Sunset Eclipsed

by EldritchNexus


Craw's Regrets

In Umbriel's lair, General Synthe was pacing angrily around Ghost.

"Why did Hopper have to die?!" growled General Synthe. "Tell me, Ghost. What reason do you have for committing such a heinous act upon one of our own?"

"I did what I had to do." said the white Changeling, coldly. "He was ready to tell those guards anything and everything about us."

"You didn't have to kill him, though!" said Synthe. "You could've teleported him back here, just like you got yourself back here!"

"I don't teleport useless garbage." said Ghost.

"You teleported me and Umbriel!" snapped the Changeling general.

"I said 'useless', not 'used'." said the albino Changeling, mockingly. "Not in Lord Umbriel's case, mind you. He's my leader, so I'd be a fool to just leave him to die. You, on the other hand..."

"Stop mocking me, you animal!" shrieked the disfigured Changeling. "Get back to your post at Vanhoover. Don't let Sunset Shimmer find us!"

"Very well, general." said Ghost. "I'll take my leave...gladly."

And then he vanished in a flash of light. General Synthe inhaled from his breathing-tube, and growled lowly.

"What am I going to do with these psychos?!" roared Synthe von Craw, furiously. "This never happened to me when I was still Chrysalis' captain! Even Renn and Ulrik were easier to reason with! Umbriel's driving me nuts by having me foal-sit all of these maniacs!"

Sigma and Canopy entered the room where Synthe was ranting.

"Sir, do you require anything of us?" asked Canopy.

"None at all." said General Synthe. "I just...need a moment to myself."

"Understood, then!" said Sigma. "Alright, we won't disturb ya!"

The two Changeling soldiers fluttered away without another word.

Meanwhile in the human world, Craw was once again sitting in Sunset Shimmer's apartment. He decided that since Sunset would be unable to use it for some time, he would use her laptop to type his report for Supreme Commander Chrysalis regarding the shootout with the Diamond Dog Cartel, and then e-mail the document to her personal address.

Commander, the raid on the Diamond Dogs' holdout was a success, the hostages were rescued, and nobody friendly to us was killed. I managed to gun down eleven or twelve of those sick maniacs with little effort, and Lt. Sigma got at least twenty of them with his SMG. I haven't had this much fun since that feud I had with those drug runners back in Junction. But this time, it was great to have allies (and this incredibly durable combat armor, obviously) handy. Not to mention, the Gryphons really came through for us, especially Gilda (she's their underboss, if you're wondering) with that akimbo gun-play of hers.

Sooner or later, those Cartel punks are going to learn their lesson: Do not interfere with the Chrysalis Syndicate, or you will face the worst consequences imaginable. And with Mr. Sombra's "donations" to our organization, we'll dish them out easily and with no remorse. Just like San Palamino, but (hopefully) without the collateral damage.

However, the search for Sunset Shimmer is beginning to run cold on us. I can confirm that the portal to Equestria indeed exists, and that Sunset recently used it. We just have no idea how to reach her now. Have your archivists examined/translated those spellbooks that Cpl. Ghost and I sent over to you earlier this month? They might be able to tell us how the portal works.

If anything else comes up, I'll inform you and/or Captain Umbriel. In the mean-time, I'll await your response.

Sgt. Synthe von Craw III
2nd Division, Umbriel Corps.

And then he sent the message, and let out a long yawn. Bored, he decided to check Sunset's computer for anything noteworthy or interesting. After spending a few minutes of scouring the text documents, he came upon one that caught his attention: [LuvUBaby.txt]

Craw snorted, and assumed it was a message that Flash Sentry had sent to Sunset from when the two of them were still dating. He opened it up on the laptop's Notepad application, and skimmed through the contents. To his surprise, it was an unsent love letter composed by Sunset, and meant for him:

Dear Craw,
There's a couple of things I'd like to get out of my system. Here's the first thing: I'm absolutely crazy for you, honey. That date we had at the county fair was simply incredible. You're such an awesome boyfriend, and I can't get enough of you. You're one of the greatest friends I ever had in my life. I haven't known a guy this nice to me since Flash Sentry or my brother, Radiant Dawn (Wow, just typing that makes me VERY homesick).

Since I'm very, very far away from my family, and Flash Sentry is out-of-town (plus he already broke up with me WAY before you even set foot in Canterbury), you're easily the most important guy in my life right now. You've helped me endure my life here, in a town where everyone else would otherwise hate my guts for what I did in the past. For that, I love you and appreciate everything you've done for me.

