Sunshine meets the pony versions of the Shadowbolts.
Takes place during "MLP: Tough As...Snow". With the Mane Six and Spike all busy on another adventure, Sunset AKA Sunshine and Flash take it upon themselves to help Starlight greet Ponyville's five newest arrivals: the Equestria Prime versions of Indigo Zap, Lemon Zest, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat and Sunny Flare. Unfortunately, the trio get off on the wrong hoof with the newcomers. At first, Starlight, Sunset and Flash are content to respect the newcomers' wishes and leave them alone. However, when the five newcomers run into some trouble because Indigo Zap made the mistake of cheesing off one of the Everfree's bigger monsters with one of her stunts, the trio will have to try to step up and make up for a bad beginning.
It is another day in Equestria...and around such time as one of the biggest adventures has taken place. Right now, the Mane Six along with their friends and family went up to the Frozen North to deal with the evil Ice Queen who is planning to freeze all of Equestria.
Ponyville meanwhile is doing its best to continue on while their princess and her friends are out of town at the moment. Fortunately, and hopefully, this won't take too long.
On a hill, Sunshine hummed as she was looking at the picture of herself and five familiar girls from Crystal Prep. The girl sighs. Even though Sunshine is a pony now, she remembers her old human life as well as what the former Sunset has left behind.
"I miss you girls so much. I wonder how are you've been doing lately. Hopefully, you're not doing anything stupid like in the Friendship Games." Sunset remarks, recalling how many Friendship Games that Crystal Prep has went through with Canterlot High years in the past.
By this time, Sunshine's coltfriend Flash came by with Starlight. After the event involving the Ice King not too long ago, the two wanted to check on their good friend.
"Hey, Sunset-I mean - Sunshine." Flash groans out as he slaps himself with a hoof. The Pegasus is still trying to get used to calling his fillyfriend by her new name. "Yeesh! I always forget to use your nickname since we don't want to get confuse with another Sunset Shimmer."
"It's okay. I don't expect you all to remember me so easily." Sunshine said to Flash with a giggle. It's cute how her love tried too hard.
"So, what you're looking at?" Starlight ask puzzled as she looks at the picture. The mare yelps as she recalled the picture send to her and Twilight by the pony Sunset from the Human Realm. "Wait! Are those girls-?"
"They're my best friends - Indigo Zap, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, Sunny Flare and even Lemon Zest."
"You befriended Canterlot High School's worst rivals! And the ones who made Human Twilight Sparkle to unleash the Dark Magic and let the Alliance of Darkness almost destroy their realm?! And not to mention, they all supported Principal Cinch! You've gotta be kidding me!"
"Hey! Nobody's asking your opinion about them. I know them well. They're my best friends that I ever counted on. And no one talks to them like that." Sunshine snaps to Starlight furiously. Hearing that made the mare a bit guilty. Perhaps she went too far in saying that.
"Sorry, Sunshine. I didn't mean to-!" Starlight begins to apologize to Sunset for saying that.
Sunshine sighed as she interrupted the apology, "No... I'm sorry, Starlight. I shouldn't have done that. It's just that...these girls are the only friends I ever had since I became Azure Phoenix's protege and moved to Crystal Prep Academy. When I was 8, nobody else even want to befriend me. These girls... They're like my family..."
"You miss them so much. I know how it feels to be disconnected or even lost touch with someone you have befriended for an entire life."
"Yeah. I guess my disappearance must have gave a great impact on them to do something stupid. I can't say I blame them when they have someone who can help and guide them to do the right thing."
Sunshine sighs and looks down. Perhaps her disappearance is why her friends went deep as they did: she wasn't there to help them, make them make the right decision. If Sunshine was there, perhaps they wouldn't have help Cinch pressured Human Twilight into opening that amulet in the first place.
"Like forcing Twilight Sparkle to open the amulet and unleash the magic?" Flash ask, suspecting what Sunshine is thinking of right now.
"Something like that. I just can't believe that they would do something stupid as that. I was so disappointed and angry with them." Sunshine remarks with a grunt while shaking her head. She was close one time to return to her own realm and confront her friends about what they did...but Twilight has stopped her, not wanting the balance to be ruined.
"Did you talk with them about this?" Starlight ask Sunshine in concern.
"No... Twilight told me of what happen from my home. I was so furious and angry with them. How could they think about winning especially knowing that Principal Cinch is wrong for everything?!"
"Technically, Indigo Zap and Lemon Zest are the only girls who disagreed with the mess." Flash admits though he did some thinking. "Of course, I am sure they didn't disagree OUT LOUD. Perhaps there are voices that kept theirs from being heard."
"It doesn't matter! I don't even want to see or talk with them again!" Sunshine exclaims in disgust. As far as she knows, her old friends are gone, only the monsters replaced them!
"You still miss them, don't you?" Starlight ask, seeing the sad conflicted look on Sunshine's face. The mare knows what it feels like, missing someone who hurt her before.
Sunshine sighed as she shakes her head, "It's complicated when you trusted and befriended with someone for a long time. You miss them but angry and upset with their doing."
"I know what you mean. We won't ask about them again."
"Thanks..."
The trio thus prepares to head back to Ponyville. They felt it's best that the subject about the Shadowbolts be silent about...for now. But what they know is that it's about to brought up again and in a whole new way!
------------------
Sunshine, Flash Sentry and Starlight Glimmer were on their way back to home when they heard some ruckus. They came over to investigate as they heard a sweet voice, "Leave me alone. Please. I don't want trouble."
Sunshine's eyes widen in shock. No, it can't be. The mare and her friends came over and saw three robbers surrounding an Earth Pony, her Cutie Mark is a bow on pink heart shape with its another layer of cyan colored. But when Sunshine looks at her...it reminds of...Sour Sweet!
"Yeah, sure, just hand over some money to us." One of the robbers remarks with a scoff of dismissal.
"Believe us, kid. We won't hurt you." The second robber said in agreement with a cruel laugh.
"Besides, we'll go easy on you." The third robber said with a smirk which said a secret ugly surprise.
The mare spoke in a sour but soft voice, "Like I'm gonna believe in you."
"What was that, missy?!" The first robber scowls furiously. He didn't like the mare's backtalk suddenly.
The mare quickly spoke in a sweet tone, "Nothing! Please, just leave me alone."
"Listen carefully, girly. I won't ask again. Hand over the money before we'll give some beating on you! You're just a dumb sweet little girl like Fluttershy."
Flash and Starlight looks alarmed. They have seen enough. These guys are about to learn now to try to harm an innocent mare in Ponyville, even when the main heroes are out of town!
"We've gotta help her!" Flash exclaims in concern.
"Yeah." Starlight said in concern. Even she can't stay here and watch this madness unfold!
Sunshine however stopped the two time with one foreleg. She spoke in confidence, "She can handle it."
"Why?" Flask and Starlight ask confused and worried. Why is Sunshine so confident all of the sudden?
"Sour Sweet has two personalities in her. And believe me, don't play nice with her, she will go sour."
Sure enough, Sour Sweet gave a sour scowl as she spoke, "I try to be nice and all you did is make demands to me! Take this, morons!" Just before robbers could do anything, Sour Sweet swiftly beaten all robbers to the ground hard. Flash and Starlight gasps in surprise. She took them down without any effort! "That's what you get for messing with the wrong pony!"
The trio waited until they are certain that the robbers are down for the count. Then Sunshine's group came over, startling Sour Sweet. She had no idea that somepony was watching her!
"Wow... I didn't know you can beat them to pulp." Starlight said to Sour Sweet in amazement.
Sour Sweet spoke in her sweet nature once more, "These stallions were mean. I didn't have much choice."
"Yeah, I can tell. And you are?" Flash ask Sour Sweet curiously. Of course, he suspected that Sunshine knew but wanted to make sure.
"Sour." Sour Sweet then frowns as she goes into her sour mood. "Sweet!"
Starlight yelped in surprise by this reaction, "Wow! That was mean."
"No... That's her personality. It depends on how moody she can get." Sunshine said with a smile. It's true, she has seen Sour Sweet acted so moody before, and it's not a pretty sight.
Sour Sweet got sour as she snaps at Sunshine in annoyance, "Hey! Who you're calling moody, princess?!"
Sunshine giggled in amusement, "I'm Sunset Shimmer, but you can call me Sunshine." She ponders if her other self has met this pony yet, but then again, maybe now.
Sour Sweet goes sweet as she giggles politely, "It's very nice to meet you. You are such a sweetie, Sunshine."
"Thanks. And believe in me, I won't go to your bad side."
"Thank you so much. So, it there anything I can do for you?"
"Like what are you doing here?" Sunshine ask Sour Sweet curiously. She wonders what brings this mare to town for some reason, especially since the Mane Six and the others are out of town, dealing with the Ice Queen. Must be for some reason, right?
"Just moving away from dad. I'm starting to live on my own." Sour Sweet of course narrow her eyes as she snaps in her sour way, "He can be so annoying sometimes!"
"Swordstruck's ego problem?"
"Eeyup. How did you know?"
"Lucky guess." Sunshine remarks with a shrug. She knew that Sour Sweet was Swordstruck's daughter back home and suspected that his ego problem is the same here.
"By the way, do you know where Fluttershy is? I was told that she needs someone to look after her cute little fuzzy animals." Sour Sweet spoke in her sweet nature. Sunshine, Flash and Starlight guessed that she is here to help Fluttershy out with a job.
"You?" Flash ask, doing his best not to laugh. With Sour Sweet's nature, she would freak the animals out in no time! Of course, Sunshine nudged him. The last thing she wants is for the pony version of her old friend to go into one of her moods! "I mean, she's not here! She's with her friends on a mission right now."
"Aw... I was hoping to get a job... But nevertheless, I'm going to look around the area." Sour Sweet said sweetly yet the hint of disappointment is heard in her voice.
"Do you need someone to help you?" Starlight ask Sour Sweet curiously, wondering if the new pony in Ponyville needed some help. The Earth pony looks like she could use it.
"No thanks." And as expected, Sour Sweet goes into her sour mood once more. Unless you can help in getting me a job."
"I actually can." Sunshine said as a thought came in her head. "Meet me at the Castle of Friendship, I'll try to get you a job."
"Okay..."
Sunshine trots on off, making Flash and Starlight puzzled. What is this mare up to?
Sunshine meanwhile is hoping. If there's a pony version of Sour Sweet here...maybe there are more pony versions of her other human friends too!
----------------------
Sunshine, Flash and Starlight were passing by the Carousel Boutique when they notice something through the window.
"Looks like Rarity got a new customer." Starlight said in notice. "And bad timing when she's busy elsewhere."
"Well, perhaps we should see who is inside." Flash suggested thoughtfully. "No need to keep the customer busy."
"Hope Sweetie Belle isn't causing problems in there..." Sunshine remarked in concern.
"If she is, wouldn't be the first time." Flash remarks with a scoff.
"That's for certain." Starlight agreed.
The trio came in and saw another female Earth pony waiting impatiently. Her Cutie Mark is purplish sun shape with cyan cloud shape with few raindrops. Sunshine almost collapsed as she looks like Sunny Flare! That must mean…
“I can't believe it! Where is that manager?!” Sunny Flare complains as she taps her hoof onto the ground impatiently. “I was told this is the place to start work!” The mare notices the others staring. “What do you want?!”
“Sorry. Just couldn't help but wondering why you're here for.” Starlight apologizes to Sunny Flare, giving out a sheepish smile.
“Well, I moved here to start my work, dearie. And I heard that Rarity require some little assistance for her Carousel Boutique.” Sunny Flare explains clearly. Rarity needs some help around the shop.
“You're good at clothes?” Flash ask in curiosity.
Sunny Flare laughs as if being told the most amusing joke in Equestria, “Dearie, I'm good at anything especially some fashion and tech. They're so my thing.”
“Yeah, sorry to break it to you but Rarity left for a mission.” Starlight explains clearly to Sunny Flare, much to her chagrin. “And we got no idea when she will be back.”
“Seriously?! How could this happen?! How could I live up to my daddy's expectation?! If I don't find the job now, he's gonna think I'm useless!” Sunny Flare complains like mad, fearing the worst.
Sunshine deduces that she is referring to Snaptrap. It makes sense now. Well, she needs some help.
Sunshine put a forearm around the mare’s shoulder as she spoke calmly, “You're not useless. You're just having some bad day. And don't worry, Mr. Snaptrap will acknowledge you as good business mare.”
“I supposed so.” Sunny Flare said with a sigh. Perhaps whoever this pony is is right. “My name is Sunny Flare. You are?”
“Flash Sentry.” Flash said as he introduces himself to Sunny Flare.
“Starlight.” Starlight said with a delightful smile on her face.
“Sunset Shimmer, but call me Sunshine.” Sunshine said with a smile to Sunny Flare. She hopes that this mare hasn’t heard of her or isn’t friends with the pony version.
She is right on both counts. Sunny Flare gave an odd look to Sunshine as she spoke, “I didn't know you have a nickname.”
“Let's say I don't want to confuse other ponies.” Sunshine remarks with a sheepish chuckle. That’s a bit true, she doesn’t know when the pony version would ever be back. Better safe than sorry one would say!
“I supposed so, dearie.” Sunny Flare remarks with a shrug, accepting that answer.
“How about this - Meet me at the Castle of Friendship. I will help you get the job.” Sunshine said with a thoughtful look on her face.
“Okay...” Sunny Flare remarks with a nod.
Sunshine smiles as she leaves, making Flash and Starlight more puzzled as they follow her. What is she up to?
"First, Sour Sweet, no Sunny Flare. What's going on with Sunshine?" Starlight wondered.
"I got no idea." Flash said in concern. Sunshine is up to something!
---------------
The trio heads into Sugarcube Corner to get some treats. But they arrived at a time when a commotion is happening which is disturbing the customers: a Unicorn who has an Cutie Mark which is a big golden lemonade with three flower patterns.
Looks like Sunshine has indeed found another pony version of an old pal of hers: Lemon Zest.
"Hey, what's going on?" Starlight asked.
“Party! PARTY! PARTY!” Lemon Zest laughs as she jumps all over the place, the mare is listening to music to a boom box strapped on her back which is playing loudly.
“Wowza! Miss! Lower the volume down! You're scaring the customers away!” Mrs. Cake exclaims to Lemon Zest in precaution. She is used to Pinkie’s behavior, but not somepony else’s!
“Please!” Mr. Cake exclaims in agreement and worry.
“What?! Want them up! You've got it, man!” Lemon Zest exclaims. She misunderstood what the Cakes wanted and turn the volume up to the maximum. “ROCK ON!”
