//------------------------------// // Entry 19: Fire in the Sky // Story: MLDC: Firestorm Crisis // by Michael_Ravencroft //------------------------------// The last couple of weeks had been strange, and Twilight’s five friends noticed. It wasn’t because of the attack that occurred two weeks ago, nothing like that. It had more to do with Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer. Before, Twilight was now starting to have Sunset come to their table and have lunch with them, although she talked little, she did offer her opinion from time to time, and she didn’t seem to have that mean streak anymore, well, she kind of still did but it was more in check. Rarity overall noticed the change in both girls’ wardrobe, apparently both sticking to the outfits they wore on their first date. Out of the five, Rainbow Dash was digging Twilight’s new look, she was way cuter now and hotter. But now, things have changed. Sunset avoided them, more accurately, she avoided Twilight, and it seemed the same held true for Twilight. She seemed both agitated and skittish at the same time. It had gotten to the point that Rarity and Applejack approached both girls, separately, wanting to know why neither of them were speaking to each other when they had become closer friends. Twilight’s response was that they just had an argument and were giving each other space, Sunset’s was more along the lines of “That’s my business, not yours.” Rarity was starting to become frustrated, but with nothing else to go on she left it at that. However, Applejack knew better. Thanks to Rainbow Dash, Applejack knew of Sunset and Twilight’s secret relationship. It didn’t take her long to figure that whatever was wrong with them was undoubtedly connected to that. Question is: what exactly happened? In the end, Applejack went to the only other person she could talk to about this, Rainbow Dash. The teenage apple farmer had her big brother give her a lift to Rainbow’s house, having called the tomboy ahead of time. When she got there she found her friend up in her room, strumming at her guitar while writing down a few song ideas and lyrics in her journal. “S’up AJ, so what did you need to talk about that you needed my Dad to be out of the house first? And are you sure you’re okay with being alone with me?” Applejack rolled her eyes, discovering that Rainbow Dash was into girls was a bit of a shocker, but nothing she couldn’t brush off. Now Rainbow joked about it, like she did now. “As long as ya ain’t planin’ on strippin’ and fondlin’ me, then the answer’s no, and the reason I needed to see ya is serious.” Rainbow Dash closed her journal and leaned her guitar against the wall. “Okay, what’s up?” “It’s about Twi and Sunset.” Rainbow’s face deadpanned at the mention of that. “What about ‘em?” “Haven’t ya noticed that’ve been actin’ weird lately?” Applejack asked. “Well…Twi’s been a little down, but Sunset…meh.” “Rainbow, seriously, Ah need ya to just think about Twi and Sunset for a sec here. They’re actin’ like they’re strangers or somethin’! One time Ah saw them bump into each other in the hallway, and they both jumped back as if the other was going to blow up!” Rainbow Dash thought about that for a moment, Twilight did seem to go out of her way to avoid physical contact with Sunset Shimmer. “You don’t think she…that she forced Twilight to…you know, do you?” Applejack cringed. “Ah really hope not Dash, Ah’m really hopin’ that’s not the case here.” “If it is I swear I’m going to make Sunset Shimmer wish she was never born!” Rainbow Dash punctuated her threat by slamming her right fist into the palm of her left hand. “Easy there sugarcube, we don’t know what’s goin’ on. Part of the problem might be they don’t have nobody to talk to about what they’re feelin’, and sometimes a parent – especially if they’re not open minded – ain’t always easy to talk to.” Rainbow Dash crossed her arms in front of her chest, she could already see where this was going. “You want us to talk to them, lend them an ear?” Applejack nodded. Rainbow Dash shrugged smirking. “Alright, sounds good to me. You take the she-demon and I’ll talk to Twi.” Applejack thrusted out left hand in a stopping gesture. “Hold on, that ain’t how this works. The idea is to help ‘em, not convince one to break up with the other.” “Hang on, you’re not saying you’d think I’d try and convince Twilight to dump Sunset Shimmer and go out with me instead!” Rainbow asked. Applejack cocked an eyebrow at that, causing Rainbow Dash to rub the back of her head. “Okay, maybe I’d drop a hint or two, but c’mon! If things aren’t working out, then shouldn’t she be with someone who actually gives a damn about her?!” Applejack sighed. “Ah understand Dashie, but drivin’ a wedge between ‘em will only hurt Twilight more, and you too. So, Ah’ll talk to Twilight and you talk to Sunset.” “But – You – I –!” “Dash, Ah ain’t budgin’ on this one. If ya really need incentive, then think about Twilight! Do ya really like seein’ her mopin’ and lookin’ like she’s heartbroken?!” Applejack asked. Rainbow tried several times to say something in protest, but each time the words never left her mouth. She disliked Twilight being with Sunset, but deep down she cared more about Twilight than her hate for Sunset. With reluctance, Rainbow nodded her head. “Good, now I’ll make up some excuse to get Twi alone, maybe get her to come to my place where we can talk in private. You should find a place to talk to Sunset, public, with lots of people.” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Jeez, I can take care of myself, I don’t need a crowd to feel safe.” “It ain’t for your sake Dashie, it’s for both of ya. Less likely chance for either of you actin’ the fool,” said Applejack in a matter-of-fact tone. SATURDAY “Bonnie I’m fine, I can get on my own,” said Lyra. “Look, the doctors said you were cleared to walk around on your own, but you can’t overexert yourself!” BonBon argued. Sunset was sitting at a table in the mall’s food court. She needed some time alone and decided to just hang about the temple of all things teen. By sheer coincidence Lyra and BonBon were there, she breathed a sigh of relief, she had heard that Lyra had survived what Atomic Skull had done to her, and walked away without any radiation poisoning. However, nothing could be done for her damaged arm. Having been burned and then snapped off like a twig at the hands of a madman. Sunset clenched her jaw, feeling responsible for what happened to Lyra. Had she not hesitated, the silvery haired girl wouldn’t have had to suffer as she did, or lose her arm as a result. From what she has seen, BonBon’s been keeping by her side the whole time. Although Lyra fussed over how BonBon was being too helpful, she never stopped smiling, appreciative in her lover’s wanting to take care of her. Sunset couldn’t help but release a wistful sigh, she and Twilight could be goofy like that if the attack hadn’t happened. Now though, it was hard to be in the same room with her. Not only were they afraid of turning