Also, I'm wondering if you'd like me to do anything special for you? I mean, the one-month anniversary of our relationship is only a few days away! Tell me if anything comes up. One thing's for sure, though: I've got a surprise for you when that day comes! :)

Your loving girlfriend, Sunset Shimmer.

Craw sighed miserably after reading the love letter. He definitely felt terrible for how he acted towards her in the past.

TWENTY-FIVE DAYS AFTER THE FALL FORMAL...
Craw and Sunset were walking down a street in downtown Canterbury, chattering about what movie to rent from the video store.

"How about Die Hard 2 or Platoon?" suggested Craw.

"C'mon, I think I've watched enough action movies for one week, Craw." chuckled Sunset. "Don't get me wrong. I loved Full Metal Jacket, especially with that drill sergeant. 'Yer so ugly, ya could me a modern art masterpiece!' always leaves me in stitches. But still, I'd like to see something funny and not just bloody or gritty. For a change, I mean. I'm only a girl, after all."

"Trust me, I have not forgotten your gender." said Craw, jokingly. "It's almost impossible to do so."

"Look, I'd just like to get some a little softer in tone every once in a while." said Sunset. "I mean, I've heard watching too many violent movies can make someone very violent themselves."

"Oh, don't believe anyone that actually tells you that." dismissed Craw. "People who say that they acted as they did because of things like that are just making up excuses because they are too cowardly to confess to their actions.You're not gonna turn psycho just from-- "

"Craw, I was half-joking." said Sunset, sternly. "I wasn't born yesterday. I know very well that watching or playing violent stuff doesn't actually turn people violent. People are perfectly capable of turning violent on their own. I can tell you that from personal experience."

"Why, did you beat someone up?" questioned Craw.

"Maybe once or twice." admitted Sunset Shimmer. "Never too seriously, though. Just a quick shove or a punch in the stomach."

"Did you steal anything?"

"Only what I absolutely needed. But that was ages ago, for all I care. I don't play that game, anymore."

"Did you ever...kill anyone?" asked Craw, raising an eyebrow.

Then Sunset Shimmer remembered the Fall Formal, when she turned into a demon and tried to lob a fireball at Twilight Sparkle.

"Thankfully...no." shuddered the girl with the red-blonde hair. "Why are you asking me all these questions, anyway? Are you a cop?"

Then Craw chuckled.

"Relax, baby." he patted Sunset on the shoulder. "I was just curious about what you meant by 'personal experience'. Or did someone beat you up in the past?"

"Not to my recollection." shrugged Sunset. "There were some close calls, I think. But for some reason, nobody's actually tried beating me up. No idea why! To be honest, they'd have plenty of reason to do it, too! Considering what I've done in the past."

"Well, don't worry." said Craw. "If anyone tries it, they'll have me to answer to--"

Suddenly, Craw's cell phone began to buzz. He pulled it out of his trouser pocket, and flipped it open. He looked at the Caller ID, and sighed in relief.

"I have to take this." he told Sunset. "Very important call."

"I'll be right here for you." said Sunset, with a smile.

Craw went into a back-alley nearby, and spoke into the phone.

"This is Sergeant Craw speaking." he said.

"Sergeant, we've deciphered the hair and blood samples you sent us." said a distorted, vaguely masculine voice on the phone.

"Good, so what've you got from it?" asked Craw.

"Well, let's just say there's more than meets the eye about Sunset Shimmer." said the voice.

"Yeah, like what?"

"For starters: The school files say she's eighteen. This is incorrect. The blood test says she's twenty."

"Twenty, huh?" repeated Craw. "Well, I'm not exactly eighteen, myself. Does this mean she's been illegally staying at Canterlot High?"

"Possibly." said the caller. "For what reason, I can't even begin to imagine. But the hair samples you sent yield an even bigger surprise."

The world seemed to slow down around Craw. He could feel his heart beating slightly faster.

"What kind of surprise?" asked Craw, dryly.

"I'd rather not say over the phone, as it may disrupt your current operations." said the voice.

"Tell me what they are." said Craw, calmly. "I can take it."

"These results may shock you."

"Tell me, anyway!"

"I seriously don't think..."

"Tell me now, or I'll put a bullet in your head when I get there!" snapped Craw, angrily.