“No!” Mr. and Mrs. Cake yells out in annoyance. They have had enough, the couple grabs Lemon Zest and kick her out through the door. “And stay out!”
The trio watch as the Cakes closes the door. Mrs. Cake groans out as she scowls, “I wish Pinkie Pie was here, instead of letting us deal with pony chasing after another pony for a job.”
“Yes, dearie.” Mr. Cake sighs in agreement. At least Pinkie would’ve deal with this wild party animal!
The trio looks concerned as they left the shop. Lemon Zest is on the ground, groaning, “That is so uncool. I thought Sugarcube Corner is all about PARTY!”
“That's them. In fact, if you want that job, you might need Pinkie Pie to help you.” Sunshine said to Lemon Zest calmly. Pinkie is one thing, the Cakes are too wild for even the owners to deal with!
“Try it, dude. Pinkie is a no show! I was told that she need some serious backup for her job especially the music!” Lemon Zest exclaims as she roll her eyes in annoyance. “Dude! Do you know how great to have that music?! Nopony wants it! Uncool!”
“I know. Hey, mind if I listen to it?” Sunshine ask as she glances at the boom box. Maybe Lemon Zest would calm down more if somepony else would give it a try!
“Sure! Check this out!” Lemon Zest laughs as she put a headset’s cord to her boom box (which she should’ve done in the first place) and gives the head set to Sunshine. “It's from Countess Coloratura! Her song is so epic man!”
Sunshine put the headset on her ears as she tapped her hooves on the ground while dancing wildly and happily. She then screamed wildly and happily before Lemon Zest joined in. Both Flash and Starlight were surprise and shock of it.
Sunshine gave the headset back as she spoke, “Thanks, Lemon. That was awesome.”
“No problem.” Lemon Zest said with a smile. The mare blinks as she looks confused by what Sunshine just said. Something isn’t right here! “Wait! How you'd know my name?”
“Newspaper?” Sunshine ask, giving out an excuse. She doubt Lemon Zest would believe that she’s really a human from another world! “I also know that you dad likes maps.”
“Drillmap? Yeah, that's him. He likes drawing maps. This dude loved music coz it's awesome!” Lemon Zest remarked with a laugh. She knows it’s amazing because what was said about Drillmap was true!
“Yeah. Anyway, my name is Sunset Shimmer, that's Flash and Starlight Glimmer. Still want to work as a music manager?” Sunshine ask with a smile on her face. Flash and Starlight roll their eyes. Now Lemon Zest too?
“Sure do.” Lemon Zest said with a smirk. Maybe this pony would give her a shot at the job!
“I know somepony else want that, especially when it comes to parties.” Sunshine advises the pony version of her old friend. “Meet me at the Castle of Friendship.”
"You got it, pal." Lemon Zest nodded.
"Now Lemon Zest is in." Starlight mumbles as the trio of ponies headed off somewhere. "Why do I have a feeling that two more will be coming to the Castle of Friendship?"
"Sunshine? What do you got planned?" Flash ask Sunshine in concern.
"You'll find out." Sunshine said with a smile. She has an idea in mind.
------------------------------
Now at this point, Sunshine’s group was passing through town…when they yelped as somepony rushed past them, being chased by somepony into another building. It looks a criminal who is trapped in front of a wall…by a Pegasus whose Cutie Mark is a Firecracker!
“Hold! In the name of the law! You are under arrest for breaking the laws by stealing gems, bits, food and especially toys. And above all, you also involved with the black market! That is considered to be breaking the law as well! And of course, you like to do some crazy cross dressing! That was the most disturbing thing I ever seen. Do you have anything else you wish to say?!” The Pegasus said, speaking like a certain girl that Sunshine also known. Her talking is getting on the criminal’s nerves!
Soon the police came in, much to the criminal’s relief. He shouted out, “Make her stop! Her talking is irritating!”
“You're fired, Sugarcoat!” The police chief exclaims sternly to Sugarcoat, much to her shock and disbelief.
“What?! You can't do this to me! Don't you know who I am?” Sugarcoat protests to the police chief sternly. How dare this stallion kicked her out like this, especially with her connections?!
“You may be the daughter of Strict Stalker, but this is not the Land of Ma! So, get out!” The police chief snaps sternly. He has had enough of Sugarcoat’s behavior, especially when it upset his men!
Sugarcoat growled as she leaves the building. The mare could hear the police who are arresting the criminal mocking her behind his back.
“The nerve of him! He dare fired me.” Sugarcoat snaps in disgust. She didn’t see Sunshine’s group coming up and noticing her being so unhappy.
“Bad day?” Sunshine guessed to Sugarcoat. She has seen this behavior before. This must be the pony version of Sugarcoat!
“You have no idea. I just transferred here as a Sergeant but instead I got fired.” Sugarcoat explains gloomy as she crosses her upper forelegs in disgust.
“Why is that?” Sunshine ask Sugarcoat. Of course, the unicorn already suspected why.
“They said my talking is very irritating and annoying. How dare they insult me?!” Sugarcoat exclaims in disgust and annoyance. If her father was here, they would’ve spoken differently, that’s for sure!
“I would say you need to say one word or a sentence for everyone to follow. And of course, you need to be quiet about ponies' privacy.” Sunshine suggested thoughtfully to Sugarcoat. Perhaps if the latter would’ve followed that advice, she wouldn’t been fired in the first place!
“I supposed so.” Sugarcoat remarks with a shrug. Perhaps this new pony got a pony. “My name is Sugarcoat. It's a pleasure to make acquaintance with you.”
“Sunset Shimmer but call me Sunshine. These are my friends - Flash and Starlight. Pleasure is mine, Sugarcoat. So, what are you going to do now, Sugarcoat?” Sunshine ask Sugarcoat curiously. Since the mare has lost her job, what will the future hold for her?
Sugarcoat sighed as she answers, “Find a new job. It's not much of a choice I have now. Maybe some Apple Farm I could work on.”
Sunshine hummed as a thought came to mind, “Maybe I can help you with that. Meet me at the Castle of Friendship.”
Sugarcoat shrugged as she agrees, “It wouldn't hurt to try.”
----------------------
The trio was heading back to the castle. So far, they have met up and seemingly befriending four ponies that looks like old friends of Sunshine from her world. Which means, the last member, Indigo Zap, is not too far behind.
And speaking of which, the trio spot a Pegasus who has a Cutie Mark which is the same as Rainbow Dash's but with yellow star on dark navy clouds with cyan lightning shape. She appears to be flying fast in the sky for some reason.
"Gotta go fast! Go faster! I've gotta too!" Indigo exclaims in determinations. Suddenly the mare yelps as she saw something about to collide into her. "WOW! Watch it!"
Indigo Zap got knocked on a helicopter. She went out of control as she was heading straight to the ground. As she was about to meet her end, she was stopped before hitting the ground. She looked around as she found herself levitated by Starlight and Sunshine who saved her in the nick of time. That was a close one!
"Wow... That was close." Indigo sighs as she was put onto the ground safely. "I thought I was a goner."
"What are you doing here?" Sunshine ask Indigo in amazement. She suspects that the mare is doing something like she normally does back home.
"Practicing. And wow, it's so hard to break her record."
"Her?" Starlight ask, blinking a bit as she wonders whom Indigo was preferring to.
"Dude, I'm talking about Rainbow Dash. I heard she's the fastest pony in Equestria!" Indigo exclaims with a laugh. The others look surprised and amused at each other. Why are they not surprised to see that Rainbow has another fan? "Well, I want to see it with my own eyes! And of course, I'm gonna race with her! They don't call me Indigo Zap for nothing! And believe me, I'm the fastest Pegasus alive in Equestria!"
"Really?" Flash ask Indigo skeptically. He finds that claim so hard to believe.
"Want some proof? Here! 8 sec max!" Indigo laughs in determination. Before the ponies could react, she flew up into the air. They all watch from the ground as Indigo begins beating all the clouds in 8 seconds! The mare smirks as she lands right in front of the bewildered group. "So, who's the winner?! I'm the winner! Got trained by my coach."
"Wow... She's fast..."
Starlight nodded as she admits, "She might create another Sonic Rainboom."
"Okay, I'm done with my talking. Who the hay are you?" Indigo demanded more than she ask. The mare hasn't met these ponies before and yet they caught her curiosity.
"My name is Sunset Shimmer but call me Sunshine. These are my friends - Flash Sentry and Starlight Glimmer." Sunshine explains, smiling as she introduce herself and the others.
"What's up, dude? So, anyway, do you know where Rainbow Crash is?"
"Sorry, she's not here. She's with others on a mission."
"Bummer. I was hoping I could challenge her, so I can join the Wonderbolts. Easy peasy." Indigo sighs a bit annoyed and worried. She came all that way...for nothing! "Well, I've got nothing else to do..."
"I might have something for you. Meet me at the Castle of Friendship." Sunshine said with a smirk, making Indigo looks hopeful. Maybe this is her first chance!
Starlight and Flash looks at each other in bewilderment. Now all members of the pony versions of the Shadowbolts has been invited! Something is indeed up!
-------------------
It was the next morning at the Castle of Friendship. Twilight's group hasn't come back from their mission yet. The trio couldn't help that things around Equestria has been getting cold. They can only hope that the heroes can stop the Ice Queen before the world freezes over.
"Okay, wanna tell me why you want to befriend with those mares who look like your old buddies?" Flash ask Sunshine suspiciously. His love couldn't just does so for no reason!
"I thought you said you don't want to see them." Starlight said in agreement. Sunshine said she didn't want to see them and yet the mare has chosen to befriend their pony selves!
"True. But I just can't sit here and do nothing." Sunshine said quickly. This made Flash and Starlight suspicious however. Something is indeed up and they're going to find out what!
"You actually miss them, don't you?"
"Don't lie to me, Sunshine." Flash said to Sunshine sternly. His love sighs, looks like he has seen through her. No need to hide it any longer.
Sunshine sighed as she gave in, "I do miss them. And after what they did from my home, I didn't want to bother about them. But here, I see that these ponies need help. So, I decided to help them. I want to start my friendship all over again."
"I guess it won't to try." Starlight said in agreement. She wondered if she herself would get the same chance if the mare were to see Sunburst again. Who knows where he is now?
"They're here now." Flash said. Sure enough, a group of familiar mares come into the room, not noticing each other at first.
"Hey, girls. Welcome." Sunshine said with a wave of the hoof.
The mares stopped to greet their new friend. But they finally look at each other. And folks, they looked shocked, confused, angry and/or alarmed, maybe not in that order for some reason!
Sugarcoat, Sunny Flare, Sour Sweet, Indigo Zap and Lemon Zest pointed hooves as she demanded at once, "You?! What's she doing here?! What am I doing here?! Sunshine asked me to come here! She told me that she will help us!"
The trio looks worried. The pony versions are upset each other for some reason. Something tells them that there may have been something going on between them before now.
"Uh-oh... Something tells me this is not a friendly term." Starlight said as she, Flash and Sunshine watches the mares yelling and arguing with each other.
"Houston, we've got problem." Sunshine mumbles as she put a hoof to her face.
The pony versions of the Shadowbolts glare at each other viciously and in hatred. It looks like at any given moment, they are going to try to kill each other!
"Sunshine dearie, I hope you have better explanation of why are these 'morons' doing here." Sunny remarks dryly and angrily while trying to avoid eye contact with the other mares.
"Moron? Did you call me a 'moron?" Indigo screams out in fury. How dare Sunny insulted her like that! "Dude, you did not call me that! I'm gonna punch you on your face! You're so spoiled brat as Sour Sweet! Ya hear me?!"
"Spoiled Brat?!” Sour Spoiled yelled out sourly as she punch Indigo Zap's face hard. "I'll show you whose spoiled brat, idiotic brat!"
"What am I not surprised?" Sugarcoat remarks with a scoff as she sat in a nearby chair. "You all behaved like spoiled little brats. None of you have change one bit since we all moved away from our home! And mostly, we do not want to see each other because of several incidents making our fathers banished us except for these two numbskulls!"
"Hey, get off my case! I chose to come here!" Indigo snaps angrily at Sugarcoat. "And my coach permitted me to come here! This wild girl is the one who makes me want to leave because of her music!"
"Hey! Watch your words, man! You're insulting my song of soul! You'd better watch it, punk!" Lemon Zest scowls furiously at Indigo for insulting her music like that.
"Watch this, old mare!" Sour Sweet snaps sourly as she prepares to hit Lemon Zest. This time, this brat is going down
Lemon Zest yelped as she dodged down. Sour Sweet landed a punch on Sunny Flare's face by accident. That would hurt!
"Ow! My muzzle!" Sunny Flare yelps as she held her own muzzle in pain.
Sour Sweet yelped. She didn't meant to do that! The mare apologize sweetly, "Sorry, Sunny Flare!" She spotted Lemon Zest making a run for it and yells out sourly, "Hey! Get back here, Zest! OW!"
The reason that she yelled was that Sunny Flare kicked Sour Sweet on Sugarcoat to the ground. Sugarcoat groaned as she kicked Sour Sweet off, "Get off of me, you crazy down-syndrome girl!"
Sour Sweet got pushed off, landing on both Lemon Zest and Sunny Flare hard. Sugarcoat screamed in anger as she jumped and landed on them. The four of them attacked each other fierce and hard. Sunshine, Flash and Starlight yelps out in worry. At this rate, they will tear the castle apart, trying to get at each other!
"And they say I'm the most immature-!" Indigo begins to roll her eyes as she turns around. "OW!" The mare yelled because Sour Sweet got pushed, slamming on her to the ground. She groaned, "Okay! That's it! No more misses nice girl! Take this!"
Indigo Zap kicked Sour Sweet off. She jumped on her former friends. The Shadowbolts Five had a big fight with each other fiercely, acting like wild animals. This has got to stop!
"Was your old home have this kind of fight before?" Starlight ask Sunshine in bewilderment.
"I haven't seen this kind before since Ben, Sunburst and me had a big fight or even when the Mane Six had one." Flash remarks in agreement. Sunshine put a hold to her forehead as if having a headache. Time to put a stop to this!
"STOP! All of you!" Sunshine yells out furiously. This causes the Shadowbolts to stop at once while looking at her. The former human sigh, "Thank you! Look! I ask you all to come to the Castle of Friendship, so I can help you. And of course, I thought it would be cool that I could make some new friends since I became Twilight Sparkle's student."
"Princess Twilight Sparkle?! You're her student?! No way! Are you serious?!" The Shadowbolts all yelled at once and in surprise. They had no idea of this!
