//------------------------------//
// (Case 1-3: The Masked Woman): The Queen and Jester 
// Story: The Witchblade: Origins 
// by 13 Potatoes 
//------------------------------//

Sunset Shimmer sat a the table as she thought about the dream she had last night. The dream about the woman who had stabbed her, who attacked her, and who attacked her friends, and how she felt in that dream. She clenched her teeth down in frustration as she chastised her brain for making such fantasies about the person who almost killed her. She wanted to bang her head on the table when Gilda walked in, rubbing her head and shifting awkwardly. 
“So …” Gilda muttered as she sat at the table, sitting in front of Sunset. “About last night …” The girl mumbled.
Sunset let out a snicker. “Was it about how your arms were around my chest and your face was in my neck?” She asked with a bit of a blush.
Gilda’s face turned hot red as she turned away. “N-no it’s just …well I mean you are …look.” The girl stammered as she tried to get a sentence out, but failed spectacularly.
“It’s okay.” Sunset smirked as she looked down at her bowl of cereal. “You warmed me up during the cold night.” She snorted.
Gilda shook her head as she leaned back in her chair. “So. Are we going to investigate Anon-A-Miss today?” She asked, desperate to try and switch the topic to something else as quick as possible. 
Sunset paused for a second as she deliberated on what to tell Gilda. She reached for her glass of water and took a sip from it before putting it down. She took in a sharp breath before answering. 
“Not today. I have something else.” Sunset explained.
Gilda raised an eyebrow as she leaned over the table. “Well. Then I’ll come with.” The girl offered.
Sunset shook her head though. She didn’t want Gilda to get hurt or be endangered anymore than she already had. She couldn’t go to home anymore due to it not being safe anymore, so Sunset didn’t want to risk it. 
“No …it’s something I have to do alone today.” She explained. 
Gilda leaned forwards. “Out of the question.” She scowled. “We have people hunting us. It’s best that we go together.”
“No it …it’s personal.” Sunset put her hands up before standing up. Gilda stood up with her, causing her to let out an exasperated sigh. “I appreciate your concern for my safety but I have it under control.” She tried to reassure the girl. 
“No!” Gilda snapped, causing Sunset to jump a little. “You are doing it again! Running into situations without getting a full view of what is going to happen!” The white haired girl started to pace around the room, grumbling before throwing a hand up. “What if where you are going is a trap?” 
“It’s not.” Sunset sighed.
“And how do you know?” Gilda looked over her shoulder, staring Sunset in the eye. 
Sunset was silent as she tried to think of a reasoning without mentioning the witchblade, or how she snuck out at night and went over to save Pinkie Pie. She closed her eyes and sucked in some air before walking up towards Gilda before taking her hand. Gilda seemed surprised as Sunset grasped the girl’s hand into hers. 
“Gilda …trust me please.” She closed her eyes. “You can’t follow me everywhere. I know you want to but …I’m not helpless.” She reopened her eyes and looked Gilda in the eyes. “I’m not Gallus.”
That seemed to be the wrong thing to say because Gilda’s expression immediately turned dark before yanking her hand away. She turned around, her head down, but Sunset could tell the girl was trying to conceal her rage. “You don’t know anything about him.” She growled.
“I understand you lost people in your life.” Sunset tried again, but seemed to get nowhere. “But you can’t just monitor them forever!” She shouted. “It’s not healthy.”
“I shouldn’t have told you about him.” Gilda snarled as she threw a hand up in the air. “Look at you, thinking that you’re somehow better than him.”
“That’s not what I’m …” Sunset rolled her eyes in frustration as she swung herself around. “You’re just jumping to conclusions because you’re emotional.” She mumbled.
“Jumping to conclusions?” Gilda let out a hoarse and low chuckle. Sunset turned around to see Gilda walking up to her. “You’re the one running into danger headfirst!” She snapped.
“How am I running into danger?!” Sunset finally exploded. “I fucking saved you! I saved Pinkie! I helped save the entire school ” She roared, putting a finger on Gilda’s chest. “I don’t run into danger, it simply comes to me!”
“Have you ever thought to, y’know, stop and analyze the situation first before rushing in first head on!” Gilda roared back.
“How the fuck am I supposed to analyze a situation when it’s happening right there and then!” Sunset snapped back. 
She could feel a flame in her chest suddenly burst out, a spark that had been there since the whole Anon-A-Miss fiasco, finally deciding to explode now of all times. All her frustrations, being accused of a crime she did not do, all the torment she had to go through after the fall formal, and now being wrangled in by a girl who seemed determined to follow her everywhere. Deep inside, she knew that Gilda had good intentions, but she felt as if it was getting ridiculous at that point. 
“By sitting down and thinking for once!” Gilda finally snapped. “Dammit Gallus you’ll be the death …of me …” The girl suddenly shimmered down, her rage suddenly dissipating into grief as the two girls stood there. Sunset also felt her anger dial down as well as the two just looked at each other in the eye. 
“Gilda …I-I’m sorry.” Sunset muttered.
“Just go.” Gilda muttered before turning around and standing in front of the breakfast table.
“Gilda …”
“Just go!” Gilda roared. Sunset’s hand fell to her side, but she honored the girl’s wishes and turned around to leave. She walked up to the door and grabbed her jacket off the clothes rack, but stopped at the door handle before looking behind her at the white haired girl who stood in front of the breakfast table. 
“I’m sorry about Gallus.” Sunset finally got out, but Gilda stayed silent. “But you can’t replace him with me.” She choked out. She turned back to the door, and opened it up. “I’m sorry.” She whispered before leaving the home, leaving Gilda with her thoughts. 
Gilda collapsed in the chair, alone at the breakfast table. With a shaky hand, she took out her phone and turned on the home page. There laid the photo of her and Gallus as ten year olds, smiling happily in a park. Tears dripped from her face as she tucked her head into her arms, and wept. Gallus was gone …and it broke her heart into two.




