What Else Should I Write

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It had been three months since Sunset Shimmer had met Jackie Vibrato, three months since she had left her adopted home city of Canterlot and came to Los Pegasus. Since then it had been quite the emotional roller coaster ride for the red head. There had been crying, fighting, and trying to close herself off from others, afraid that if they got too close she would be hurt again. But there had been good times as well, laughter, times where she could relax and feel safe. She had even joined Jackie's band, the then Dune Dog Runners but now rechristened the Pony Breakers after all three band members went into 'Pony Mode' on stage during a performance.

Shifting softly, she looked up to see that Jackie was still sleeping soundly, mouth hanging open and blissfully unaware of the world around her. Every now and then Sunset Shimmer found herself snuggled up next to Jackie, since they shared a bed there really wasn't a lot of space but it was still a bit embarrassing! Even more so since the guitarist didn't seem to mind. Ugh, why did the woman have to make for a good warm, soft pillow? Sunset carefully pulled her head away from Jackie's shoulder and slowly rolled off the opposite side of the bed. Although it seemed like Jackie could sleep through anything, the red head still did her best to be as quiet as possible to let the guitarist continue peacefully resting.

As she stood up, the high schooler stretched her arms over her head before running a hand through her long, red hair, the streaks of yellow through it would of shined in the sunlight, if any could get through the thick blanket Jackie insisted on having over the window. Since the Pony Breakers had successfully selling their songs online, she officially could pull in some money and no longer had to keep borrowing clothes from Jackie. Her pajamas were a black camisole and a pair of dark red, cotton shorts that nicely showed off her legs. The others had warned her how hot the nights in Los Pegasus could be and had prepared as such for the oncoming heat when selecting her clothes.

When she opened the door, she was only slightly fazed to see Tino and Poppy on the other side, the former having a big grin on his face while the latter wore a small, devious smirk. A glance down and she saw that Tino had a pot and wooden spoon while Poppy had in hand an air horn. However before she could say anything, Tino looked her up and down.

"Caliente, chica."

Then he glanced around Sunset to see Jackie still sleeping on the bed, in a men's tank top and a pair of shorts that reached her knees, her mouth still open as a light snort escaped her.

"Eh, not so much."

"So this is what you meant by 'surprise' the other day?"

"Nah, this ain't the surprise. But it's gonna be hilarious!"

Rolling her eyes, Sunset Shimmer smiled softly before pushing past them, not wanting to be in the room for what was about to happen. Yet when she reached the living room, she was surprised to see a glum looking Sandy sitting with Bobby on the couch.

"Hey Sandy, what's up?"

"I got turned down for another audition.. again. After what happened on stage a month ago, people are wary of me pulling such a 'trick' again and ruining the show I'll be in."

Grimacing, Sunset Shimmer knew very well the incident that had happened. The woman had been given a role for a major part in a play, she had claimed it would have given her career a huge boost that it sorely needed. She had been so happy that she had even gotten all of them tickets to see her performance. The play had started off well enough, while never having been a big fan of Shakespur, the Merry Wives of Windsoar had been wonderfully acted, Sandy was a wonderful Mistress Page and had all the audience laughing... until she suddenly sprouted pony ears and her already long hair lengthened further! Despite the shock of going into Pony Mode, Sandy had done a very good improvisation and the rest of the play had gone on. However, the story that had been spread was that since Sandy was a friend of the Pony Breakers, she had access to whatever 'special effects' they used on stage and was trying to hog all of the attention for herself.

Before she could give her sympathies, there suddenly came a loud ruckus between the loud crash of the pan, the blaring of the air horn, and the storm of cuss words that came from Jackie.

"I WILL MURDER BOTH OF YOU WITH MY GOD DAMN FUCKING GUITAR AND NO ONE WILL EVER FIND YOUR BODIES!!!"

Shaking her head, Sunset Shimmer took a seat in one of the chairs, her, Bobby and Sandy ignoring the ensuing kerfuffle as, from what it sounded like, Jackie had tackled someone to the ground. Probably Tino.

"I'm sorry it's been rough Sandy. I had no idea that anyone else could go into Pony Mode outside of my ex-friends. If I had any idea how you could control this without having to stop acting then I would tell you."

"It's fine Sunset. I'll hardly let something like sprouting pony ears stop me from being on stage. I will find a way."

The ruckus was soon moved from the bedroom to the living room, Tino, Jackie and Poppy all somehow tangled together and rolling about as they wrestled around punching, biting and giving wet willies. However Jackie wasn't the best fighting one on one and had no chance when she was facing two opponents at the same time. It soon ended with Tino and Poppy sitting on top of Jackie, the blue haired woman face down and kicking her limbs helplessly as she tried to escape.

"You gonna' calm down?"

"Only when I devour your heart!"

"That doesn't sound like a yes."

After about another minute, the guitarist finally ran out of steam and lied panting on the floor.

"F-Fine... I'm calm..."

"Okay, then we'll let you up and tell you the good news!"

Slowly and with caution, Tino and Poppy got off of Jackie and extended their hands to help her up. The guitarist took Poppy's and slowly began to rise to her feet... only to reach out and give a hard flick to Tino's crotch, the man jumping back and covering his sweet breads as his voice raised an octave for a moment.

"Ah! El infierno de mierda!"

"You're lucky I didn't punch it Tino!"

Dusting herself off, a still disgruntled Jackie moved to sit on the floor next to Sunset's chair, moping softly. Sunset could not help but giggle softly as she reached out and pat Jackie's head, finding the other was sitting at the perfect height for it. Merely giving a half hearted scowl to the other, Jackie turned her gaze back to Tino and Poppy, waiting for one of them to spill what the good news was.

"Well, even though I don't think you deserve the good news now, this does concern Sunset as well, so-"

"We got a gig in Manehattan. At the Ballroom Blitz."

For a moment there was silence, then the biggest shout came from Jackie as she immediately got to her feet and started hopping in place in a manner almost reminiscent of a certain pink haired girl that liked to throw parties.

"AHHHHH! NO WAY! No way! OH MY GOD! WE DIDN'T?!?!?!"

"WE DID! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!"

Soon Jackie tackled Tino in a hug and they both started hopping around. Poppy for her part did none of that but had her arms crossed and perhaps the biggest smile on her face that Sunset had ever seen. But the red head had one question.

"The Ballroom Blitz?"

"SUNSHINE!!! The Ballroom Blitz is one of THE big live music venues in Manehattan! They get bands from all over to play and many a band just starting off small became BIG news after playing a night at the Blitz! Oh my god, it's on my list of venues I've always wanted to play! Tino, how?!"

"I got a call about a week back. Apparently with all the videos people have been taking of us going into 'Pony Mode' there's enough online buzz about us that the owner decided he'd have us play in a week and a half!"

Before another round of cheering and dancing could happen, Jackie suddenly stopped, lowering her arms as she stared at him.

"A week... we have... a week and a half... to get across the country and make it in time... for what is perhaps the biggest set in our lives."

"Yup."

"And you sat on this information for about a week when we could have left earlier to avoid the stress of getting there on time... for a gig that could make our music careers at one of the places you know I've dreamed of playing at."

"Eeeyup!"

"I'LL KILL YOU!"

This time before she could pounce, Poppy had come up behind and put her in a full nelson, not that it stopped the guitarist from flailing her limbs and kicking out, trying to reach her bass player and dish out some old fashioned bodily harm. Scowling, Poppy tightened her grip to get Jackie's attention.

"Would you relax, spaz? Tino is just messing with you. We spent a week renting a hotel room, planning the route, what sets to play, and how to get Bobby, Sandy and Sunset Shimmer to come along."

"Wait, what?"

"Yeah. I lied for Bobby saying he had a death in the family so that his teachers would just give him his work upfront. And for Sunset, I got some doctor's notes forged saying she's in the hospital so she can miss her school time. And Sandy has plenty of vacation days saved up."

Looking over at Sandy and Bobby to see if this was true, both nodded to confirm that what Poppy said was true.

"I figured that after my fiasco with the Merry Wives of Windsor, I could use a trip back to my hometown to have a bit of a breather."

"And finals aren't here yet, I'll be able to keep on top of my work by way of internet. I know this would be a big deal to you, so I wanted to come along."

Now fully calmed down, Jackie looked very touched by the sentiments of her older friends. So much that she even gave Tino a hug and apologized before rushing off to her room to go pack!

"You really forged doctor's notes for me?"

"What? It's the Los Pegasus high school system. You could miss half the year and you'd still pass."

Despite the furious packing, it was decided that a sort of celebration was in order before they began their long cross country journey tomorrow. They all drove to the beach and found a spot where no one else was around, Tino brought a small barbecue, the others brought food, and to be sure they would be up early to travel tomorrow, Jackie only paid the guy down the street enough to sneak out one pack of beer. Music would be played from Jackie's old CD player, batteries provided by Sandy, and of course she had brought her acoustic guitar.

They celebrated long after the sun set, the fire from the small barbecue providing light and the moon providing a wonderful view as it's beams of light lit up the ocean. They were so carefree that Jackie, Tino and Poppy even went into Pony Mode! In the past three months since their gig at the Vagrancy club, they had grown more comfortable with the wings and the ears. The three had even become decent at flying, darting about in the air and horsing around, no pun intended. The other three would be content to watch them, Sunset Shimmer and Sandy simply not interested in changing and Bobby still uncertain about wanting to try and see if he could go into Pony Mode as well.

After awhile of watching Poppy, Jackie and Tino, Sunset turned to her bag and produced a hard bound book with her cutie mark on the front. She opened it to a fresh page before taking out a pen, tapping the end against her chin for a moment before she began to write.