"Wait! Seriously? I didn't know that. I thought I was the only one." Starlight said in bewilderment and amazement. She didn't realize her teacher has a student besides her!
"She is, when she first came to our town. And of course, Twilight Sparkle did keep reminding her a lot of time - make some friends." Flash said with a nod, recalling the advice that Twilight gave Sunshine. "It happened right not to long ago."
"Ooh... Yeah, when the other one banished her here, right?"
"Close enough."
"Look, I don't know why you broke your friendship up. I just want to help and befriend with you." Sunshine sighs a bit. She has no ideas what happened that drove the Shadowbolts apart, but she wanted to be friends with them.
"Then, befriend and help me, not her! Coz I don't want to have anything to do with her!" The Shadowbolts exclaims in disgust, not wanting to look at each other. As far as they know, these mares never saw one another here!
Sunshine groaned in annoyance, "Fine! But no more fighting and killing with each other. Jeez... I didn't know the Imperial Phoenix Kingdom can sometimes be violent as my old home."
"This is going to be a long day." Starlight mumbles as she shakes her head. The mare has no idea how right she is!
----------------
Sunshine decided to bring each mare to the jobs they wanted, just to make helping them easier. First, she brought Sugarcoat to Sweet Apple Acres. The family, minus Applejack who is still away, is at work per usual.
"Here we are - Sweet Apple Acres. This is where Applejack lived and worked. And she takes it very pride to herself." Sunshine said to Sugarcoat in confidence.
"That is very impressive. I can see why Flim and Flam Brothers were so obsessed with it." Sugarcoat remarks, impressed by the farm and everything else. "This is mostly interesting work to do."
Sunshine and Sugarcoat came up to Granny Smith who was sleeping in her rocking chair. The former uses her magic to wake the old mare up gently.
Granny Smith grunts as she woke up, seeing visitors, "Well, howdy do, dear?"
"Hey, Granny Smith. Sugarcoat, this is Granny Smith - Applejack's Grandmother. That's her big brother - Big Macintosh and little sister - Apple Bloom." Sunshine said as she introduces the family, especially Big Mac and Apple Bloom who came over to see the newcomers. "They're-!"
Sugarcoat of course interrupted as she speak, "They're the first founders of Ponyville Town ever since Granny Smith's family moved here as well as make the surprise discovery of Zap Apples as well as partnering with Filthy Rich's Family for making the apples into Zap Jam and selling them too. Thus, making the recognizable town called Ponyville Town."
All was so silent, you could hear a needle dropped if necessary. Sunshine and the Apples were impressed that Sugarcoat would actually know all that. Especially when how fast she spoke.
Apple Bloom whistles, impressed, "Wow... That's a lot of words and fast too. I thought Pinkie Pie could do that."
"Dearie, are you sure she's ready for this?" Granny Smith ask Sunshine as she eyed Soursweet carefully yet cautiously. "I know she's from the Land of Ma especially she's daughter of a Dragon. Kinda weird, don't ya think?"
"Actually, I'm adopted." Sugarcoat admits with a shrug.
"Make sense." Apple Bloom admits. After all, being the adopted daughter of a Dragon is the best explanation here.
"Eeyup." Big Macintosh remarks with a nod.
Sugarcoat clears her throat as she brought ha piece of paper out, "I believe you need my résumé to see before you could accept me."
"Re-su-what?" Granny Smith ask bewildered as if the word "resume" was foreign to her.
"Seriously? Résumé! A proof of a pony's identity, personal hobby, goal, home, phone numbers and work experience, and not to mention the portfolio of your work!"
"Oh! You mean show and tell work experience. Why didn't you say so?"
"Really?" Sugarcoat ask as her eyes twitches. She can't believe this mare went and did that.
Sunshine put a forearm around Sugarcoat as she spoke calmly, "Sugarcoat, calm down. She's Granny Smith."
"I don't need this re-soup-mei! All I need is to see what you-!" Granny Smith admits. Sugarcoat glares then stood as if ready to do something. The old mare gasped in concern, "Oh my..."
Sugarcoat charged into the Apple Orchard as she gave apple bucking on every tree she came across. With all apples fell into the buckets, she pushed all of them to the front. Everyone looks shocked and amazed. Not even Applejack would do that in that amount of time!
Once she's done, Sugarcoat sighs as she spoke, "Is that enough?"
"Wow, she's fast..." Apple Bloom comments, impressed. So far, the only one who could do it that fast was Rainbow Dash!
"Eeyup." Big Macintosh said in agreement.
"So?" Sunshine ask Granny with a smirk. Hopefully that's enough.
"She's hired. As long as she slow down her talking, it's hard for any of us to follow." Granny Smith remarks with a nod. As long as Sugarcoat keep her talking to a minimum, she's here to stay.
Sugarcoat smiled. She gave a bow while speaking, "Make no promises. But thank you, Sunshine for getting me a job."
"No problem. Listen, Sugarcoat, I need to ask some specific question - why did you have an argument with the others?" Sunshine ask Sugarcoat in concern. She was hoping to find some info as to what caused the Shadowbolts to fight insanely earlier.
"That is classified information. It is not wise of you to interfere and learn about it."
"Of course not. Stubborn as ever..."
Sunshine sighs as she heads back to the castle for the next interviewee. The mare will find out what happened, one way or another.
-------------------
Later, Sunshine was helping Indigo Zap as the next mare to find a job.
Can't believe you invited those jerks over." Indigo mumbles to Sunshine in disgust.
"We shall discuss your feelings later." Sunshine said to Indigo, not wanting to get into that right now. "I came to help you and this is how we shall do it!"
"All right already!" Indigo snapped.
"Now then, here we are." Sunshine said with a smirk on her face.
“So, what are we doing here?” Indigo ask as the two stopped on a hood. The Pegasus ponders why the two are here of all places.
“Wait for it...” Sunshine said with a slight smile.
Before Indigo knew it, she yelps as something speeds by overhead. The mare recovers and her mouth full open as a couple of familiar heroes landed right nearby.
“Sunset Shimmer, nice to meet you.” The Wonderbolt known as Spitfire said to Sunshine who gave her a salute. “So, I was told that you have somepony got skills. Where is she?”
Indigo Zap screamed like a fan meeting her heroes for the first time, “Seriously?! The Spitfire?! One of Wonderbolts! Oh my gosh; She even brought Fleetfoot and Soarin too!”
“Okay... Is it me or all we going to have some Deja Vu?” Soarin’ ask with a hint of amusement in his voice. He recalled when Rainbow reacted over meeting him and the Wonderbolts a few times before.
“Nope, not just you.” Fleetfoot remarks with a light laugh. It’s amusing dealing with this again!
“This kid?” Spitfire ask as she looks Indigo up and down. Looks like a rookie…but then again, looks can be deceiving.
“Eeyup. And trust me, she's close as fast as Rainbow Dash. She could even broke her old record.” Sunshine admits with a smile to Spitfire. She’s just doesn’t want Rainbow to know it yet.
“Oh really? Prove it. Nopony could be that fast as Dash and Lightning Dust. I'll give you 20 seconds to beat the clouds.” Spitfire said, motioning to the clouds overhead. If Indigo could do it, then the Wonderbolt will consider her. “Ready... Set-!”
But before any pony knew it, Indigo flew up and got to work. She has beaten the cloud so far, it’s like she’s a flying comet or something. The Wonderbolts looks bewildered. Never since Rainbow since they had seen somepony like this!
Soarin’ was timing this. And when Indigo stopped, he whistled while checking his watch, “8 Seconds!”
“Yeah! Nopony could beat that record!” Fleetfoot exclaims as Indigo landed with a smirk of success on her face.
“What?! No way! That's a world's new record! How?” Spitfire ask in amazement. She is amazed and curious that Indigo was able to do the cloud beating thing in that short of time!
Indigo Zap smirks as she put a hoof to her chest. The mare answers, “I got the best coach.”
“Who would that be?” Spitfire ask curiously as she blinks a bit.
“Blazefist.” Indigo answers simply.
“Get out of town!” Soarin exclaims as his colleagues gasped in amazement. “The Phoenix's Flame. She was trained by him?!”
“It's true. How did you know about this?” Indigo ask the Wonderbolts puzzled. She wondered how they got this much info about her coach Blazefist.
“Newspaper about Wind Rider.” Sunshine said, answering that question. She tries to hide her disgust about the treacherous Wonderbolt.
“Well, she got some skills but lacks some a little patience and is also reckless. Kinda reminds me of Rainbow Dash.” Spitfire remarks thoughtfully, recalling another certain mare of that type. “Okay, I'll think about letting her in as the Reserves.”
“Really?!” Indigo ask Spitfire, squealing in delight.
“Yeah. Maybe someday, you might join her in Wonderbolts.” Spitfire admitted. Hearing that surprised and excited Indigo.
“Rainbow Dash in the Wonderbolts?! Really?! When?!” Indigo ask in amazement. Rainbow is in the Wonderbolts?!
“Well, she wasn’t in fully yet.” A familiar filly said as she trotted onto the scene. “But I overheard some stuff that these guys may let her in when one of their own retires.”
“And this is?” Indigo ask as Starlight and Flash, who was coming to see how she’s doing, arrived.
“That's Scootaloo - Rainbow Dash's biggest fan. Scootaloo, this is Indigo Zap - Rainbow Dash's another biggest fan.” Starlight said as she gives the introductions to Scootaloo.
Indigo Zap blushed a bit in embarrassment. She admit, “I wouldn't say 'fan', I'd prefer to call myself Rainbow Dash's Biggest Rival. I'm much faster than Rainbow Dash herself.”
“Seriously? Can't wait to see you and Rainbow Dash race.” Scootaloo said anxiously. It would be amazing to see Rainbow flying against Indigo who could rival her in this.
Indigo Zap laughs as she rubs a hoof through her mane, “Me too! You can count on it, squirt.” When that day comes, the Pegasus will give it all she got against Rainbow!
“Okay, kids. Enough with the chitchat, I expect you to be at the Wonderbolts Academy by morning.” Spitfire said sternly. It’s time to get straight into business! Indigo stood in attention as the captain continues, “Don't be late. And of course, we do need some pony to lead the weather ponies to handle Ponyville. Think you can handle it?”
“Yes, ma'am! I won't let you down!” Indigo exclaims sternly. She waited until the Wonderbolts has fly off, most likely to get back to whatever task they are doing. Once they’re done, Indigo stops her stern stature and squealed like a fan filly once more. “Wow! I'm in the Wonderbolt! This is so awesome! Thanks, Sunshine!”
“No problem. Wanna tell me about the argument.” Sunshine said anxiously. Maybe Indigo would wanna open up about that.
Needless to say, Indigo Zap scoffs at that, “Nah ah! I ain't gonna tell it!
Indigo quickly flies off, causing Sunshine to slap herself in frustration. What happened that the pony versions of the Shadowbolts won’t even talk about it?!
“This is getting good.” Starlight remarked sarcastically.
“Whatever happened, it must be very serious...” Flash said in concern. Something must’ve seriously happened that the Shadowbolts preferred to never speak about!
------------------------------------------
Next up, Sunshine got to work on helping Sunny Flare, bringing her over to the Carousel Boutique. The former human convinced Sweetie to open it in light of Rarity still away.
“Remind me why I need to open it? Or even why I need to call Sapphire Shores here? Rarity's not back to design the clothes.” Sweetie said to Sunshine as she and Sunny Flare came into the Carousel Boutique. The latter looks surprised, trying to hide her excitement.
The source of her excitement, Sapphire Shores, roll her eyes as she remarks, “I don't see why I have to be here either.”
“We could ask Ms. Sassy Saddles to help us.” Sweetie said with a sigh, while shaking her head.
“Best not. Sassy Saddles need to take care of the Canterlot Boutique. We can't distract her from working at her boutique.” Sunshine explains in concern. Right now, Sassy is too busy to come to Ponyville to operate, not when she got her own Carousel Boutique to work with. “And, Rarity is gonna open another one in Manehatten.”
“Seriously?! When did that happen?” Sunny Flare gasps excitedly.
Starlight Glimmer was in the place, looking at a dress as she explains, “Well, she is planning on doing so the next time the mare goes to Manehattan. Wouldn’t be surprised if she does so soon.”
“I've always want to go to Manehattan! It's the best place in the world!” Sunny Flare said with a sigh, looking to the ceiling. The thought of going to Manehattan…has delighted her.
“Okay, Sunnye. I need you to stay focused.” Sunshine said, getting Sunny Flare’s attention back to the present. “Sweetie Belle and Sapphire Shores will be the judge on this If you can pull this off, then you're hired as Rarity's Assistant.”
Sunny Flare saluted as she spoke, “Deal. Where to start?”
“I need you to design me the best dress with a Sapphire Diamond and Egyptian Style.” Sapphire Shore said, giving a challenge to Sunny Flare to accomplish. “Think you can handle it, honey?”
“Give me a sec! Time to get started!” Sunny Flare said in determination. She already know what to do and how to do ti!
Sunny Flare prepared the blueprints as she put them on the table. The mare then began some designs on it. She summoned some flying probes to help her out such as a measuring tape onto Sapphire Shores to get her measurement, gluing the sapphires on dresses and even designing the dress for two hours.
“It's done! Behold, The Sun of Ra dress!” Sunny Flare laughs as she announces her creation.
Sunny Flare whistled, causing the flying probes to hung the dress up – it’s a white dress with a golden pattern of dolphin and sapphire stones on the bottom part, its long sleeves has bracelets with each diamonds, an eagle head-dress with feathers-like as well as a sapphire dress. They helped and make Sapphire Shores get dressed. Now to see if she likes it.
Sapphire Shores got dressed as she looked at her mirror of his displayed dress. The rock star paused to think…then she gave a smile of approval.
“I've gotta say. That's good. I'm no manager here, I think you should be hired.” Sapphire Shores said with a smile. Looks like Sunny Flare has passed the test! “Don't you think, Sweetie Belle?”
“Yeah! She's perfect!” Sweetie exclaims in delight. Sunny Flare gave a smile and a gasp at the same time. She did it!
Enough to give Sweetie a big hug, Sunny laughs, “Thank you! I won't let you down, Ms. Sweetie Belle!”
As Sunny put the foal down, Sweetie gave out a giggle, “Just Sweetie Belle. Miss is a strong word for a kid like me. But as long as you don't make Rarity's Boutique like yours. I just had enough of that since Sassy Saddles almost ruined the one in Canterlot.”
“Of course.” Sunny Flare said with a smile. She turned to Sunshine, the one who helped made all this possible. “Thank you so much, Sunshine!”