Witchblade




Scootaloo walked through the snow, nervously rubbing her mittens as she made her way to the Rich family estate. She wasn’t sure why Diamond Tiara called everyone for an emergency meeting so early in the morning, but apparently, it was important enough to skip school for the day. The girl had reassured her and the other two members of the Canterlot Movie Club that her mother handled their absence somehow. 
Scootaloo looked up and saw Sweetie Belle and Applebloom standing in front of the gates, both wearing their winter clothes. Their sisters had both made sure to cover them up as much as possible for the heavy snowfall that day. Sweetie Belle wore a purple and pink winter coat along with a violet scar around her neck. Applebloom wore a red, wool sweater and scarf over another jacket under it. 
“Have you two rang the bell yet?” Scootaloo asked as she stuffed her hands into her pockets. The two shook their heads as they nervously looked at the gates of the estate. The mansion was three floors high, and towered over them, looming like a bad omen. Its orange roof wasn’t visible under the snow which floated down gently from the clouds above. 
“We were waiting for you.” Sweetie Belle explained. Scootaloo shifted nervously in her orange fluffy coat and pants, and adjusted her beanie a small bit. “Wanted to go in as a team. Crusaders forever right?” The girl smiled nervously.
Scootaloo nodded. “Y-yeah.” She nodded before inching over towards the intercom. She reached forwards, but stopped right in front of the red button that sat in front of them. She turned to the other two. “Do we trust her?” The girl asked.
The other two shifted their feet, but nodded their heads. “Well Diamond Tiara has been making effort to change.” Applebloom nodded her head. “Ah trust her.”
Scootaloo looked nervously at the intercom again, but took in a deep breath and steeled her resolve. The three knew what they were getting into when they made Anon-A-Miss, and they were ready to see it to the end, whatever it may be. She reached forwards and rang the intercom. 
A voice came through it as a camera opened up. “Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom I presume?” A feminine voice asked. The three nodded in affirmation to their names. “Wonderful. Please …come in.”
The gate opened, revealing the large courtyard in front of the mansion. There was a large fountain in the middle with the driveway circling around it. Bushes shaped in the forms of animals lined the driveway with two ivory statues of ponies sitting in front of the marble double doors at the entrance. The Canterlot Movie Club (CMC) gingerly walked up to the front doors nervously as they tried to ignore the two statues gazes, feeling as if their eyes were following them. 
The double doors opened up in front of them revealing none other than Diamond Tiara. The girl smiled at the CMC as the three walked into the building, trailing snow behind in their footstep. They stomped off the snow from their boots as Tiara closed the doors behind them before locking it with a ‘click’.
“So …” Scootaloo tried to break the ice. “Why did you want us here?”
Diamond Tiara shuffled nervously as the three turned their attention to her. “It’s about Anon-A-Miss.” She muttered.
“Feeling doubts?” Scootaloo rubbed the back of her head. “Yeah …I understand.” She muttered. 
“No …not like that …well a little but …” Diamond Tiara stammered before throwing her hands up in the air. She turned around and started towards the staircase. “Follow me.” She finally asked the three girls.
Scootaloo started to feel nervous, and from how the other two were also shuffling their feet, she could tell they were feeling the same. Something wasn’t right the moment Diamond Tiara asked them to come to her home for an emergency meeting. She sounded scared, shifty and on edge, and it didn’t bode well for them. However, the three considered the girl their friend, or at least a very close acquaintance ever since the girl had started to change her ways. 
The three girls followed behind Diamond Tiara up the staircase and all the way up to the third floor. They walked through the carpeted halls, walking by the statues and painting which lined it. Decorative ceiling lamps illuminated the hallway above them, all of them crafted into the shapes of stars.
Diamond Tiara stopped at a grayish pink door which she opened up into a large room. In the bank was a large magenta desk in front of a swivel executive chair which was currently empty. However, the object of attention was a black box which sat upon the desk. Scootaloo felt a sense of dread the moment she stepped into the room, a feeling of ill omen. 
She stopped at the doorway along with Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. They stared at the strange black box which sat upon the desk. It was jagged and rough, and it also seemed to glow at the edges. Somehow, Scootaloo could swear that the object was staring right at her, baring deep into her soul. 
“What’s wrong?” Diamond Tiara asked as she sat down at a crescent sofa near the doorway. In the middle was a small coffee table which coincidentally had all of their favorite drinks sitting on it. 
A jar of non-alcoholic apple cider for Applebloom. A large bottle of fruit-punch flavored soda for Scootaloo. A single bottle of sparkling lemon-lime carbonated water for Sweetie Belle, or as Scootaloo knew it as, discount lemon-lime soda, because that was all it was. The fourth was a bottle of pomegranate tea which Diamond Tiara shakily took and poured herself a glass.
“Please …sit down.” Diamond Tiara asked, gesturing towards the other side of the sofa. 
It was hard to see, but Scootaloo could see fear on Diamond Tiara’s face. It was so slight, but the way she pressed her lips together, the way her pupil shivered, how her movements were slow …it was all a red flag. Tiara’s calm expression was forced, her demeanor spoke of someone being forced to dance like a puppet. 
She should probably turn and run. Dash down the many floors all the way to the entrnace and fly down the street as fast as her legs could take her. She could leave the entire place behind, look away, and cut off Diamond Tiara and hide away safely somewhere. Scootaloo could do that instead of walking forwards. 
What kind of friend would she be though? Rainbow Dash always spoke of loyalty, of being there for your friends in need. Diamond Tiara was obviously in need, and Scootaloo was never one to back away in fear when faced with danger …at least that’s what she believed. She thought to her idol, Rainbow Dash, wondering what she would do. Rainbow would run in there to help her friend, so Scootaloo steeled her nerves, and took a step in.
Scootaloo decided to ignore the fact that Rainbow Dash left Sunset crying in the halls, but that was different because Sunset was a villain. She had never paid for her crimes, and Rainbow leaving the girl was good for her health, well that was Scootaloo's justification, and she didn’t want to think about it too much. 
“Ah have a bad feeling about this.” Applebloom muttered behind Scootaloo, but she followed.
“I don’t want to linger for longer than I want to.” Sweetie Belle nodded. “But this sounds important, let’s hear her out.” The girl whispered back to the red haired girl. Applebloom nodded as she and the other two sat on the other side of the sofa. 
They sat there in silence and watched as Diamond Tiara slowly poured their favorite drinks into three glass cups. She then pushed the cups towards them and gestured towards it as if asking them to drink. Scootaloo hesitated as her hand hovered over the glass, wondering to herself if it was poisoned, or if her paranoia was getting to her. 
She looked up and saw Diamond Tiara drink down the entire glass in one gulp. She then grabbed the pomegranate tea bottle and held it up to her glass cup as if wondering if she should pour another one. Tiara then decided against it and just lifted the bottle up to her mouth and started downing it like it was the end of the world. 