~ Hey Twilight, I know I haven't written you since I started at my new school and I'm sorry I haven't been writing more. Dealing with being in a band and a new school, things just seem to slip away from me sometimes. No one knows about my past and I've been getting along well with many of the students at Los Pegasus High School. But I have some news. The band I'm in, the Pony Breakers, have a gig in Manehattan! We'll be traveling across country by car and one of our stop overs is Canterlot. I'm... still wary about going back there, but I figured since I was passing through we could meet up for a bit? Maybe you could even meet my new friends. I know you've been interested in meeting them but haven't been able to since you haven't found a way to open a portal here in Los Pegasus. But if you could spare the time, we'll be in Canterlot in two days so we can meet up.

Your friend,

Sunset Shimmer ~

Since it was getting on in the night, Sunset hadn't expected to get a reply so soon, but when she felt her book vibrate, she excitedly opened it up to read the response.

~ Hi Sunset! I'm so happy to hear from you and to know that things seem to be going well for you! You caught me at the perfect time, being a new princess with all of these new responsibilities has been hectic but I'll be able to spare some time to slip away in two days! I'm so excited and I'll be looking forward to seeing you again and meeting your friends!

Your friend,

Twilight Sparkle ~

Smiling to herself, Sunset Shimmer gave her an estimation of the time she should of been by the portal in two days before signing off and closing the book. Looking up just in time to see Poppy land on the ground just as her Pony Mode ended. Jackie and Tino were less than lucky though, still in the air when their wings went away and falling from about twenty feet in the air and into the ocean. Although there was some concern at first, the two soon surfaced, laughing as they swam back to the shore and rejoined the group.

There was a content smile on Sunset Shimmer's face as she watched the others.

Life was good.

I Don't Have The Right

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The morning they left they took two separate vehicles. One being the family mini-van that Tino had borrowed from his father that Sunset Shimmer, Jackie and Sandy were riding in and the second being a moving van that Poppy had rented with Bobby as her passenger. Although not exactly looking forward to stopping at Canterlot (outside of seeing Princess Twilight Sparkle of course), she was excited to go to Manehattan. It had been so long since she'd last seen the city and she was interested in seeing how the human version was different from the pony version.

A long car ride with Jackie and Tino went more or less as she expected though. Despite Sandy taking the front passenger's seat to curb their antics, they still bantered back and forth. Especially when it came to what music to play in the car. While Tino did enjoy the rock bands of the nineties, he very much enjoyed modern pop music and alternative. While Jackie's objections had been kept to grumblings for some of the music, she looked ready to throw a fit whenever Tino put on Neighcki Minaj, Ed Haayran or anything in the same vein, either claiming it was just terrible, non-creative noise, too touchy feely, or, her personal favorite, not enough epic guitar riffs. Sunset almost broke a rib containing her laughter when Sandy suggested that the Red Hot Chili Peppers or Alice in Chains had written touchy feely songs. Seeing such an outraged look on Jackie's face was priceless!

After a stop over where they all shared a room at a road side motel, they were up early enough the next morning that they made it to Canterlot by late afternoon. As they approached the edges of the city, Sunset Shimmer could already feel a tightening in her stomach. She had never thought she would come back here and knowing what lurked within the city... ugh, why did they have to make a stop over here?

"Hey, you gonna be okay Sunshine?"

Glancing over at Jackie, Sunset gave a small smile and a quick nod.

"Yeah... I will be."

"Still, how about I go with you to meet that friend of yours? We can leave it to the guys to make it to the hotel and unpack."

Although hesitant, Sunset agreed once Tino and Sandy assured her that it would be fine if Jackie went along with her. After getting directions to the hotel they would be staying at, she gave Tino directions to the school, stepping out onto the curb with Jackie before watching the mini-van drive off.

"So... seems like a nice school."

Although it was a nice effort to break the ice, Sunset Shimmer wasn't sure if she was up for small talk. Just looking at the school dredged up all sorts of memories for her. There were good ones but at the forefront were the bad. The last time she had been in this school, outside of fetching her things from her locker so that she could leave the city, she had been surrounded by a crowd of angry students, all saying very horrible things to her. Needing to take a moment, Sunset took a deep breath before she began to head for the statue and go around it to the other side where the portal was, not noticing that a person with their hoodie up and covering their face was jay walking across the streets, following them.

"Yeah... it was. Although those are new."

When she had an unobstructed view of the front entrance, she almost immediately noticed the metal bars placed over the inside of the glass doors. Whenever she had spoke with Celestia about how things were going, the woman hadn't told her much, just that things had changed. No shit!

"Ugh, I haven't seen that crap since I went to high school. The asshole dictator that had been in charge at the time had them up, saying it was for 'our own good'. I mean yeah you can keep people out, but that's extreme to keep kids from ditching or whatever."

As Sunset looked over the rest of the building, she saw more bars on the first floor windows, the sight of which was making Sunset feel more and more disturbed. Just how much had the school changed in just three months?

... no. No, this wasn't her concern anymore. She was done with Canterlot High School and it's students. Sunset turned away from the school and looked back to the statue, waiting patiently for Twilight Sparkle to step through.

"So uh... how's this work exactly? Could I just stick my hand through?"

"Well, more or less, yeah. She's found a way to keep it open whenever she likes. See?"

Reaching out, she placed her hand to the smooth surface of the statue's base, marble starting to ripple and glow as her hand slowly began to sank in. Jackie was in awe as she watched and the sight made Sunset Shimmer smile softly. Up until something felt off. Her gaze snapped back to the statue as the surface of it seemed to warp, The white light turning red and seeming to disappear into the statue itself!

"What the-?! LET GO!"

Pulling on her hand, it seemed stuck like glue to the statue and even Jackie's help couldn't make it budge! Then the light stopped, the two young women sent falling back from their own force with Sunset landing on top of Jackie. Rubbing her head, Sunset looked up and saw someone in a pair of jeans and a grey hoodie that concealed their identity. The person panicked, picking up a purple pendant from the ground and taking off down the sidewalk.

"Who in the world?"

Getting up off of Jackie, Sunset Shimmer helped the guitarist up before turning back to the statue, placing a hand on the base as a test. When nothing happened Sunset placed her other hand on it, eyes widening as major alarm bells went off in her head.

"The portal... it's not open anymore!"

It had been working fine until a second ago! Had that mysterious person done something to it!?

"Jackie! We need to try and catch that person that just ran off!"

"But Sunshine-!"

"NOW!"

Already taking off before Jackie could protest further, the blue haired woman let out a frustrated groan before chasing after her roommate. They seemed to run on aimlessly, Sunset thinking she just saw the mystery person round a corner but finding nothing when she and Jackie turned onto the new block. Eventually they had run all the way to the same park where Jackie and Sunset had a cheap meal after Jackie had driven Gilda off, both girls panting, sweaty, and moving over to the nearest bench to take a seat.

"I... I tried to tell you Sunshine... whoever they were... had a head start."

"I... know. But... I had to try. If they... were responsible for closing the portal then..."

Just what did that mean? Sunset Shimmer didn't have time to think over the implications in her panic. It had almost felt like the magic of the portal was being ripped away from her. If that person somehow had the ability to block magic or take it away, then who knew what else they could do? Did they even have any idea what they were dealing with?

"Look... we did your thing. Can we go see my friend Treehugger at least? I told her I'd swing by..."

"Do I have to come along?"

"I'm not leaving you alone around here. It'll take Tino or Poppy some time to find this place and you could get jumped."

"I can take care of myself."

"I'm sure you could. But I'm not willing to gamble on your safety."

Standing up from the bench, Jackie motioned for Sunset to follow her and eventually the high schooler did as directed. While she had never really interacted with Treehugger much outside of the one time Fluttershy had introduced them, she still wasn't keen on seeing old classmates. As peace loving as she claimed to be, when her secrets were spilled with all the others, she became as cold and as antagonistic as any of the others.

Yet she still followed Jackie all the way to where Treehugger lived in an apartment on the fourth floor with her mother. The guitarist would knock a couple of times and they would be left to wait, Sunset's attention wandering as she hoped they wouldn't stick around for long.

When the door finally opened, the green skinned girl with dreadlocks had seen fit to answer the door clad only in a pair of sweat pants and a sports bra. What surprised Jackie was that the others eyes were only slightly red, meaning Treehugger was high but only a little.

"Hey T! Sorry I'm late, kinda got caught up in something."

"Jackie? Oh man! Were you coming by today? Man, I forgot... um. Could you come back later? Mom's out so it's not a good time..."

"Wait, why not? Seems like the perfect time since you've been lighting up!"

"Well, y'see... wait. Whoa, is that... Sunset Shimmer?"

Not wanting to have been seen, Sunset grimaced and glanced over to Treehugger. The girl's eyes were as wide as could be, in shock and... guilt? Sunset wasn't given much time to study Treehugger since a voice came from the apartment that gave her quite a shock of her own.

"S-Sunset Sh-Shimmer?"

Appearing behind Treehugger was a certain familiar pink haired girl with yellow toned skin, wearing a long, oversized t-shirt that came down to about mid-thigh... AND NOTHING ELSE.

"F-FLUTTERSHY?"

Having been about ready to tease Treehugger about having 'company', Jackie was initially confused by how gobsmacked Sunset Shimmer was until she identified the mystery girl. The mystery girl who was apparently one of Sunset Shimmer's ex-friends. Who was apparently hooking up with her friend Treehugger.

"..... WHAT????"

