundown, attacking from all sides and doing their best to keep her off balance. Micro meanwhile hit the activate button on one of the devices and a timer started counting down. He raised an eyebrow. “What the…I thought it was two minutes. Why does it say 50 seconds?” He asked.

“Oh, that’s good. Right?” Fluttershy asked. “This gets over with sooner.”

“I…guess so.” Micro responded. “Maybe one of the lab agents managed to cut the time down.” He said as he talked into his watch. “Y’all got 40 seconds!” He called out.

Sparkler smiled. “Good to hear Micro! Come on guys! Let’s hold her down!” She said.

Autumn, Chase, Bonbon and Lyra nodded, got out their grappling hooks, and fired them at Sundown, the rope coiling around Sundown and pulling taut. Restricting Sundown’s movement.

Applejack smiled as she got out her lasso. “Come on Y’all! Let’s truss her up and hold her down!” She called out as she threw the lasso and lassoed up Sundown.

Rarity produced a diamond plate that pushed down on Sundown, and Pinkie Pie and Rainbow pulled on a party streamer Pinkie had thrown out and coiled around Sundown. And Sparkler, getting an idea, used a prolonged Sonic attack to apply even more downward pressure upon Sundown, all of that together more or less overcame Sundown’s initial struggles.

“Grah! Let me go you insignificant clowns! I am a goddess! You are all beneath me!” She growled as she struggled harder.

Meanwhile, Twilight had gotten off the field and out of range of the area of effect. She didn’t know if Sparkler noticed, but she hoped she hadn’t. Because she didn’t really want to lie to Sparkler. One demon unleashed on this world is enough. She thought. It wasn’t lost on her the risk they were taking with this plan. While it would save Sunset, it would also allow for a chance for Sundown, in her own body, to get loose.

“I’m looking forward to meeting this Sundown girl. She sounds exactly my type.” Midnight commented.

“Shut up!” Twilight thought back. “You’re supposed to be gone! How are YOU still here?!” She asked.

“I’ve always been around you little brat.” Midnight responded.

Twilight grimaced, before she noticed Sundown beginning to overpower everything being used to hold her down. She lightly gasped. She didn’t know how much time was left, but she knew they couldn’t afford for Sundown to escape now. What do I do… She thought.

“If you step in that area of effect I get out.” Midnight taunted her. “Quite the little conundrum you have here.” She said.

Twilight watched as Sundown started rising from the ground, and her mind came to a decision. “Please let the De-Evilizers only target Sundown.” She said as she raced back onto the field, activated her telekinesis, and used it to pull Sundown back onto the ground.

Rarity, who was the closest to her, raised an eyebrow. “Darling? What are you doing?” She asked. “What about—“

“One way or another Sundown is being ripped from Sunset’s mind tonight.” Twilight cut Rarity off, determined to help save her friend no matter what.

Rarity stared at Twilight for a sec, before nodding and returning her focus to keeping Sundown on the ground.

A few seconds later, the field began glowing purple and green and Micro called out from the side. “It’s activating! Everyone let go!” He called out.

Everyone did as they were told and stopped trying to keep Sundown on the ground. They expected Sundown to shoot into the sky, but it seemed the green and purple glowing kept her down now. Twilight, seeing a chance, tried to move, but found her feet were stuck to the ground as well, she noticed everyone else backing up, and her heart sank as it dawned on her what it meant. No… She had hoped that she had a couple extra seconds to get out of the way, but it seemed she was not that lucky. She could already feel Midnight being ripped from her mind.

“Oh yes. Finally I will have my own body!” Midnight exclaimed happily, laughing maniacally.

Within the mind of Sundown, a gusty wind picked up as the four occupants saw a bright light above. Sundown backed up, and turned to run. “No! No I will not be forced from this vessel!” She growled.

The wind picked up and Sundown could no longer fight against it, so she decided to dig her claws into the ground to keep herself from getting sucked into the light. “I will have this body for my own! And I WILL have Sparkling Medley!” She yelled out.

Sunset Shimmer, not being affected by the wind, smiled as she approached Sundown. “You were created because of my mistakes. And you have haunted me ever since. I couldn’t be happier to do this and finally be able to move on.” She said as she clenched her fist. “And FYI, Sparkling Medley will never, EVER be yours.” She added as she gave Sundown a sucker punch to the face.

The punch was enough for Sundown to lose her grip and she was sucked into the light. “NO!!!!!” She growled as she disappeared.

Sunset smiled. “Finally. She’s finally out of here.” She said, breathing a sigh of relief.

“Sunset! A little help!” Manifestation Sparkler called out.