“Well, that is done. Maybe you can tell me more about the fight.” Sunshine said anxiously. Sunny Flare must want to open up after this.
“I have no idea of what you're talking about.” Sunny Flare said, much to Sunshine’s chagrin. She won’t talk about it either, really?!
"I saw that. Is she hiding something?" Sweetie asked Sunshine suspiciously, "Cause it sounds to me that she is."
"Whatever it is, it must so seriously that those ponies won't speak about it." Starlight said seriously.
"And we're gonna find out, no matter what!" Sunshine exclaimed in determination.
----------
Now at this moment, Sunshine and Starlight was bringing Sour Sweet over to Fluttershy’s cottage. Hopefully her attitude is enough for these guys.
“I thought I can't work here without Fluttershy.” Sour Sweet said sweetly yet a bit puzzled that she’s here when Fluttershy isn’t here to work with yet.
“True. But there is someone who frequently comes here.” Sunshine said with a nod. Suddenly a poof of magic appears, startling the trio. And who to arrive but a certain villain turned just normal pain in the neck. “Discord...”
“That's me. Now what am I supposed to do?” Discord ask anxiously as he rubs his hands with glee.
“I need you to inspect on Sour Sweet's ability in handling animals.” Sunshine explains to Discord on what to do with Sour Sweet here.
Discord chuckled as if hearing the most amusing joke ever, “Yeah, right. Nopony could do that better as Fluttershy. The animals are stubborn to follow anypony's rules.”
“Don't be too sure of it.” Sour Sweet said sweetly. She wants to prove Discord wrong.
“Okay, then. Put every animal to their bed." Discord remarks with a chuckle. He motions to the animals who are still waiting to sleep…or in this case, eating, reading, or whatever it is they do when Fluttershy isn’t around.
Sour Sweet smiles as she approaches the animals. The mare clears her throat as she spoke sweetly, “Hello, little critters. It's time to go to sleep.”
The animals didn't responded. Sunny Glare narrow her eyes a bit. She is trying to be patient with these guys.
“Please. Can you go to sleep? It's a very tiring day.” Sour Sweet said sweetly. However, Angel threw a carrot at her face, making the animals laughed at her. Sour Sweet dropped the nice act as she groaned, “You wanna rough? On the count of three, I want all animals to get into bed now! One... Two... GET TO BED NOW!”
The animals yelped in fear as they quickly get into their beds, even Angel. Discord was in shock and surprise. Even Fluttershy wasn’t so rough…but Sour Sweet?
Sour Sweet goes to her sweet side again, speaking, “That was easy.”
“Easy is a strong word. But no one can make Angel to go sleep, not even Fluttershy...” Discord said shocked and surprised. But he got to admit, Sour Sweet did this better!
“Am I hired?” The sweet Sour Sweet asked hopefully.
“Yes, you are.” Discord said quickly. The last thing he wants is to upset Sour Sweet should he refused!
“Yeah! I've got my job! Thank you, sweetie!” Sour Sweet giggles in delight as she hugs Sunshine. The former human sighs in satisfaction. Another mare satisfied!
“No problem. Can we talk about why are you fighting with each other?” Sunshine ask some more.
“Drop it before I kill you!” Sour Sweet snaps sourly, making Sunshine yelps in alarm. Looks like she doesn’t want to speak about it eagerly! Sour Sweet goes back to sweet mode as she spoke, “Thank you. Now be a good friend and support me on this work.”
The two decided to take their leave. Starlight shakes her head while speaking, “That was rough...”
"Will none of those girls tell me what's eating them?!" Sunshine asked irritably.
"Nothing, they're on top of the food chain!" Discord jokes a bit, laughing as he made a joke. The former villain notices Sunshine and Starlight rolling their eyes. "The food chain, uh...you aren't amused, are you?"
---------------------------
Sunshine has on more mare left to help: Lemon Zest. She along with Starlight brought her back to Sugarcube Corner where she was thrown out of yesterday. Sunshine explains that Lemon Zest wishes to work here.
"No offense, Sunset Shimmer. This is a really bad idea!” Mr. Cake protest in worry.
"She's right. She created a big noise yesterday. I especially not want our business to go out." Mrs. Cake said seriously. The last thing she wants is for her business to be ruined!
"Relax, I'm sure she would do fine...although they do have a point." Starlight said, giving out a concerned look. What if this is a bad idea?
"Not without her." Sunshine said with a smirk. She watches as a familiar unicorn DJ comes into the shop. Perfect. "DJ Pon-3, thanks for coming."
DJ Pon-3 nodded as she set her booth up, ready for Lemon Zest to handle the task at hoof. DJ Pon-3 nodded her head, that's the signal. Lemon Zest set up and is ready to play the music. Mr. and Mrs. Cake covered their ears with earplugs. They want to be prepared for the worst!
Lemon Zest played the music wildly and happily while handling the volume - playing Pinkie Pie's Smile Song Remix. Suddenly, ponies begin to cheer and chatted happily as they danced happily and wildly. As they were dancing, Lemon Zest headed off as she served the dishes and drinks for the customers before returning to her position. DJ Pon 3 hummed while listening to the song as she smiled and shook her head happily.
When the song ended, the ponies cheered wildly and happily. DJ Pon 3 smiled and nodded. The Cakes looks surprised, this was better than yesterday!
"I hate to admit it. That was good." Mr. Cake said, impressed. Perhaps he and his wife were wrong to kick Lemon Zest out before!
"We're sorry for kicking you out since you made too much noise for ponies to handle. They don't like it, to be honest." Mrs. Cake apologizes to Lemon Vest with a smile.
"No worry. No hard feelings." Lemon Zest chuckled. She hold no hard feelings. "Am I in or what?"
"You're in." The Cakes said at once, much to Lemon Zest's excitement. She's hired on! "Just make sure you don't make the music too loud."
"Volume up?" Lemon Zest ask, making everyone glared at her. The mare laughed at that, "Just kidding! Won't do that again. Thanks for help, SS!"
"No problem, Lemon. I need to ask you something about you and your pals." Sunshine said with a hopeful look. This is her last chance to figure out what went wrong.
"Not talking! Got work to do!"
Lemon Zest gallops off to get to work. Sunshine groans as she slaps her forehead. Why is no pony talking about this?!
----------
It was nighttime by the time Sunshine and her friends got home. The former human frowns as she trots back and forth in the council room. She has helped all her new friends...but they still won't stop about what happened that caused them to fight in the first place!
"Your new friends are very stubborn to talk about the fight, don't they? Were they like this when you were at home?" Starlight ask Sunshine curiously. She wonders if her friend has this trouble with her own version of the Shadowbolts back in the Human Realm.
Sunshine sighs as she shakes her head, "Not really. They've never been at each other's throat for long. Even though they don't care about competition or reputation, they always care for each other like best friends."
"Why do I get the feeling that someone is behind this?" Flash ask suddenly with a concerned thoughtful look on his face.
"What do you mean?"
"Ben told me that his world did have that problem before. The Human Mane Five got into a fight with each other because of a misunderstanding and miscommunication set up by my ex-girlfriend. Not you, her."
"And you think someone wanted to do that to these girls?" Sunshine ask in shock and concerned. Someone must've made the Shadowbolts fight! But who would even do that? "Who and why?"
Starlight Glimmer sighed, "We'd never know unless those ponies are willing to tell us. And the only pony who could do that is you."
"But how? How are we gonna find that out?"
'I have no idea. We just have to wait until the girls are ready to talk."
"Well, I hope so. I hope those girls don't get upset because of the fight they had. I need to know, so I can help and patch things up." Sunshine said in determination. She must find out why the pony versions are fighting and put an end to it.
"Don't worry, we will. For now, we rest and relax. I'm so tired." Flash said with a yawn. The trio has had a long day today so they need to rest for tomorrow.
"I guess you're right. Goodnight."
The trio goes to their bedrooms, preparing for bed for the night. They will continue helping the Shadowbolts tomorrow...if nothing else goes wrong in the meantime!
It was late at night as Sunshine was sleeping in her bed. Or trying to anyway. Sunshine struggled in getting some sleep as she was having some thoughts about her friends. She groaned as she gets up at once. The mare isn't going to get some sleep when Sunshine knows that the pony versions of her former versions are hating each other...and won't even tell her why!
"I can't sleep! I'm worried about my friends. I have to do something about it now! They're fighting but what they're fighting about? I need to know but how." Sunshine groans a bit. She will never going to move on unless the mare finds some way to resolve this. Then Sunshine gasped, having an idea. "I know the pony who can help me."
Sunshine got out of bed and trotted out the door. The unicorn can hope she's right about this.
-------------------
The next morning, Flash yawns a bit as he trotted through the castle. Unlike Sunshine, the Pegasus pony got a decent sleep. But as he and Starlight, who he met, entered the library, they got a surprising sight of Sunshine looking through some books.
"What the-?! Sunshine, have you been up for whole night on this?" Sunshine ask in bewilderment as he looks at the books stacked up high.
"Wow, I thought Twilight is the only pony who would be crazy enough to pull it off." Starlight said in amazement. The only pony she knows who could do this was Twilight and she's still gone. Of course, the new student couldn't help but see that it's snowing more so than usual.
"I couldn't sleep, so I decide to do some research. And what better ways to find out is by using this book - the Imperial Year Book." Sunshine said as she took out a book and open it up to a picture. "And I have found some answers."
"Really? Like what?"
"Like who is this sixth member on the team?"
Sunshine Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer and Flash Sentry looked at the year book. They found all five members of the Shadowbolts, along with a purple unicorn with a silver long spiky mane and tail while her Cutie Mark is Twin Forked Swords and a skull-like standing beside with them.
"I'd never seen her before. Did you, Flash?" Starlight ask Flash in bewilderment. She hasn't spent much times with ponies outside of the ones that the former villainess has known about.
"Me neither..." Flash said, shrugging as he has no idea either.
"According to this, her name is Liberty Vengeance - leader of the Vengeance Squadron, who has special talents for fighting skills, strategize and known for her stealth and infiltration on the enemy's base. She's known to be a fierce and ruthless fighter within the Imperial Phoenix Army. She was the General." Starlight said, going through the description.
"Okay, they have a sixth member on the team. But that doesn't explain about why they were fighting with each other." Starlight said puzzled and concerned. At least the Shadowbolts has an extra member but it still doesn't answer what has happened!
"I'm getting to that point. During the Vengeance Squadron's final mission, they were supposed to infiltrate the enemy's base while learning its plan and strategy. Unfortunately, the enemy was expecting them. So, they sprung an ambush on the Vengeance Squadron. The team were forced to escape while Liberty was left behind to hold the enemies back. Just before the team could do anything, the storehouse exploded. Liberty Vengeance is considered KIA."
Starlight Glimmer hissed in worry, "This isn't good."
Flash Sentry nodded as he spoke, "Me neither. They must have rough time since her death. And you'd think this is the cause of their fights?"
"Maybe. And the only way to find out is that we have to talk with them. And hopefully, they'll listen and answer to me. I just hope they didn't start the fight again." Sunshine said as she closes the book, giving a thoughtful look.
Talking about it or no, Sunshine will find out what has happened!
-----------
It took a few hours or so before Sunshine, Flash and Starlight headed off. It was too dangerous when ponies are dropping like flies and worst and becoming emotionless. Most likely the Ice Queen's doing. Fortunately, the cold and ice that was spreading suddenly began to fade away. And not only that, the victim ponies that lost their color and were emotionless were suddenly regaining themselves.
Sunshine's group guessed correctly that the Mane Six and their allies has defeated the Ice Queen and saved Equestria. Hopefully they will get back okay. Right now, they got an important task in mind.
Sunshine, Starlight Glimmer and Flash Sentry continued trotting as they were heading straight to Sugarcube Corner. They then heard some gossips and not the good kind.
"Lyra, you aren't going to believe this, those new mares are fighting." Sweetie Drops said to Lyra seriously.
"Really? Wow, they were doing so too." Lyra said, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Yeah, they're viciously are trying to kill each other!"
"That can't be good..." Flash gulped in horror as the trio rushes off to the nearby alley.
"But we just got them separated from yesterday!" Starlight cries out in shock. Why are those five fighting again?
Sunshine sighed, "Come on. I hope we're not too late."
Sunshine and her friends were heading straight to the area. They came across an empty main street where the Shadowbolts Five were fighting with each other fiercely and wildly for a few times. And just when the ice and snow disaster was over too!
Starlight Glimmer sighed as she shakes her head, "Here we go again. We'd better stop them before-!"
"Shadowbolts, FREEZE!" Sunshine fired her Freeze Spell on the Shadowbolts Five to keep from fighting or even attacking each other. Sunshine groans as she demands, "Can somepony tell me what the hay is going on here?!"
The Shadowbolts Five pointed at each other as they yell and protest, "She started it! Me?! I didn't do anything! Stop lying! Stop following what I said! You stop it!"
Sunshine drop Shadowbolts Five down as she snaps, "STOP! Just tell me what's going on?!"
"Ask her!" The Shadowbolts snapped furiously as they point accusing hooves at each other.
"I think we will need to hear this one at a time." Sunshine said sternly. "Sugarcoat, would you like to start first?"
Sugarcoat's Past
Sugarcoat narrates her story, “Just this morning, I was helping the Apple Family in apple-bucking and delivering apples to Main Street for selling. It was like doing some training daily, which I truly enjoy a lot. I was enjoying it until...”
Sugarcoat did some apple-bucking trees across the Apple Orchards while collecting them into buckets. She then helped Big Macintosh moved them to the Ponyville's Main Street. They began sell some apples to the ponies.
As some hours passed, Big Macintosh left to get some drinks for himself and his partner. As Sugarcoat continued working, she found Indigo Zap approaching the stall. Just before she could do anything, Indigo Zap gave a hard kick on it before trotting off at once.
Sugarcoat roared in anger as she gave a chase on Indigo Zap. How dare she?!
“Indigo Zap attacked the stall! So, I gave chase until I arrived at the Main Street where the fight began.”
Indigo Zap's Past
Indigo narrates her own story in protest, “That is so not true! I was so busy with my training! It was so awesome of hanging out with other rookies, even the Wonderbolts. And the best of it is they talked about Rainbow Dash! Just imagine me and her raced together in the sky to see who’s the best flyer in Equestria!”
Indigio trained hard like Rainbow, just like she did in her own training back at the Wonderbolts Academy when she first started. It’s like seeing history in the remaking!