Scootaloo gingerly took her glass and drank it down slowly, tasting every drop in case there was something strange within it. The other two girls did the same, and there they sat, drinking the day away on soda, tea, and non-alcoholic apple cider. The CMC finished first, and Tiara finished last after her bottle ran out. She put it down on the table with shaky hands, but more disturbance, tears flowing down her cheek. 
She let out a small hick before wiping her eyes. At that moment she finally broke down, hiccuping and sobbing while crying out indecipherable words. Scootaloo rushed forwards and grabbed Diamond Tiara’s shoulder gently with Sweetie Belle and Applebloom right behind her. 
“What is wrong Tiara?” Sweetie Belle asked quickly as Diamond Tiara wiped her eyes. 
“I’m sorry.” Diamond Tiara sniffed. “I’m sorry for dragging you into Anon-A-Miss …I’m sorry for everything.” She choked out. 
“What are you talking about?” Applebloom scoffed. “It was us three that made Anon-A-Miss.” The girl forced a smile as she placed a soft hand on Diamond Tiara’s other shoulder. “Don’t blame yourself for our idea.”
Diamond Tiara shook her head. “But I made you three take it further.” She choked out. She let out a shaky breath. “I’m sorry …” The girl looked away, tears streaming down her face. “You should not have come …” She trembled.
“What do you mean?” Sweetie Belle asked, her expression warping into fear before the room door slammed shut. All three of them jumped up in shock at the sudden slam behind them. Sweetie Belle rushed forwards, and pulled on the doorknob. “It’s locked shut!” She cried out.
Scootaloo grabbed Diamond Tiara by the collar and lifted her up as far as she could. “What …what did you do!?” The girl roared in anger, her hand shaking as she tried to resist shaking Diamond. Diamond Tiara only let out another sob as Scootaloo tossed the girl to the side, slamming her into the couch.
“Don’t blame my daughter.” A voice suddenly spoke out. The CMC looked over towards the desk in the room, and saw smoke condense at the chair. It formed a figure before a grayish pink woman materialized in the seat. Her expression was harsh, her jaw clenched, and stature was sturn. She wore an opal suit with golden rings around her collar and the cuffs of her sleeves. It was none other than Spoiled Rich, the matriarch of the Rich household. 
Spoiled Rich stood up, and the three girls rushed into the center of the room to face her. Diamond Tiara got up gingerly and walked up to the desk with her head down, her entire body quaking. 
“Diamond Tiara.” Spoiled smiled. “You did well.”
“P-please don’t hurt them mother.” Diamond Tiara shook. “I did as you asked. Please dispel the rune.” The girl parted her shirt a little revealing the sigil placed over her sternum. The figure of a black peacock sat in the middle.
“Of course.” The woman gave a cruel grin as she walked around the desk, towards the CMC. On her way, she picked up the black box off the top before approaching the three freshman who slowly backed away from her.
“Spoiled Rich.” Scootaloo sneered. “What have you done to Tiara?!” She roared, holding her stance in front of Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. Her legs trembled no matter how hard she tried to still her frantically beating heart as adrenaline coursed through her entire body. Her brain screamed for her to run away, to pound at the door and cry out for help.
“Scootaloo …ever the dissident.” Spoiled scoffed as she stood in front of the CMC. She glowered over them, her presence overwhelming them. Scootaloo was extremely afraid, there was no doubt about it. But she remembered what Rainbow Dash always said, that bravery was acting in the spite of fear, not the absence of it. 
“Whatever yah did to Tiara …” Applebloom stepped forwards. “We’ll stop yah!” She shouted. 
“How charming.” Spoiled Rich rolled her eyes. She then raised a leg to the side before kicking Applebloom hard into the war adjacent to them. Everyone in the room froze, with a sadistic grin plastered over Spoiled’s face. 
“Mother! You promised!” Diamond Tiara rushed forwards, but was quickly knocked into the desk with a kick so quick, it looked as if the wind itself slapped the girl away. 
“I lied.” Spoiled Rich shrugged. “The moment you associated yourself with …” The woman gestured towards Scootaloo. “With PEASENTS …was when you lost all respect from me.” The woman said while shaking her head. 
“DAMN YOU!” Scootaloo rushed forwards but was knocked by a heavy whiplash which slammed her into the door. She felt a sharp pain in her back which knocked the air out of her as she felt a doorknob slam into her spine. She collapsed into a heap, her head hung down as she tried to regain her senses back.
“We are ABOVE THEM!” Spoiled roared at her daughter as Tiara shakily got up from the ground. Spoiled glared down at Sweetie Belle who shook, slowly backing up to the door, tears trailing down her cheek. The woman gave a smile as she slowly approached Belle.
“Where is your pride Tiara?” Spoiled shook her head. She opened the black box in her hands which let out large clouds of black smoke. Sweetie Belle turned around and tried to run towards the door but was interrupted as a black tendril struck her through the heart spilling blood all over the ground. 
“Sweetie Belle!” Scootaloo cried out as she lunged forwards, tears in her eyes as she tried to grab ahold of the girl. She wasn’t sure what to do, but all she could think of was to grab Sweetie Belle and pull her away from the woman. 
A tendril struck her through the stomach, causing Scootaloo to cough up blood as four more grabbed each of her limbs. She was thrown into the ground and pinned there, as she felt the tendrils shove its way through her body. She convulsed in pain letting out a silent cry while gasping for air as her body felt as if it was being ripped apart piece by piece. 
In the corner of her eye, she witnessed Applebloom enveloped by a blanket of shadows which slowly tightened, crushing the girl in a cold embrace. Scootaloo let out a sob while Diamond Tiara looked on in horror at what her mother was doing to her friends. 
“Mother!” Diamond Tiara cried out before collapsing to her knee. “Why? You said you were just going to imprison them!” She wept as the CMC were slowly consumed by the shadows which billowed out from the dark box. 
“Daughter …I am imprisoning them in a way.” Spoiled Rich shook her head before reaching into the box and taking out a handful of darkness. She walked up to her daughter who hurriedly pushed herself away up against the desk. 
Spoiled grabbed Tiara by the neck and lifted her up in the air. Her daughter struggled and gasped for air as her chest moved unnaturally from the ribs she broke after being kicked. Spoiled gripped the angry spirit in her hands as she hesitated, staring her daughter in the eye. For a moment there, a bit of Spoiled Rich seemed to rebel against what she was doing. 
“I …I’m sorry Tiara.” Spoiled Rich forced out, her face twisting in a snarl as she looked to the side. “I never wanted …this …” The woman struggled as the words weasled its way out of her mouth. 
“I always thought …in your own twisted way …that you loved me.” Tiara sobbed as she gripped her mothers hand, trying to free herself from its grasp to no avail. The girl’s face was filled with despair as she stared into her mother’s blackened eyes.
Spoiled Rich closed her eyes as she tried to force the words from Tiara out of her mind. She could feel Hybris berating her for hesitating, for showing weakness, for letting slip her pride for a single second. The mother shed a single tear, as she forced the demonic spirit into Tiara’s mouth, finally silencing the girl. 