"Fine, smart-guy." said the voice, coolly. "Those hair samples are a 100% match with...horse DNA."

Craw felt his heart leap, and he started to sweat.

"What?" he spoke, breathlessly, into the phone.

"It's all right here on our monitor." said the caller. "You did sent us the right hair samples, didn't you?"

"I snipped them straight off Sunset's head!" said Craw. "Three red, and two blonde."

"And that's what we have: Three red, two blonde."

"There's got to be a mistake!" said Craw. "Those blood samples I sent must contradict the hair samples! That blood came from straight out of her nose, so I know that isn't fake!"

"There isn't a mistake, Craw." said the caller, adamantly. "It's in the blood samples, too. Sergeant, that girl is a pony."

Craw felt his body seize up, and he ground his teeth in disgust.

"But...she doesn't even look like a pony!" shouted Craw. "She looks as human as you or me! But why?"

"I have no idea, so I'll leave you to think about it." said the caller, before hanging up.

Craw switched his phone off, and fumed in shock and dismay. He suddenly noticed that Sunset was looking at him from around the corner.

"Honey, is there something wrong?" asked Sunset, clearly oblivious about the nature of Craw's phone call.

Craw said nothing. Sunset slowly approached her boyfriend, with a concerned look on her face. Craw examined her body, and saw it as a mockery of his own. He became extremely impulsive and afraid.

"Craw, what was that call all about? I could hear your shouting all the way from--" Sunset began.

Then suddenly Craw did the unthinkable: He punched Sunset Shimmer square in the chest, and then slammed her into the wall with all his might.

"Ow, what the heck...did you do that for?!" choked Sunset, as surprised and confused as she was in pain.

"You leave me alone!" shrieked Craw, pointing an accusing finger at his girlfriend. "You're not to talk to me, you got that? I'll let you go right now, but don't you dare let me see you again for the rest of the day! You got that?!"

Sunset nodded, whimpering.

"Good." said Craw. "Now stay there, or I'll break you in half!"

Craw began to march out of the back-alley, and Sunset tried to follow him.

"Craw, what's the matter?" asked Sunset.

"Shut up!" snapped Craw. "Don't talk to me!"

"Craw, what did I do wrong?"

Craw paused, and hesitated to turn around and explain the situation. But he didn't want to show the tears streaming down his eyes, so he turned the corner and bolted down the street with all his might. When Sunset Shimmer ran after him, she turned the corner, but Craw was nowhere to be seen.


"Wow...just wow." said Sunset, nervously. "This is just...crazy. I...d-dont know...what to...."

She sat down in the alley, and started to cry. She was all alone again. It was almost as bad as the Fall Formal.

Little did she know, Craw was doing the same thing, just two blocks away. Afraid and confused, he didn't think he could ever face her again.

PRESENT DAY...

Craw bowed his head in shame. He legitimately felt terrible about his behavior back then. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could think of that could justify it. Indeed, he already jumped the gun by having Umbriel bring his soldiers into town.

"I've got to find a way to end this madness." he said. "I just hope that If I am able to find Sunset, I do it before Ghost or Umbriel do."

Suddenly, his cell phone buzzed, and saw a text message:

Big party tomorrow in the Canterlot High gym. We're giving our thanks to the Chrysalis Syndicate for saving Rainbow Dash's life. Oh, and Rainbow Dash is okay. She just got up and walking again a while ago. Sure doesn't look like a zombie anymore.

-Pinkie Pie

Craw shrugged, then decided to lay down for a moment on Sunset's bed.

Meanwhile in Equestria, Radiant Dawn and Lightning Dust sped out of the royal guard barracks in Vanhoover, and came to the marketplace, where Sunset Shimmer was speaking with Teddy, Flim, and Flam. Radiant stopped and dismissed Flim, Flam, and Teddy so that he could speak to Sunset in private.

"Sunny, something just came up!" said Radiant. "The Changeling we captured has died."

"What? How'd that happen?" asked Sunset, surprised.

"Apparently, a pegasus infiltrated the barracks." said Lightning Dust. "I think it might've been--"

"Crazy Graffiti." said Sunset, flatly. "It was Graffiti, wasn't it?"

"Possibly." said Lightning. "I wouldn't put it past him."

"That's fine." said Sunset. "I know just how to deal with him. Alright you guys, I'll need you two to get the guards and Shadowbolts ready for something the people in the human world like to call...a sting operation."