into Hel, but Sunset felt that Twilight might still not accept the fact that she was magic, and a pony from a parallel world. Sunset looked at her right hand, she concentrated for a second, allowing the aquamarine color of her magical aura encompass said hand for a minute. She levitated a few sugar packets on the table, making them hover in a circle just for the heck of it, and doing so brought her a small amount of joy. Ever since that night, her magical powers had been slowly returning to her, from what she was able to gauge she was at a minor level of power, something close to what a unicorn high school student would have, an average amount. Still, in this world, even an average amount of magical power far surpassed anything the humans had. If she even had a fraction of this there was no telling what kind of things she could’ve done at CHS. The aura faded and the packets fell back to the table as she shook her head to dislodge those thoughts. Why do I keep going back to that? I don’t have a reason to want to go through with that plan anymore! Because you can’t escape what you are, Sunny. The world around her seemed to blur as the sounds of the mall and its patrons became muted, all but for the voice of the demoness sitting across from her. And what am I, exactly? Simple, you’re the best. Why not have everything lain before you? You’ve certainly earned it.  Have I? Have really earned everything like you’ve said?! Or have I just been taking it by force?! Jeez, you can’t see the glass half-full, can ya? Why are you even here right now?! Two weeks I’ve gone without hearing and seeing you, and now you come out?! Sunny, Sunny, Sunny, you just need to chill out I – oh great, bitch alert. What the hell are you –? “Sunset.”   The girl in question turned around and frowned noticeably. Rainbow Dash was standing behind her, arms crossed as she returned a frown of equal proportion. “What do you want? If you’re here to pick a fight then don’t. I’m not in the mood and I really just don’t want to,” said Sunset in annoyed tone. Rainbow Dash walked around and took a seat in the chair across from Sunset. “Much as I’d like to kick your ass up and down this mall, I’m not here for that, yet.” “Then why are you here?!” “Twilight.” Sunset froze and went silent. “You and Twilight have been acting weird lately. So I’m going to ask you straight forward. Did you do anything to Twilight?!” Rainbow asked. “No…well, it’s complicated…” Sunset couldn’t deny that much. “So you did do something?” Rainbow pressed on. “Ugh, like I said it’s complicated! Stuff…happened, alright. We were caught in the middle of that craziness downtown and we barely made it out before the real hel – crazy stuff went down.” Rainbow Dash sighed in frustration, she knew Sunset Shimmer was going to dance around the real reason because they were trying to keep the relationship a secret. But if Dash was going to get anywhere she needed to remove the obstacle that was secrecy, which meant only one thing. Rainbow Dash leaned forward, propping herself on her forearms as she gave Sunset Shimmer a serious look. “Look, let’s just cut the BS, I know you and Twilight are dating.” Sunset’s eyes went wide with panic, her whole body tensed up as if it couldn’t decide between fight or flight. “Y-You’re wrong, why-why would Sparky – Twilight – Twilight – and I be dating?! I-I don’t even like girls that way! I love boys, I love the –!” “Oh give it a rest!” Rainbow interrupted. “I know you and Twilight are into each other, and I know you’ve been together for like a month and a half now! I…That day, at the Science Fair, I overheard you guys talking. I saw and heard Twilight confess to you…and how you confessed to her. So drop the ‘I’m not a lesbo act’ and quit embarrassing yourself!” Sunset was still tense, keeping a level gaze with Rainbow Dash. “……Fine…yes, Twilight and I are a thing…so now what? Are you going to belt it out to the entire school? The Queen Bitch of CHS is actually a lesbian and is dating the girl who dethroned her?” Rainbow Dash scoffed as she leaned in her seat. “If it was just to take you down, then yeah, I’d plaster the school with leaflets, put up a blog about it on the school site, and just generally spread it around by word of mouth. I would, if the only one going down was just you, but Twilight would get dragged through the mud along with you, so for that reason alone I’m not saying anything.” Sunset didn’t know whether to be insulted, relieved, or just laugh at how messed up her situation was. Out of all the people who hate her in CHS, the girl who most hates her and was actually brave enough to go toe to toe with her, knew about her secret relationship with Twilight, and right now it was Twilight alone who was keeping the little of her rep from going down the crapper. “So, what, you going to blackmail me instead?” Sunset asked. “A good idea, I might later, but right now this isn’t so much about you as it is about what the hell you did to Twilight.” Hel happened, that’s what. “So out with it, did you force yourself on Twilight? Touch her somewhere? Make her do something she wasn’t ready for?” Sunset’s face went red at the accusations, both from anger and embarrassment. “N-NO! What the –! Jeez, is the only reason you can up with for why I’m dating her is that I can rape her at some point?!”     “Oh no, not your style. First you’d convince her you liked her, then worm your way into her home, earn her trust, and then you’d stomp on all that, breaking her heart, and then you’d rape her.” Sunset’s eye twitched, the fact that Rainbow Dash said all that so easily and as if it were a matter of fact, she was once again conflicted. She was angry, no doubts about that, but at the same time she felt something else, a stab of pain in her heart. Sunset Shimmer slumped in her seat, crossing her arms in front of her chest as she averted her gaze from Rainbow Dash. “Listen, I’ll admit that I’m no saint, far from it. I’ve done shitty things to people who didn’t deserve it, I know that and I admit it. But I’d never do that to her! I’d never take advantage of Twilight like that, I’d sooner kill myself! And for the record, I’m no damn rapist! I do have, somewhat of, a moral code!” Rainbow Dash straightened up in her seat and clapped her hands mockingly. “Great, you’re a bitch with a code of honor, better than nothing I guess.” Sunset sighed heavily, her expression morphed after that, taking on one that looked pensive and hurt. “Do…Do you really see me as someone capable of such horrible things like that? Does everyone?” Rainbow Dash shook her head and gave Sunset an incredulous look. “Are you kidding me?! You singlehandedly destroyed a friendship that me and the girls developed since we were little kids, you divided the student body and made it so barely anyone acknowledged the other, you tormented not just my friends, but everyone in the school! Blackmailed, schemed, lied, bullied, you got a rap sheet longer than football field and you’re dirty as the day is long!” The cyan girl leaned