What Else Should I Be

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Now Jackie had been in plenty of awkward situations before in her life. Accidentally running into the boy's bathroom as a freshman. Reaching out to snap the head cheerleader's bra on a dare but accidentally grabbing her breast in the locker room. Not to mention the fruit cup incident that made things totally awkward between her and Poppy for a few months. Yet at this very moment in time, all previous incidents paled in comparison as she sat there in Treehugger's living room, just wishing she she could sink down enough in the laz-e-boy chair that she could disappear into it. Maybe it would turn out to be a portal to another world. Maybe pony world where Sunset was from but something more like those table top game worlds might be more fun. She could invent a magic guitar that shot lightning as she played. Or bombs. But she would have to continue dreaming the impossible dream as someone had to at least broach the big elephant in the room.

"So... talk about degrees of separation, huh?"

A nervous chuckle escaped Jackie as Sunset Shimmer shot her a harsh look before looking away to some spot on the far wall. The red head was sitting in the other comfortable chair across the coffee table from Jackie while Treehugger and Fluttershy were seated next to each other on the couch. Fluttershy had borrowed some shorts from Treehugger and kept her gaze to the ground, her hands gripping her knees hard enough that the knuckles were turning white. As for Treehugger, she had an arm around the timid girl's shoulders but seemed to be looking everywhere except to Sunset.

"Yeah... so I guess I'm the only one talking? Because this situation is so uncomfortably awkward?"

More silence. Jackie sighed softly before deciding that the delicate approach wasn't working for her.

"So Treehugger, how long have you and Fluttershy been fucking? And how often? Because I want to say this seems like it's been going on for awhile if she comfortable waltzing around here in just one of your big t-shirts."

"Dude, uncool!"

The dread locked girl shot a glare to Jackie while Fluttershy curled up into Treehugger's side and ineffectively hide. Even Sunset face palmed at the sheer bluntness of Jackie's line of questioning and gave her a look that clearly asked 'really?'.

"Oh come on Sunshine, someone had to ask! And aren't you even a little curious deep down? I mean, from your reaction, it sounded as if you just saw Kurt Cobain rise from the dead and start to do the hokey pokey while playing a kazoo. IT JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN."

"U-Um... I've... been seeing Treehugger like this f-for about a month."

Hearing the shy girl speak up caught both Jackie and Sunset's attention, they could see her peeking out from Treehugger's shoulder and around her long locks of hair.

"Th-things... things have been really bad at the school. Ever since Chrysalis became the principal."

"CHRYSALIS????"

Looking over to Jackie, Sunset was surprised for a second time that day as she saw the guitarist turn pale and grab the arms of her chair in a death grip.

"Chrysalis... the meanest cunt to ever walk the earth? Green hair? Dressed in suits that make you want to salute her as your Fuhrer? And looks like her spit could poison you as she stares at you like a god damn psychopath? THAT CHRYSALIS???"

"Jackie, I'm pretty sure that's an exaggeration..."

However the look in those silver eyes made Sunset Shimmer feel as though the other was telling the truth.

"Fluttershy... tell Sunset what she did to you."

At that the pink haired girl started to shake, tears gathering in her eyes. She tried to fight them back by squeezing her eyes shut but they still escaped and slid down her cheeks. Treehugger took the girl into a full hug, comforting her as Fluttershy began to quietly cry against her shoulder.

"I didn't see it but I saw the aftermath man. Chrysalis was ruthless..."

The morning had been miserable for Treehugger. On top of the total guilt trip she was on for not believing Sunset Shimmer and driving her out, she couldn't light up and relax to realign her chakras last night! Chrysalis had warned that if she even caught a whiff of bamba then she'd call the cops! Like she even kept the stuff in her locker at school but dude, she would not deal with the cops. They'd totally pin something on her! And what, just because she was a 'hippie'? That was racial profiling and illegal! Unlike pot which should totally be legal, she knew they were working on some law or something-

A sudden scream took her out of her thoughts. That sounded like Fluttershy!

Taking off down the hallway, she muscled her way past a few students and the scene she came upon totally threw her out of universal harmony.

Fluttershy was on her knees, crying her eyes out as Chrysalis stood a few feet away from her. Treehugger knew Fluttershy liked to keep animals around in her backpack during school and apparently still tried to sneak them in despite the change in management. Usually the girl was good about keeping them in line but it seemed a small baby bunny had gotten away and right into Chrysalis's path, where it's small body lay twitching beside the woman's boot, under which was a chunky, red puddle.

Treehugger felt ready to hurl when she saw that, but managed to keep down her spew as she moved to Fluttershy's side and give her a shoulder to cry on.

"Mm, please forgive me, I did not see the poor thing among this crowd. But then again, Miss Fluttershy, I suppose this is why we do not bring pets to school. Otherwise such unfortunate accidents such as this are bound to happen."

Sliding her boot across the floor to wipe off the blood from the sole, Chrysalis approached Treehugger and Fluttershy, the former feeling like a helpless fly as the spider approached her prey.

"Stand..."

The order was immediately followed as Treehugger stood up, taking Fluttershy with her as the poor girl didn't seem able to support her own weight. She stared at them for a moment before a light smirk came to her face.

"I think I remember you... yes, I believe you used to be a student at the school I used to be in charge of in Los Pegasus. I certainly hope that when you moved away from such bad influences you kicked certain habits?"

Treehugger gulped softly, having hoped to never remember her first and last year at Los Pegasus High School. She had also hoped that Chrysalis wouldn't remember her but it seemed the river of life had seen to take her back into rough waters. Chrysalis's gaze would soon move away, spotting the janitor making his way through the crowd.

"Search Miss Fluttershy's bag and locker for any more animals. Then clean up this mess. Miss Fluttershy, you will be given a week's detention for breaking the rules."

With that, the woman walked past them and continued on her way down the hall, the students slowly walking away as well as Treehugger did her best to console Fluttershy.

"Ever since then, 'Shy's been real messed in the head by that. She started coming over to relax and things just... happened."

"Are you kidding me?! How could she get away with that?!"

By the end of the story, Sunset was in complete shock at how cruel the woman had been. As a fresh wave of tears overcame Fluttershy, Jackie sighed and leaned back in her seat.

"Because that's how she works, Sunshine, it was the perfect time to strike. In a crowd there was no way anyone could say for sure that she did it on purpose, so it's an accident. She also puts herself in the right because Fluttershy did break the rules. She always makes sure to cover her bases and so that she can have the upper hand."

Leaning forward now, Jackie rubbed her temples, suddenly looking very tired.

"Let's go, Sunset. I just want to get to our hotel room, sleep, and then we can get the hell out of this town as early as possible tomorrow."

Although she rose from her seat, Sunset did not follow Jackie to the door, hesitating a moment as she looked to Fluttershy. From the sounds of it, Chrysalis was every bit as bad as described and if she had hurt Fluttershy like this... the question burst out before she could help herself.

"What about the others?"

Although she was still sniffling, Fluttershy managed to pull away from Treehugger and look up to Sunset. Despite the fact that the last time she had seen Fluttershy was when the girl had abandoned her during the Anon-A-Miss incident, Sunset could feel a small throb in her heart seeing the utterly heart broken and hurt look on her face.

"I... I'm not sure. Not completely... after the holidays and C-C-Chrysalis took over, we stopped t-talking to each other after a couple weeks. R-Rainbow Dash... she's training so hard f-for the upcoming Friendship Games she makes h-herself sick. R-Rarity is so busy m-making uniforms Applejack just keeps to herself as she t-trains for the games too. A-And Pinkie Pie... P-Pinkie Pie is really subdued, it's like she's not even Pinkie Pie anymore!"

For a few moments Sunset just stared at the other as she wrapped her head around what she had heard, her hands clenching and relaxing a couple of times before she felt a hand on her shoulder and saw that it was Jackie.

"Sunshine, come on... this isn't your problem and you do not want to get involved. Not when it's Chrysalis."

With a little prodding from Jackie, Sunset began to walk to the door but stopped when Fluttershy spoke up again. The words were soft but in the dead silence of the room she heard it clear as crystal.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry Sunset..."

Looking over her shoulder, the red head saw Fluttershy staring at her, teal blue eyes filled with sorrow and grief before they were hidden behind Treehugger's shoulder once more as the dread locked girl took her turn to speak.

"We're all sorry, Sunset. We made like, the biggest, stupidest mistake when we blamed you and chased you out. And I'm not saying 'sorry' because now our school is stuck with Chrysalis. I really am sorry because like, I was being horrible and you didn't deserve anything you got."

While not a great apology, it still made Sunset stand stock still until Jackie started pushing her out the door, but what she said made the guitarist freeze just as she was about to close the door.

"I... I don't think I can go on to Manehattan."

"WHAT? Sunshine, you've been angry at them and not talking to them for like, months. Now all of a sudden you want to stick around just cause their high school experience sucks now?"

"It's not that! I mean, I'm disturbed just by hearing that, yeah but... what about that mystery person? The one that shut down the portal? I can't just stick a pin in that!"

"So we'll see if that weird person is still around when we come back on the way form Manehattan! Sunset, this is the chance of a lifetime to play at the Ballroom Blitz! I really do feel for their situation but they can fucking get over it like the rest of us in Los Pegasus when that witch ruled the school! And yeah, it's weird there's some person that shut down the portal but what can they do? I mean, shutting down magical portals doesn't seem to do much except shut a portal down! Look, I don't want to leave you behind-"

Sunset Shimmer's entire body tensed for a moment as she took a step back.

"So you'd just abandon me? Just like that?"

"What?! No! Sunset-"

"Or what?! You think I don't know what I'm fucking talking about?! I have seen what magic can do in this world! I used to be a damn threat! So excuse me if I'm not taking a chance on someone tampering with something they don't understand and risking some magical threat!"