Indigo Zap was about to finish her work in bursting the clouds when she got blasted by sound waves. As she recovered, the Pegasus searched the surroundings to see who was responsible. She found Lemon Zest holding her boom boxes and speakers while riding in a hot air balloon. The unicorn giggled before making funny faces at Indigo Zap.
As Lemon Zest headed down to Ponyville Town, Indigo Zap gave chase after her. She’s going to pay for that!
“When I was about to finish my job of bursting some clouds, I got blasted off by a sonic wave or something! Lemon Zest is the one who did the attack. So, I went after her until Main Street!”
Lemon Zest's Past
Lemon Zest now begins her own side of the story, “Dude; that is so messed up! No way it's my doing! I was so dang busy with rock n' roll, music and partying at Sugarcube Corner! That was so awesome and fun! I loved it!”
Lemon Zest was baking cakes and sweet foods while serving them to the customers. And at the same time, she is playing some music that is made up of Mane Six's songs but in remix style. The customers loved both all so much!
As Lemon Zest was getting the drinks ready to serve, the music suddenly went wild and loud. Everyone screamed and covered their ears tight. She struggled in reaching her DJ Jockey as she quickly shut it down before it cost any damages to her new work place.
Lemon Zest shut it down but spotted Sour Sweet waving happily before running off. Lemon Zest groaned in anger as she chase after her former friend.
“My music suddenly gone wild! If I hadn't stop it, I would have gone deaf! I found Sour Sweet waving at me behind the backdoor. I knew it was her, so I chase after her!”
Sour Sweet's Past
“Liar!” Sour Sweet protest sourly then explains her story sweetly, “I was at Fluttershy's cottage - taking good care of her little critters. They're rough but still cute and fun little animals. And I enjoy being with them. When I was cooking some biscuits...”
Sour Sweet was at Fluttershy's cottage, taking care of the animals while having fun with them. She can be rough with them when they tried to make fun of her or pull a prank on her. She actually loved them all and it looks like nothing bad will happen today.
As Sour Sweet was preparing some food, she heard some noise from outside. She went out to check something. And to her shock, the mare found animals wounded and injured as well as their homes destroyed. She was in shock and pain. Who did this?! Suddenly Sour Sweet spotted Sunny Flare at the entrance.
Sunny Flare gave wink at Sour Sweet. She then ran off. Sunny Flare groaned in anger.
“The pets got attacked by... Sunny Flare!” Sour Sweet’s tone then went sour. “She almost hurt them! I want to kill her!”
Sunny Flare's Past
Sunny Flare groaned as she protest in her own narration, “Gimme a break! I have nothing to do with it! I was working on elegant and beautiful dresses. Ponies enjoyed it a lot. I finally get some appreciation. Until somepony destroyed them!”
Sunny Flare was sewing and making some dresses for ponies to wear and buy. She was happy and proud for it. Looks like nothing will ruin her day…at first.
As she was working on dresses, she heard some clanking, dropping and smashing noises. Sour Sweet went out to check out and found a horrible sight. She found out that the dresses were destroyed and torn apart. She looked up and found Sugarcoat, who appeared responsible for this mess. She turned and escaped.
Sunny Flare screamed in anger as she went out and chased after her.
“That liar - Sugarcoat is the one who destroyed my dresses! So I gave chase!”
----------------
Sunshine, Flash and Starlight looks concerned and worried. Who is telling the truth here and who is lying? Or is it that somepony else is setting up the Shadowbolts?
"There's no doubt about it." Sunset said in a very serious tone, "Somepony set all of you up to this misunderstanding."
”So, who's telling the truth?” Starlight ask in concern, she is concerned that many of these mares are lying, only one is right, or is it something else?
“I am! You're not! I know what happened! You're the real liar!” The angry mares protest to each other angrily.
The Shadowbolts Five got into a heated argument, making Sunshine rubs her forehead in annoyance. This argument looks like it will go on for days!
“Okay, this is getting out of hand!” Flash remarks bitterly. This has got to stop!
“That's it! ENOUGH!” Sunshine yells out furiously. Everyone stopped as they looked at her. The former human sighed as she continues, “There's something I need to show you. You were friends once.”
Sunshine pulls out a yearbook, opening it to a page. The Shadowbolts look at it carefully and gave out smiles. That yearbook gives out warm and wonderful memories.
“Vengeance Squad, especially Liberty Vengeance. You remember this?” Sugarcoat ask her former friends thoughtfully.
The Shadowbolts nodded as they spoke, “Yeah.”
Sunshine close the book, looking thoughtful as she spoke, “But something happen. I think that something was losing Liberty Vengeance.”
Sunny Flare sighed, turning away as she scowls, “As much as I want to agree, no, it wasn't her death that affected us.”
“Yeah. The only pony who ruined my concentration is that loudmouth with her stupid music speaker! That day was supposed to be perfect for me to join the Earth Intelligence as an agent! And not to mention, she got me into trouble with my daddy!” Sour Sweet scowl furiously while glaring at her former friend in question, “It's Lemon Zest's fault!”
“Hey, get off my case!” Lemon Zest protests as she pulled out a scroll while trying to prove her case. “I got your scroll that said that you want some loud and wild music! And so I did!”
“No, I didn't! I'd never send the scroll for that.” Sour Sweet protest in shock and alarm as she look at the scroll as if she has never seen it before.
“Say what?!” Lemon Zest ask in surprise and confusion. Lemon Zest never send her that scroll?
“If that is true, then that means I've been duped!” Sunny Flare said thoughtfully as she suspected something has indeed truly gone wrong. “Every time I found some advertising news saying that she required some help with mines and terrains handling. And by the time I got to that place, I found out that they were done with the work!”
“You're kidding me! Pops and I never send some advertising. We've got some buddies enough.” Lemon Zest protest innocently to Sunny Flare, much to her surprise. “And to be honest, I was told that your daddy wanted some serious wild party especially music.”
“Moi? No, I'd never request that.” Sunny Flare spoke, surprised and concerned. She never made such request.
Indigo looks concerned as a thought came to her head, speaking, “You'd don't think that-“
“Hypothesis - yes. I recalled that you told me that you and Blazefist were coming for the spar match between him and my father. But you didn't show up.” Sugarcoat explained to her former friend of a certain event that was supposed to happen but didn’t.
“We did but at a different place. You told us that we were supposed to have some spar at Great Fortress. I can't believe it. We all have been duped! Who and why?” Indigo groans out in guilt and annoyance. The truth is clear: someone has set her and her friends up to hate each other and they succeeded!
“I was hoping that you would tell us about it. Do you know who did this?” Sunshine ask the pony versions hopefully. Now she has figured out why the Shadowbolts were fighting, but she must know who could’ve done the deed of making them do so.
“No.” The Shadowbolts admitted, having no idea.
Flash whistled in amazement, “Deja Vu... It's just like Ben's Adventure at the Human Realm all over again.”
“Not even they know who wanted the Shadowbolts get at each other's throats.” Starlight said in concern and thought. Someone was responsible but no one knows!
“There's one thing I don't get - how did you figure things out or how you even know us. Don't even think that I wouldn't notice it.” Sunny Flare said suspiciously to Sunshine. She appeared to have known the Shadowbolts, but this is their first meeting with them!
"Right, how is it you know about us?" Indigo ask, giving a suspicious look to Sunshine.
"And no lying!" Sour Sweet snaps sternly to the former human.
"Right, at least give us the truth or I will start yapping again." Sugarcoat said, making the others shudder, knowing how painful that could be.
"Come on, start talking!" Lemon Zest insisted wildly.
"Who are you really?" Sour Sweet ask Sunshine in a curious sweet kind of way. This made her concerned, looks like she will have to come out.
"All right. If you must know." Sunshine sighed in defeat, "I am the Sunset Shimmer from... another world."
The Shadowbolts blinks a bit confused. They are unsure what she meant.
Starlight is sensing that the new friends needed more. So she nudged Sunshine as she spoke, “What's next?”
“The truth... The truth is... I'm not a pony. I'm a human counterpart to this world's Sunset Shimmer. I was banished by her to here because she wanted to conquer the world for her masters. But she changed into a better pony. She made quite lots of friends. And the reason why I know you is because your counterparts are my best friends. I'm sorry for telling you the truth.” Sunshine said, looking down a bit. The Shadowbolts remained silent yet shock of what they just heard. Sunshine sighed, “Here comes the hating part...”
“Hating part? Are you kidding me? I always want to meet Humans.” Indigo said, squealing like a fan girl. The former Human as well as Flash and Starlight looks surprised. These mares doesn’t seem to be upset!
“Me too.” Sugarcoat said, nodding in agreement.
“Me three.” Lemon Zest remarked randomly while laughing, giving a hoofs up.
“Who knew a Human like you could befriend ponies like us?” Sunny Flare ask Sunshine with a smile.
Sour Sweet hugged Sunshine as she gave the latter a kiss on cheek. She spoke sweetly, “You're very sweetie and cute!” The mare lets go as she snaps sourly, “Lie to me again, I will kill you!” Sour Sweet then went sweet again. “Still like you a lot!”
The Shadowbolts commented happily about Sunshine being Human and how grateful they are for being friends with her. Flash and Starlight smiled proudly, looks like the Shadowbolts are reunited and Sunshine got her old friends back…so to speak.
“Wow... I'd never thought that would work.” Starlight said to Flash with a smile.
“Yeah. Who knew?” Flash laughs, knowing that things will turn out fine from now on.
At this time, the background begins to play ‘Friends Are Always There for You’ as we see what begins to happen as Sunshine is lighted up while the background goes dark.
Sunshine: I never thought that I would find a place To step right in and start again I never thought that I could just begin Right where I left off and make a friend
As Sunshine sang, she moved to look around while looking sad, as an image of her Human self comes into play. Then a flash of light shows images of her former Human friends waving before they disappeared while a Human Sunshine watches this with sadness to turn away to leave the scene. The Human moves off & away from the scene before the pony version appears before…an image of Starlight appears as the two bump their horns for Sunshine to notice. Starlight smiles as she became all real as Sunshine expressed herself with sparkle in her eyes just as Starlight lights up her horn that blinds our view to change the scene.
Starlight: Don't ever think that it might be too late You don't have to wait, there's no mistakes with the friends you make A friendship's only made of what you bring And if you do it right, you can do anything
As Starlight sings, she walks with Sunshine through the castle as she explained things as they both smiled. As the two are joined by Flash, Starlight use her magic to open the doors, she leads Sunshine outside to which to the latter’s surprise, the two waves to the Shadowbolts Five as they were there happily waiting for those to arrive. Indigo flapped her wings & Lemon Zest bounce with eager excitement. As Sunshine smiles to see a new group of…friends, Flash brings her down & flies up to sing this portion of the song out. And soon Sugarcoat came to hoof-shake with Sunshine to meet her honestly as a friend, before the rest gather around to happily greet a NEW friend to the group before Lemon Zest tackles Sunshine down in a happy motion while everyone either stares at this puzzled, lost, confused, but some just smiled or kinda laugh at this heart filling moment.
Sunshine, Flash & Shadowbolts Five: Just use your eyes This time, no lies Just don't disguise Who you are inside
Next scene changes to where we see Sunshine in the center of her friends as they happily walked off together. From Indigo, Sunny Flare & Sugarcoat on the left, to Starlight, Flash, Sour Sweet & Lemon Zest on the right. And soon Sunshine leaps happily with joy with everyone else.
Song: Because your friends are always there for you You don't have to be the same for friendship to be true Because your friends are always there for you Around the world, it's still the same Together you have more to gain There's nothing that a friend won't do
Scene changes to where Sunshine was in Rarity’s shop as Sunny Flare was sewing a nice dress for their new friend while Flash watches the action before floating diamonds are place on the dress for finished touches; making Sunshine smile happily in LOVING it while Flash claps in liking it too. Sunshine is seen with Sour Sweet as they hug for a moment in the air while one levitates before landing on the ground for the unicorn mare to befriend animals but yelps when Fluttershy’s bear friend Harry surprises Sunshine by giving her a BEAR HUG for joy. Next scene changes to Indigo flying through the cloud ring course as she waves to have Sunshine use her levitation spell to have herself move off to join in performing the course as both ponies were having a fun race. Then another scene shows Sugarcoat kicking the back of her apple trees which Sunshine is also doing to kick & make apples fall in the baskets, both are happy to be working together. Then another scene shows Sunshine with Lemon Zest in Sugarcube Corner as the wild pony shows cupcakes which Sunshine smiles in happily taking a bite of something…delicious. Then another scene shows Flash watching as Sunshine was with Starlight to go over certain books happily as they all were sharing the moment.
Song: Everywhere you go Friendship there will grow When you find it, it's the key Friends can change the world, you see
Everywhere you go Friendship there will grow When you find it, it's the key Friends can change the world (ah-ah) Friends can change the world (ah-ah) Friends can change the world, you see
We see the the group singing as they walk down Ponyville to sing this song about friendship. Soon they stop where the town’s folk were gathering as Sunshine felt herself lifted up a bit. Then appearing from one side, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, Big Mac, Granny Smith, DJ Pon-3, Octavia Melody, Amethyst Star. Royal Pain, Cloudchaser, Flitter, Thunderlane, Daisy, Rose & Lily Valley. Then appearing on another side was Wings, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, Mr. & Mrs. Cake, Mayor Mare, Lyra Heartstrings, Bon-Bon, Time Turner, Miss Cheerilee, Berryshine, Caramel Apple, Derpy, Cloud Kicker, & Parasol. And within the center was Sunshine singing this with the Shadowbolt as the five mares hug their new friend followed by Starlight & Flash during the last note of the song. Soon the hugging stopped, as everyone soon stares forward from everyone pony in Ponyville were giving out smiles before…a picture was taken while the scene goes dark around now just as the song was over…
Unknown to everyone, someone is watching this from a hill nearby, glaring.
"Well, that pony is ruining everything. If I don't get these girls to fight with each other soon, I'm gonna lose my chance to feed my subjects. Well, no matter, I will solve this problem." The figure mumbles as it was looking at Sunshine. "But first, I've gotta get rid of that pest first. And I know where to start..."
In the world of Human Realm, Sunset Shimmer and her Mane Six, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Ben, Flash Sentry and two Minicons were having lunch at the cafeteria. They are laughing, having a great time.
"Hey, Twilight? How're things at Canterlot High? Feels like old times?" Sunset ask Twilight with a smile.
"It sure did." Twilight admitted then she sighed. "It feels good to be back here."
"That's good to hear." Sunset hummed as a thought came to her mind. Time to ask while the getting's good. "Twilight, I need to ask you something important."
"Sure, anything."