forward, putting her hands on the table as she stared down at the still slumped Sunset. “As far as I’m concerned, you could commit murder and it wouldn’t surprise me. You’ve acted as if the world owed you something, as if you deserved everything it had to offer, and even then, it was like you hated everything here! I don’t know what messed up life you’ve had Sunset Shimmer, and honestly, I have no pity if you did! Plenty of people have had bad things happen to them, and they’re still better people than you!” Sunset felt like punching Rainbow Dash, repeatedly, in the face, to scream and shout at her how none of that was true about her. But each word she spoke, cut her deep inside, and it hurt more than she wanted to admit. Sunset knew she had burned bridges and done some awful things in her time here, but to her it didn’t matter, because the end game was for her to rule this world and then rule her home world, Equestria. To her, everyone in the school were just chess pieces, objects to be used and thrown away like a broken sword. Now though, with her plans shattered, trapped in this world for another thirty moons, Sunset had to deal with the fallout of everything she had done. Twilight had united the school, unintentionally turning everyone into a united group to stand up to Sunset, for she was one and they were many and it finally sunk in. Sunset never took the time to look back on everything she had done, all the pain she had caused, all the people she hurt, all for a goal that in the end was never obtained. If it wasn’t for the fact that Rainbow Dash was sitting across from her, she’d actually cry. The cyan girl plopped back down in her seat, having gotten nothing but silence in response to her triad. She could feel the air around Sunset had changed, for some reason she seemed vulnerable, fragile. Rainbow shook her head, she couldn’t feel sympathy or pity for this girl, not after everything she did. “Let me ask you something. Do you love Twilight?” Rainbow asked. “W-What?” “I didn’t stutter, Do. You. Love. Twilight?!” Sunset took a shallow breath and sat up in her seat, in spite of all that had happened, even with what was going on, that was something Sunset could feel inside her was the one good and honest thing she was certain of. “Yes, I love her.” Rainbow Dash sighed. “Alright then, guess it’s only fair. I love Twilight, too. And I mean more than just a friendship kind of love, more like I want to make out with her behind the bleachers kind of love.” Sunset nearly jumped out of her seat, but gripped the table, hard, for stability. It all made sense now, the acting like a personal knight, defending her to the point of stupidity, and even the slight blushes and way she backed down whenever Twilight asked her to. She was in love with Twilight, all this time she was in love with Twilight long before Sunset herself realized it. Now she was scared, for the first time, since fighting Atomic Skull and the first day she became a Firestorm, she was scared. “Why are you telling me this?” Sunset asked cautiously. “It’s because I love Twilight like that, that I’m here trying to help her. And one of the ways you could do that, is by not being with her anymore.” Sunset’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not serious?!” Rainbow Dash stood up and slammed her hands on the table. “I am, do you honestly think for a second that you’re good for her?! I can tell that girl’s going to be some big shot scientist inventing this and that, and probably teaching at some fancy ass school for rich kids! Do you honestly think you’re the kind of girl she needs in her life?! As a friend and more importantly, as girlfriend?!” Sunset slammed her hands on the table as she stood up, staring Rainbow Dash in the eye. “I am! Because I know things about Twilight that you could never understand, things that would more than likely make you all shun her! You have no idea what she’s been through, what she’s endured and how much she cherishes you guys and the people around her, life itself! And do you honestly think you’re any better of a match for her than I am?!” “At least I’m not a frigin’ psycho bitch, like you! I’ve been getting scholarship offers up to my neck from several colleges who want me for their sports teams! I’m going to be the best athlete there ever was, second only to being the best rocker ever! What the hell do you plan to do with your life! Huh?!” Sunset opened her mouth to counter but froze. Realization struck Sunset like a ton of bricks, what did she plan to do with her life? After high school, what was left, college, university, some mundane, dead-end job? For so long Sunset knew she was destined to be great and have everything she deserved. In Equestria, her future was assured. She was the apprentice to Princess Celestia, her future was anything she wanted there, hell she was already in her twenties, wealthy, living in a palace, and being taught by the proverbial “Goddess of the Sun”. And she threw it all away to come to this world, with nothing but a half-baked plan for domination and the clothes, that somehow mysteriously were given to her upon passing through the portal, on her back. She was a teenager in this world, with no magic – well now she had her magic back – and no idea of what do afterwards. “I…I…” “Aww look, it’s our two favorite girls having a lovers spat.” Sunset and Rainbow Dash turned their heads in the same direction, spotting two girls they wished neither of them had met. Lightning Dust was grinning at them, hands stuffed in the pockets of her bomber jacket, and her braided ponytail hanging over her left shoulder. Gilda was standing next her, arms crossed, giving both girls a sinister glare and a creepy smile. “Gilda,” said Rainbow Dash. “Lightning Dust,” said Sunset. “That’s us, and it looks like the gang’s back together, eh Dashie?” Gilda mocked. “Look, whatever your beef is with me or bacon hair over here –” Sunset cocked her head to the side. “‘Bacon hair’ what the f–” “– can it wait until tomorrow, we’re in the middle of something important?!”     