The Rainboom Thieves

by KingJoltik


The Change (Part 1 of 15)

“Aaahhh...” said Sombra as the jewels he just used shattered to pieces and fell to the floor. He looked at the now broken jewels and showed a huge grin. “So much magic I put in those jewels...it seems they didn't contain all the magic I had put in them centuries ago but...they still worked in the end even if age did make them lose some of the magic I put in them...thanks to the contained magic, I no longer need to use any petty illusions...now to go north and get my empire back!”

Meanwhile in another part of Manehattan...

Twilight tried not to flinch. The very statement that Sunset had just said put a huge shiver down her spine. Her mind quickly raced with a pile of thoughts, 'She knows?! But...but how?! How did she know I was Twilight Sparkle?! This isn't good...'

Applejack and Rarity watched the room on the computer as Sunset said those words, they both looked at each other in discomfort. “That ain't good...” said Applejack with a huge frown.

“I agree darling...” said Rarity as her face showed more and more fear. “This is not good at all...”

Applejack slowly got up only for Rarity to grab her shoulder. “Don't even think about it darling.”

“But...but...”

“Don't go in there...Twilight can handle herself darling and you know it.”

Applejack just stared at Rarity, there she saw the trust in Rarity's eyes and slowly sat down. “Okay sugarcube...I'll trust her...” she said while nodding. The two then looked back at the computer, slowly watching the scene unfold.

Twilight just sat there after hearing the statement. She didn't open her mouth, move her lips, or say a single word. Twilight just sat there as Sunset began to talk.

“What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?!” said Sunset with a angry smirk. “Not saying anything huh? I should have guessed this would happen.”

As Sunset began to brag about what she had learned, Trixie began to wake up. However, the mare was still dizzy, trying to understand just what had happened to her. Her hearing returned first as she heard Sunset monologue to Twilight. Realizing what was happening, she thought about what to do, 'Ugh...Trixie doesn't feel so good...Trixie...Trixie hears something...Sunset is talking to somepony called Twilight? Who's that? Is she a Rainboom?' thought Trixie as she slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes shifted slightly as they looked at Twilight, still in disguise. Trixie then closed her eyes and thought, '...this isn't good. She must be a Rainboom...but...I'm in no condition to get free...my head feels funny...better to sit here and make her think I'm still unconscious. Maybe Sunset can make her spill some vital information...'

“Well?!” yelled Sunset, “SAY SOMETHING!”

Twilight just sat there, staring at Sunset. Twilight then slowly took off her disguise ring, and as it fell off, her skin and mane changed back to normal. She then put her hoof over her eye and took off her lens, showing her eye's true form.

“Your eye...how is that possible?” said Sunset as she gasped at the sight.

“Indeed. You are correct Sunset Shimmer. I am the leader of the Rainbooms, the inheritor of Harmony, the Element of Magic, Twilight Sparkle. As for the eye, that's an aftereffect of Harmony, don't worry about it.” said Twilight as she gave a short bow. “I have waited to meet you for sometime, student of Celestia.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Or am I mistaken and your just another one of Celestia's pawns?”

“No. I am no pawn Twilight Sparkle. I am Sunset Shimmer, the pony originally chosen by Princess Celestia to inherit Harmony.”

Twilight's eyebrow shifted in an expression of slight sarcasm. “Oh really? And pray tell why you didn't become the inheritor of Harmony?”

Sunset gave a slight smirk, “I...I was chosen as Princess Celestia's successor instead.”

“Successor? Ah...so that's why your cutie mark is the sun...and tell me, why aren't you with her, trying to become her successor?”

“Because of you.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Because of what you did, I can't be her successor anymore.”

“Is that so...what did I do?”

“Princess Celestia told me that you inherited the elements early which in turn changed everypony's destiny and Equestria's destiny. Because of that, I can no longer inherit the sun.”

“Interesting...” said Twilight as she scratched her chin. “Very interesting...”