Sunset turned and saw ManiSparkler trying to hold onto Daydream, who she found was being affected by the wind as well. “What?!” She asked as she dashed over to them and grabbed Daydream’s other hand. “What the heck is going on?” She asked.

“Girls, you have to let me go.” Daydream said. “Otherwise the wind will also pick you two up and you two need to remain here.” She explained.

“No!” Sunset said. “I actually WANT you in my head.”

“Just hold on Daydream. This wind has to stop at some point!” ManiSparkler said.

“Girls! It won’t!” Daydream told them. “Sunset, you need to get back at the controls. And ManiSparkler, you need to be to her what I was now.” She said.

“Daydream.” Sunset said, a couple tears in her eyes as Daydream stopped trying to hold on.

“Sunset, It’ll be ok.” Daydream said. “You’re not alone.” She told her.

ManiSparkler and Sunset looked at each other, and then back af Daydream. “Been nice knowing you.” ManiSparkler said, before she and Sunset let go of Daydream.

As Daydream disappeared into the light, the wind stopped and the light disappeared. Sunset stared at the void left behind. “Daydream…” She whispered. She couldn’t believe it. She had lost the divine presence she actually wanted to keep. “Was this the cost…” She asked.

“Sunset.” ManiSparkler said. “You need to take back control now.” She said. Placing a comforting hand on Sunset’s shoulder.

Back in the waking world, both Sunset and Twilight glowed a bright white light, before a pair of shockwaves exploded from them, and everything went quiet and dark for them as they fell unconscious. Everyone watched as Sunset returned to her normal look.

Sparkler was initially worried since She saw Twilight faint as well, but only for a moment as she saw Sundown Shimmer a few feet away from Sunset, in a new body. “Yes! It worked!” She thought as she landed on the ground.

All five armed SMILE agents converged on Sundown and aimed at her. Sundown meanwhile was coming too and groaning. “Ugh…what happened…” She asked. She looked around, and noticed Sunset on the ground. “What…what happened?” She asked. She looked down, and saw that she was in her own body. “A…a new body?” She asked.

“That’s right you demon.” Sundown heard Sparkler say. She looked up and saw the five SMILE agents aiming their weapons at her.

“Congratulations Sundown. You’re now your own entity.” Lyra said.

Sundown growled. “Well, what are you idiots waiting for. You got me, might as well finish it.” She said.

Sparkler chuckled. “Oh it’s indeed over. But you’ll instead be going straight through the portal and to a prison on the other side that I’ve heard excels at containing menaces like you.” She said.

Sundown growled at her. “I would rather DIE than go to Tartarus.” She said. “And I will not fall to HUMAN MORTALS.” She added.

“Says the girl currently being held at gunpoint 5 times over.” Bonbon responded. “And this time these bad boys are set to kill.” She added.

“Don’t be so sure about that you little brat!” Called out an unfamiliar voice to most, before the five SMILE agents were suddenly blown off their feet and knocked back several feet away from Sundown.

Everyone turned to see where that shockwave came from, and all were downright stunned to see MIDNIGHT SPARKLE, in her new flesh, approach Sundown.

Sundown was wide eyed as Midnight offered her a hand. Sundown took it and Midnight helped her up. “Come on.” Midnight said. “We need to go.”

Sundown stared at Midnight, before she caught a glimpse of the unconscious Twilight. She growled as she pushed past Midnight and raced towards Twilight, determined to destroy her.

Rainbow was the first to recover from the shock, and took off in a sprint to stop Sundown, but before she could reach her, Midnight blasted her off her feet and knocked her down to the ground. Midnight then captured Sundown in her magic and took off. “Forget her! We need to get out of here before they come to their senses!” She growled at Sundown as she flew off with her.

Sundown growled at Midnight, before turning her attention back to the pests that defeated her AGAIN. “You’ll pay for this! I’ll be back!” She growled.

Sparkler got back onto her feet and saw the two leave. She heard Sundown’s growl and she nodded. “Yeah…And we’ll be waiting.” She said.

“Tell me I did not just see Midnight Sparkle escape with Sundown.” Lyra said as she and Sparkler’s fellow agents got to their feet and shook off the shockwave’s shock.

“You did.” Chase said, knowing who Midnight Sparkle was.

“Who did you say that girl was?” Sparkler asked.

“Midnight Sparkle, Twilight’s evil alter ego. It was a whole thing that led to her transferring to Canterlot High.” Autumn explained.