Lightning and Gilda chuckled as if Rainbow Dash had told a mildly funny joke. Gilda walked forward and placed her hand on Dash’s left shoulder. “Sorry, no can do. I’ve been itchin’ for some real payback from you.” Gilda tightened her grip on Rainbow’s shoulder, causing the cyan girl to wince. “And I now I’m going to get it.” Lightning walked up next, casually draping her left arm over Sunset’s shoulders. “Diggin’ the new look Sunny, it’s cute. But anyway, yeah, more or less what G said. Course, you could always decide to make up to us another way. Hmm? I know I’ve always wanted to get a look ‘under the hood’.” Lightning ran the index finger of her right hand up Sunset’s thigh and traced a line upwards. Sunset could feel something, and it wasn’t the slightly ticklish nature of Lightning’s finger going up her side. No, something was different about them. They were dangerous, more so now than before. In fact, she could sense a faint yet familiar power emanating from them. Something was definitely wrong about this whole thing. Rainbow Dash swatted Gilda’s hand away, glaring at the girl with anger. “You wanna go, Gilda?! Fine, let’s go, you and me, outside! After I make you eat asphalt I’m going to kick your ass again for interrupting something important!” Gilda took a few steps back and nodded to Lightning Dust. The turquoise girl took a few steps back as well, joining her companion’s side. Sunset could feel the dangerous aura building now, she quickly went to Rainbow Dash’s side and put herself between them, causing the rainbow haired girl to raise an eyebrow at her actions. The people in the food court were now staring at the scene, some moving away in anticipation of a fight breaking loose, some even leaving to fetch Mall Security. “Heh, why go all the way outside? Kicking your ass inside or outside won’t change the fact that you’re going to be dead meat!” Gilda proclaimed. “Oh yeah, well –!” “Shut up!” Sunset hissed. “You’re not the boss of –!” “Rainbow Dash, seriously, shut the hell up! Something’s wrong here, they’re way too relaxed about this, and…the air around them, it’s wrong, it’s all wrong…!” Sunset glanced at Rainbow Dash from over her right shoulder. “You need to get out of here, right now!” Rainbow shoved her way past Sunset and stood in front of her with her back turned. “Look, I don’t take orders from you, I don’t like you, and personally you can crawl into a ditch somewhere and die for all I care! So back off, shut up, and let me deal with these two!” Gilda and Lightning glanced to each other, breaking out into hysterical laughter at the show of bravado Rainbow Dash put on. “Oh G, I never get tired of that stupid knight-in-shining-armor crap she does, it’s freakin’ hilarious!” “I know right, guess we outta knock her down from her high horse,” said Gilda. Both bad girls widened their stances as they readied themselves. Sunset suddenly felt that same familiar energy buildup yet again, her mind finally clicked as to where she had sensed that kind of power before. “RAINBOW DASH RUN!” “FIRESTORM!!!”   “FIRESTORM!!!”   Gilda and Lightning Dust were suddenly engulfed in flames colored silver and goldenrod. The force wave generated from the dual transformation knocked tables and chairs away, along with their occupants. Sunset quickly took Rainbow Dash by the arm and pulled her back until she was tossed behind her. Sunset thrusted her right hand forward, now glowing with aquamarine light. Out of pure instinct Sunset threw up a magical barrier, it expanded into a giant wall of magical light that protected the people on the other side of it. Sunset struggled, using her left hand to stabilize her right, so long without magic had proven not to be a problem, but since it wasn’t at full strength just yet she had to concentrate to keep the barrier from shattering. Rainbow Dash had fallen on her rear and was preparing to slug Sunset for tossing her like that, that is, until she saw what Sunset was doing. The other patrons in the food court were frozen, stunned at the sight of what was happening. Suddenly the flames died down and the force wave cancelled out, despite this, Sunset still kept the barrier up knowing that what was coming was going to be bad. Gilda was the first to appear from the dying flames. Her forearms were covered in golden metallic rings, and her hands covered in a metal glove that had clawed fingers. From below her knee there were also rings, and her feet were wrapped in metal shoes that had three long talons coming from them. On her back were metallic brown wings that made a sound like swords unsheathing from their scabbards. Black, tightly woven chainmail wrapped around her upper arms, thighs, and neck. Her chest area was armored, made of a bronze-like metal that sheened brilliantly. Her red sun symbol was at the center of her chest, with two orbs near her shoulders and the third on her stomach in the shape of an upside down triangle. A golden metal mask covered Gilda’s face, the eye slits had purple paint around them in sharp angles to make her white eyes pop. Her silver-flamed hair was short, and almost feathery looking. Lightning Dust emerged next, from below her knee to her feet was all made of goldenrod colored, hardened plasma, the same was true of her forearms and hands. She wore no armor, but instead wore a violet mesh suit that clung tightly to her body, covering her biceps, thighs, chest, and neck. Yellow lightning streaks could be seen detailed on her thighs and biceps, and one long one around her waist to simulate a belt. A cowl covered most of her face, but allowed her mouth to be seen, her hair was now goldenrod colored flames that appeared jagged to mimic her spikey hair. On top of that, turquoise colored electricity arced around her body, and created large wings made of the same colored lightning. Finally the red sun emblem on her chest, on red orb was just a few inches above the emblem, while two others were at the bottom forming a triangle. Sunset narrowed her gaze at both girls. “You…You two got Firestorm Protocols?!” “Yeah, don’t really remember how we got these things, kind of a blur really,” said Lightning. “But really who cares, this power’s a real rush! Now we’re like those two fire girls! Difference being, we’re not here to save the day,” said Gilda. “Seriously, all that power, and the only thing you two can think of to use it for is to beat up on us?!” Sunset shouted. “We’re here to get revenge on you, simple as that.”   “We’re here to get revenge on you, simple as that.” Sunset suddenly felt a spike in magical energy, she noticed a brief glimmer of green light in both their eyes at that moment. She didn’t know why, it was magic, but this magic felt…negative, manipulative. It was clear that another magic user was involved in this, and one that was on the side of the Organization was even more bad news for Twilight and herself. “Shimmer…what…what the hell is going on?!” Rainbow Dash cried out. “You’re still here?! I told you run!” “Screw that, why did Gilda and Lightning just turn into that?! And why can you suddenly create a shield of light?!” Dammit, I swear there’s someone out there who enjoys screwing with my life! It’s bad enough I just revealed my magic to a whole bunch of people, but now I gotta deal with two rogue Firestorms girls who are hell-bent on putting me and Rainbow Dash six feet under?! Sunset glanced over her shoulder, the majority of the people had ducked behind the various food partitions and had possibly left out the back doors. The only ones left from what she could tell were Rainbow Dash, typical, a few kids who had been separated from their parents, and… Lyra and BonBon?! Lyra seemed out of it, slumped up against a wall with BonBon trying to do all she could to get her girlfriend up and away from danger. Sunset Shimmer gritted her teeth, she didn’t care, she wasn’t about to let somebody else get hurt because of her hesitation, especially not the same person twice. “FIRESTORM!!!” Sunset was suddenly engulfed