Prologue • The graduate, the chargé, and the captain
“Sunset, slow down,” the masculine baritone interrupted firmly with a mix of exasperation and concern. “Now. Take a deep breath. Start at the beginning and go step by step, okay?”
The voice didn’t break in again through the ensuing explanation, but when the flood of words finally trickled into silence, a sigh was audible. “You’re right; that doesn’t sound good.” After a moment the speaker added with a glint of his normal humor, “You did the right thing getting ahold of me—but then, who else could you call about something like this? Listen, I need to fire off a flash alert and grab a few things, but after that I’ll head right down and meet you there.”
It took Sunset Shimmer’s trembling hand two tries to hit the disconnect button on her phone’s screen; the recipient number and legend Cookie Pusher disappeared. The young woman turned to face the street in front of the high school from which she and her friends recently graduated, just before the summer break now nearing its end. Her shoulders fell back against the stone plinth that, in its opposite face, concealed the magical gateway by which she had returned from another world. She closed her eyes and tried again to master her breathing, still shaken by the glimpse in Princess Twilight’s telescope of distant Canterlot burning under a pall of smoke through which strange airships circled.
Who else could you call about something like this? The words popped back into her head, and her eyes popped open in response. There was one other person she could call. She raised the phone again and, after a moment to will steadiness into her fingers, flicked through her contact list. When the entry labeled Rose Brass scrolled into view, her finger stabbed at it urgently.
“Sunset.” The feminine voice, possibly a bit deeper even than the previous fellow’s, was warm but noncommittal. “Don’t tell me, let me guess: you’re calling in another favor.”
This time the account went more smoothly thanks to the previous rehearsals, but took nearly as long thanks to the additional details. “That’s a pretty big favor,” came the response in an even tone. “Are you absolutely sure about this?”
Passion and brevity were as convincing as the reply itself. There was a long pause, then, “All right. I need to make some calls and pick up some gear first. Canterlot High School, right?”
A nondescript white panel van pulled to the curb before the plaza fronting the dome-topped building. From the front passenger seat emerged a figure of imposing height clad in a pouch-festooned military load-carrying vest over T-shirt, BDU pants, and tactical boots, all of them in desert tan. Even this outlandish ensemble, however, was less startling than the woman in her mid-forties who wore it. Buzz-cut platinum blonde hair surmounted a bronze face half-covered with scars, and a dun eyepatch, on the left side. Her six-foot-tall body seemed lean but powerful—aside from her right arm, which was missing entirely. In its place she bore a current-generation prosthetic that made no attempt to hide its artificial nature, opting instead for a sleek, streamlined look.
In a few economical motions she pulled a fully loaded field pack from the van’s rear seat, then leaned in to exchange a few muffled words with the half-visible driver, after which she stood again and shut both curbside doors. Without further ado, it pulled away and headed off down the street.
She turned to survey the suburban block where she’d been deposited before advancing toward the shorter, slighter man who already stood on the public sidewalk in front of the schoolyard. “You must be Cookie Pusher. Sunset said you’re with the Foreign Service.”
“Yes. I don’t know you.” Neither voice nor face betrayed any expression; the thirtyish diplomat’s eyes hid behind a pair of glacier glasses. He too wore a nondescript T-shirt, but everything else came from a high-end outdoor supplier rather than military surplus—cargo vest, rugged khaki pants and boots, and the internal-frame pack leaning against his thigh. His complexion was stone gray and his crisp dark hair was short and neat, parted on the side.
“Army Captain Rose Brass, retired.” The tall woman halted and drew herself up, half at attention, before extending her artificial hand. “Currently a youth social worker with Social Services.”
“Ah.” He reached out to shake the offered hand. “You must have been assigned to work with the Dazzlings.”
A faint smile touched the undamaged lips below the scarring. “You’re a sharp one.”
“So I’ve been told. I gather Sunset called you in on this too. I assume you’ve been as fully briefed as I was.”
“Yes.” The single narrow eye glanced around. “Speaking of Sunset—I don’t see her.”
“I’m sure she’ll be here any time now.”
With the loud, sharp clack of a crash bar, one of the school’s front doors burst open. Sunset Shimmer rocketed out of the building and down the stoop toward them, skidding to a stop at the last moment. “You’re both here!” she panted, relief clear in her tone and her face. “Cook, this is Rose. Rose, Cook.” She tugged nervously with one hand on the leather vest that half-covered the vivid T-shirt emblazoned with her roiling-sun mark; the jeans and high-tops below were worn but presentable. Her other hand clutched the straps of a bulging bookbag slung over that shoulder.