"You don't know that for sure!"

"And neither do you! You know what? If you don't trust me then you can just go ahead on to Manehattan without me! I DON'T CARE!"

Shoving her way past Jackie, she headed back into Treehugger's apartment, slamming the door and locking it behind her.

"Sunset? SUNSET!"

Jackie pounded loudly on the door a few times until the side of her hand started to ache. As she was left standing in the hallway with no answer from the other side, her shoulders slowly began to slump until she turned before turning and walking away.

Meanwhile, in another part of town in a well to do neighborhood, the mystery person from the school had slipped into one of the two story houses and sneaked up to one of the bedrooms. When the door was closed and locked behind her, they finally pulled the hood of their sweater down to reveal a very familiar facade. The girl looked exactly like Princess Twilight's human form, except with a pair of big, square glasses and her hair tied up in a mess bun.

She headed over to her desk where next to it was a basket that a small, purple and green dog was snoozing in. The desk itself had a laptop and other small machines on it's surface, one of which the human Twilight picked up and used to scan the purple pendant in her hand. Once the results were stored, she booted up her laptop and plugged the scanner into it, taking minutes to study the data.

"Insubstantial amount... darn, I thought for sure that would of been enough to produce conclusive results."

Leaning back in her seat, she sighed softly before smiling when she heard her dog Spike yap softly, apparently having woken up. She scooted her seat back enough so that the dog could jump onto her lap before giving him a good scratch behind the ears.

"Well, I suppose I should have expected this. The magical readings at the school have been getting weaker over the past three months. But I'm still signed up for the Friendship Games. I'll just fallback to my original plan of studying the magical readings during the games and it'll keep Principal Cinch happy and off my back. Isn't that right, Spike?"

With a small yap, the dog reared up on his hind legs and licked her cheek, the bespectacled girl giggling softly and giving the dog a few more pats on the head before focusing back on her work.

Tomorrow, tomorrow she would have everything she would have everything she would need for her paper, then her future would be secure...

Easily Amused

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The night spent at Treehugger's had been odd but Sunset Shimmer had been able to manage, not saying a word to either of the shocked girls outside of calmly asking where she could sleep. Since Fluttershy would be sharing Treehugger's bed, the hostess with dread locks directed Sunset to the couch (after assuring her it was clean), setting out a blanket and pillow for her. The next morning the two would find that Sunset was still as quiet last night, outside of greeting Treehugger's mother who had returned from working late while the three girls had been sleeping. The fight yesterday had been concerning, especially to Treehugger since the red head had seemed to explode on Jackie out of nowhere.

It was only when they were on their way to school, having to leave earlier than normal so Fluttershy could make it to the welcoming party for the Friendship Games, that Treehugger finally spoke up.

"So yeah... yesterday. I'm gettin' weird vibes from it. I mean... I know you haven't known Jackie for very long, but you do know she wasn't thinking of abandoning you, right? She's not the kind of person to just bail on a friend..."

"... I know."

While the response left Treehugger totally confused, Sunset Shimmer picked up her pace to walk ahead of the other two girls.

The problem was that Jackie would have stayed behind, no matter what she said about playing at the Ballroom Blitz. Sunset had only known Jackie for about three months and already she knew how much of a push over the guitarist was. Jackie took a complete stranger list Sunset with her back to Los Pegasus, put a roof over her head, fed her, even let her borrow clothes. No matter how difficult Sunset had been the guitarist had always stuck with her and wanted to help her.

How could she ask Jackie to stay behind and search for someone whose identity was a complete mystery to them and who was possibly a threat? What if they she did leave Canterlot and the next day this person turned into some monstrous force? There were too many risks in just putting this off. After all, maybe if she had spoken up sooner during the Battle of the Bands instead of just butting out, maybe the sirens could have been cut off sooner before it got to the point they almost took over the world.

There was no way she wanted Jackie to throw away such a big gig, or have Tino and Poppy do the same, not after everything they had done for her. They were still a good band, they put on a good show without her, then they could talk this over after they came back from Manehattan and she could explain herself. And if her worst concerns ended up being correct, then she didn't want them anywhere near when bad things went down, not now that she was disconnected from the elements of harmony.

For now she would start with the school, if this person was interested in magic then they were bound to show up at the one place in Canterlot that had a lot of magical happenings going on.

Stopping just a block from the school, she warned Fluttershy that someone was snooping around the school and possibly looking for magic and that if she saw anyone to give her a call. Then pulled the hood of her sweater over her head and found a bench across the street from the school where she could sit and keep an eye out for anyone suspicious.

Meanwhile, in a hotel in the city, a certain blue haired guitarist was lying on the only bed in the room, her body stiff yet completely immobile. Something was up, she couldn't just leave Sunset Shimmer here alone! But she hadn't told Tino and Poppy yet, she'd just come in and lied down on the bed, said Sunset was staying with a friend and nothing else. What about their future? WHAT IF THIS WAS THE ONLY TIME THEY HAD A SHOT AT THE BALLROOM BLITZ?! But Sunset had basically told her to go. But what if that mysterious person was dangerous?! What if some jerks from the school jumped her?! DREAMS?! SUNSET!? SUNSET DREAMS?!??

Reaching up, she pulled the pillow down over her face, pressing down as she screamed into it.

"You think she's going to tell us what's eating her and where the hell Sunset is?"

"... probably."

Of course, Tino and Poppy had been just staring at their guitarist lying on the bed, after trying for about fifteen minutes yelling and prodding at her until giving up and opting to wait it out.

When the screaming finally stopped, Tino sat on the side of the bed and gently tugged the pillow away from Jackie's head.

"Uhhhh, Jacks-?"

"MY LIFE IS SO FUCKING SCREWED!"

"So is everyone's. Why specifically is yours fucked this time?"

"Argh! When me and Sunset Shimmer went to meet her friend yesterday some mystery person did something weird to the portal and it got Sunset worried, then we went to see Treehugger and one of Sunset's friends were there and JESUS CHRIST Chrysalis is the principal at the school and that scared the piss out of me! Then Sunset said she was staying and misunderstood what I said and thought I was abandoning her and got angry and basically told me that we could go on without her! And it's the BALLROOM BLITZ and if I stayed I'd be screwing you guys over and we might never get a shot like this again because what if word got around that we flaked and... and... jesus christ how could I have even thought about choosing a gig over Sunset Shimmer when she could get jumped or this mysterious person could be dangerous like she said and I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!!!"

At that point Jackie furiously ran her hands through her hair, making the case of bed head even wilder before she collapsed onto her back on the bed. Both Poppy and Tino were staring at Jackie in shock for a moment or two before they exchanged a glance. Then Tino smiled as he took Jackie by the hands and helped her sit up... where Poppy promptly smacked the guitarist right upside the head.

"OW!"

"DUMBASS! Jackson Vibrato, it cannot be said enough, but YOU. ARE. A. DUMBASS."

Rubbing the back of her head and looking confused, Poppy smacked the palm of her hand against her forehead before slowly pulling it down her face before explaining herself.

"Look, I can appreciate how you didn't want us to throw away our futures. But come on, no matter what you or Sunset could have said, we are not leaving a friend behind."

"Besides, it's been three months and you've stuck by her side no matter what. How could she even think you would abandon her now?"

Opening her mouth for a rebuttal, Jackie paused as she thought over the situation. Sure it had only been three months, but did Sunset really think so little of her that she would abandon her at the drop of a hat? Slowly she crossed her arms and thought the situation over for awhile longer before her eyes widened.

"Son of a bitch. She Spidermanned me! MOVIE Spidermanned me-FUCK!"

Jumping out of bed, Jackie began flinging her old clothes off and pulling on clean ones as she dictated to her band mates.

"Tino! Where's Sandy and Bobby!?"

"Sandy went out to get breakfast after packing the van where Bobby is waiting!"

"Call Sandy and wait for her! Poppy! Move our gear out of the moving van and into the room! It has less of a chance to be stolen in here! Then the three of you take the moving van and head to the high school! We're dealing with Chrysalis here, we'll need all our power combined to deal with her!"

Both nodded, shivering at their own memories of high school with Chrysalis as principal before Tino spoke up.

"So you and Bobby are going on ahead of us? Wait, are you gonna take my van?!"

"DAMN RIGHT!"

It was about an hour later that the buses from Crystal Prep Academy arrived, the students filing out and heading to the auditorium where the welcome party was being held. All of the students carried themselves with an air of superiority, putting on the airs of model students as Principal Cinch had expected of them. Abacus Cinch was a severe looking woman yet had a sense of refinement and poise about her gave her a certain attractiveness. As the woman stepped off one of the buses and brushed some dirt off her suit, she was followed by Dean Cadence, a lovely, caring young woman that managed to keep her composure despite how nervous she felt.

Both headed to the front entrance of the school where principal Chrysalis stood at the top of the steps with a morose looking vice-principal Luna stood next to her. Principal Cinch stood at the bottom of the stairs, gazing up to the green haired woman, appraising her before a light smirk came to her lips.

"Chrysalis. It certainly has been awhile. I hadn't seen you since I turned you down to be dean at my school."

"Yes. It certainly has, Abacus Cinch."

Then poisonous green eyes turned to look at the current dean of Crystal Prep Academy, a slightly hateful glint coming to them in contrast to the smile on her face.

"Cadence. It has been awhile since the last time I saw you. I hope you've been having pleasant time as Dean?"

"It has. And congratulations on becoming principal of Canterlot High."

"Mm, yes. I have to say I have very much been enjoying it. But now that the pleasantries are out of the way, shall we?"