"Do you know why those Shadowbolts behaved... strange and oddly?"
"Huh? Strange? Oddly? How?" Twilight ask a bit puzzled. She isn't sure what Sunset was on about.
"I don't know. You remember that day when we and Crystal Prep Academy gathered at the gym for the welcome party?" Sunset ask, recalling the welcome part. Twilight Sparkle nodded, "When I approached you about your activity, those girls charged in to defend you. And the next, they were shock and surprise but also heartbroken like we were friends. They keep asking me about what happen and what am I doing with the 'losers'. And to be honest, I'd never met them before in my life."
"Wow, really?" Rarity ask a bit puzzled.
"That's a bit odd." Applejack said with a thoughtful look. "Then again, it's like what happened when we done met pony Twilight.
"Deja Vu!" Pinkie giggles as she is hanging from the ceiling somehow.
"Oh... So, that's why." Twilight said, looking down for some reason.
"What do you mean?" Sunset ask Twilight. She wonder why her friend looks down like that.
"Do you remember the other Sunset Shimmer you banished to Equestria?"
"Well, yeah. Can't make the world go unbalance, and of course I need to blend in."
"That Sunset Shimmer were friends with the Shadowbolts once." Twilight explains, much to the surprise and amazement of the others.
"Wait, really?" Rainbow ask her friend in surprise.
"Oh my gosh!" Fluttershy gasped in surprise. The Human Sunset was friend with the Shadowbolts.
"Saw that one coming." Pinkie said randomly and happily.
"She's telling the truth. Those girls and the other Sunset were pals since they were kids. They were very close too. Mess with one, you get the rest beat the crap out of ya." Ben said, shuddering as he recalled one memory that he didn't like to admit about. "Trust me, I sort of kick a ball too hard onto Sour Sweet. And boy, was she crazy angry at me."
"But one day - 2007 I think, Sunset Shimmer went missing. Thus, it makes the Shadowbolts Girls heartbroken, pain and upset. They think she was killed or gone. And of course, they never ever want anyone else to take her place, not even me." Twilight explains in sadness. Sunset looks stunned, so that explains the Shadowbolts' rough attitude!
"And that explains why they mistreated you so badly because you were taking her place among the Shadowbolts." Sunset said. She is feeling more regret and guilt. Because of her, the Human Shadowbolts has lost their friend!
"Something like that. You could say that she's the conscience of the group."
"And I can bet she's angry right about now especially what the stunt Shadowbolts have pulled."
"Yeah. And it was lucky that my counterpart prevent her from coming here. Otherwise, it might turned ugly." Twilight said with a shudder. If the Human Sunset were to come here, it won't be a pretty sight.
"Too late!" Rainbow exclaims as she uses a spoon to send a cherry into her mouth.
"You done know how 'ta ruin a moment." Applejack remarks with a glare to her friend.
"I wonder what she's up to now." Sunset said thoughtfully. What is her human self up to now?
-----------------
Back in the world we know and love, it was a while in Ponyville ever since the Shadowbolts became friends again, especially with Sunshine. They acted like their big fight never happened and they had been friends for years!
Sunshine explained to her friends about how she came to Equestria, especially when she got kidnapped by Dark Mystic Ponies for information about the Humans and a fight against the Devil Destroyer. The group are amazed and freaked out at the same time.
"No way! Your friends actually fought the Devil Destroyer?! That is so awesome, dude!" Indigo exclaims, amazed by how the Mane Six fought the Devil Destroyer and live to tell about it.
Sugarcoat nodded as she spoke, "Indeed. As history has recorded, nopony could ever defeat that monster. He's invincible. Unless you can outsmart or make him dumb, he'll be not easy to deal with."
Sunny Flare nodded while adding in, "My daddy always said that Devil Destroyer is the dumbest warrior of Ma! And the best of him is that he won't listen to his own generals or strategists. Only his wife that he'll listen to."
Sunshine nodded while speaking, "I know. This is like Lu Bu and Diao Chan." The Shadowbolts looked at her in surprise and shock. She cleared her throat to allow herself to explain more better. "It's from China's History. And you could say that they're like this world's pony version."
Lemon Zest awed as she remarks, "Dude; that is so wicked. "
"Who knew we could be so much similar?" Sour Sweet said in agreement with her friend.
"Well... If you mean similar, too bad this world has Grimmore to deal with." Sunshine said a bit scared and concerned. Grimmore may not be a problem in her old world...but here is another problem.
"Ugh, don't remind me!" Indigo groans in upset, angry and fear. "That monster always fight against Dark Curse, despite the fact they're allies. He is insane!"
"Yeah, even when he's locked up, Grimmore always find a way to be a threat." Sugarcoat remarked, crossing her upper forelegs.
"Yep! He may seem to not be a threat...but I wouldn't count him out." Sunny Flare said seriously. Some Mystic Ponies felt like Grimmore isn't a threat, but even monsters like him must not be underestimated!
"Scary and freaky" Lemon Zest exclaims in a shudder.
"He's scary..." Sour Sweet said in fear. Then she frowns while scowling furiously, "And downright evil! I wanna kill him!"
Starlight and Flash was watching from nearby, impressed. Looks like Sunshine is indeed getting along with the pony versions of her old friends. Perhaps she will do all right after all!
"Never thought to seeing Sunshine get along so well with these ponies." Starlight remarks with a light chuckle of amusement. "She really do miss her friends, doesn't she?"
"I'll bet. Think she's ready to see her Human Friends?" Flash ask Starlight thoughtfully. If Sunshine was able to make friends with these ponies, maybe she could see her real friends from back home again!
"I don't know. She did say that she never want to see her old friends again. I think its best not to mention this to her."
Flash Sentry hummed thoughtfully over this, then said, "You could be right, Starlight..."
It's best to keep this under hat, sort of...for now.
--------------
Inside a nearby ally watching an evil plan is about to get under way.
"What should we do now, my queen?" One of the figures hissed to his queen.
The other figure smirks wickedly as she spoke, "Now we lure her away from these friends. Once she is dealt with, we then can proceed in finishing the rest off."
---------------
A bit later, Sunshine, Flash Sentry and Starlight Glimmer have their own lunch at restaurant. The former human discussed the conversation between herself and her friends. The three laugh it off in amusement.
"I see you're getting along well with your friends, even though they remind you of your old ones." Starlight admits with a knowing smile to her friend.
Sunshine blushed a bit, smiling while saying, "Well, yeah, they're okay. At least, they're not so competitive and doing too many stupid stuff as my old ones. In fact, these girls were better than the old ones."
"I see..." Flash said in concern. Sunshine notices the look on his face, what's wrong?
"Is something wrong?"
"Nothing... Just thought... It's stupid and silly."
"Well, go on. Tell me." Sunshine insisted to her coltfriend in worry. Whatever is on his mind, she must know!
Flash Sentry sighs, looks like he will have to say it after all. The Pegasus breaths in and out before getting to the matter, "Seeing you get along with these mares, I thought you're ready to meet the Humans and talk with them about their mess."
Sunshine hummed then shakes her head as she answers, "No... I don't want to see them, not after the stunt they pulled."
"I see... Sorry to ask that. I just thought maybe you can talk with them without being angry."
"You thought wrongly..."
Starlight frowns thoughtfully. She got to get Sunshine to change her mind...so it's time to settle on a way on doing so without freaking her out.
Starlight Glimmer hummed while pretending to be thinking about something, "Sunshine, I need some advice. If I do want to reunite with my old friend, what should I do? Not that I want to talk about you and your old friends to reunite or something."
"Well... Just make sure he's the same pony you used to know or grow up together. And hopefully, he doesn't tell a lie or even do something stupid when he was away. And hopefully, yours is better than mine." Sunshine remarks with a frown, looking away a bit.
"Oh... Well, I hope Sunburst won't do such a thing. After all, he's too smart to pull some silly stunts like your friends. No offense."
"It doesn't offend me, Starlight. They deserve that."
"Yeesh... You're still upset and angry about it." Starlight groans out in annoyance. Is there nothing that can be done to change this mare's mind?
Suddenly a voice screams out frantically. The trio turns to see a familiar clumsy mare flying in. Weird, she appears to be flying better without crashing into something for once! And her eyes are perfect for once.
"Help! Somepony help! Somepony called Indigo Zap got trapped at the Forbidden Cave! She needs some help!" Derpy exclaims frantically.
"Hold on! I'm coming now!" Sunshine exclaims in alarm. Looks like this conversation will have to be put on hold, Indigo needs help! "Flash, Starlight, go and get some help! I'll go with Derpy to find and save Indigo Zap!"
Starlight Glimmer nodded in agreement while Flash Sentry hummed in concern. Both Sunshine and Derpy galloped off at once. And just before the duo could do anything, they spotted five ponies including one with them. This confused them because it's...
"Indigo Zap?!" Sunshine and Flash yells out in shock and alarm.
"That's me. What's up? Hey, where did Sunshine go?" Indigo ask, noting that Sunshine doesn't seem to be anywhere in sight. Why is that?
"Rescuing you..." Starlight said in concern. Something is off here. If Indigo was here the whole time, then...what was what Derpy spoke about all about?!
"Me? Rescue? Why do I need that?"
"That's because... Someone else is impersonating you!" Flash gasps in realization. And now that he thought of it, Derpy appears to be flying better than usual. The real one wouldn't be like that! And her eyes? "That Derpy is not her!"
"How did you know that? She could be tricked too." Starlight said to Flash in bewilderment, wondering what made him say that about Derpy.
"No... Derpy's eyes - they're too perfect in her condition. Hers are always crossed. That one was a fake! The real one is over there talking with Dinky Doo!"
Everyone turns and saw that Flash is right: there's Derpy right now speaking to her daughter. This made Starlight more worried. If Derpy was here, then that means the one that went with Sunshine is a fake!
"Then, that means Sunshine is in trouble!" Starlight exclaims frantically. Sunshine is being led into a trap!
"Not only that, the Forbidden Cave - that's where Ben defeated the Hydra when he first came to Ponyville! If I guess correctly, whoever that pony is - wants to feed Sunshine to that monster! We've gotta stop them now!" Flash exclaims frantically. History is about to repeat itself, but it looks like Sunshine may not live like Ben did!
The group rushes off quickly. They hope to get to Sunshine before it's too late for her!
-------------------
Meanwhile, Sunshine was heading to the cave with the fake Derpy.
“Just straight ahead! There! There's the cave! There she is!” The Fake Derpy calls out quickly to Sunshine.
Sunshine and Fake Derpy enters the cave. There’s Indigo, the ones, somehow trapped by her wing by some rocks. Looks like she was there for hours!
“Help! Help! Get me out of here!” The fake Indigo calls out frantically.
“Hold on! I'm coming! I'll just have to move some rocks and then-!” But before Sunshine could finish, something unexpected happened: Indigo Zap disappeared before appeared behind her. “What the-?! How?!”
Indigo Zap laughed in amusement as she transformed into a familiar enemy from the Mane Six’s past: the form of the Changeling Queen - Queen Chrysalis. Derpy also transformed into a Changeling Guard. Sunshine looks shocked and alarmed. What is this?!
Sunshine gasped, “What the-?!”
“Hello there, little pony. We've been expecting you. I hope you know me and my species, Human...” Chrysalis said to Sunshine slyly and sinisterly.
Sunshine hissed in fury, “I don't even want to think that, Chrysalis - Queen of the Changelings!” The mare hasn’t seen these monsters in a long time but she knows and hate them already!
“Oh my... You know who I am... Well done.” Chrysalis taunted Sunshine in amusement.
“You know I can't help but wonder that you're behind all this! You were behind making those five girls fight against each other!” Sunshine hisses furiously at her enemy. It all makes sense: a Changeling is responsible for all the fighting! Why didn’t she saw it before?!
“I did indeed. It's enjoyable. It reminds me about making her friends turn against Twilight Sparkle while I slowly drained Shining Armor's love and magic. It's truly enjoyable.” Chrysalis admits, chuckling cruelly by the thought of what she once did long before Twilight became an Alicorn princess. “And to be honest, Twilight Sparkle would have been make a perfect Changeling for us. It's such a waste for her to become ab Alicorn and Princess to her weaklings.”
“Why?! What have they done to you?!” Sunshine demanded furiously. Why did Chrysalis even tormented five ponies that has nothing to do with her in the first place?
“Nothing... Just doing somepony a favor, so that I can lead my subjects to find more ponies to feast.” Chrysalis admits to Sunshine. Apparently, she was doing that evil crime for somepony else, not for her own thing. “And that pony claimed those five owe her big time since she was banished from Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns! But first I must dispose of you. Say hello to my new pet. He was the same Hydra's child when Ben killed her by an avalanche.”
Sunshine gasped in shock upon looking at something, a fierce and deadly Hydra coming out from the cave. He growled and roared wildly.
“Oh no!” Sunshine gasps in horror. Looks like the Hydra is back and is ticked off!
The Hydra screeched wildly. Sunshine quickly turned to escape but instead, her legs got caught by the monster’s tongue. She get dragged and pulled into its mouth. The mare is about to experience what happened to Ben when he got swallowed!
“Noooooooo!” Sunshine screams out in horror.
“Well done, my pet. Isn't she taste good for you?” Chrysalis chuckles in amusement o the hungry. “And after that, you will go to Ponyville Town where you find your killer of your mummy and eat him alive.”
The Hydra screeched wildly and happily, revenge will be his. But just before anything else could happen, he got his head sliced. Flash Sentry was flying in while holding his spear. He landed on the decapitated part as he was searching for Sunshine. He spotted her lying on the wet and sticky floor, grabbing the mare and put her on his back. They both flew straight down at once.
Starlight Glimmer and the Shadowbolts Five have arrived as well. They are relieved to get here in time.
"Sunshine, are you all right?!" Starlight ask Sunhine in concern.
"Did you get zapped or something?" Indigo ask, making her friends looked at her. "It's a new slang I made up meaning hurt."
"Well, that's new." Sugarcoat remarks, rolling her eyes.
Sunshine coughed heavily, happy to see her love and her friends here, “You guys... You came...”
“Of course, silly. You're my girlfriend. No monster is gonna eat a friend of mine.” Flash chuckled as he hugs his love, relieved to see that she’s okay.
"You cursed ponies!" Chrysalis snarled. She was so close in seeing Sunshine eaten!
"Whoa! Bug witch!" Lemon Zest exclaims in alarm and surprised upon seeing Chrysalis.
"Who is that?" Sunny Flare ask with a deep frown.
"Chrysalis, one of my teacher's enemies and the ones who invaded Canterlot in years past." Starlight explains, recalling what Twilight has told her.