Witchblade




Adagio Irons sat in the conference room with Filthy Rich, Blueblood, Mortuus Amore and Storm Haven. She was tired of the whole meeting as her mind wandered elsewhere. She listened as each one of them made her differing offers with different prices for their business deals. She shifted her mask into a more comfortable position as Filthy Rich went on his presentation on why his oil should cost 16 million dollars when it was worth way lower. 
To everyone in the room, she was known as the Iron Lady of Canterlot, and she was to remain stoic, her voice calm and collected in order to maintain her appearance. However, everyone in the room thought she was the original Iron Lady’s descendant and therefore would be more gullible. It was difficult to live an immortal life, forced to fake your death every couple of years, but she managed it.
“Listen Mister Rich.” Adagio put up a finger. “I am sure we can make a deal about your oil.” She started. However, a certain figure caught her attention. There was a woman peaking around a corner with red and amber hair flowing down and over her shoulders. A small bracelet sat upon her wrist, with a red gem upon it. 
“Excuse me ladies and gentlemen.” Adagio got up from her chair, shocking the four business people in the room. “A friend dropped by and …” She looked over again and saw that Sunset had dipped back behind the hall. The woman smirked under her mask before sitting back down in her seat.
“Apologies. Seems my friend is a bit shy.” She gestured towards Filthy Rich who stood there in front of the presentation board. “Please, continue.”
Sunset meanwhile rushed down the hall in a panic as she dashed away. She had felt the woman’s gaze fixed upon her which was something she didn’t want to believe. Somehow, Adagio had noticed her while turned around, and meters away from her. 
}}}That woman is dangerous. We should leave now.{{{
Sunset heaved as she stopped at the elevator, pressing her hand against the wall. She let out a heavy breath before stabilizing her heart. ‘I am no stranger to magic. Adagio Dazzle from my world is a siren, it is possible this version has some access to magic as well.’ Sunset reasoned.
}}}The more reason to get away from her.{{{
‘But she saved me from the masked woman, the blade of iron or whatever her name was.’ Sunset argued. It was kind of strange arguing with the witchblade in her mind, but she didn’t want to sound crazy talking to herself. 
}}}I strongly object to this. We shouldn’t stick around.{{{
‘Just let me think okay?’ Sunset shook her head as she pressed the elevator button. She stepped in and pressed the button on the panel for the first floor. She stood in the cramped elevator, her mind focused on the enigma that was this world’s version of Adagio. She wondered if there was an Aria and Sonata in this world as well, and if this world’s version of Adagio knew those two as well. 
The elevator reached the first floor so she stepped out. As she did, she heard a conversation being had from two people heading into the elevator next to her. Their faces was obscured but she could see their bodies moving past her. 
“So Miss Blaze…I heard you have a great sword collection.” A man’s voice was heard as the two people walked into the elevator.
“Yes. However, my eyes are only on the blood sword which yet evades my grasp.” A familiar voice answered the man. Sunset’s heart stopped as she quickly turned around in the reception area as the elevator doors began to close. Fear filled her as her heart pounded in her chest. She would never forget the stern and foreboding voice of Nottingham. 
As the elevator doors closed, through the crack, she was able to see the woman. Upon her face was a mask, it was different from the one Sunset had seen, but it was undeniable. From the small crack she could recognize the posture, the violet and cyan hair color, and most of all, the jade suit. To make things worse, the woman stiffened up as their eyes met for two straight seconds. The two had seen each other, and for Sunset knew the other had recognized her. 
Sunset backed up before turning heel and running away. She wanted to get as far away as possible from the elevator, from the masked woman, from Nottingham. Her heart pounded in her chest as she ran off, fleeing as quickly as her legs could take her. She pushed through the crowd white taking momentary glances over her shoulder to ensure she wasn’t being chased. Despite never seeing anone, she only ran faster, feeling as if the Nottingham was right behind her. 
She eventually stopped in front of a coffee shop, dry heaving and panting from the sudden shot of panic that had run through her. She looked around and saw that she had run quite the distance away from the company building of ‘Iron Interational’. She looked around and recognized the part of city she was in, and she knew that she wasn’t far from SugarCube Cafe. 
After what she had seen, Sunset decided she needed a break. She walked the rest of the way towards the cafe, and when she finally reached it, she walked in and collapsed into the nearest seat that was available. She let out a heavy sigh as she buried her face into her hands. Mrs. Cake eventually approached her and asked what she wanted to drink. All Sunset asked for was a coffee.
She then sat in front of her drink as she tried to break down everything that she had seen that morning. Adagio of this world had freakishly long vision, nearly had an encounter with the Nottingham again, and that wasn’t mentioning the bad argument she had with Gilda. 
She was so lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice the figure approaching her. A small strawberry and mango smoothie was placed in front of her. She looked up to see this world’s Adagio Dazzle looking down at her. The woman gently sat down in the seat in front of her and rest her hands on the back of hands. 
“I am flattered you came all the way to my office to say good day.” Adagio said as she placed two straws into the drink. The woman looked up at Sunset’s sullen expression. “What is wrong?” She asked.
Sunset let out a scoff. “You know what’s wrong.”
Adagio nodded slowly. “The witchblade is a terrible burden. I should know.” The woman leaned against her fist, her entire body relaxed as her head was turned up towards the ceiling.
“How? Did you wield it?” Sunset scoffed. 
Adagio just shook her head. “No …” She whispered with sadness in her voice. “But I knew the person who did.”
Sunset looked up in surprise as the woman looked down at the table. “Really?” She asked, her curiosity piqued. “Who was she?” 
Adagio tapped her fingers on the table and simply just let out a sigh. “She was a complicated woman.” The masked woman shook her head. “She was crass, abrasive, and rude as much as she was brave, strong, and loyal.” The woman’s voice seemed to lighten up a small bit as she looked up, her eyes staring off towards somewhere else. 
“Sounds like you cared about her.” Sunset straightened up as Adagio looked back down at eye level. “What happened?”
Adagio stiffened up, and Sunset was worried that she had upset the woman when they finally spoke. It was hollow, empty, a void of a voice when Adagio croaked out. “What happens to every witchblade wielder eventually.” The woman tilted her head a bit to the side. “They perish too young.”
Sunset stared down at the bracelet on her wrist. A small bit of dread crawled up her as the human fear of death finally remanifested itself after half a week of being in danger. She was prepared to sacrifice her life for her friends, but to hear that she was doomed to die shook her. A part of her wasn’t afraid, but another dreaded the idea that it was inevitable. 
“I’m sorry.” Sunset finally managed to get out.
Adagio shook her head. “Don’t be.” She let out a heavy sigh as she leaned back in her seat. “It was a long time ago.”
“Is that why you have been following me?” Sunset finally asked. “You just appeared out of nowhere when I was fighting that masked woman, Nottingham.” She raised an eyebrow as she squinted at Adagio. “You two also seemed to know each other now that I think about it.”
Adagio let out a sigh before nodding her head. “Yes. She was an acquaintance of mine, but her obsession with the witchblade drove her to extreme lengths.” The woman shook her head. “I was upset with her, and had a small discussion after the event.”
“Is that why she was in your building?” Sunset scowled, now glaring at the woman. “You know she almost killed me.”
Adagio nodded somberly. “Despite her mistake, she is still my sister-in-arm. I hope you can find it in you to forgive her transgression against you.” The masked woman bobbed her head a little. “I understand if you don’t.”
Sunset clenched her teeth, but managed out, “Fine.” She shook her head. “I’ll try.”
Adagio nodded her head before leaning forwards. “I am here because I want to help you.” The woman finally explained. Sunset looked up and met Adagio’s eyes. Her voice sounded genuine, but there was something off about the woman, something hidden.
“And how will you do that?” Sunset asked.
Adagio opened up her arms. “I have something to show you. Will you follow me?” The woman asked.
}}}Sunset. Think about this.{{{
Adagio placed a hand upon Sunset’s hand and gave her a soft smile. She felt a warmth emitted from the woman’s hand as it made its way up to her bracelet. The red gem glowed a bit before dimming down. 
“Can you give me a chance to explain myself at least?” 
Sunset froze at those words as she felt her resolve soften a little bit. She had asked those same words before during the beginning of the Anon-A-Miss fiasco. She knew what it felt like to not be able to explain oneself. So she looked up, gave a small smile and nodded.
“Yes.”