Across the street, Sunset Shimmer had stayed on her bench, trying her best to keep an eye out for anyone suspicious despite the buses blocking much of her view. When they finally moved out of the way, she breathed a sigh of relief and continued her constant vigilance. On the way to school, Fluttershy had explained a bit what the Friendship Games were and had guessed these were the students of Crystal Prep Academy. None of them seemed suspicious but... she thought she spotted a familiar hair color in the crowd, yet soon dismissed it when something else caught her attention.

Namely a familiar looking van that pulled up to the side of the street as her two roommates sprang out and managed to get inside on the tail end of the students from Crystal Prep!

"No! No! No!"

Launching herself off the bench, Sunset Shimmer ran across the street, ignoring the car horns blaring at her as she ran up to the front doors of the school. Yet as she tugged on them, she found they wouldn't open for her!

"CELESTIA DAMMIT!"

Pulling out her cellphone, Sunset quickly dialed Celestia's number, hoping the woman would pick up fast and be able to help her.

"So... you really think Sunset Shimmer is here?"

"Bobby, Treehugger's mom said she went off to school with Treehugger and Fluttershy and this place is weird magic catastrophe central. She has to be here."

"But why didn't you try calling her cell phone?"

"... because I was in a hurry and shut up Bobby."

"Okay, second question... why are we following this group of students? It's not like we blend in."

"Uhhh..."

"A very good question. Now tell me, why are you following my students?"

Both jumped before realizing they had been caught by the woman who had suddenly appeared in front of their path. Jackie grimaced, seeing that said woman looked to be all business and no nonsense so the likelihood of lying their way out of it seemed a bust. However, Bobby could not tear his eyes away from her. While many might have been put off by her rigid demeanor, he could see and appreciate the sophisticated beauty that permeated from her being. Of course Abacus Cinch would immediately see the strange look on Bobby's face.

"What is wrong with him?"

"What? ... oh god dammit Bobby, really? You can't reign that in NOW?"

"Reign what in?"

"Erm... he's attracted to a certain kind of woman, Miss-?"

"Abacus Cinch. And if this is a joke then I do not find it amusing."

It was at this point Bobby found his voice and interjected.

"N-No! Not at all Miss Cinch. I'm sorry, I... I kinda get dumb around pretty women."

In her mind Jackie added 'and older women' to what the man had said as she turned and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Oh my god Bobby..."

Still, this seemed to be having an effect on Miss Cinch, the woman seemed fairly flustered and Jackie saw an opening. While Bobby was busy acting like a love sick puppy towards a woman who seemed to have no idea what to do in the situation, the guitarist slowly side stepped the two before hurrying off to the double doors she had seen the crowd of students head through.

On the other side she could of sworn she had stepped into a funeral parlor with how quiet and gloomy all of the students were being. Well, the ones in the fancy uniforms were being quiet, the ones that weren't in a school uniform just looked like the saddest group of teens she had ever seen. And she had played at a goth bar once!

Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, she moved between groups, searching around for three specific girls until she spotted a familiar pink haired girl sitting by herself on the bleachers.

"Yo Fluttershy!"

Flinching, the girl glanced up with wide eyes as Jackie approached and took a seat next to her.

"About time I found you. Look, you know where Sunshine is?"

"The... the last time I saw her, she was sitting on a bench across the street."

"Seriously?! Shiiiiiiit..."

The rambunctious guitarist seemed to be gaining attention from those nearby, especially from a certain blonde farmer who turned and headed to the stage where Chrysalis was having a 'pleasant' conversation with Dean Cadence.

"I'll have to slip out and hope she's still there. She must think that mystery person will come back to the statue or something-"

"Hey, who the hell are you and why are you talking to 'Shy?"

Wait, that voice sounded familiar... and apparently belonged to the rainbow haired girl that was approaching. If Jackie had to guess based on the toned frame and the attitude, she was either a jock or one of the popular kids. Two cliques that Jackie found she hadn't liked very much when she had been in high school so this was bound to be a fun conversation.

"First name Nunya, last Your Business. I was just about to leave kiddo."

Narrowing her eyes, Rainbow Dash placed her hands on her hips, taking a sort of alpha dog attitude.

"You're talking to my friend. This is my business, so answer the question before I kick your sorry butt."

"Fine, Jackson Vibrato. So nice to meet you."

"Jackson... wait, the Jackson Vibrato that took Sunset Shimmer to Los Pegasus?"

"Uh yeah? Wait... fuck, I remember you! You're the asshole on the other end that was shouting into my ear when I was hung over!"

"What did you call me?!"

"What, you hard of hearing?"

By now Jackie was on her feet and squaring off with the shorter girl, eyes locked as they outright glared at each other. Before things could get ugly though... they got even worse.

"Well, well, well... I never thought that when I left Los Pegasus some unfortunate pest would follow."

Tensing, Jackie's hands clenched into fists before she turned to face the one woman she had hoped to never see again in her entire life.

"Chrysalis... I'd of thought Canterlot City would have higher standards than to hire a bitter old bitch like yourself."

"Still with the mouth. You talk very big for a burnout who barely passed high school."

While Jackie was busy fuming, Chrysalis waved a hand, dismissing Applejack and making the blonde slowly start to walk away. She looked to Rainbow Dash, the two exchanging a look for a moment before the farmer continued on her way to stand off in a corner by herself.

"Now, unless you would like for me to call the police to escort you out, I suggest you leave, Vibrato."

They exchanged a long look before Jackie began to walk away... only to sprint over to the stage and pull herself up before hijacking the microphone.

"I don't know what this event is about and I still think this place sucks for what it did to Sunset Shimmer, but listen up! RISE UP AGAINST THE TYRANT! You can't let her take away your right to freedom of happiness! You're teens god dammit! Chrysalis is everything you should be rebelling against! TRUST ME! I survived FOUR YEARS with her! If you can't topple her, then find your happiness! Scream! Shout! Dance! GET CRAZY!"

"Vice Principal Luna, call the police! NOW!"

During all of this, a lone girl with perfectly straight, short pink hair and light blue eyes stared at the display. Shocked and in awe at the boldness this lone woman was showing. How long had it been since she'd been happy here? How long had she had fun with her friends? How could she stand here when this was a party emergency?! After a moment's hesitation, the poof suddenly came back to her hair as Pinkie Pie knew what she had to do!

Glancing around quickly, she quickly grabbed the person next to her by the wrist and quickly dragged them off.

"Come on this world's Twilight! WE NEED TO LIVEN UP THIS PARTY!"

"W-What!? Wait, how do you know my name?!"

When Pinkie Pie and Twilight returned with two presents as large as themselves, Chrysalis was still arguing with Jackie, the guitarist refusing to get off the stage and really seeming to get the woman's goat.

"W-What are these for?"

"Can't have a party... WITHOUT PARTY CANNONS!"

Suddenly the sides of the presents fell down and with the pull of the strings, a pair of bright blue cannons fired off, spraying the room with confetti and almost magically changing the entire mood. Cupcakes were set up, better music was being played at the DJ booth... and people were smiling! Pinkie Pie hadn't felt this good since before the Anon-A-Miss incident! She began to giggle as a big smile came to her face as she felt a warmth in her heart, not hearing the beeping coming next to her from their world's Twilight Sparkle.

The girl adjusted her glasses and looked at the pendant around her neck, holding it up and seeing that there were two magical sources! One weak and coming from Pinkie Pie but also a strong source coming from the stage! Then, as it had at the statue, the pendant opened up and suddenly began sucking the magic away from Pinkie Pie, the girl turning pale and her hair straightening as she fell to her knees. Panicking, Twilight ran off to hide under the bleachers, unaware that a certain principal had seen what had happened when she had turned to deal with the new annoyance of Pinkie Pie.

"I cannot thank you enough for letting me in Discord."

"Think nothing of it Sunset Shimmer! While I may work for that heinously dressed Chrysalis now, I simply cannot turn down a request from our dear Celestia!"

Sunset hurried down the hallway, Discord having told her that he saw Bobby following the Crystal Prep Academy's Principal towards the auditorium where the welcoming party for the Friendship Games was being held. It sounded like a ruckus was coming from behind the closed doors but her attention was momentarily grabbed by the fact that Bobby seemed to be... flirting with the woman?

"I mean, I dunno how long I'll be in town for but I thought that, if you want, maybe you'd like to go for coffee?"

"Really now Mister Bookkeeper, I have neither the time nor the patience for your inappropriate behavior! It sounds out of control in there and I need to-"

Suddenly the doors flew open, knocking Abacus Cinch into Bobby and sending both of them toppling to the floor with the woman on top of the college student. She would of been very angry if the close proximity and feel of the young man's hard chest didn't leave her rattled.

"God dammit Bobby, get up- Sunshine!"

The guitarist hurried towards Sunset and skidded to a stop in front of the red head.

"Jackie! You're not supposed to be here! I told you-"

"No-no-no! You do not get to be angry after trying to make me Mary Jane, Spiderman! Look, I shouldn't have even considered leaving you behind like I did! And no matter what you say-"

"VIBRATO! STAND STILL! THE POLICE WILL BE HERE VERY SOON!"

"SHIT! No matter what you say I'm sticking through you and all of us will too gotta' go bye!"

With that said, she ran off down the hallway, looking for the nearest exit while Sunset Shimmer stared after her and Discord's roaring laughter filled the halls. Chrysalis in the meantime, could be seen through the open double doors, absolutely furious that someone had made her look foolish in front of her own students and those from Crystal Prep. As she turned, she glanced down to Pinkie Pie, the girl passed out on the ground now. Chrysalis merely sneered before looking to Discord and motioning to the prone girl.