in golden-yellow flames, her light shield seemed to shine brighter in response to the added power. When the flames died out, Sunset was in full Firestorm form, and with the added bonus of her magical power receiving a boost from the Matrix. Gilda and Lightning Dust blinked in surprise at what they saw. “Whoa, Sunny’s that red fire girl from the news?! Huh, guess using these things wasn’t going to be overkill after all,” said Lightning Dust. “Definitely, now that you’re like us, we don’t have to hold back, and we can go all out!” Gilda announced with glee. “Bring it you two, I’m stronger and I’ve done this a lot longer than you two!” Lightning Dust slammed her fists together and held her fists like that, knuckle to knuckle. Turquoise lightning surged from her forearms and to her fists, causing atomic rings to form at the center. Suddenly, Lightning Dust reared her fists back and thrust them forward, firing a powerful lightning bolt straight for Sunset’s magical barrier. The bolt struck against Sunset’s barrier with resounding force, making Sunset grunt from the effort to keep the barrier up. Sunset grinned as an idea popped into her head. Sunset expanded her magical power, making the wall curve towards Gilda and Lightning Dust. The daredevil Firestorm halted her lightning attack, watching as the barrier swallowed both her and Gilda, changing into a bubble of magical light. Sunset used her left hand to shoot a stream of fiery plasma at the bubble, and used her magic to keep it wrapped around the barrier as added insurance that they wouldn’t break it easily. “See?! I don’t know how long you’ve had those things, but I have experience and my magic back, taking on a couple of rookies like you is nothing,” said Sunset in triumph. “You think so, huh?!” Gilda’s clawed hands were suddenly wrapped in atomic rings. The floor began to rumble around her, Sunset quickly shot up into the air but not before metal rebar rods shot out. The tips of each one was shaped like an arrowhead, and moved as if they were angry snakes. One of the rebar spears shot straight through Sunset’s left leg, liquid-light ichor splashed all over her outfit and the ground below. A second one angled itself and found its home right through her right shoulder, and a third through her left forearm. The pain caused Sunset to lose control of her barrier, allowing Gilda and Lightning Dust to fly free. Lightning Dust fired an electrical bolt straight at the metal bars. Sunset cried out in pain as ten-thousand plus volts of electrical energy coursed through her body. “Yeah, I got a thing for metal work, and since we’re in a city, there ain’t no shortage of that,” said Gilda. “And since metal conducts electricity, I can make the pain that much worse! We’re not a duo you should ever take on Sunny, and we’ll prove it right here and now!” Sunset clenched her fists. Her flame aura kicked up and burst forth, surrounding her in an orb of plasma fire. The rebar quickly burned into slag, and the slag into nothing, freeing Sunset from her metallic binds and the electrocution. Sunset burst forth from her fireball, atomic rings already working to close the wounds caused by the last attack. The crimson armored Firestorm looked behind her, seeing the civilians still frozen with fear. Sunset knew she couldn’t fight them here, too many innocent people would be caught in the crossfire. Without warning, Sunset bolted for both Gilda and Lightning Dust. She held out her arms and caught the two bad girls in a double lariat to the neck. With another burst of speed, Sunset shot up and through the roof, taking her two passengers with her. The three of them went higher and higher, until Sunset was sure that they were high enough and away from people. She quickly stopped and let momentum carry Gilda and Lightning the rest of the way up. Atomic rings formed around both her hands, gathering heat and plasma energy. Taking careful aim, Sunset fired two plasma fire beams straight at Gilda and Lightning. The two bad girls were hit simultaneously, exploding high above Sunset. The crimson Firestorm grinned at her quick thinking, but that joy didn’t last long. All of a sudden four missiles shot out from the dust cloud where Gilda was. Sunset’s eyes bulged from her skull at that sight of the projectiles, of all things to come out of there she was not expecting something like that! Sunset made the flame wheels near her feet bellow like jet engines, shooting her in the opposite direction. The missiles hounded Sunset all the way, even after making quick turns, barrel rolls, and zigzags. Sunset grunted in frustration and decided enough was enough. She turned around, channeling her plasma fire into her hands and from there to the tips of her index fingers. Sunset quickly began firing quick shots from her fingers, turning them into makeshift guns as pinpoint beams of plasma sailed towards the missiles. The missiles acted as if they had a mind of their own, actually dodging each of her shots. Just then, Sunset heard more of them, looking to her right left and confirming that five more were coming. Turning to the left, Sunset saw six more, and now somehow the ones pursuing her doubled in number. It was then she realized she was surrounded. Sunset wasn’t one to be caught off guard that easily. She stopped in midair, with a quick spin, Sunset summoned a fire tornado all around her. The tornado spun faster and faster, growing smaller in size until it was rounded and became a spinning ball of fire. Within the sphere, Sunset took note of all that was around her, noting the distance of each missile. With a powerful burst of energy, Sunset’s sphere fired off multiple fireballs in every direction, utilizing a Death Blossom scatter shot pattern. The missiles that were converging on Sunset started to initiate evasive maneuvers, but there was nowhere to move that wasn’t in the path of a fireball. Each one made contact, causing the air to erupt with multiple detonations all around, lighting up the sky like fireworks. Sunset quickly stopped her attack, going so far as to extinguish the fireballs that were still flying out. “Gotcha!” Sunset glanced over her left shoulder, spotting Gilda with a huge metal battle-axe. The silver-flamed Firestorm brought down the cleaving weapon, ready to rend Sunset in two. At the last second, Sunset created a sword of fire, making it appear in her left hand. She then extended the blade, turning it into a double-edged sword, allowing the lower fire blade to intercept Gilda’s axe. The two weapons rang out in the air, the impact creating a shockwave. “Damn, you’re faster than I thought!” “Please, I’ve fought against a Firestorm in Japan who was way faster than you, and had more skill in his pinkie than you do! You’re ten years too young to be facing me with a blade!” “Then I guess that means I gotta play dirty, don’t it?!” Gilda shot back. Sunset sensed an energy buildup. A streak of lightning came surging towards her, Sunset quickly used her magic to create a barrier wall in front of her. The bolt