“Yes, we just met,” Cook told her drily. “Where were you, might I ask?”
“I was telling Principal Celestia what’s going on and what we’re gonna do. She was handling some last-minute paperwork in her office before the new school year starts.”
Rose frowned. Cook eyed her sidelong and pointed out, “Ms. Celestia has a need to know. She’s responsible for what happens here. Besides, someone else has to have the story, just in case.”
The frown eased but didn’t disappear. “Fine,” Rose said reluctantly. “Now what?”
Sunset squinted up at the afternoon sky fading into evening. “It’s getting late. We need to get moving.” She trotted back around the plinth, then glanced back expectantly. Cook hefted his pack and followed immediately; after a moment Rose did likewise. Sunset drew a breath and reached out to place her palm against the flat stone. A bluish glow washed across the surface around her hand, accompanied by a faint rippling sound.
“Just a minute.” Rose reached inside an oversize add-on pouch clipped near the shoulder of her vest and pulled out a compact service pistol. With brisk practiced motions she put it through a final check—slide, chamber, magazine, safety—before replacing it in its hidden retention holster.
Sunset stared with huge eyes. Cook’s expression was less surprised. “Captain,” he said carefully, “may I remind you carrying a firearm on school grounds is a crime.”
Rose gave him a level look. “How many laws are we breaking, Mister Diplomat?”
Cook thought a moment before shrugging. “All of them,” he conceded.
“Right, then. Let’s go.” Rose faced front, bracing herself for a jump into the unknown.
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There's no Alternate Universe tag, so may I assume that they don't actually change the way the crisis in the movie was resolved? I still wonder what they'll get up to instead, having brought a gun into Equestria.
I can totally see this ending with Rose and Tempest getting completely hammered together. Assuming Rose doesn’t shoot her in the face at some point.
Sunset with at lest one human firearm during the movie? Oh this could we very interesting indeed.
I look forward to seeing some of the Storm Guards get their butts handed to them. Just saying.
9103927
Since Tempest is off in another part of the world chasing Princess Twi and Co., it’s unlikely in the extreme she’ll show up in the story—except possibly near the very end. It definitely would be a fascinating encounter, though.
9103897
Correct; the story will not alter anything about the movie’s narrative. However, I may add an AU tag at a later date, if and when canon departs drastically from what I lay down in this story—say, for instance, if they do produce an EG story taking place during the movie. Once upon a time I’d have said that was unlikely, but then things like “The Perfect Pear” happened, so I’m not going to rule it out!
Rose, being a retired army officer, is a firm believer in peace through superior firepower. She never goes anywhere without her trusty concealed pistol, especially when danger is all but certain. Moreover, I’m assuming Equestria is a fully rounded late-nineteenth-century society, including all the military (and civilian) technologies that implies.
Ooh, a new Dave Bryant story. I wonder what whimsical tales of diplomatic bureaucracy and clever world building might lie within.
In any case, this looks like it's going to be one heck of a ride. Also, hilariously appropriate choice for Sunset's codename. After all, Janus was the god of, among other things, gateways. Thankfully, Cook doesn't have to deal with a timeline where that description's more accurate, just one where there's no telling what the portal will do to the military hardware they're bringing.
... Hmm. Depending on what happens next, he might prefer the Oversaturated World.
(Also, pardon the doubled shelf notification. Darn misclicks.)
Following. Will Starlight Glimmer make an appearance?
9104920
Good question, and an interesting idea. To be honest, at this early stage I don’t know yet!
9103941
9103933
Rose is hoping she won’t need to draw her pistol at all. Cook is hoping they’ll escape the enemy’s notice. We’ll see what happens.
9105984
It's still good that she has it, though. Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.
An interesting new tale. I understand Rose's desire to bring a fire-arm, I'm curious to see what happens to it and the rest of her gear when it goes through the portal.
They should probably call in a SWAT team around Canterlot high too. A couple of pale guys with spears and funny armor appearing isn't really a national security risk, but they could definitely threaten local civilians.
My guess is that after this the higher-ups are going to demand the ability to close the portal on their end from the Equestrian government.
9104352
I had you in mind when I wrote that!
Janus was perfect not only because of the association with gateways, but also because of the watershed change in Sunset’s attitude. Cook chose it, of course, but he hasn’t told her about it.
Being my first story with the Adventure tag and without the SOL tag—I consider them to be opposites by definition—this is breaking new ground for me. We’ll see how it goes.