//------------------------------// // I Am Iron Heart 01 // Story: The Many Destinies of Sunset Shimmer // by ratedoni //------------------------------// The metal doors made somewhat of a grating noise much to Rarity’s distaste. The woman was right now wearing one of her own creations, a number of black and silver and it had been a complete success in her latest show, but this time she was not going to a runway or even a business dinner. This time was more personal and it had to do with a certain redhead that hasn’t been answering her calls. From the outside it may have look like an abandoned warehouse but that’s what Sunset made it look like. Inside there was a plethora of security systems that could make any government green with envy -and Rarity truly disliked green- and enough reinforcements that the warehouse could probably survive a direct hit form a nuclear blast. And it was at this place that she knew she would find her old friend. All of the girls had changed after graduating from High School and then College. Some remained in Ponyville to keep on doing what they did while others looked more opportunities out in the wide world, among them Rarity and the Science Duo as Rainbow used to call the smartest girls in the group. Now the redhead was the legit owner of a growing technology enterprise and gave Twilight Sparkle -not the princess one of course- a Blanche card when it came to her discoveries. It was a partnership made in heaven but they all saw how much pressure felt upon Sunset’s shoulders as her business grew and the government began to hound her for military designs. It was at those moments that the girl retreated back to her safe zone to think and work. As Rarity walked into the highly secured zone she was quickly scanned and recognized by the multitude of systems, but the woman simply continued walking in the direction of her friend. And she found her working on some doodad or another and Rarity had to stop at the way the redhead looked. Rarity may be completely assured of her sexuality, only dating men after a rather catastrophic attempt to see if she found the other gender appealing, but even she had to admit that Sunset was one female specimen that could even make Rarity doubt of her sexuality. With her long hair in a high ponytail like the one Twilight tended to use the redhead looked relaxed. But it was the way she had unzipped the top part of her jumpsuit and tied it around her waist that let Rarity see a rather strained black sports bra and the hints of abs on her friend’s body. It was then that the busy redheaded woman then finally noticed the slightly red face of her longtime friend and finally smiled. “What are you doing here Rarity?” “Well, I’ve been trying to contact you since the afternoon but you haven’t been answering my calls.” “Yeah, sorry about that Rarity, but this place is a dead zone when it comes to signals, well, beyond TV.” She said scratching the back of her head slightly, a tic that the girl had acquired back at High School. “Is alright my dear, you are a very busy woman and sometimes we just need some quiet time to unwind… how are you doing darling?” “I… is been hard lately, I mean, I’ve been so busy lately with the business and research and all that and-“ “And you haven’t had time for yourself, don’t worry, I know all about that. Maybe we don’t work on the same things –and none of us understand a word when you and Twilight start geeking out as Rainbow would say- but as a business woman like you I understand the pressures of holding a company together.” Rarity said placing a hand over Sunset’s shoulder in an action that was as comforting today as it had been years ago, and one that Sunset truly appreciated. “Thank you Rarity, it is nice to know someone can relate to all the daily craziness. I swear, if someone comes to me one more time about a problem someone down the line could have resolved I will scream.” “Indeed darling, sometime being one of the best in the field can have its downsides” Rarity said remembering all the shenanigans that happened all the time at her boutique “but I’m sure you are not this stressed out just because of that. I know you very well Sunset Shimmer.” “Yeah, you all do. Sparks also mentioned something like that, that’s why I came here… there’s guys that have been using my technology to create weapons.” she said with a deep sigh making Rarity worry. “Wait, what do you mean by that? Haven’t you said multiple times that you will never create weapons?” “Yeah, but apparently a couple of extremist groups were found with missiles made with my technology.” “Oh my dear, that is horrible, tell me those haven’t been used.” “Unfortunately yeah, is kind of hush hush right now but… apparently the government is trying to put the blame on me saying that since I didn’t want to deal with the government it was clear then that I was doing business with other groups.” “But that is completely stupid, pardon my French, you are a pacifist, there is no way you would work with weapons.” “That’s what I told them but they do not believe me.” “What are you going to do? Is it going to affect your business?” “If the guys that did this are not found then yes, I need to find evidence that my technology was stolen in some way and find the person who did it. That’s why I came here, it helps me think” she said motioning to her personal workshop while Rarity nodded. The fashionista and Sunset talked a couple of minutes more before the woman got a promise from Sunset that would lunch together tomorrow before walking out of the hangar. Sunset then grabbed the strange glowing apparatus she had been fiddling with as she started to talk. “Is Rarity out?” she said as a robotic voice answered back. “Yes Ma’am, Miss Rarity is out of the premises and her vehicle is driving away in the direction of her house.” “Thank you Jarvis.” the redhead said before walking to the hangar portion of her workshop before the voice started the conversation again. “Are you sure you don’t want to talk about your plan with your friends? I thought all of you were very close.” “I can’t do that Jarvis, this is too risky for any of them to get involved with.” She said before pressing several buttons on a console making a platform appeared from beneath the floor, to which Sunset stood upon “I need to do this alone.” she said as robotic arms began to take pieces of metal colored red and yellow as the genius girl’s hair. Each piece was then was placed upon Sunset’s body, all of the pieces fitting perfectly as an armor began to assemble around Sunset. Two final pieces were placed as a helmet and then the circular creation Sunset had been working now being used as the battery for the armor. Finally, a golden mask fell on place and inside multiple screens and information activated for Sunset. “Try not to be killed Ma’am, I would hate to be an AI without job.” “You are pure love Jarvis.” the woman said as rockets activated on her hands and legs as she began to fly away from a tunnel hidden in the workshop. It was time for the world to meet the new Iron Heart.