"Take her to the nurse's office and be quick about it Discord. I must bring this whole fiasco under control before I deal with her."

"Yes'm."

Having to reign in his usual demeanor and be serious since one of his favorite students was in trouble, Discord moved forward and scooped Pinkie Pie up into his arms. It gave Sunset the chance to have a better chance at seeing her, eyes widening when she realized it was one of her ex-friends before hurrying to follow after Discord.

Find My Nest Of Salt

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It would be a good five minutes before Pinkie Pie was slowly brought back to the conscious world. The lights were so bright when she opened her eyes that she immediately had to shut them again as her head slowly throbbed. This wasn't fun at all. Fun was balloons, loud music, cupcakes, her homemade blend of fruit punch, bath time with Gummy... really a lot of things sounded a lot more fun to be doing right now. And she'd be doing them if she didn't feel so tired. She needed one hundred CCs of sugar, stat!

"Mmm... frosting... straight into... my vein..."

"Pinkie? Pinkie Pie, you awake?"

Wait, was she still dreaming? Because that sounded like-

"Pinkie Pie, are you okay? Do you need me to get Nurse Redheart? She stepped out for a second-"

Immediately her eyes snapped open, fighting against the bright light and blurry shapes until everything finally came into focus and above her she saw a certain red head she hadn't seen in three months. The fatigue was blown away by a sudden rush of happy energy as Pinkie Pie seemed to launch herself off the bed and wrap her arms around Sunset Shimmer's neck, sweeping her up in a big, overwhelming hug chock full of emotion. As happy as she felt to see her, she also felt sadness and guilt, feelings she had been wrestling with the past three months knowing she had helped to chase Sunset Shimmer away and knowing she would probably never see her again. But here she was! And tears of happiness but also sadness burst forth from the party girl. What was the word for that? Hadness? Sadiness? Whatever! She's put a pin on it and make a new word later because Sunset Shimmer was here!

"OH MY GOD! SUNSET! I thought I'd never see you again and I'm so sorry for not believing you and chasing you out of town I've been wanting to apologize to you for forever and I'm so happy you're heeeeeere!"

"P-Pinkie-! Hug... too tight!"

While she had seen this coming, when it came to Pinkie Pie she was still forever woefully unprepared for the sheer force of the girl's boundless energy and bone crushing hugs! Not to mention she still wasn't comfortable around Pinkie Pie considering how their friendship had ended and now that the girl seemed fine, the uneasiness reared it's head and Sunset wanted her space back. Thankfully, the pink haired partier had relinquished her grip, sitting back on the bed and doing a very good impression of a kicked puppy.

"Sorry Sunset... I'm... I'm sorry for everything. We all are. When we found out it was Applebloom and her friends we all felt really, really, reaaalllyyy bad. I made you like, sooooo many apology cakes but I didn't know your address so I just had a lot of cakes around the house. I can make you a new one if you like?"

"... no Pinkie, it's fine."

Despite how childish Pinkie Pie could be, there was just something to how earnest she was that conjured a small smile on Sunset's face. However whatever good feelings were starting to grow were trodden and the earth salted as the door opened, a furious looking Chrysalis slamming it behind her before she approached the bed, Pinkie Pie curling up into a ball and looking ready to try and shrink down to be as small as possible under the woman's withering gaze. Even Sunset Shimmer felt her stomach drop when that stare was turned to her, her body stiffening as every part of her body screamed at her to run.

"... Sunset Shimmer. I remember your file when I studied the Anon-A-Miss incident. Get out."

After sparing a glance to Pinkie Pie, unsure if she should leave since the terrified girl looked close to tears, another more sharp order from Chrysalis sent her scurrying out of the nurse's office. When the door was closed, she released the breath she had been holding as her body finally went slack. Actually meeting Chrysalis in person compared to just hearing stories... it was very intense!

"So you really are back..."

Really? This reminded her of that one comic that Poppy liked, she just kept running into ex after ex! ... friends.

When Sunset Shimmer looked to her right, she saw Rainbow Dash standing there, stoic but by the fidgeting of her body language and the look in her eyes, she was barely keeping calm. Clearing her throat, the red head stood up straight, fiddling with the zipper of her black hoodie as she spoke.

"Just passing through with friends, checking in on things."

"Y-Yeah... 'Shy said you thought something weird was going on?"

"Yeah. Someone's messing around with magic, I'm looking into it."

"Right. Need any help?"

"... maybe. If you could keep an eye out that'd be fine."

"Gotcha'."

Then silence settled in, Sunset not sure what else to say and Rainbow Dash trying to gather her thoughts to say what she needed to say. However, just as she opened her mouth, the door to the nurse's office opened, Chrysalis stepping out and seeming much more calmer than before. She shot Sunset Shimmer a look of disdain before smirking to Rainbow Dash.

"Ready for the Friendship Games, Miss Dash?"

"Yes, Principal Chrysalis."

"Good. After all, it would be unfortunate if I felt you weren't pulling your wait and ensuring CHS's victory."

"... yes, Principal Chrysalis."

Once Principal Chrysalis had gone on her way, Pinkie Pie emerged from the nurse's office, eyes red and hair completely straight. Between her and the subdued Rainbow Dash, the two looked like a pair of whipped dogs. Then Sunset Shimmer thought back to last night when Treehugger told her about Fluttershy's run in with Chrysalis.

"Rainbow Dash... Pinkie Pie... what did she do to you two?"

Both girls looked uncomfortable at first, Pinkie Pie turning her gaze to the ground and not saying anything. But Rainbow Dash seemed to be burning holes into one of the lockers, her fists clenched so tight there was a concern that her nails would dig in and draw blood.

"... I don't know how, but somehow she knows about what happened to Marble."

Sunset felt her heart stop for a moment. After they had become friends and they had been open with each other, Sunset had been told about 'Pinkamina'. While Pinkamina was part of Pinkie Pie's full and proper name, it also represented the state of mind the girl could slip into whenever she was feeling very depressed... or very angry. There had been one very bad Pinkamina episode that involved Marble and had effected Limestone, it was why Pinkie Pie now lived with her sister Maud.

"How..."

"Sunset, after Anon-A-Miss it's safe to say secrets get out, in one way or another. And now Chrysalis is holding it over Pinkie's head, suggesting that she could tell someone and get Pinkie committed or something unless she stays in line and plays in the Friendship Games."

"... what about you, Dash?"

Taking a deep breath, Rainbow Dash stuffed her hands into the pockets of her shorts before continuing.

"She... she said that my coaches could change their minds about letting me be captain. Especially if something were to happen to my grades. She's basically fucking with my future if I don't stay in line and win these stupid Friendship Games for her!"

"But Dash, you're a star athlete! You can still pull good grades-"

"Sunset, she leans on the teachers and she's got them under her thumb too! It wouldn't be a stretch if my grades suddenly slipped, you know how much I have to struggle to get them just to passing! My only chance is to get picked up for being a star athlete and she'll ruin that if I don't do what she says! And... and she insinuated something bad might happen to Scootaloo."

"What?"

"I... I don't know what, but she said something like 'my future and Scootaloo's future are in my hands now'. I don't know what she'd do but it scared the hell out of me, okay? I know what Scootaloo did to you and how she lied and betrayed me but... but I don't want anything bad to happen to the kid."

This entire situation was making Sunset feel sick to her stomach. In a couple short months, her friends had changed, all thanks to one woman's tyrannical rule! It was almost insane how much damage had been done!

"I... I gotta' go."

Pushing past them, Sunset was set to take off to clear her mind when Rainbow Dash spoke up one last time.

"Sunset! I... I know it doesn't fix anything but I want you to know that I'm sorry. I should have stuck by you instead of tossing you aside. It was the biggest mistake of my life..."

"... okay."

What else could she say? Right now her mind was in a tailspin with everything that had happened today and she needed a moment! But before she left, something came to mind at the last second.

"Pinkie Pie... what made you pass out in the auditorium?"

"U-Um... I set off my party cannons... and I was feeling good, like how we used to be when we ponied up. But then it was like it was all just... sucked out of me all of a sudden."

"... right. Both of you, keep an eye out for someone suspicious."

As she headed down the hallway, Sunset Shimmer made a hard turn for the stairs and headed up to the library, pulling out her phone and sending a group text.

When Tino, Poppy and Sandy had finally made it to the school, they had prepared themselves for whatever may come their way.

"Ow! Ow! Ow! I'm sorry! B-But I didn't make you fall on me!"

"No excuses! You are not a student, you are not a teacher, you have no reason to be on this campus, now leave!"

Well, except for seeing some angry woman twisting Bobby's ear and leading him out through the front doors. Of course while Poppy and Sandy looked confused, Tino obviously found it hilarious from the way he was laughing. Principal Cinch easily spotted them and scowled, a cutting look making the blonde quiet down. Before she could say anything however, four phones rang in unison and their owners answered, reading over the same text, exchanged looks among themselves before Poppy approached Abacus Cinch.

"Sorry ma'am, but we'll need you to release Bobby, we got stuff we need to do."

"And what sort of "stuff" are you referring to? It had better be off campus."

"Afraid not, we need to help out a friend-"

"Absolutely not!"

Just before Poppy and Cinch could get into it though, Bobby managed to pull his ear free and stand up straight, interjecting as he rubbed his poor ear.

"Miss Cinch, please. I'm sorry if I came on too strong before but this is an emergency. Something is going on at the school right now and our friend needs help to make sure nothing bad happens. Please, I know that you are as compassionate as you are stunningly beautiful. Let us stick around and don't try calling the cops?"