“So, your cavalry has arrived. Interesting. More food for my pet to feast on.” Chrysalis remarks with a cruel chuckle. Despite the interference, that means more food for the Hydra.
“It looks like that thing is still alive. Can't believe it survived the avalanche. Ben told me it's dead when he used his Master Sword to destroy it.” Flash said, recalling what Ben has told him about before.
“It's not the same one. That's her baby. And it's not very happy either.” Sunshine said seriously. She’s right, the Hydra has grown his head back…and got two new ones! It is not happy with the intrusion and his meal being interrupted again. “I hope you girls are ready for this. We're at a fight with it.”
"If it means teaching that aggravating insect a lesson for breaking our friendship, we're SO gonna kick some butt!" Indigo Zap shouted in determination.
"Yeah, come on!" Sour Sweet scowls furiously in agreement.
“We've been lots of worse. This is nothing, right?” Starlight remarked with a scoff of determination. If she and her friends are able to escape madness like this, they can again!
Flash nodded as he spoke, “Hopefully, we survived this! Here it comes.”
The Hydra launched his three heads at Sunshine and her team, who quickly dodged and avoided the attacks. Lemon Zest used her Boom Box and Speakers in firing the Sonic Wave Attacks at it. And at the same time, Flash Sentry, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat and Indigo Zap gave the monster a hard whack with their sticks. Sunshine, Starlight Glimmer, Sunny Flare and Lemon Zest fired their Unicorn Bursts and Laser Gauntlets in cutting the monsters' heads off.
Unfortunately, as before more heads came out. Nine heads have replaced the decapitated ones, causing Sunshine and her friends to struggle in dodging and avoiding the attacks while attacking and cutting his heads off. It now has 23 heads now.
“At this rate, we won't able to escape it in time!” Sugarcoat yells out frantically. Perhaps cutting the heads off was a bad idea!
"There's gotta be a way to kill this thing!" Sunny Flare shouted desperately.
"But how? No matter how many heads we cut off, more will just grow back!" Indigo exclaims angrily.
"Oh, we are doomed, doomed!" Sunny Flare groans out. She pauses then added, "Wow, I sounded just like Rarity."
“There has to be some way we can defeat that monster. He has to some kind of weakness.” Starlight said in concern. The heroes can’t give up yet, there must be a way to win!
“Too bad. It's not like we could burn her or something.” Flash groans out in worry.
Hearing that gave Sunshine some thought. She spoke up, “Burn her? That's it! I remember now! Fire! In Greek Myth, Hercules struggled with the Hydra. His nephew helped and used fire on Hydra's headless part to stop his attempt of regrowing more heads. And if we put fire on her heads...”
“We could finally defeat her.” Starlight said, getting the idea. It just might work!
“Okay, that's great, dearie. So what's the plan?” Sunny Flare ask. She is anxious and determined to figure out what Sunshine has in mind.
“Indigo Zap, Sunny Flare and Lemon Zest, distract her as long as you can. Flash, Sour and Sugarcoat; slice her heads off. Starlight and me will make the fire.” Sunshine said, coming up with a big plan. If it works, this Hydra monster is going down! “Let's make some fire.”
As the Hydra was about to attack again, Lemon Zest launched her Sonic Wave attack at the monster. Indigo Zap gave some punches on the heads while Sunny Flare fired her Laser Gauntlets. Thus, it irritated the monster to launch their heads to attack the trio. The trio avoided and dodged the attacks while annoying and irritating the monster to attack them some more.
As the Hydra's heads were distracted in chasing after trio mares, Flash, Sugarcoat and Sour Sweet charged in and helped their friends by cutting and chopping the heads off quickly. As the decapitated Hydras was about regrow their three heads, Sunshine and Starlight charged in and fired their Fire Magic at the wounded parts. As the fire grew, it suffocated and killed the Hydra.
Sunshine and her friends continued using their methods in defeating and killing the Hydra. Only one remains. She growled and roared in anger. This monster is not giving up without a fight!
“One more time. Get ready!” Sunshine exclaims in determination. This is it, no turning back now!
As the Hydra launched her head at them, Lemon Zest fired her Sonic Wave Attacks at it. Indigo Zap and Sour Sweet gave a powerful punch at her face. Sunny Flare fired her Laser Gauntlet at her face hard. Flash and Sugarcoat cut the monster's head off. Both Sunshine and Starlight launched the Fire Magic in killing the last head. The Hydra is down for the count and for good!
“That was easy. To think ponies claimed that Hydras are the hardest creatures to kill.” Sugarcoat remarks with a scoff of dismissal. “But a fire is its weakness. I could say dumbest or relief to have that luck.”
"Yeah, at least it's over." Lemon Zest remarks with a sigh.
"Too bad we got one more problem." Sour Sweet remarks sourly, preferring to Chrysalis who is still around.
"You may have defeated my pet but the fight is barely begun!" Chrysalis hisses wickedly. "Changelings, kill them all!"
The Changelings approaches the heroes, some changes into them and some stay as they are. Eventually, both sides charge at each other. The heroes uses their attacks to knock down or defeat their enemies, pounding and blasting them. It's like the Mane Six vs. Changelings all over again, except with Sunshine, the Shadowbolts, Starlight and Flash's own attack.
Chrysalis fired her Hatred Spell at Sunshine and her friends, knocking them to the ground hard. She approached and is readied with her magic. Looks like she has the advantage.
"It's over now. Without Twilight Sparkle or any of her friends, you have no chance to defeat me." Chrysalis remarks with an evil boat.
"Hoo boy, not good." Sunny Flare said in worry. Chrysalis appears to have them down.
"Any idea, commander?" Indigo ask Sunshine, hoping for any ideas.
Starlight thinks of an idea, then she smiles, having one. The mare ask, "Sunshine, remember the spell combination you and I have studied under Twilight?"
"Wait... You mean? Are you sure?" Sunshine ask Starlight. She realizes what her friend meant but will the spell even work?
"On my signal, we'll blow this witch and her minions to the sky!"
"You're wasting time, fools. With you as my hostages, Twilight Sparkle will have no choice but to surrender to me." Chrysalis exclaims madly. She figures that once she holds these ponies hostage, Twilight will have no idea but to give up! Her plan is perfect! "Taking Ponyville and the rest will be easy. I don't need that useless headmaster to help me because Equestria is perfect place for my subjects to feast."
Hearing that made the ponies concerned. Somepony else was involved, but who was it? And did she say "headmaster"
But it doesn't matter. Starlight stood up as she yells in determination, "Think again! Sunshine!"
"Here we go!" Sunshine exclaims as she and Starlight charges up their horns for a special attack. They must get this right to win!
"Sunlight Flower Canon!" Starlight and Sunshine screams out at once.
Starlight and Sunshine fired their magic spell at each other as it created a powerful yet larger ball, shocking and surprising everyone. That attack is powerful enough to send the bad guys.
"Oh, I hate surprises! Nooooo!" Chrysalis screams out in alarm. She prepares to get away but it's too late, the attack hit her and her minions head on.
Queen Chrysalis and her Changelings got blown away by the attack, sending them away from Ponyville Town. Hopefully, they will be gone for now.
"They did it...they did it!" Lemon Zest spoke out softly at first then cheers out wildly.
"Wow, you kick their butts to the curb!" Indigo laughs as she flew on over, hugging both the winners.
"Well, I got to admit...I'm impressed." Sugarcoat admits, giving out a small smile. Even she is impressed by this victory.
"Wow, you were amazing!" Sour Sweet exclaims sweetly. "You ripped that bug a new one!"
"I'm surprised you know what that means." Sunny Flare said in amusement that Sour Sweet would know just a term.
Sour Sweet snaps sourly, "Let's not get into that, okay?"
"Well...let's go home, shall we?" Sunshine ask with a smile. She is relieved that her friends are all right. Chrysalis has been beaten and there is one less Hydra to deal.
--------------
As everyone is heading on home, they begin talking about their victory.
"The way we burn those creeps' heads...awesome to the max." Indigo said with a chuckle, shaking her head in remembrance of the fight.
"You were amazing in beating those Changelings." Sunny Flare said to Indigo. She is impressed by how her friend took down a few Changelings or so.
"Thanks. You ain't so bad yourself."
Sunshine pauses, slowing down a bit. Flash notices this and stops in concern. Something is on his fillyfriend's mind, but what?
"Sunshine? Is everything okay?" Flash ask Sunshine in concern.
Sunshine sighs then spoke up, "I was thinking of what Chrysalis said before. Someone obviously hired her and the Changelings to drive a wedge between the Shadowbolts."
"Yeah, I do notice that." Starlight said, thinking about that. "She also mentioned a headmaster of sorts."
"And she mentioned they owe her big time since she was banished from Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. Do you girls know who that is?"
The Shadowbolts stop, looking concerned as they thought about that. They have a feeling that they know who it was as well, being involved with the Princess Celestia's school incident.
"Let's say, let's hope you never have to deal with her." Sugarcoat said to Sunshine seriously. "She is locked up, that's the best we could say."
"Let's just go, okay?" Sour Sweet ask. For some reason, she appears to be nervous about this subject.
The Shadowbolts heads off, making Sunshine, Flash and Starlight a bit suspiciously. They got some explaining to do!
Things has calmed down now. At least Ponyville is safe from another attack that would've doomed them all. As the Shadowbolts Five were settling down at Sugarcube Corner for resting, Sunshine and her two friends approached them.
"Hey, girls. Everything alright?" Sunshine ask her friends in concern. She is wondering if they're all right after what almost happened to them.
"Sure we are, why couldn't we be?" Sour Sweet ask Sunshine with a smile.
"Right. We almost got killed by a huge Hydra and a bunch of love eating bugs. At least we got out of there in one piece." Sugarcoat admits with a shrug, apparently not worried about what happened.
"Why you ask?" Indigo ask Sunshine. She wonders what is on her friend's mind.
"Listen, I know I can't ask you about this case. But if we're gonna solve this problem, I need your help. Look do you trust me or not?" Sunshine ask her friends seriously. She must get them to explain what happened involving whoever hired Chrysalis to split them up in the first place.
The Shadowbolts looked at each other for a moment before they sighed and nodded in agreement. Looks like it's time to come out with it.
"I don't know if we want to talk about it or not. We know who she is." Sunny Flare said with a serious tone of voice.
"Five years ago, the Imperial Phoenix Army received news about students suddenly scoring A's for every test from Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. And the next, the students looked addict and crazy for some reason." Sugarcoat said seriously. Looks like the students are getting good crazy, but became insane the next. "We believe something is amiss at that place. We disguised ourselves as students while asking ponies if there's anything odd happening to the school. The teachers claimed that the students are behaving oddly and differently than they used to know them. And they believed that the students were drugged or addicted. We suspected correctly.”
Indigo Zap nodded as she continues, "We were sent there to solve the case. We investigate the area or finding the clues. We found three things - some kind of Black Magic Potion, Injection and even the Supplier."
"All the teachers don't even know about it. And we believe that both teachers and students are innocent, all but one - the headmaster." Lemon Zest explains that the real culprit is none than the headmaster, the one before Spell Nexus.
"How could she hurt the students - all for the sake of her reputation and the school's?!" Sour Sweet ask sweetly. Then she gave a sour look while continuing, "She's terrible and evil! She doesn't even care about the students!"
Sugarcoat groaned in annoyance, "Evil is a strong word, Sour Sweet. I would rather say - irresponsible and child abuse. And she is-!"
"I know who she is. And is she gonna be release from the prison?" Sunshine ask her friends thoughtfully.
Sunny Flare hummed as she answers, "According to my daddy, she'll be released by next week. But how are we gonna make her talk about the crime she committed?"
"Leave that to us. Just tell me where she is."
------------------
At the Canterlot Prison Cells, a female unicorn is in a meeting room, preparing for her release from prison. Cinch has waited a long time and she will get what's coming to her. But apparently, not the way she attended. For you see, Cinch has some visitors who wanted to speak, some she didn't thought to see again.
"Well now; if it isn't those meddling kids." The former Headmaster Cinch taunts at the mares who dared exposed her and send her to prison. She saw a new pony, making her more amused. "And who is this? Your best friend's replacement? I thought you would never replace her."
"Yeah, I'm new here, Cinch. And by the way, my name is Sunset Shimmer." Sunshine said with a frown to Cinch. She is using her real name for now.
"Save the formality, Miss Shimmer. What do you want?"
"Your confession. We know that you were behind this mess especially in driving and killing the Leader of Vengeance Squadron. And you specifically told Queen Chrysalis and her Changelings in handling that matter until the team are killed and disposed of."
"I have no idea of what you were talking about. I was stuck here. So, how could I be involved of this mess? My word against yours." Cinch points out slyly to Sunshine. The former headmaster does seem to have a point: she was imprisoned the whole time so it should've been impossible for her to do anything...right?
Sunshine smirked as she then said, "Simple. Chrysalis told us everything especially you. She mentioned that you're willing to betray everyone, just for revenge, even if it means the cost of innocent lives."
"Yeah. What kind of sick teacher like you could do something like this? All this for the sake of reputation? You're the dumbest headmaster I ever met." Starlight remarks in disgust at Cinch. She is outraged of how dare this witch is going just for her reputation!
Flash Sentry chuckled, "It's no wonder Princess Celestia have you replaced with Headmaster Spell Nexus as the new headmaster of her school. And now everyone knew about it."
"What?! Blast that useless bug queen! I knew I should have hired the Assassins Six to finish the likes of you! No! I should have chosen Grimmore! That way none of this could have happened!" Cinch exclaims furiously and angrily.
But then Cinch yelps as Sunshine smirks, using her magic to hold up something that was hidden until now: a special pen. And when a button is pushed, the headmaster's confession repeats right back.
"Gotcha. Recorded everything with this little pen. We only told Princess Celestia and Azure Phoenix about this but need your confession to do that. So you can spend in the prison for the rest of your life." Sunshine taunts wickedly to the shocked Cinch. With this confession, she will never be released from prison, ever.
"And the Changelings spreading rumors? We made that up." Starlight admits with a mischievous giggle. She knew saying that would set Cinch off!
"Busted..." Flash laughs in amusement as he holds up a wing and high five his filly friend.
"Now it's your word against yours. It's call a hustle, sweetheart." Sunshine remarks slyly. Cinch looks outraged. She was tricked into admitting her role in Chrysalis's involvement...and now she is going to be imprisoned for the rest of her life!
Cinch groaned before screaming in fury, "Curse you, Sunset Shimmer! Why are you doing this to me?! You barely know these five ponies!"