Witchblade




Gilda scowled as she sat on the couch in front of the television. She rubbed her eyes as she tried to peel her mind away from Sunset, however, it kept making its way to her. She shook her head, trying to insist that it was Sunset who was being unreasonable, but a small part of her asked if there was some truth in her words. 
The girl got up off the couch and made her way towards the wardrobe in the living room. Principal Celestia had cleared the bottom drawers to make room for Gilda’s things and moved it downstairs for her. Gilda put her most precious belongings in the drawers since it had a lock, with one of them being a small black box she always kept with her. She took the box out and reached down to open it up before pausing. Bad memories rushed into her, causing her to flinch and shut her eyes. 
“RUN GILDA!” Gallus’s voice mixed with her parent’s. 
Her hand shook as she slowly opened the black box revealing the contents within it. A gauntlet with silver talons stretching out of its fingers sat above everything else. The rest was a small photo, a card, a silver pistol, and most important of all, Gallus’s spear tip. She reached in and took out the photo, thinking back to old memories. 
It was a younger version of her standing next to Gallus. The light blue boy had cyan and yellow hair with a navy sports jacket over a yellow shirt. He wore dark blue jeans and cobalt shoes with gold stripes along it. The boy had a shit-eating grin on his face and was missing a tooth. 
They had their arms around each other while facing the camera. Large smiles sat on their faces as an older woman stood behind them. The woman had dark orchard skin and a dark rose mohawk. She wore a dark purple military uniform with plum coloured lightening bolts stiched on her pants and jacket where the knees and elbows were. She had a suppressed smile, but her opal eyes sparkled. 
Her eyes shifted down at the card which sat at the bottom of the box. It read ‘Ogranization of Supernatural and Otherwordly Disasters’ upon it, or OSOD for short. Gilda scowled as she put the photo down and instead took out Gallus’s spear tip. She put it against her forehead and let out a sob as she remembered the days before the disaster.
“I’m sorry Gallus.” Gilda sobbed. “I’m sorry I tried to replace you …to move on from you.” She let out a suppressed cough. “It’s just too painful.”
Her crying was interrupted by the doorbell ringing. She put the speartip away into the box and shoved it into the drawer before locking it. “Who is it?!” She exclaimed loudly.
“It’s me Gilda!” Sunset’s voice called out from the other side. “Sunset?!”
“Fuck off!” Gilda scowled.
“Come on! Don’t be like that!” Loud banging followed afterwards. “Why are you so mad?!”
“You know why!” Gilda shouted. 
“Come on …I forgot my key!” More pounding on the door. “Please let me in?!” Sunset cried out again before the doorknob rattled loudly. Gilda rolled her eyes at Sunset thinking that somehow that by shaking the doorknob, it would magically open. 
“Why didn’t you bring your key with you?” Gilda snapped as she stood up from the floor. She walked up to the front door and leaned against it. “Don’t you always bring it with you?” 
There was silence from Sunset, and Gilda could hear shuffling from the other side. She raised an eyebrow as she looked through the peephole. In front of the door was Sunset idling around, shifting her feet and wringing her hands. There was something different about her though, something that made Gilda suspicious. 
“I thought your winter jacket was destroyed in the warehouse explosion.” Gilda said as she finally remembered what had happened a couple days ago. This seemed to catch Sunset off guard who twiddled her fingers.
“W-well …I bought a new one.” Sunset chuckled as she tugged at her blue sweater. 
“Also …what happened to your jacket? The one you wearing this morning?” 
Sunset paused for a minute. “I lost it?” Before she gave off a sheepish smile.
“Okay then …last question.” Gilda narrowed her eyes as Sunset stiffened up.
“Come on …” Sunset whined but Gilda interrupted her. 
“One question, and I’ll let you in.” Gilda scowled.
Sunset nodded sheepishly as pressed her legs together, and shuffled awkwardly. “Okay, I mean I don’t see why but I respect your decisions.” She mumbled under her breath.
“Who is Anon-A-Miss?” Gilda asked.
Sunset paused there as she put a hand up to her chin, rubbing it a bit. “Trick question.” She finally snapped her fingers. “You think it’s me, but it really isn’t me!” 
Gilda turned around and ran from the door, and dashed towards the dining room. She had left her phone in there, and needed to call the cops. She had to assume the cops outside guarding the house was dead at this point, and she didn’t want to take the risk. When she reached the table though, a figure dashed past her, and in a split second, her phone disappeared. 
“What the?” Gilda muttered before hearing the door click. She turned around to see a light magenta girl with light and pale blue streaked hail standing at the front door. She wore a bright grayish magenta jacket over pale orchid pants. On her wrists were two gauntlets which covered both of her hands. The girl opened the door wide open, letting a black, insect-like bipedal creature into the house. Gilda stepped back in shock as she noticed, that in the girl’s other hand, was her phone.
“Gilda.” The insect stuck out its claws. “Calm down.”
Gilda wasn’t listening at that point though as she made a mad dash over towards the wardrobe. Her reflexes sprung into high gear as she opened up the bottom compartments and took out the black box. She opened it up and put on her gauntlet as fast as she could. She stood up from the ground as fast as she could only to suddenly be pushed backwards into the wardrobe. 
She let out a squawk as a hand pinned her left hand, where her talons was on, and another hand pressed her neck against the wardrobe. The impact knocked the wind out of her, and the speed at which everything happened was blindingly fast. She looked down to see the light magenta girl looking up at her. 
“Silverstream! We are here to help her!” The insect-like creature scolded as it walked up to the girl. It placed a claw on her shoulder. “Let her go.”
The girl scowled, but obeyed and let Gilda fall to the ground, gasping for breath. “I expected more from a Valkyrie.” Silverstream sneered before walking up to the black carapaced insect. “She’s all yours Thorax.”
Thorax let out a sigh while Gilda slowly got up from the ground. “You okay kid?” The creature asked. Gilda scowled and swung at him, but he had enough reflexes to back off real quickly. “Woah. Okay …some hard feelings.”
“Told you your plan sucked.” Silverstream rolled her eyes while she quickly paced around the room, up the stairs, back down the stairs, before spinning in the middle of the room. The girl’s attention span also had the tendency to switch from a painting to the room, all the way to finding a lighter and trying to set a banana on fire. 
“W-who are you people?” Gilda gasped as she shakily stood up. She looked at Thorax, noticing that even though the creature had a carapace, it bended and moved like a fluid, and less like skin or a shell. 
Thorax raised an eyebrow as he rubbed one of his tooth. “Don’t you recognize me?” The creature started to shift in front of Gilda, causing her to recoil back in shock. The creature shifted into the form of a man wearing a black leather jacket with spiked hair over the center of his head. He looked like the gang members that assaulted Gilda and Sunset back at the diner, but this one looked familiar in a different way.
“Thor?” Gilda whispered.
“Thor?” Silverstream chuckled as she quickly jogged up next to Thorax. “That’s your name?” The girl paced in place quickly, her legs moving up and down every second.
“I’m not a creative person.” Thor scoffed while Gilda simply just glared at the creature.
“You …” She hissed. Thor turned his attention back to Gilda, stepping back as the girl fumed at him. “You framed Sunset!” She snapped while taking a step forwards. Silver stream put her hands out and knelt down into what looked to be a combat stance.
“I didn’t!” Thorax threw his hands up in the air. “Ok I provided some of the photos, but other than that I have no connections to Anon-A-Miss!” 
“Then who is she?!” Gilda snapped loudly. “Sunset is running off into danger due to this person!” Gilda turned away as she leaned against the wall. “It has affected her so much, she isn’t even willing to look for help.” 
“That may not be the reason.” Silverstream stepped forwards, getting Gilda’s attention. “Though I don’t know who started the account, I do know who is sponsoring it.” The girl explained. This caused Gilda’s heart to race as she approached the woman.
“Who is it?” Gilda asked.
Silverstream chuckled before turning towards Thorax. “See how easy it was?” The girl gestured towards Gilda. “You see, if we were just upfrom about all of this, this could have gone in a much more friendly fashion.”
“The plan sounded good in my head …” Was all Thorax got before Gilda roared out-
“Who the hell is Anon-A-Miss!” Getting both of their attention.
“Well …you already met her.” Silverstream shrugged as Gilda’s expression turned to one of confusion, before switching into horror. “The Iron Lady of Canterlot City. Adagio …”