Taking a shot, he took one of Cinch's hand in both of hers, the most sincerest, puppy dog look he could muster on his face as the muscular college student pleaded with her. There was a moment where it seemed it was working, a moment where he could see the slightest hint of a blush on her face and where his words got to her.

And then her free hand slapped him across the face, the sting on his cheek catching him off guard as he released her hand.

"Leave. NOW."

Whimpering softly and rubbing his cheek, Bobby watched as Abacus Cinch turned and headed back into the school, let inside by the school janitor. Tino would come up to him and give a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.

"Ouch, that's rough man."

"I just don't know what I'm doing wrong..."

"Look, it doesn't matter. We got to worry about getting inside, if Sunset's right then someone involved with the Friendship Games is messing with magic."

Before they could stew and worry about how they would get into the school, they noticed the janitor waving them over and then received yet another text from Sunset telling them that the janitor would be able to let them in. To which Tino looked over to the others and simply shrugged.

"Well? Let's get going!"

With the interruption of that crazy woman jumping on stage and the pink haired girl fainting, there was a bit of a delay in the games. Which was fine with Twilight since it would give her a chance to search around for more magic, she just wish she hadn't been the one responsible for that girl passing out.

At the moment it seemed like there were magic sources of varying strengths all over the place and Twilight wandered around so much that she found herself in some dead end hallway with a light that seemed to be flickering. Weird since no other lights in the school flickered, this place seemed as well maintained as Crystal Prep. Yet much bleaker with the bars and added security measures.

"Twilight Sparkle, I presume?"

The bespectacled girl jumped, stuffing her pendant down her shirt before turning around.

"P-Principal Chrysalis! Sorry! I-I seem to have gotten a little lost!"

"I see. Well, perhaps I could point you in the right direction. Right after we have a little talk..."

Aqua Seasfoam Shame

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Things had started off fine at first, uncomfortable small talk between herself and the principal of CHS as was to be expected while they headed towards the main entrance where the Friendship Games would officially kick off. Yet just as Twilight Sparkle was starting to feel relaxed, the woman caught her off guard.

"So tell me, do you often leave my students unconscious on the floor after you caused such a state in them?"

"W-What?!"

"It was an interesting scene I must say. It probably would have caught more attention if that twit on stage hadn't been so distracting. To some it might have looked as if you were actively trying to sabotage my students so that Crystal Prep would be assured victory."

"P-Principal Chyrsalis! That's simply not the case!"

"Oh? And just what were you up to then?"

Twilight's mouth opened and closed a few times, unsure of what to say. What, that she was collecting strange, magical energy? That she had been secretly observing this school for a long time? None sounded good and Twilight did not feel it was a good idea to give this woman more ammo. Even if it was very hard as she squirmed under that harsh gaze.

"... you seem like a girl that can appreciate the concept of hard work, Twilight Sparkle. For three months I've worked hard whipping this school into shape. There are parents who felt Celestia was a bit too soft and have been singing my praises, others who feel I am too firm have yet to find a way to properly argue with my results. I've done everything I can to prepare my students to finally win at this years Friendship Games, something that was never accomplished under Celestia's leadership."

Stopping just before they were within earshot of others, Chrysalis turned to face Twilight, staring down her nose at the girl with a look that made Twilight shake a bit.

"As such, to ensure that things proceed fairly, I will be keeping an eye on everyone to ensure nothing strange happens. And woe be to those that are plotting or have a secret agenda, because they will find that the repercussions will extend far beyond being disqualified from the Friendship Games."

With a small gulp, Twilight nodded her head to show that she understood before they continued walking the rest of the way towards the main entrance. Twilight still wanted to trace the strange magical readings around here but... there was a gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach. While Principal Cinch was intense and obsessive about Crystal Prep's repuation, Chrysalis just seemed on a whole different level. It gave Twilight the impression that this woman was by no means exaggerating with her warning.

'Ugh, I'm bored... what are you up to, Sunshine?'

Sitting in a secluded corner of the school's library, a place she had found during her days as an outcast both after the Fall Formal and during the Anon-A-Miss incident, Sunset read the text message on her phone. With a small roll of her eyes and a small smile, she texted Jackie back.

'I'm in the library, I've already been seen by enough people so I'm lying low for awhile.'

'You're not going to keep an eye on the games?'

'Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash can fill me in. Not to mention Discord is keeping his eyes peeled and the rest of the guys got into the school as well. Where are you by the way?'

'I'm hiding out by this race track. I think it's for the games. If I'm right, that's nuts! How the hell does your school have enough money to put up a dirt track for just a bunch of games between two schools? I mean, they have to have sponsors or something...'

Shaking her head at the guitarist's words, Sunset's smile slipped into a small frown as she thought back to her conversation with Rainbow Dash. Then she sent a long text giving a summation of said conversation and telling Jackie about Pinkamina.

'It's so crazy. This Chrysalis is blackmailing two of my ex-friends. I don't even know how she found out about Pinkie's secret.'

'Are you kidding? That's what she does. If she wants to get dirt she'll quietly go digging. I mean, I used to be a pain in her ass until she talked to my parents. Of course since my step-dad hated me and she put on that front of being such a concerned and caring principal, the asshole had no problem putting me on blast to her. I mean, with that Anon-A-Miss incident your ex-friends sisters screwed them over. If what Pinkie did was bad enough, whose to say her family didn't sell her out?'

As appalling at the thought was, Sunset could not completely dismiss the possibility. It was becoming clear that Chrysalis was very two-faced and she had probably cultivated a pleasant mask to put on for parents and others outside of the school. Had Pinkie's parents let something slip when Chrysalis contacted them? The principal faking concern and perhaps insinuating that Pinkie's attitude was taking a worrying turn? Had Limestone, still angry and effected by what she had seen, possibly overheard something and reached out to Chrysalis? After the Anon-A-Miss incident, who could really be trusted? Still, the red head pushed the thoughts aside for now.

'I don't know. All I know is that how she works is astounding. Either her strictness keeps the students in line and for the few who aren't doing as she says, she finds a way to keep them under her thumb without exposing herself.'

'I know. Trust me, I know.'

'How did you make it through high school with her as principal?'

'Well until she spoke with my parents and found out about my dubious activities, I pushed back against her in every way possible. It was certainly fun, I'm pretty sure I almost made her blow a gasket a couple times. But after that I had to pull back and bite my tongue. I mean, I still toed the line but not enough that she could dole out some serious punishment. Unless she slips up, you just have to keep your head down.'

Great, a situation that seemed highly unlikely to happen. With a frustrated sigh, Sunset Shimmer leaned back in her seat, staring up to the sky through the glass dome of the library until the buzzing of her phone caught her attention once more.

'Not to sound callous, I mean, I really do feel bad for these jerks here at CHS but... why are you so worried about what's happening to this place?'

No answer came immediately to mind, just a jumbled argument that had been going back and forth since last night. She tapped her finger against the table's surface a couple of times as she tried to think of the best answer.

'I don't think I've forgiven them for Anon-A-Miss, at least not yet. But seeing them suffering like this is getting to me, okay? I mean, despite what they did during the Anon-A-Miss incident, they're still... good.'

'I guess... I mean, that Fluttershy girl seems nice enough. But you can't really do anything about this, Sunshine. Celestia resigned and they got stuck with the mother of all evil bitches. It sucks yeah, but that's how things played out.'

'I know... I still can't help but feel worried for them.'

'Yeah but you're a nice person, nice people usually feel bad for others right? But you're gonna have to put a pin in that for later, at least until we find the person messing with all the magic around here.'

'Right. I haven't received any other texts about weird going ons, I think in a bit I'll go outside where you mentioned that race track is.'

'Awesome, because I am REALLY bored out here.'

"Incorrect!"

The final decision on the complex math problem was handed down by Principal Cinch, Flash Sentry's hopeful smile fading into disappointment as Rainbow Dash and the others felt dread rise up inside of them. Twilight Sparkle seemed quite pleased but the mood of her classmates didn't quite match hers as they gave the minimal effort in cheer and praise. It was just another victory for Crysal Prep, another victory to appease Principal Cinch and the sooner they won these games yet again the sooner they could turn their attention to more important things.

Despite the neutral facade, Principal Chrysalis was seething on the inside. It almost made her wish that she had the right stick to properly motivate Flash Sentry, maybe then he wouldn't of been so incompetent! But no, he was too nice, the golden boy of CHS, even if there was some dirt on the boy Chrysalis knew she couldn't touch him. He played by the rules, there had been and was no need to apply pressure. Even if he had lost CHS the first round of the games like the fool he was!

"Aw, Brad looks down."

Hearing this made Bobby, Tino and Poppy look curiously to their friend Sandy, Tino being the one to ask the questioned that was begging to be asked when the actress didn't elaborate.

"Brad? I thought someone said his name was Flash Sentry?"

"Really? I didn't catch that so I just gave him a name. Doesn't he look more like a Brad though?"

The other three turned and squinted at the blue haired musician, the boy being consoled by Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rarity as the other two girls left the stage.

"Huh... now that you mention it, yeah I can see that."

Bobby nodded in agreement to Tino's words while Poppy simply rolled her eyes. However, during this eye roll she noticed Chrysalis slipping out the same door the blonde girl and the rainbow haired girls had gone through.

"... I'll be right back."

Moving from the back of the room, tattooed woman quietly slipped through the door and down the hallway, managing to pick up the sound of a certain, evilly familiar voice from around a corner.

"I expect that in the next round both of you will make up for the boy's incompetence. CHS will win these games and I don't think I need to tell either of you what will happen if you don't put forth your best to get the win?"

"Yes'm."