"Somepony you're gonna hate, Cinch."
"I'm already hating somepony, brat! I will have my revenge!"
Sunshine smirked as she remarks, "Count on it, Cinch."
Cinch groans as the guards come to put her back in her cell. She will get her vengeance on Sunshine...someday, somehow!
------------------
It was a while later back at the castle back in Ponyville. Sunshine sighs as she, Flash and Starlight finish cleaning the place. Twilight and her friends are due to come back at any given moment. So the group would want a clean place to return to.
Sunshine smiles, she wonders what else to do next. Just then, the Shadowbolts themselves came into the room, smiling in excitement. What are they so happy about?
"Hey, what's going on?" Sunshine ask her new friends curiously.
"You're not gonna believe what just happen! Princess Celestia told us that Azure Phoenix want all of us back home! We're going home!" Sugarcoat explains, much to Sunshine's surprise and concern. "I can finally become a Colonel among the Imperial Phoenix Army!"
"And I'm so glad to be a strategist again as well as tech and fashion designer again." Sunny Flare said with a sigh. It looks like she will get her dream back!
"Yeah! Party at Ma for Mapping and Travelling around Equestria!" Lemon Zest laughs as she jumps up and down wildly. This made Flash chuckles a bit, just like a certain random pink pony!
"I finally become an agent! It's like dream come true!" Sour Sweet exclaims with a smile.
"Oh yeah? I finally get to stick with my coach as his Second-in-Command! It's so awesome!" Indigo remarks with a chuckle of amusement.
"Really? Wow... Congratulation, girls. Well done..." Sunshine said with a sad sigh. She turns, preparing to head off. Looks like after what happened, her friends are going to get their dream jobs...but it looks like she may never see them again.
"Oh boy..." Starlight said, noting the sad look on Sunshine's face. Her friend was able to finally get the Shadowbolts together, learning new friendship...and yet, this has to happen.
"Yeah. It's gonna hurt her a lot..." Flash said grimly. Is there anything that can be done to cheer his love up?
But what Sugarcoat said next, surprised the three as Sugarcoat smiled as she spoke, "But we declined the offer."
"What?!" Sunshine, who turned back around, Flash and Starlight exclaims in shock and alarm. The Shadowbolts got a chance to fulfill their dreams, but they turn the offer down? Why?
"We told Azure Phoenix that we have found our job and new place to stay especially a new member to join our team."
"You are, Sunshine!" Sour Sweet exclaims as she hugs the surprised Sunshine. "You're our new member!"
"That job maybe good. But nothing good is having a new friend like you." Sunny Flare admits with a shrug. While her dream job is great, it won't be if Sunshine isn't with her.
"And we're gonna keep that way, dude!" Lemon Zest exclaims, raising a hoof of as if saying "thumbs up".
"So, what do you say, boss?" Indigo exclaims with a smile. Would Sunshine accept the offer?
Sunshine try holding back her tears, but she sheds them anyway. This is great! Her friends refused the offer of returning back home...just so they will stay here, being near their good friend AKA Sunshine herself! It's...it's a miracle!
Sunshine smiled as she spoke, "I couldn't be any happier than before." The mare hugged the Shadowbolts who smiles while hugging her back, "Thanks, girls for letting me to be your team."
"It's an honor, friend, to be our leader." Sugarcoat said as Sunshine lets go of the hug.
"We need to change our name. Vengeance is so overkill." Indigo said thoughtfully. She's right, the name Vengeance is overkill, time for a new one that could work.
"Well, what would you choose, Sunshine?" Flash ask Sunshine curiously.
Sunshine pauses to think, then smiles. She got an idea, one that could work! Yes, it will, definitely, definitely will!
"I have one - the Shadow Six." Sunshine said as she holds both hooves together to announce the idea.
"Sounds promising." Sunny Flare said with a thoughtful smile in liking this idea.
"Oh yeah, awesome to the max!" Lemon Zest laughs in agreement.
"Well, much better and less intimidating...to the point anyhow." Sugarcoat said, nodding in approval as she likes the name too. It will work.
"I love it!" Sour Sweet exclaims excitedly and loudly, making her friends cringe yet laugh. They couldn't tell if she was being sour or sweet when saying that.
"We shall do it." Indigo said with a smirk, holding a hooves up.
"It looks like they're together." Flash said with a smile as the Shadowbolts hug each other. The Shadow Six has been born at last.
"And not only that, it looks like we have new team to look after our home and Equestria. Think about it." Starlight said thoughtfully. Whenever the Mane Six or their pals would leave for a mission, the Shadow Six will be around to keep an eye on things!
"I am. And it's gonna be tough for them."
"We can handle it. It's no biggie." Sunshine said in determination. As long as she has her friends, there is nothing she cannot do!
Suddenly the doors open up. Everyone turns to see the Mane Six coming into the room. They are back from their mission of defeating the Ice Queen!
"It's great to be back. Hey, Sunshine. How's everything-?!" Twilight stops in her tracks, yelping upon seeing the Shadowbolts standing near Sunshine. "What the-?! Sunshine, are those-?"
"Twilight, these are my friends. And girls, meet Twilight's friends!" Sunshine exclaims with a smirk as she motions her new friends to meet Twilight's.
Sugarcoat looks Applejack up and down. The mare spoke up in her usual way, "You're Applejack? It's nice to meet you. And I truly impressed with your farm and working schedule. Should you ever go and save the world, I would be honor to look after your family as well as defending Ponyville. Do not worry about it."
"Wow... You talk... a lot. But thanks." Applejack said a bit weirded out but thankful by this.
"Oh my Gosh!" Indigo exclaims as she flew, excited upon meeting Rainbow at last. It's like a big dream come true for her. "I'm so hyped to meet Rainbow Dash! You have no idea of how long I wanted to challenge you in a race, especially joining the Wonderbolts too! And besides, I beat your old high score for bursting clouds."
"Wow, seriously? That's cool..." Rainbow exclaims impressed and amused. Looks like not only she got a fan, but a friendly rival to boot!
"Sunny Flare at your service. And don't worry, dearie; I haven't done anything wrong to your fashion. I go accordingly to your design and sometimes a bit of mine. Your boutique is safe at hoof by me." Sunny Flare said to Rarity with a smile. She is assuring her that she hasn't ruined her boutique at all.
"Really, darling? I really appreciated it." Rarity said, impressed. Looks like her Boutique just got a new employee, one who sticks to her vision.
"Don't worry, Fluttershy. I took good care of the animals. They're in no harm." Sour Sweet sweetly said, assuring Fluttershy that no harm came to her animals while she was away. The mare took care of that.
"Really? Thank goodness." Fluttershy said with a smile. She is happy that her animals were taken care of by just a sweet mare.
But then Sour Sweet got sour as she scowls, "Unless that bunny want to mess with me, he gets no dessert!"
"Oh my... That's bit... extreme..."
"Party on! Ready for music, Pinkie Pie?!" Lemon Zest laughs as she bounces in, ready to party at any time.
"Are you kidding me? I'm always ready! And thanks for looking after my job, please don't do the volume up thing again at Mr. and Mrs. Cake's. They really hated it." Pinkie said to Lemon Zest with a smile. The pink pony pauses to think, then added, "But not really hate it, just don't like. Because that gave them a big headache. And believe hearing too much of music could be so much pain!"
"What?"
"Nothing. Just look after the shop! And remember rule number one - smile."
"Got it." Lemon Zest said with a smile. After all, she always does her best to smile!
"I've gotta say. That's very impressive. I thought you'd be angry or upset in seeing them again." Twilight said to Sunshine impressed. Her friend told the Princess of Friendship about her past and how it wasn't a good one.
"Not really, Twi. I just felt I want to remake my friendship again." Sunshine pauses a bit as a thought came to her mind. Time for her to do it, if only to resolve this once and for all. "Speaking of which, I need a favor, Twilight."
"Sure. What is it?"
--------------------
In the laboratory of the Twilight Sparkle of the Human Realm, a special meeting is about to take place. Human Twilight calls in her former teammates the Shadowbolts down here. The five glares as she works on her Dimension Communication Portal while the Sunset from Equestria stood nearby.
"So what gives in bringing us down here?" Sour Sweet scowls sourly at Twilight. "And it better be good!"
"Honestly, it is a waste of time if you brought us here just to watch a science project." Sugarcoat remarks with a scowl.
"Yeah, come on, out with it!" Indigo demands in frustration as Sunny Flare and Lemony Zest nodded in agreement. What is she up to anyway?
Human Twilight smiles as she spoke, "There's someone who wants to see you."
"Look, Twilight. We get it. But this is not the Sunset Shimmer we used to hang out and befriend for a long time.” Sugarcoat said with a sigh while shaking her head.
"Yeah, nothing personal dude, but you just ain't her." Lemon Zest remarks with a shrug to Sunset. She isn't the human that she knows and cares for.
"Right, so no need to try to pretend anyway." Sunny Flare said, looking down in sadness. "No one could..."
"Actually, that would be ironic, girls. Shadowbolts meet your old friend." Sunset said, smirking as the screen on the device begins to change, causing an image to be formed.
The girls gasped in shock and alarm. A pony appears on the screen, smiling at them. One who looks similar to Sunset! Could it be...?!
The Shadowbolts gasped in shock, "Sunset?! Is that really you?"
"Hey, girls. And yeah, I am a pony since I got transported into that realm." Sunshine said to her human realms with a smile. "So, to avoid some confusion. I will be called 'Sunshine'. It's nice to see you all."
The Shadowbolts cried and sobbed tearfully while commenting of how stupid of what they did while ashamed of their actions especially hurting Twilight Sparkle. They somehow seem worried: what if Sunshine never forgives them for what they did?
Sunshine sighs a bit as she spoke up with a small smile, "Well... I was angry and upset at you at first. But that doesn't mean we aren't friends. I forgive you. And I know, you were just venting anger out or even trying to make sure no one takes my place."
"Really?" The Shadowbolts ask in surprise yet relieved at the same time. Sunshine has actually forgiven them and is still wanting to be their friend no matter what!
"Yeah. And don't worry about me. I'll be fine, with some friends who look like you. Sunset, can you look after my friends as yours. You do need your own team since Twilight Sparkle is part of the Mane Six."
Sunset Shimmer smiled as she assured her other self, "Sure, why not. And don't worry, I will take care of them."
"Thanks." Sunshine said with a smile. She turns to her friends and giving a stern yet mischievous look. "Behave, you girls. Don't make me come back and hunt you down for another mess."
The Shadowbolts giggled, "We won't."
"Take care."
And thus, Sunshine's image disappears from the screen. The human versions of the Shadowbolts sighs. It's good to know that Sunshine is all right and is now living her new life in Equestria.
"What's next?" Sugarcoat ask with ponder. What will everyone do now?
Sunset pauses to think, then smiles, having an idea. She ask, "Ever try to have some fun with your friends or date with boyfriends?"
"Trust me on this one. It'll be worth it." Twilight said with a smile to the Shadowbolts.
Looks like life in this world is about to become more funner than before, especially since it looks like Sunset will be having new friends now!
------------------
At Sugarcube Corner, a party is getting under way. It's celebrate the heroes' victory over the Ice Queen, as well as Sunshine having a new team that will keep an eye and protect Ponyville from harm. Best off, the former human is celebrating her reconnections to her old friends.
"Sunshine, I'm proud of you. What you did today or three days ago, you did well." Twilight said, complimenting Sunshine on what she did. "You've made some friends, even though they looked like your old friends. But you also forgive them of their past mistakes."
"Thanks, Twilight. I really appreciate it." Sunshine said with a smile. She felt good in forgiving her old friends like that.
"And you know what? Having your own team at Ponyville is a very good idea. After all, when my friends and I went to another place to save the Equestria, we need some backup to look after our home as well as doing the daily works. Just in case, the bad guys would come and attack."
"Yeah. That's what I think."
"Therefore, I granted it. Just make sure, they don't do something silly again." Twilight said to Sunshine in precaution. Last thing Ponyville needed is something dangerous and silly from the new heroes of their town.
"Don't worry, they don't! They learn their mistakes." Sunshine assures Twilight with a smile. After all, how much trouble would the Shadowbolts get into now?
Without warning, loud music booms loudly throughout the Sugarcube Corner, causing some of the ponies to scream and yelp in alarm. What is going on here?!
"Pinkie Pie! I thought I told you to shut that music down!" Mr. Cake exclaims loudly and alarmed to Pinkie.
Mrs. Cake tries to calm her babies down while screaming loudly to be heard, "Wowza! Shut it down! My ears! And the babies! I can't hear a thing!"
"What did you to my jockey?!" Lemon Zest demands angrily to Pinkie who is trying to put the volume control back onto the speakers.
"Nothing! I just thought make a bit louder, and then the next, it broke." Pinkie insists innocently to the upset Lemon Zest. Hoo boy, it isn't going so well!
"You broke it! Blast you, Pinkie!"
"Hey! Watch it!" Applejack exclaims to Sugarcoat who almost knock her cake off her table. "That done took me weeks 'ta make!"
"I think you just purchased it, I even see the writing on it." Sugarcuat remarks dryly as she points out some writing that seemed to said otherwise.
"You calling me a liar?!"
"Hey, you cheated!" Rainbow screams furiously at Indigo as she threw her cards to the table. The two Pegasus were playing a game, which got ugly. "You stole some cards from me!"
"Me, you cheated first?!" Indigo protests Rainbow in annoyance. How dare she accused her of cheating?!
"No, look what you done!" Rarity screams to Indigo as she tries to clean off a strain off the new dress that she's wearing. "My new dress!"
"Hey, it isn't my fault! It was an accident!" Sunny Flare protests innocently and annoyed by Rarity's shouting.
"No! Don't scare them!" Fluttershy exclaims to Sour Sweet frantically. Her new friend was screaming at some animals, and boy! Do they look scared! "Poor animals!"
"You oughta teach them some manners!" Sour Sweet exclaims sourly to Fluttershy and annoyed.
Soom both sides got into an argument before fighting each other wildly and crazy. Sunshine gave an awkward chuckle. Looks like they haven't learned all the time.
"Okay, maybe they need some adjustment about this." Sunshine admits awkwardly to Twilight.
Twilight Sparkle giggled as she patted Sunshine on the back, "Don't worry. I'm sure you and your new friends will get through it. My friends and I went through the same process."
Sunshine smiled as she spoke, "Thanks, Twilight. Come on, we'd better stop them now."
"Yeah, we'd better."
Twilight and Sunshine rushes to the fighting in hopes to put a stop to this madness. A friend's work is never done!