“Interesting?! That's all you got to say?!”

“Yeah...it really is. It means that I accomplished my original goal.”

“And pray tell what was that?!”

“I wanted to show Celestia that I had the ability to chose my own path.”

Sunset's eyes lit up in anger, “REALLY?! THAT'S YOUR REASON?! YOU DESTROYED YOUR DESTINY AND MY DESTINY FOR THAT?!”

“Yes. It is. Tell me something Sunset, when did you acquire your cutie mark?”

“My cutie mark? Why do you want to know that?”

“It is said the a pony's cutie mark is the showing of what that pony's talent is and what they are destined to be. So when did you get yours?”

“I got mine a little after I was accepted as Celestia's student. I gained it after a magic lesson from Princess Celestia herself.”

“Is that so? Let me ask you one more thing Sunset Shimmer, why did she choose you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why did you become her student?”

“I became her student because she told me that I had an incredible talent for magic. She believed I could become something incredible.”

“Hmm...” said Twilight as she gave a slight chuckle. “Heh heh...I should have guessed.”

“What's so funny?”

“Did your lessons change as soon as your cutie mark appeared?”

“Yeah...they did. But that didn't matter to me, I was happy, no, proud to be her student.”

“...”

“What's the matter? Jealous?”

Twilight's eyebrow arched, “Really? I just told you I went against Celestia. Why would I be jealous of you?”

“I don't know...this conversation just makes me think that you wanted to be her student.”

“Well...if I'm truly honest, there was a time where that was my dream. However, I am past that foolish dream.”

“And why is that?”

“I saw what life really was.”

“That's your answer?”

“Yes. Tell me Sunset Shimmer, how did you know I was Twilight Sparkle?” asked Twilight, trying to change the subject.

Sunset stuttered after hearing the question, “I...I...I think I always knew...ever since I fought you in the train to Saddle Arabia, I knew that you weren't a regular unicorn. After your incident in Canterlot, I had a feeling it could be you. But thanks to the fight we had on the rooftop...well...”

“You put two and two together?”

“Yeah...I did.” said Sunset as she showed a face of both anger and sadness. She then thought, 'I shouldn't tell her that I thought she was Dazzling Bubble...I still think she is but...I'm just not sure now...then again...if I remember right, Dazzling Bubble had a ring like that as well...'

“So...you want to know why I no longer hold that dream of being under Celestia?”

“Yes...I do. Even now, I can't believe the pony Princess Celestia was searching for was nothing more than a low down, two-bit thief.”

“Is that what you think I am?”

“Yeah...I do...I think you're just a measly arrogant criminal running from all her problems.”

Twilight folded her hooves as she listened to Sunset's insults, not flinching, not showing any notion of anger or disgust. She then slowly said, “So that's what you think of me...I had a feeling you were going to say something along those lines.”

“Only because its true.”

“Alright...if that's your idea of me, you couldn't be more wrong.”

“Tch...yeah right. You're a criminal, who cares what you think!” yelled Sunset as anger filled her eyes more and more.

“Sigh...and to think you're Celestia's student...no imagination at all.” said Twilight as she shook her hooves and her head back and forth. “How sad.”

“Grrr...what do you mean no imagination?!”

“Tell me something Sunset Shimmer, why do you think I didn't go to Celestia's school?”

“Well...I don't know, you realized your calling as a pathetic money grubbing thief?”

“No...not at all. I didn't go because I was told I couldn't.”

“I...I don't understand...what do you mean?”

“I...I was denied my dream Sunset Shimmer. That is why Celestia never found me. Tell me, did she tell you anything about me?”

“No...except I should avoid you at all costs.”

“Well...” replied Twilight as she scratched her chin. “She probably told you that because of what I did...hmm...so that's what she thinks of me now...”