Sparkler nodded, before her eyes widened. “Twilight!” She exclaimed as she turned and saw Twilight still on the ground. She raced over to Twilight, sunk to her knees, and pulled Twilight into her arms. “Twilight, Twilight are you OK?” She asked, concerned and worried for her girlfriend.

Twilight came to quickly and groaned. “S-Sparkler…” She croaked out, recovering from having a demon ripped from her mind.

“I’m here Twilight. It’s ok. It’s over now.” Sparkler responded.

“No…Midnight…” Twilight responded.

“I know. She and Sundown escaped.” Sparkler said. “But don’t worry, we’ll stop them, somehow.” She said. Holding Twilight in a comforting hug.

Twilight got enough of her strength back to wrap her arms around Sparkler…And she couldn’t help but let tears fall. Knowing that she was responsible for a SECOND demon being released. “I…I’m sorry.” She whispered.

“Twilight.” Rarity said as she and Chase approached and knelt down beside her, Chase began to scan her with his watch. “It’s ok darling. We’re all safe, and that’s what counts.” She said.

Chase finished scanning Twilight and glanced at his watch. He smiled. “She’s gonna be alright.” He said. “Just disoriented for a bit.”

At that moment, Twilight, and the other Rainbooms, started glowing, and they returned to their normal, human appearances, having no more reason to be ponied up.

Sparkler smiled as she helped Twilight up and wrapped her arm around her shoulder to help support her. “Flappy.” She spoke into her watch. “Is the Sparkmobile drivable yet?” She asked.

“Yes Sparkler.” Flappy said.

Sparkler nodded as she, Twilight, Chase and Rarity made their way over to where the others had gathered around Sunset, who was still out cold.

Lyra saw them come and she smiled. “She’s out like a light but she’ll make it.” She reported, having scanned her like Chase scanned Twilight.

“That’s good.” Twilight said, breathing a sigh of relief.

Rarity took over supporting Twilight so Sparkler could kneel down beside Sunset. “I hope she’s not gonna be mad at us for all the pain she’s gonna feel tomorrow because of us.” She commented.

That got a chuckle out of everyone. “She said back in the gym that she knew it was coming.” Autumn said. “Although I doubt she expected a freaking dragon.” She said to Sparkler.

As if on cue, Sparkler started to glow, and she returned to her normal look while the blue energy dragon reappeared.

Everyone saw the dragon and panicked. Sparkler just smiled. “It’s OK everyone…It’s on our side.” She said as she got up and approached the dragon.

“How do you know Sparkler?” Twilight asked.

“I’m…Not sure how to explain it.” Sparkler responded as she rested a hand on the dragon’s muzzle. “But I do know there’s something between me and it…A connection of sorts.” She said.

The dragon closed its eyes, before it glowed, and began to shrink. It shrunk down to the size of Ferret before it dimmed, and everyone saw that it had gained a physical, scaly form.

The little dragon roared as it flapped it’s wings, and flew up to Sparkler’s open hands, landing on them. It roared again.

Sparkler smiled and pet the dragon. “Thank you for your help.” She said.

“You can understand it?” Chase asked.

Sparkler nodded. “Again, I can’t explain it…But it told me it was always with me. Ever since I was born.” She said.

Everyone looked at each other, confused. After a moment, Pinkie spoke up. “This has been the strangest halloween we’ve ever had.” She commented.

Everyone laughed in agreement. “I’m just glad it’s over.” Sparkler said. Looking to Twilight, who smiled and nodded her way. Sparkler breathed a sigh of relief. While she was still terrified of Twilight now knowing she was a secret agent…She was also glad that she had nothing more to hide from her.

Eventually, Everyone decided to pack up and go home. After assuring that they’d look after Sunset til she awoke, everyone dispersed until it was just Sparkler, Autumn, and Twilight with an unconscious Sunset. “Hey Sparky?” Twilight asked. “Mind if I tell my parents I’m gonna stay over at your place tonight? I want to help you look after Sunset.” She said.

Sparkler glanced at Autumn, who nodded. Sparkler smiled. “Just make sure they know it won’t be just the two of us.” She said.

Twilight nodded and dialed up her parents while Autumn smirked at Sparkler. “I think I’m gonna spend the night with AJ at Sweet Apple Acres.” She said.

“Huh?” Sparkler asked.

Autumn leaned in and whispered to her. “You, Twilight, and Sunset all have some things to talk about.” She said simply as she walked off after AJ.

Sparkler’s eyes widened and she blushed. She looked back down at Sunset. Yeah…I guess we do. She admitted to herself. After a moment, Sparkler and Twilight managed to get Sunset into the Sparkmobile, and they drove off, with the dragon settling on Sparkler’s shoulder.

To be continued…