struck the shield, keeping her safe from the attack. But in that same moment the part of the lightning broke off and reappeared next to Sunset. “You’re fighting two on one, gotta keep track of your surroundings, Sunny!” Lightning Dust thrusted her fist forward, punching Sunset right in the face with an electrified blow. Gilda disengaged to allow Sunset to spiral away from them, but then she fanned out her wings and gave them a swift flap in Sunset’s direction. The metal panel feathers shot out like throwing knives, whistling as they cut through the air. Sunset used her flames to stabilize herself, but at the last second the panels were upon her, two of them embedding themselves in her stomach and a third stabbed her in the left shoulder. Sunset coughed up some of her liquid-light ichor, gritting her teeth and doing her hardest to shut out the pain. Even though having her arm taken off was probably the worst pain she’d ever felt, these panels in her gut still hurt a lot, but it wasn’t enough to completely immobilize her. The crimson Firestorm ripped out the panels, but before her power could start the healing process, a flash of lightning appeared and struck Sunset in the same area the panels were. The blow sent a shockwave rippling through Sunset and out from behind her. Ichor came splashing out of her mouth and wounds, knocking the wind out of her, while at same time amplifying the pain with electrical surges. The lightning bolt shot away, but rounded back and struck Sunset in the back with the same amount of force. The blows kept coming from every direction, from the outside, it looked as if an actual lightning bolt was buzzing around her like an angry wasp, assaulting Sunset. But in fact, it was Lightning Dust, having transformed herself into living lightning. She’d strike Sunset, becoming her solid form for a nanosecond before changing back and zipping around for another attack. Gilda watched from afar, a smirk forming behind her mask. But this wasn’t all, there was still one more that needed schooling. Fanning out her wings again, Gilda shot back down, aiming directly for their last location. Sunset’s one of those fire girls…she protected me – everyone…even the city… Rainbow Dash was still coming to grips with what she had seen, Sunset Shimmer had saved her life, and the lives of everyone who didn’t get away in time before Gilda and Lightning Dust changed. Even more than that, Sunset had been fighting and putting her life on the line to defeat other guys like Gilda and Lightning Dust. Now that I think  about it, the fire girls were the ones responsible for beating the green skull monster guy who hurt Lyra and killed all those people…Sunset’s been helping others…saving lives… The sports girl’s worldview of Sunset Shimmer had been thoroughly rocked. Rainbow Dash believed, with every fiber of her being, that Sunset Shimmer was an evil, scheming, psycho girl who only cared about herself and was willing to throw others under the bus and step on them if it meant getting what she wanted. All this time Rainbow Dash thought she had her figured out, but now…now she wasn’t so sure anymore. Just then a loud whistling sound echoed from the hole in the roof. The whistling got louder and louder until finally something broke through the roof again, landing on the floor with a great BOOM! Rainbow Dash watched as Gilda rose from her landing site, metallic wings spread as her silver fire hair wafted back and forth. Rainbow could tell Gilda was heading straight for her, and despite knowing this, she didn’t run. It was pointless, as Gilda was now, chasing Rainbow Dash down would’ve been as easy as blinking an eye. “Hey Dash, long time no see,” said Gilda. “G…why are you doing this?” Rainbow asked. “Have you really forgotten…?” “Forgotten what?” Gilda lashed out, grabbing Rainbow by the collar and hoisting the girl up into the air. “How dare you! I can’t believe you forgot what you did to me all those years ago!” “What?! What did I do, I swear I don’t remember!” Gilda’s silver flames grew in intensity in response to her anger. “Junior Speedsters Track Team…six years ago…you’re telling me you don’t remember that?!” “Gilda I don’t – wait…you don’t mean… ” Memories of old flashed in the white eyes of Gilda’s new form, replaying for her the moment things went south for them. Rainbow Dash felt a pang of guilt form in her hurt, stabbing at her like a rusty knife. “Gilda…Back then…!” “What?! ‘Back then’ what?!” Gilda roared. “I was confused…I didn’t know what to say to you,” said Rainbow Dash as she averted her gaze from Gilda. The silver-flamed Firestorm brought the girl in her grasp closer. “Well I wasn’t confused, I was sure, but you just avoided me the rest of the summer after that! And the next time I saw you, you pretended like it never happened! I thought if I got those lame-o friends of yours to leave you alone I could…could…” Rainbow eyebrow raised when she saw some liquid light fall to the ground below her. She looked back at Gilda and saw that it was coming from her eyes, the liquid light falling from the corners of her eyes as if she were crying. Gilda loosened her grip on Rainbow, allowing her feet to touch the ground again. Rainbow Dash, tentatively held out a hand, reaching to place it on her old friend. “G…I…I’m sorry…I didn’t know I hurt you so much.” Rainbow made contact with Gilda’s golden mask. She flinched for a moment, but seemed to allow Rainbow to rest her hand against it. “It…It was stupid and crappy thing for me to do, pretending to forget, but I thought you moved past it.” Gilda lightly shook her head. “I couldn’t…you, you were the only one who actually gave a damn about me, Dash. You looked out for me, became my best friend in a town where I didn’t know anyone! That’s why I…” “G, you don’t have to do this…I’m sorry about what I did…I…Look, just stop this whole thing and let’s talk! If you really want to be my friend again, then let me go and stop Lightning Dust before people get really hurt!” Rainbow pleaded. Gilda smiled beneath her mask, she could see that Rainbow Dash meant it. It may not be what she really wanted from the tomboy, but it was a start at the very least. The silver-flamed Firestorm shook her head in affirmation, releasing Rainbow Dash from her steely grip. “I’m sorry, Dash…Don’t worry, I’ll stop Lightning too! I just – AAAAAH!!!” Gilda suddenly gripped her head, stumbling backwards and going down on one knee as her wings fluttered about in an agitated state. Rainbow Dash tried to get closer to help her, but each attempt almost got her head or arms cut off by the flailing metal wings. “Gilda, what’s wrong?! Talk to me, G, c’mon!!!” After several seconds Gilda’s head shot up, staring directly at Rainbow Dash. A green light flashed in her eyes for a moment before Gilda stood up and walked towards Rainbow. Moving swiftly, Gilda reached out and grabbed Rainbow by the wrists and hoisted her upwards. “No friggin’ way am I forgiving you,” said Gilda with a menacing voice. “Gilda let me the hell go! What’s with you?!” Rainbow yelled. With little much else said, Gilda shot up into the sky through the hole in the roof, taking Rainbow Dash with her. Dammit Sunny, we need to get Sparky out here! You need my help!  “Shut up…I don’t need your friggin’ help…!” They’re going to kill you, just like Skull almost did! You’re magic may be back, but it’s still not back at full power! Get away now, track down Sparky, and let me go to town on these bitches!  “I told you before, Hel, you’re not coming out! Twilight and I are never going to fuse again, so long as I keep my distance from her, that’ll never happen…I refuse to have you make her suffer the pain of killing someone, again!” You stupid…what if I promise not to kill?! I’ll just mess ‘em up really bad, and they’ll still be alive!  “No way…they’re not like Atomic Skull, they have Protocols, which means they’re powers can be taken away like the others! I just need…an opening – AAAAAHHHH!!!” Sunset was suddenly hit with a powerful surge of electricity, causing her to nearly lose consciousness. “What’s the matter Sunny? Talkin’ to yourself? Wow, didn’t think I messed you up that bad.” “Dammit, Lightning, just stop…! You have no idea what you two of gotten yourselves into! Whatever the Organization promised you, I’m telling you, it’s not worth what they’re planning on doing to the world! You’re nothing but a pawn to them!” Lightning Dust tugged on her electric chains and brought Sunset closer to her, glaring through narrowed eyes. “I don’t know what this ‘Organization’ is, and I don’t give a shit! This is about payback! You left me and Gilda high and dry, you came with us that night to party, and we were having fun until we got caught by the cops! You sold me and G out, playing the innocent girl act to the cops and getting a reduced sentence! You got a few days in Juvie, and we spent weeks in there!” Sunset turned her gaze downcast, her flaming mane losing some of its luster. “I did…I’m sorry…there’s no excuse for what I did, I was so focused on my plans and how it was going to get messed up! In the end it didn’t matter, my plans were ruined the moment they said I’d been in there for days, everything was ruined…Look, if you want to take it out on me, then do it.” Lightning Dust frowned. “Geez, way to take the fun out this, Sunny. I mean, don’t get me wrong, messing you up will be fun, but it’d be better if you tried to fight back a little.” Lightning took a look below and smiled. “Well, she might be more fun than you.” Sunset raised her head and watched as Gilda appeared behind Lightning Dust, with Rainbow Dash in hand. The silver-flamed Firestorm held Rainbow by both wrists, holding tight as the cyan girl thrashed about. Lightning Dust turned her attention back to Sunset, smiling wickedly as she did so. “You ain’t the only one who’s betrayed us, Sunny! Rainbow over there practically stomped on G’s heart and even turned her back on her later on! And me? Well, she got me kicked out of the Sports Program that was going to train serious athletes!” Lightning flew over to where Rainbow and Gilda were, extending the electric chain to keep Sunset tethered. She grabbed Rainbow’s chin, forcing her to look into her white eyes. “But you just had to go and ruin it for me – for both of us! We were the best, we had everyone beat! But then you go on and tell the coaches that you were ‘concerned about the way I competed’!” Rainbow Dash, despite being scared shitless on the inside, kept her defiant glare on Lightning Dust. “Pushing yourself is one thing Dust, but putting others in danger, using your teammates like cheap tools, that’s not good sportsmanship and definitely not the sign of a good captain! If I didn’t say anything you’d have hurt the others, or worse, yourself and then what?!” Lightning narrowed her gaze as electrical sparks flew from the corners of her eyes. “That wasn’t your decision, Dash! I never treated you like that! I respected you, you were the only person there who could keep up with me! We could’ve pushed each other into being the best of the best! Until you betrayed me…you’re no better than Sunset!” Rainbow Dash felt a pang of guilt in her heart, Gilda was one thing, she was confused and added to the way she treated her other best friends, Gilda left her no choice. Lightning Dust, she honestly believed that Lightning was a good athlete, but after seeing what she did to herself and those around her, Rainbow couldn’t remain silent. “Now you’re both going to get what you deserve, and afterwards, we’ll pay that nerd a visit,” said Gilda. Both Rainbow and Sunset snapped to attention at the mention of Twilight. “Yeah, I think we’ll keep her as our plaything. For a nerd, she’s got a cute ass, of course we’ll have to ‘break her in’,” said Lightning with pervy grin. “DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH TWILIGHT!!!” Sunset and Rainbow shouted at the same time. Lightning hovered away from Rainbow Dash until she there was a good distance of space between the two. The goldenrod flamed Firestorm pointed her right finger at Rainbow and released a small bolt of lightning that crackled as it traveled towards its target, and at the same time, a surge of electrical energy shot through the chain that kept Sunset hostage. Both girls were struck at the same time, both screaming from the pain that sparked through their nerves. Gilda held on tight, having transmuted the metal around her right and left arms into a nonconductive element, watching as Rainbow Dash writhed in agony from her electrocution. For a brief moment, something made Gilda’s heart hurt, something that made her resolve waver. But a flash of green light went off in her eyes again, as if snapping her back into her vengeance driven mindset. Lightning Dust ended her torture, watching as Rainbow Dash went limp. Sunset panted, painfully, trying to keep herself conscious. Her eyes went wide when she saw Rainbow Dash completely still. “Huh, you’re kidding, did I kill her already?” Lightning asked. Gilda brought Rainbow Dash up, pressing her ear to the girl’s chest and hearing a faint heartbeat. “Nah, she’s still kicking, I think you just knocked her out.” “Pfft, I thought she’d last a little longer than that. Oh well, toss her, the rush might wake her up, or not.” “NO!!!” Sunset shouted. Gilda released Rainbow Dash, letting the cyan girl fall limply from two-thousand feet in the air. Sunset couldn’t take it anymore, she tapped into the reserves of magical energy and atomic power. Her eyes shined aquamarine as her yellow flames ignited around her body. Lightning Dust turned to try and stop her, but she was too late. Sunset unleashed her pent up power, releasing a burst wave of energy that sent Gilda and Lightning Dust spinning backwards. Taking this opportunity, Sunset dove down after Rainbow Dash. The wind whistled and flames roared, every second costing Sunset precious feet before Rainbow went splat on the unforgiving earth below. Rainbow was barely aware of what was happening, her vision blacked in and out, offering her brief