Sunset gave a confused look as she saw Twilight just ponder over what Sunset had just said. She just didn't understand what Twilight was thinking. Sunset kept thinking, 'She's telling me all sorts of stuff...why? I thought she would be smarter...unless...' Sunset then slowly spoke up, “She didn't tell me anything else about you, though Princess Cadence told me you have a good heart or something...apparently the Princess of Love has a problem telling ponies' natures unless they're in love it seems.”

Twilight then glared at Sunset, “Don't insult Cadance! Despite our differences, she was the greatest foalsitter I ever had and an even greater friend!”

“I'm not insulting her, I'm just saying she was wrong!”

Twilight's head leaned closer to Sunset's, “Don't insult Cadance!”

“Fine...sorry. That being said, where are you going with this? You know, the whole what did Princess Celestia tell me question?”

“I asked that because I wanted to see your perspective.”

“My perspective?”

“Yes. As I told you before, I was denied my dream and that was why I couldn't go to Celestia's school.”

“Wait a minute...are you saying because you weren't allowed to go to Princess Celestia's school, you became a thief?!”

Twilight then chuckled. “Heh heh...no...it didn't happen just like that Sunset Shimmer...surely you can't think I just immediately made the Rainbooms when I was just a filly!”

“Well...I...wait...you ran away from home when you were just a filly?! Is that why Celestia couldn't find you?”

“Indeed.”

“So...but...why? Why do you hate Princess Celestia for that?!”

“I never said I hate her.”

“You could have fooled me, especially since you beat her up in Canterlot and the Everfree Forest.”

“Well...that is true...let's just say a lot of things have happened to me. For starters, a few months ago, Celestia suddenly starting hunting me for no reason. At the time, I had made sure nopony had ever traced me back to Canterlot or any of my family. Sure, there were a few hiccups along the way but nothing truly there to link me directly to anything. Then, as if out of nowhere, Celestia started putting wanted posters of me all over Canterlot and began to spread them to Equestria! Do you know why?!”

“Because you're a scumbag?!” said Sunset with a huge grin.

“NO!” yelled Twilight as she slammed her head up against Sunset's. “It was because she believed in some absurd notion that I was some mystical pony weapon that would solve all her problems!”

“...”

“Your precious little princess thought that I was some key, some gracious little gem that would solve everything! She thought I would be her little problem solver to save her sister, Equestria and everything else while she sat on her little throne without a care in the world!”

“How dare you! Princess Celestia is a kind, caring ruler who cares for all ponykind! She would never use other ponies for selfish reasons! Princess Celestia is always thinking about other ponies and how to help them!”

Twilight glared at Sunset more and more. Then she began to laugh, “HAHAHAHA! You are her student!”

“What's so funny?!”

“Oh nothing...its just funny seeing what I would have become if I was her student. After all, if I had actually gone to her farce of a school, I probably would be just like you right now.”

“Grrr...”

“Oh, don't be a sourpony! Be glad you got a cozy life of learning, I had to learn all my magic the hard way.”

“Why you little-”

“Hey! No need for language...now...I'll let you have one more question Sunset Shimmer.”

Sunset Shimmer stopped for a second, she knew she had to ask carefully. At the same time, Applejack and Rarity looked at each other as they watched the monitor, they had never seen Twilight like this. Applejack then spoke up, “Uh...Rarity...ah never seen Twilight like this...”

“Agreed darling...I've never seen her this...cocky and especially this overconfident...”

“Yeah...its like she's a totally different pony...she told that Sunset Shimmer gal all that and she looks like she has no regrets at all!”

“Yes...ever since we got back to Manehattan a few months ago, Twilight has acted like a completely different pony...”

“Ah know...she avoids us more and she barely asks for help...used to be, she would ask for our help all the time! She would love teaching Scootaloo...or helping you with them frilly dresses...but now...”

“Indeed...all she seems to worry about is Harmony now...and she seems so scared...just what in the wide world of Equestria did Princess Celestia do to her?”