Witchblade




Sunset followed behind Adagio as they approached a pair of double doors. The woman opened it up, revealing a large gallery of different women, artifacts and weapons. Sunset opened up her mouth in wonder as she wandered in, nearly missing the two guards who stood on both sides of the door. 
The two guards wore black armor with spikes sticking out of the back. Their face was covered up in large obsidian helmets which only allowed their green eyes to glow through. They wielded large green spear whose tips crackled with energy. The two gripped their weapons before Adagio raised up a hand, causing them to stand down. 
“What is this place?” Sunset wondered as she started to look at each painting. 
“A gallery of some of the most famous witchblade users.” Adagio said with pride in her voice as she started to point at each of them. 
“These are some of the most famous witchblade wielders, whose name were written down as legends in history.” Adagio continued as she started to point at each of the paintings. Sunset followed the woman as she was directed at each one of the wielders.
“We have Mulan, the defender of China.” Adagio pointed at a painting of an Asian woman who stood in front of a large dragon. She wielded two long swords, her arms were covered by the witchblade, but it extended around her neck and up to her face. Other than that, she was mostly covered by jade and red, cord and plaque armor. 
“Zara, the dreaded queen of bones.” The next was a painting of a woman wearing crimson armor. The witchblade seemed to merge with her armor, her arms were raised up with a  manic smile upon her face. She stood on a mountain of corpses, holding the upper half of a man who looked to be covered in green and silver. Sunset cringed at the painting, as the woman’s expression reminded her of herself when she first won the spring fling. 
“And of course, Joan of Arc.” Adagio continued. However, Sunset noticed that she passed by one of the paintings and moved her hand over towards the last one. The painting she pointed at was a woman wearing medevil armor, with a sword raised up high. 
“I’ve never heard of these people before.” Sunset muttered as she approached the third painting. “How could that be if they were so influental?” She asked.
“These were their secondary names.” Adagio raised a hand up to her chin. “I never understood it as well.” The woman looked up at the painting of Joan of Arc, her mask covering her expression, but yet she seemed lost in thought. “This one’s name was Noble Grace.”
“I’ve heard of that name before.” Sunset nodded slowly as she turned her attention to the other two paintings in the room. “She was a Prench general who led them during the hundred year war.” She remembered from her history class. She pointed at the other two paintings in the room. “Is it the same for them?” She asked.
Adagio nodded. “Mulan was known as Wood Orchid, and Zara was known as Radiant Flower.” Adagio let out a small chuckle as she nodded somberly at the two paintings. “It seems that many of the witchblade users had secondary names, their ‘true names’.” Adagio explained.
“Do I have a ‘true name’?” Sunset snorted.
Adagio simply shrugged in response. “Who knows. It’ll come to you one day if you do have one.” The woman teased. 
Sunset looked back at the third painting in the room that Adagio had passed by. It was a painting of a woman in golden armor who wielded a large golden spear and shield, with her boot fimly planted on the neck of a dead dragon. A large smile was plastered on her face as she raised her blood spear up into the air. However, Sunset noticed that there were two figures standing behind her, a woman with orange hair wearing medieval armor, and a man clad in black iron armor.
“Who is she then?” Sunset pointed at the third painting. Adagio looked over her shoulder, and immediately her shoulders sagged. Sunset recoiled as Adagio slowly walked up to the third painting, her posture becoming stiff and strained. The woman’s breathing was shaky, as if holding back a sob. 
“Katarina Godlife, or what she was known as …Puresoul.” Adagio whispered. “She was always the reckless individual.” She sniffed. 
“Is …is that you?” Sunset whispered, pointing at the orange haired woman in the background. 
Adagio chortled. “Yes.” She nodded before pointing at the man clad in black iron armor. “And that is Spawn.”
“When was the painting made?” Sunset whispered as she slowly turned towards Adagio. 
“During the third crusade.” Adagio nodded. Sunset took a step back, shock rippling through her as she tried to process the information. “About nine hundred years ago.”
“H-how?” Sunset asked as she turned back to the painting. 
“Magic.” Adagio answered slyly, mischief hiding within her voice. “The holy grail itself.”
“That exists?” Sunset asked with wonder.
Adagio nodded as she walked up to three pedestals that were situated in the far back of the room. The objects on the three pedestals were each locked in a separate obsidian box. She opened the one on left, and took out a small, iroon, plain goblet. It looked like any other goblet, and could easily blend in on a shelf with cheap iron cups.
“It looks so plain.” Sunset said as she took the goblet out of Adagio’s hand, looking at it with wonder. “Are you sure this is the holy grail?” She asked.
“True objects of power, do not betray their worth in their appearance.” Adagio said with a lifted finger as she gently took the holy grail out of Sunset’s hand. She looked down at the holy grail with nostalgia as she gently carrassed it. “Even I could not believe it when I first laid my eyes upon it.”
Sunset wrung her hands as she stared down at the object in amazement before gazing up in Adagio’s eyes through her mask. The woman’s eyes seemed soft and gentle, it reminded her of Princess Celestia’s gaze whenever Sunset spoke with her mentor. Adagio’s mouth eyes narrowed and moved up from Sunset’s chin, all the way up to her eyes. 
“Only those with pure faith could drink out of it.” Adagio explained before placing the grail back into its vault. “It granted me and my sisters immortality.” The woman closed her eyes before letting out heavy sigh. “I understood why many years later.”
“What happened?” Sunset asked.
“Immortality is a burden.” Adagio opened her eyes yet again. “You see so many people be born and die. Despite all your efforts, you can’t save them.” She shook her head slowly. “One requires faith and will beyond measure in order to be worthy of the gift.”
“Why?” Sunset let out a scoff as she threw her hands up in the air with an exasperated smile. She turned towards the entire gallery in awe, laying her eyes on all the paintings of the other wielders in the past. “Why help me? Why collect all of this?”
“Because I knew a witchblade wielder back in the day.” Adagio answered simply, waving a hand in the air. Sunset could see pain in the woman’s eyes as they placed a soft hand upon her cheek. “And I made a promise.” She whispered while brushing Sunset’s hair to the side. 
Sunset smiled as she looked into the woman’s eyes, not noticing the door at the side of the room creaked open. It was open enough for an eye to look through while remaining unnoticed, the figure’s face being obscured by a mask. Aria Blaze looked through the crack as she eavesdropped and spied on the two figures in the room. 
Aria narrowed her eyes, focused on the girl in the room. She stared at the girl, feeling an attraction, and obsession towards her. She wanted to jump out and strike at Adagio before confessing to the girl, but even she knew that was foolish. She had to bide her time and wait for the right moment. 
Aria knew that Adagio’s words were poison, venom seeping into the flesh and mind of the girl. She was presenting herself as a godly figure, a mentor, a savior to get the girl’s admiration, before then striking. Aria knew this because she had seen it play out hundreds of times before, and she was always the executioner. 
“The burden is immense Sunset.” Adagio finally told the girl. Sunset looked up in surprise, before it morphed into what looked to be annoyance. Adagio simply smiled at the expression. “Yes, I was able to figure out your name. I was able to figure out the name of your friend, Gilda, I can figure out yours.”
“The burden is mine to carry.” Sunset looked away from Adagio, and taking a few paces back.
“The witchblade yes, but not everything else.” Adagio walked up behind Sunset and hugged the girl. Sunset jolted at the sudden gesture, but didn’t pry herself away from the woman, rather putting a hand upon the woman’s arms. “Let me help you …please. I’m here for you.”
There was a minute of silence before Sunset spoke up again. “Let me think about it.” Sunset finally muttered. “I don’t want to bring people into unnecessary danger.”
“I can take care of myself.” Adagio reassured the girl as she let go of the hug. Sunset turned towards the woman, who just gave her a warm smile. “Whatever your decision is, I will respect it.”
Yes, respect the decision as long as it is the right one, as long as it is the one that Gilda desires to be correct. Aria could see Adagio’s temptation, her impatience at seeing her prize so close to her, just within her grasp. She knew her sister long enough to see beneath the woman’s mask and gestures, to know what her true intentions were. 
“Why do you wear the mask? You didn’t wear it that night.” Sunset asked Adagio finally. 
“I made a promise to only show my face to worthy people.” Adagio answered. She reached up to her mask and slowly took it off to the shock of Sunset. A soft expression rest upon her face, with kind eyes who looked into Sunset’s iris. She brushed Sunset’s face with a soft hand who just stood there, staring at the woman with awe.
“You like what you see, Miss Shimmer?” Adagio asked, causing the girl to look away in embarrassment. Sunset was sure that the woman was going to continue to tease her when Adagio’s phone started to beep. Adagio let out a sigh as she took out her phone. 
“Sorry …business meetings …” Adagio shook her head as she placed her mask back upon her face. “They will be the end of me.”
Sunset smiled. “It’s okay. It was time for me to leave anyways. I’ve took enough of your time.” The girl said as she followed Adagio out of the gallery while Aria simply watched from the side door. 
“Sunset …” She whispered.