images of the sky. She wondered if she was flying, as often times she found herself dreaming of such a thing, growing wings and soaring high above the clouds at speeds that would make a jet fighter pilot green with envy. Her body felt numb, but tingled, like when your arm fell asleep and it was waking up. She never imagined this was how it was going to end for herself, never telling Twilight how she felt, never making it to the halls of sports history, or busting out her first single in the rock ‘n roll music world. Never going to a university and partying, and never seeing her friends again, to grow up with them and see each of them fulfill their dreams and have families of their own. Rainbow saw water droplets rising up, and she realized it was from her eyes. She was crying. Dammit…why can’t I at least go out like a badass…crying isn’t cool…   “RAINBOW DASH!!!” The cyan girl’s eyes snapped open, hearing a familiar voice. In the distance, a golden flame grew brighter and brighter, and closer with each passing second. At the center of the flames was a girl, clad in crimson armor, a panicked look on her face as she rushed towards Rainbow. Realization hit Rainbow Dash, remembering who this person was, Sunset Shimmer. She was racing towards her, coming to save her. Sunset was nearly upon Rainbow Dash, she canceled the flames around herself and concentrated their propulsion power towards her feet and flame mane. The crimson Firestorm reached out with her right hand, trying to close the distance between them. Sunset was just a couple of feet away from Rainbow Dash, but at the rate they were going, ground impact wouldn’t be long. “RAINBOW, GRAB MY HAND!!!” Rainbow Dash was still in disbelief, but her drive to live was quicker to respond. Using her willpower, Rainbow forced her right arm to reach out towards Sunset’s. A few seconds were left before they hit the ground. Sunset made her flames burst for a second time, giving her the last few inches she needed to grab onto Rainbow’s hand and grip it tightly. She pulled Rainbow Dash close to her, embracing her tightly. Sunset rolled around till her back was facing the ground, and with all her might she focused her flames to roar like rocket ship’s engines. The flames became a giant column as they worked to slow their descent, firing off in spurts to ease the g–forces on their bodies. With one last firing, Sunset rolled around until her back was facing the ground, keeping Rainbow Dash away from the point of impact. They crashed onto the roof of the mall, skidding to a halt just before hitting the edge. Sunset breathed heavily, panting from the effort and relief that she was able to save Rainbow Dash in time, but her body ached like crazy, and the constant electrocutions from Lightning Dust had taken their toll now that she was exhausted.   Rainbow, after regaining some feeling in her limbs, pushed herself up from Sunset. She looked down at the crimson Firestorm, still stunned by the whole situation. “You…You saved me…?” “Yeah…I did…What of it?” Sunset asked in between pants. “Why…I’ve given you nothing but grief, got in your face, and after what I said earlier…” Sunset sighed as she closed her eyes for a brief moment. “Because…Because Sparky would never forgive me if I let someone she cares about die. You love her, fine, but Twilight told me how much she cares about each of you, she’d fight to protect you guys and she has. And me…I fight to protect her, but just as much, I’m through with being the person I once was…” The crimson Firestorm leaned up, letting Rainbow sit beside her. “The people who gave Gilda and Lightning those powers are just using them, they’re the kind of thing I never want to become, and I realized that the way I was going, I was slowly becoming like them. I promised Twilight and myself that I would never be like that. So, I can’t blame you for thinking that way about me.” Sunset stood up, on shaky legs, getting ready for her two nemeses to arrive. Rainbow Dash felt another pang of guilt in her, Sunset was really trying to be a better person, and showing it by fighting to protect total strangers and people back at school who’d sooner see her run over by a bus. Suddenly, the crackling of electricity caught Rainbow’s attention. She looked up and watched as metal spears, wrapped in raging lightning, came raining down from the sky. One of them was about to hit Sunset, and out of pure instinct, Rainbow Dash went to push Sunset out of the way. “RAINBOW!!!” The moment Rainbow Dash made contact with Sunset, something happened. Golden flames erupted around Sunset and Rainbow Dash, completely obscuring their forms. The electrified spears were pushed away from the force and power the flames produced. The flames started to change, taking on an aurora, rainbow look. Gilda and Lightning Dust flew down to see what was happening, but halted in midair when they witnessed something impossible happen. The rainbow flames spun around, rising high up into the air to meet the two rogue Firestorms. Most of the flames dispersed, solidifying into plasma light energy that glowed with rainbow colors. The being that stood before them was no longer Rainbow Dash or Sunset Shimmer, but something more. Her armor was a bright scarlet, with pauldrons and gauntlets, a chest plate that covered the upper portion of her torso, and metal greaves that wrapped around the lower half of her legs. White chainmail like mesh covered her biceps, neck, and her midriff down to her thighs. On the chest plate was a sun emblem and six orbs, but the bands were colored yellow. The center sun emblem had Sunset’s mark, and a lightning bolt etched in red inside the first mark. On the right upper orb was a magic circle, but on the left upper orb was a pair of wings. The head of this new being was not masked in a cowl, her head was made of solid, azure plasma energy, her hair bellowed and wisped, made of fire that draped down to her lower back. A headband of yellow light lay hidden underneath her flaming bangs, signifying the corona crown. Hovering inches from her back were six rays of light, each of them glowed with shifting aurora colors, moving up, down, back, and forth, as if testing their stability. The new creation opened her eyes, which were white as snow, but held within them great power. The tall woman flexed her digits and rotated her arms, getting accustomed to her new form. Gilda and Lightning Dust didn’t know what it was they were seeing, but that didn’t diminish their need to destroy it. “Hey, who the hell are you?!” Lightning asked. “And where are Sunset and Rainbow?!” Gilda demanded. The new being turned her attention to the two rogue Firestorms and nodded towards them, smiling. “Forgive me, I was lost in thought. The beings you call Sunset Shimmer and Rainbow Dash, I am them, and at the same time, they are me. I was summoned to protect them.” The amalgamation gave a light bow to the two rogues. “Born from loyalty, and bound by honor, I am she who pierces the darkness with light. My name is Firestorm Iris!”