“Ah don't know sugarcube...ah just wish she would let us help her...especially since it didn't seem like her family helped her much...all it did was make her drop that applebomb that was her going to give up to Celestia...”

“Despite what you just said...hate to say it...but maybe this situation with Sunset Shimmer may turn into a good thing...”

“How do ya figure that?”

“Perhaps she'll realize what's wrong with herself if the situation worsens even more...”

“Hmm...you might be right about that...but we're in a hole and ah definitely don't want to dig down that hole any deeper.”

“I agree darling but...we may not have a choice here...perhaps I should have a conversation with Sunset Shimmer after this...”

Applejack gave a slight expression of surprise, “Really? Why?”

“...well...according to Twilight, she may be the only pony right now that we can talk to about Princess Celestia.”

“Huh...never thought of it that way...”

Back in the other room, Sunset continued to think about what question to give. Despite her thoughts, she could think of one appropriate question, “Very well...then answer this Twilight Sparkle, why is the inheritor of Harmony a leader of a pack of thieves?”

“Oh...well...I wanted to create a group that could change the system currently in place of Equestria.”

“System? I don't understand...”

“I wanted to create a group that could show the world what it really is. The current Equestira is a place that destroys ponies dreams everyday and we wish to change that. Thanks to what the Rainbooms have done, tons of criminals have been put away and crime has gone down at a rapid rate thanks to what we did.”

“You can't be serious...”

“I am. We are trying to show Equestria that it needs to change its system by helping the police put away high rate criminals. The money we steal is only from criminals which we usually put about eighty-five percent of the money to charities and helping other ponies.”

“This...is crazy...”

“We believe-”

“Pffffttt!” said a certain blue unicorn as she began to laugh, “HAHAHAHA! Trixie can't believe what she's hearing! A bunch of thieves think they're heroes!”

“Trixie?!” said Sunset with a huge confused yet surprised look on her face. “Um...you okay?”

“HAHAHAHAHA!!!”

Twilight's eyebrows arched with a confused expression as she watched Trixie laugh. “Something funny?”

“No...Trixie just...Trixie just thought it funny for criminals to think they're a bunch of great ponies! HA!” said Trixie as slowed down her laugh and then glared at Twilight with a big grin. Trixie soon cricked her head back and forth and said, “Okay...Trixie thinks its time for Trixie to join this conversation.”

Meanwhile in yet another part of Manehattan...

A loud snore could be heard in a certain apartment. There, one purple baby dragon was laying in his bed, completely asleep. As he dreamed of a pile of fresh delicious rubies to eat, his tiny hands about to grab the rubies so he could put them into his mouth when suddenly...

BURP!

“Augh!” yelled Spike as a sealed letter appeared from the smoke in his mouth and landed on his head. As the letter rolled off his head and landed on his lap, his eyes slowly opened. “Ugh...great...thanks Princess Celestia...just when I was getting to the good part...that and Celestia hasn't risen the sun yet...”

Spike rubbed his eyes and then grabbed the sealed letter and slowly opened it, there his eyes went back and forth as he mumbled what was on the letter, “Let's see here...dear Sunset Shimmer my faithful...blah blah blah...I need you to...something or the other...blah blah blah...come to Canterlot as soon as possible...blah blah blah...there is a royal event about to happen and don't worry it is not the Grand Galloping Gala...blah blah blah...your mentor Celestia...great...another road trip...again...”

Spike slowly got up and looked around the apartment, “Sunset?! Where are you?! Sunset?!”

Spike then scratched the back of his head and then thought, 'Hmm...she's not here...maybe she spent the night at Trixie's...I guess I should go get her...'

Spike slowly got up and dragged himself to the door. There he left the apartment while still being half asleep, thinking, 'Ugh...I can't believe I have to go get her...knowing her, she's probably fast asleep at Trixie's place...wish I could do that...oh well...its not like something bad's happened...Besides, as soon as I find her I can take a long nap on the train to Canterlot...'