Witchblade




“Are you sure this is where you want to be dropped off at?” Adagio asked Sunset as they both stood in the park. Sunset looked out at the lake in front of them and gave the woman a small smile. 
“Yes.” Sunset nodded as she admired the view in front of her. The lake was always beautiful in the afternoon. The orange and yellow sunset reflected off the water, and it filled her with a warm feeling. “It’s a good place for me to think, to ponder.” She admitted as she sat down at a park bench. 
Adagio nodded in agreement. “I agree.” She whispered. “I hope you allow me to assist you Sunset Shimmer. I hope we’ll see each other again.” The woman bowed her head before starting to walk off.
Sunset Shimmer remembered at that moment that she never gave the woman her phone number and address. She jumped up from the bench and rushed towards Adagio before grabbing the woman’s hand who had just turned around with a finger up. “Wait, let me give you my address at least.”
Adagio raised an eyebrow as Sunset reached into her pocket and took out a small notebook she always made sure to keep on her ever since the Anon-A-Miss incident. She wrote her address before quickly handing it to the woman with haste. Adagio took the paper slowly and looked down at it before putting it safely in her front pocket.
“My phone is currently destroyed, but I plan to get it replaced.” Sunset rubbed the back of her head nervously. “So if you need to contact me, you’ll need to come in-person.”
Adagio nodded slowly. “I can manage that.” She said with a gentle tone. She then met Sunset’s gaze. “I wanted to ask if you wished to come to a ball tonight.”
Sunset did a double-take at the sudden proposal. “W-what?” She asked while Adagio leaned against a tree. She stared out at the lake and let out a small chuckle. 
“I know it’s sudden, and you barely know me.” Adagio let a small laugh but ended it with a heavy sigh. “But if you could make it …it would be my honor.” The woman nodded.
Sunset gave an awkward laugh as she looked out at the lake. “I’ll …think about it.” She  muttered as she sat down on a bench which looked out at the lake. “When is it?” She asked.
“It starts at eleven P.M.” Adagio answered. She walked off and Sunset watched the woman as she made her way back to her car. “I’ll send someone to get you.” Was the last thing she said before getting into her vehicle. She then drove off, the car disappearing down the street while Sunset watched. 
She turned back to the lake, taking in its natural beauty. She got up from the bench and began walking on the side of the bank while trying to sort our her feelings. It just seemed like everything was moving so fast for her. She looked down at her wrist where the witchblade rested. It was strangely silent, not saying anything during the entire time Sunset was with Adagio. She enjoyed the silence however, choosing to dwell within her own thoughts and take in the ambient atmosphere. 
She made her way around the small lake and found herself standing in a small Gazebo that sat over the water. She couldn’t help but smile as she leaned against the railing to take in the view. It didn’t last long before her senses perked up. 
She looked over her shoulder towards some bushes which sat behind the structure. Sunset narrowed her eyes as she focused intensely at the plantlife. She began to shake as she imagined Nottingham jumping out, and striking at her before taking her life. As nothing happened, she began to relax. 
Right then, a shadowy figure darted between the bushes. Sunset got up quickly, adremdaline rushing through her veins. She willed the witchblade to activate, but the metal only extended over her right arm, leaving the rest of her body exposed.
‘Witchblade! I need your help!’ She exclaimed in her mind to no response. She clenched her teeth as she hoped that the artifact still worked even without the entity inside being sentient. 
She pointed her finger and was about to shoot fire before she remembered what happened last time when she did that. She clenched her teeth, she had to be more creative, and find a way to get around the woman’s habit of absorbing her powers. Her imagination was the limit, so she imagined shooting darts out. 
Nottingham dashed out from behind a tree and rushed her down the path. Sunset clenched her teeth and fired out small metal darts at the woman’s chest. Despite Sunset being sure hitting Nottingham, the woman continued to rush her, tackling her into the ground. 
Sunset struggled as she tried to push Nottingham off her. The woman’s mask bared into her, its rough and twisted exterior mimicking that of a demon. 
“Don’t-unf-fight me!” Nottingham grunted before Sunset kicked her right in the womanhood. Sunset managed to slip out while her attacker began to regain her breath. She turned around to see that just as quickly as she had slipped away, Nottingham had disappeared. 
Sunset pointed her gauntlet out like a child playing with finger guns as she turned around looking for the assassin, her heart racing in her chest as memories of their last encounter rang in her head. 
“You play dirty.” Sunset heard behind her. She looked over her shoulder to see Nottingham squatting down on the railing. “I like that in a woman.” Nottingham jumped at Sunset with her arms raised up. 
Sunset formed a blade on her right hand and swung at the woman, who just simply ducked under it. The woman responded by kicking Sunset’s feet from under her, causing her to fall to the ground. Sunset began to get up, but Nottingham pinned her down, pressing her against the ground. Sunset struggled, but was pushed down again. 
Nottingham leaned forwards next to Sunset’s ear and hissed out. “Miss Shimmer, I just want to talk!” 




Witchblade




After Nottingham let Sunset go, the woman spoke to her, telling her of the true nature behind Adagio Irons. Nottingham told Sunset that the woman was obsessed with the witchblade, believing it contain the soul of a woman named Katarina Godlife. Adagio believed she could bring back the wielder, and place the soul within a host through a sort of spell that could control the witchblade. 
Sunset looked away, not wanting to believe the woman’s words. Nottingham had attacked her after all, and Adagio had done nothing but help her, and give kind words the entire time. She clenched her jaw when Nottingham insisted that Adagio was the one who set up the attack on the Pie residence, and that she worked for Adagio. 
Sunset turned towards Nottingham. “How do I know I can trust you?” She asked the masked woman. She looked over her shoulder. “What about the warehouse? Why were you working with demons? Why were you working with changeling drones?” She demanded to know. 
“You know what changelings are?” Nottingham tilted her head a bit.
Sunset nodded. “I have seen those insect like features before. I can recognize a humanoid changeling when I see one.” She clenched her jaw. “Why are you even helping me? You tried to kill me!” She exclaimed. 
Nottingham let out a heavy sigh. “I was overwhelmed by the power. We have both been tricked!” The woman stepped forwards causing Sunset to take a step back. “I do not tell lies. Adagio intended to use me as a host for Katarina, now she aims to make you into it!”
Sunset snorted. “This sounds unbelievable.”
“But it’s true.” 
Sunset shook her head, refusing to believe the word of this assassin. “And who even are you?” She snapped. “How would you know all of this? Why would you even work for Adagio?!”
Nottingham paused for a second before reaching up to her mask. She took off the black steel mask, revealing her face. Sunset had to step back, seeing the woman standing in front of her was none other than Aria Blaze.
“You …” She whispered.
Aria nodded. “I am Aria Blaze. Sister of Adagio Irons and Sonata Dusk. Nottingham is simply a title I possess.” The woman stepped forwards and pinned Sunset against a wooden pillar. One hand pressed next to Sunset’s hand, and the other on Sunset’s chin. “I wouldn’t want to lose a pretty face like yours.”
The last statement made Sunset grimace at the creepiness of her voice when Aria let it out. She pushed Aria away and looked away and turned to face the lake. “I can take care of myself. I was alone after Anon-A-Miss, but you know about that don’t you.” Sunset hissed.
“I just took advantage of it.” Aria reasoned, but Sunset tuned the woman out. 
“Just leave me alone.” Sunset sneered.
There was silence after that so Sunset looked over her shoulder to see Aria Blaze had left. It was as if she was never there, the only sign of her existence, being a gentle breeze passing by. 




Witchblade




Sunset thought about going back to Celestia’s but decided against it. After all, she had made it awkward with Gilda. She felt bad using her dead childhood friend against her, and would have to make it up the girl tomorrow. For now though, she just wanted time to think about everything that had happened to her. However, Aria …Nottingham had given her a lot to think about. 
She hailed a taxi and decided that it would be good to go back home. As she sat in the taxi, she watched the scenery pass by. The sun was beginning to set, giving the sky a beautiful orange and red glow which stretched over her. She was so entranced, she didn’t even notice when the taxi made it back to her house. 
When she stepped through the front doors, she noticed how deserted her home looked. She let out a sigh and made her way towards her desk. The board of her investigation into Anon-A-Miss still stayed up there. 
She grabbed one of the photos and stared at it, thinking back to how she got some parts of her information. She remembered how bad of a headspace she was in during christmas time. Her obsessions into Anon-A-Miss had began at the beginning of winter break, culminating into violent tendencies. 
She had began shaking people down for answers, suspects into who Anon-A-Miss may have been. She ended up figuring out that Anon-A-Miss got their information from other sources, from people who sent her information. She got that after shaking down a couple of boys that she tracked down and fought before they let out their secret. 
She tracked them down after following Anon-A-Miss and keeping track of each secret they posted. Then she tracked on who could have possibly known the secret after some investigation, and then confronting them. If she wasn’t hated before, she was sure she had her fair share of enemies right now. 
“Sorry Shining Armor.” Sunset muttered as she put the photo back onto the board. “But I can’t give up the investigation. I am in it too deep now.”
She turned around and walked up the stairs to her bed. She sat down on it and leaned against the window next to her bed. She let out a sigh as she looked at the gently falling snowflakes that trailed down from the sky. She then looked down at the alarm clock on the nightstand to see that it was now 5:00 PM.
She turned back to the window, to continue pondering, but that was interrupted by a knock on her door. Remembering that she gave her address to Adagio, she quickly rushed down the stairs to the front door and opened it up. 
To her disappointment, it was another woman who wore a small pink dress that went down to her knees. In one hand, the woman had a brown paper bag, and in the other she held a think black box with a gold engraving upon it.
“Sunset Shimmer?” The woman asked casually.
“Um yeah …what do you need?” Sunset asked as she brushed some hair out of her face. 
“I was sent here by the Iron Lady to come receive you.” The woman said as she placed the brown paper bag on the floor. She extended out the black box and opened it up revealing an amber and crimson necklace sitting within it. “She told me to give you this.”
Sunset Shimmer reached forwards and gently took the necklace out of the box. She looked at it with awe as the gems gleamed from the light within her home.
“And she also got you this.” The woman reached into the brown bag, taking out a silver box. She opened it up revealing a fiery amber corset and pearl white dress. “She wanted you to wear it to the ball if you chose too.”
Sunset was awed by the clothing in front of her, before looking back down at the necklace in her hands. It was beautiful, and looked to be carved out from the very surface of the sun itself from the way it gleamed in the ambient light from the doorway. 
“It was from Irons ex-wife.” The woman explained, causing Sunset to look up from the necklace in surprise from the statement. 
“I didn’t know she had a wife.” Sunset gave a weak chuckle.
“It was a long time ago. Some even think it was from her great-grandmother. Whoever it belonged to is very special to the Iron Lady’s family.” The woman smiled. “She must really care about you to ask for me to deliver this to you.”
Sunset smiled as she looked down at the necklace. “Never took the Iron Lady to be a hopeless romantic.” She chuckled.
“It’s a secret only her friends know.” The woman smiled at Sunset. “Will you be joining us today?” She finally asked.
Sunset looked up, and made her decision. “Yes.”




Witchblade




“Pick up!” Gilda shouted as she fiddled with her phone. The name ‘Sunset Shimmer’ sat upon the screen, the ringing going off, but with no response. The call ended, leaving only the voicemail as a result. “PISS!” She roared before throwing her phone into the couch. 
Gilda collapsed onto the couch, her head in her head while Silverstream lounged with a soda in her hands. “Bad breakup?” The girl mocked, earning a glare from the other silver-haired girl. 
“Bad time.” Silverstream pursed her lips as she looked away.
“Fantastic. Stuck in a room with two mythical creatures.” Gilda gestured at Throax. “A changeling.” She then moved her hand towards Silverstream. “And a cyborg mutant.”
“That is demeaning to my true power.” Silverstream snapped.
Gilda flipped the girl off. “I can care less about your feelings. I’m worried about Sunset.” She grumbled as she looked through her fingers. “And what the Iron Lady ahs planned for her.”
Thorax tapped his finger on the counter that divided the kitchen from the living room. “Well it can’t be that bad if all Anon-A-Miss did was spread some childish secrets.” The changeling shrugged.
“We still don’t know what Adagio’s end goal is here though.” Silverstream grumbled. “What does she get from riling up a school?” The girl got up from the couch and started to pace. “And how did she even get access to the school’s inner workings.”
“She has agents.” Thorax shrugged.
“It’s not that simple.” Silverstream shook her head. “In order to get access to the school’s inner workings, understanding the student’s relationships, and information on the cliques …it requires an agent on the inside.” The girl rambled.
“So a student works for her.” Thorax threw his hands up in the air. “She can pay off anyone.”
“But who.” Silverstream rubbed her chin. “And why? What is their motive for helping Adagio?”
“Money?”
“It can only take one so far.” Silverstream shook her head as she leaned against the doorway. “And this account feels malicious, it doesn’t seem the work of someone who was just paid for it. People who are paid are likely to half-ass this.”
“And this feels like it’s personal.” Gilda interjected, looking up from her hands. She let out a sigh. “So even if we get rid of Adagio, the account will continue.” Gilda scowled. “And we’re back to square fucking one.”
“It’ll be a hit against Anon-A-Miss though.” Silverstream shrugged just as Gilda heard her phone begin to ring. Her heart jumped as she answered the phone while Silverstream finished her thought. “A big hit against Anon-A-Miss. They won’t have their financial support, and friend to cover their ass.”
“Quiet!” Gilda snapped as she answered the phone. “Sunset! Where the hell are you!?” She shouted into the phone.
“Sunset isn’t home?” Pinkie’s voice asked from the other side of the phone.
“Pinkie? What do you mean?” Gilda asked.
“I’ve been calling her all day! She hasn’t answered!” Pinkie cried out in a panic. “I heard from Mrs. Cake that she came by today, but after that she just disappeared!”
“Fantastic. Hold on.” Gilda covered her phone and turned towards Thorax. “Sunset’s gone. She was last seen at sugarcube corner.”
“Gilda!” Gilda heard Pinkie’s voice cry out from the phone. Gilda lifted the phone back to her ear. 
“Yes, what?”
“And she said that Sunset went away with a weird woman! Someone who is called the Iron Lady!” Gida’s heart froze when Pinkie said the name of the woman Sunset went away with.
“Sunset went away with Adagio Dazzle.” Gilda told Silverstream and Thorax. 
“That’s not good.” Thorax walked around the counter. “Whenever Adagio wants something, it’s never any good.” The changeling said. “We need to go if we want to rescue her.”
Gilda nodded. “Agreed.” She began to stand up, but was stopped by Silverstream.
“Do we really have to though?” Silverstream asked, earning a wrathful glare from Gilda and Thorax. “Hey! We were just assigned to just protect Gilda!” The girl raised her hands up. 
“And to protect anyone else in Adagio’s sights!” Thorax snapped back. 
Silverstream let out an exasperated sigh as she sat up from the couch. “You know he just added that because of my failure at the warehouse.” She snorted.
“Next time, stop drinking on the job!” Thorax snapped.
“Wait …who are you talking about?” Gilda asked, an arm outstretched to Silverstream. 
Silverstream pursed her lips. “My boss …his name is …gallant.” She said hesitantly, taking her time on each word. She nodded when she said the name with a confident smile. “Yes. Gallant. You don’t know him.”
“That name sounds awfully familiar.” Gilda started, but Silverstream jumped up from the doorway.	
“So rescue Sunset Shimmer!” Silverstream loudly exclaimed. “Let’s go do that. How about we continue this conversation never!” The girl shouted before dashing off.
Gilda rolled her eyes before lifting her phone back to her ear. “Listen Pinkie. I’m going to go get her. Stay put.” The girl ordered the party girl.
“What? But I want to help!” Pinkie protested.
“I already have to deal with one hot-headed girl, I don’t want to have to deal with another!” Gilda exclaimed before hanging up. She put on her talon gauntlet upon her right hand before she turned towards Thorax. “Come on! We have to go!” 
Thorax nodded, finished a drink off the counter and followed behind Gilda. The two walked out the house to see Silverstream in the driver seat of a light magenta car. It looked to be an older model with its boxy looking exterior. The two approached the car, but was stopped by two police officers, the two who were seated in front of the house. 
“Where are you going? It’s almost past curfew?” One of the police officers asked.
“Sunset is in danger.” Gilda explained as Thorax walked past her and stepped into Silverstream’s car. “I have to go help her.”
“Damn.” One of the police officers muttered. “Yeah, that was our suspicion as well. We called in the office. Let us handle it.” They said.
“No, you don’t understand, we don’t have time!” Gilda exclaimed as she tried to push forwards. The two police officers stopped her again, in her tracks. 
“Madam listen, there is an assassin out there swinging a sword that can cut through metal. We don’t need you running into-” 
The police officer never had time to finish his sentence because gilda grabbed the man by his collar with her talons. “Listen, I'll be DAMNED if I let a girl die when I could’ve done something about it! I’m going to save her if it’s the last thing I do!” Gilda pushed the officer to the side nearly flinging him into the cop car with unnatural strength. As she did so, she felt energy course from her right hand, the one she had put strange artifact on in the warehouse. 
Gilda walked over towards Silverstream’s car and opened the door. “Sunset Shimmer is at the Iron Lady’s home! Either help or get lost!” Gilda snapped before stepping into the vehicle. 
“So …where to?” Silverstream asked as Gilda sat in the front passenger seat.
“Where is the Iron Lady?” Gilda asked. 
“Good question.” Silverstream started up the car and moved into the street. “Let’s start at the lady’s home.” The girl said as the car streaked down the street with a loud shriek.
“And if she isn’t there?” Thorax asked.
“Then I tear up the place.” Gilda swore as the car sped down the road. “I won’t lose another, not again.”