"Good. I'll leave both of you to get ready for the next round then."

Before she could even react, Chrysalis had already rounded the corner and spotted her, startled green eyes narrowing dangerously.

"Oh fantastic. Another pest from Los Pegasus."

"Nice to see you're still up to your old ways, you old hag."

"I surely have no idea what you mean, Miss Valve. But tell me, how is that friend of yours doing? You know, the one I used to see pick you up from the school and who looked just a tad too old to be around a fifteen year old?"

A muscle in Poppy's jaw jumped at that, her hands clenching into fists as she hissed her next words through clenched teeth.

"We never did anything you miserable old bitch. You knew that but you still ruined his life!"

"How could I be sure? He looked to be such an unsavory sort, I wanted to ensure the safety and well being of my student. Your mother was certainly grateful to find out some stranger was taking you away to god knows where in his car."

It was such bullshit Poppy didn't even bother to call the other out. She had pushed back against Chrysalis just as Tino and Jackie had, for that she found a way to hurt someone Poppy cared about. Just a mention of that taboo word 'pedophile' and the guy's life had been destroyed. Poppy hadn't seen him since then and had no idea where he had gone.

"I should have taken a chance and put you down you cunt..."

"Oh if high school students had that kind of nerve, don't you think something would of been done then? Or now?"

Chuckling softly, Chrysalis moved past Poppy and headed down the hallway, leaving the woman to choke down all of vile things she wanted to say. She was still there when Rainbow Dash and Applejack slowly appeared around the corner, unsure of what to say at the moment but saved from making the first move when Poppy spoke up.

"It nearly killed me being cowed by her. My mother and father didn't believe me when I told them how horrible she was, not after that wonderful woman tipped them off that a pedophile was targeting me. Like they ever gave a fuck about what I did and who were my friends before..."

Needing to stop for a moment, Poppy took a deep breath to steady herself before looking at the both of them.

"I know it probably doesn't seem like much coming from me. But stop being such pussies! Whatever she has over you, there has to be a way around it, a way to fight back. I'm sure your reasons are good or even acceptable for why you would bow down to her, but when everything is said and done... you're going to hate yourself for it."

Turning, Poppy left and headed down the hallway back to the auditorium to find her friends again.

"Geez, easy enough for her to say now that she's away from Chrysalis."

Still grumbling, Rainbow Dash stuffed her hands in her pockets before heading back to the auditorium as well. Applejack followed after her as well but was very quiet, deep in thought.

"You're kidding?! She killed a baby bunny?!"

After the first round of the Friendship Games, there was a bit of a break before the next round and Twilight had gone outside for a breather. That and to let Spike out, having the small dog around really set her nerves at ease. Apparently this girl, Fluttershy, had been passing by and heard Spike yapping, the girl's sad looking demeanor brightening considerably, especially after Twilight had said she could pet and play with the small dog. They had gotten to talking and eventually the fact that Twilight had sneaked a pet in against the rules lead to Fluttershy spilling on what happened a month ago.

"Y-Yes..."

"But-but why haven't you done anything?! That was just cruel!"

"B-But no one saw her intentionally do it, no one spoke up... and... and I was breaking the rules about bringing pets too. I... didn't know if I had a leg to stand on and I was so upset..."

If it wasn't clear before it was now, this Chrysalis was downright sadistic! And the infuriating part was how she got away with it! Twilight's hands clenched into fists, wishing there was something she could do. Being downtrodden was not fun, it was bad enough being downtrodden and pushed around at Crystal Prep but she could only imagine how much worse it was here with Principal Chrysalis. Reaching out, she placed a hand over Fluttershy's, determination in her eyes.

"You can't give up. She's going to slip up or someone is going to finally take a stand. Then things will get better, I know it!"

These words seemed to comfort Fluttershy, a small smile on the girl's face as she continued to pet Spike.

"Thank you, Twilight."

"Um... for what?"

"For saying that... and for letting me pet Spike. I feel so much better."

Really she did, there was a warm feeling in her chest, a small happiness she hadn't felt for a long time. However as this warmth spread through her body, there came a beeping from Twilight before something slipped out from her shirt. The purple pendant opened up as suddenly that warm feeling was being sucked away, the magical energy being sucked right through Spike as the small dog squirmed and yelped. When it was finally over, Fluttershy looked ready to faint as she stared at Twilight with confusion.

"It... was you?"

Once more panic set in, Twilight stuffing the pendant back into her shirt as she grabbed Spike and put him back into her backpack. As she stood she glanced back to Fluttershy. She couldn't leave her here, could she? But if Chrysalis caught her again...

Biting her lower lip, she stepped out of the bushes and noticed that the local janitor was propping the front door open, presumably so that people wouldn't be locked out and she rushed over to him.

"E-Excuse me! There's a girl with long pink hair in trouble in the bushes over there!"

"Long pink- yellow tones skin? Teal blue eyes?!"

"Um, I think so?"

The strange looking man was off even before she finished her sentence, Twilight slipping into the school and ducking down a hallway before she rested her back against the lockers and gave a long, weary sigh.

"This really isn't my day..."

"Twi... light?"

Pausing, Twilight slowly glanced around for whoever had said her name before looking down to her squirming backpack.

"Twi... light?"

With a shaky hand she unzipped the backpack, watching as her dog poked his head out. He seemed to be struggling with the words to say, unused to having the power of speech and a dog mouth not exactly good for forming human words. But despite it all, she still understood what he was saying.

"Twi... light... okay?"

"..... AHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Sunburn with Freezer Burn

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"What?! Discord, are you sure?"

With her phone held to her ear, Sunset Shimmer was quickly rushing down the steps from the second floor of the school and heading towards the school's outdoor field where the second round of the Friendship Games was about to begin.

"That's what she told me Sunny Shim! She was talking with Crystal Prep's Twilight Sparkle when a weird device that looks like an amulet around her neck sucked all the magic out of Fluttershy!"

"Ugh, phrasing Discord. But thanks for letting me know, is Fluttershy okay?"

"Mm, a little woozy but our lady tyrant of CHS made the poor thing get up and get ready for the second round of games. You'll probably find human Twilight there as well since she's competing!"

"Yeah, I figured. Gotta' go."

"Keep in touch Shimmy Sun!"

Rolling her eyes, Sunset Shimmer hung up her phone and pushed through the double doors that lead outside to where the sports field once was, the entire area replaced with a small obstacle archery course, a roller derby rink around that and a dirt race track around that. It looked like things were about to kick off but before she could make an attempt to rush out to Twilight, she spotted a few police snooping around, most likely looking for Jackie. If she interfered now then Chrysalis would probably have her dragged off in handcuffs so for now she acted casually, finding a spot off to the side of the track where she could watch everything. From her position she was able to spot Bobby, Tino, Sandy and Poppy by the bleachers where all the students sat, then took out her phone to text Jackie.

'Where are you?'

'Hiding under the platform where I'm guessing her royal bitchiness and the other three will be sitting.'

'I found out whose responsible. It's this world's Twilight Sparkle.'

'I know that's the name of your princess pony friend but what does this human Sparkle look like?'

'She's an archer for Crystal Prep, the one with the glasses.'

'Okay, yeah I see her!'

'The device she's using to collect magic is a small device around her neck. We can't make a move right now but after this round of games is over, I'll be able to move in and talk to her. In the meantime, just keep an eye out and I'll text the others to let them know whose responsible.'

'You got it, Sunshine.'

With that, Jackie put her phone back in her pocket and continued looking out from beneath the platform to watch the events. She peeked out from around the Canterlot High banner that hung down, the thing large enough to provide plenty of cover when a conversation from above caught her attention.

"Dean Cadence, I would rather not talk about the degenerate who has seen fit to mock me!"

Degenerate? Did she mean Bobby? With her curiosity piqued, Jackie looked over the metal poles that held up the structure before she shimmied her way up to the top, wanting to better listen through the floorboards at the conversation taking place.

"Well, if I may say so Abacus, he didn't seem mean or malicious. He seems like a perfectly nice, cute guy that's really attracted to you."

"That's hardly the point."

"Then what is the point, if I might ask?"

"... you'd hardly understand Cadance, you're such a romantic."

"Try me?"

By now Jackie was pressing her ear right to the plank of wood above her, silently urging for Principal Cinch to continue. Which she did after a long pause and then a sharp, quick sigh.

"It's not that I'm not... flattered. And it's only a small part of it that he says he's just passing through, I can at least appreciate him being honest. Or at the very least that he's... sincere? In what he wants. But really Cadance, how would it look for a woman of my age and reputation to be caught robbing the cradle?"

"Oh come on now."

"I'm serious. You know my reputation is everything to me. I pulled myself up from the bottom, I came from nothing and elevated myself beyond anything my family had ever achieved, and I sure as hell fought hard to become the principal of the prestigious Crystal Prep Academy by being effective and completely professional. I've already given up a lot of other opportunities. I've dedicated myself towards a legacy I want to last long after I am gone. I don't want to lose that because I indulge in a fling with some random young man."

"I can understand that. But can you honestly tell me that you aren't even a little interested?"

"..."

"What you do in your life after school hours is your business, Abacus. No one else's. And I don't believe your legacy will be thrown away just because you indulge in a very human desire."

"Shh, vice principal Luna and Principal Chrysalis are coming. It's time for the games to begin."

With a hand over her mouth and eyes wide, Jackie nearly fell off the pipe she was clinging to as she shimmied down it. Once she was back on the ground, she whipped out her phone and shot off a text to Bobby.

The rounds started with a bit of a flair from Principal Chyrsalis and Principal Cinch calling for the games to start. It would proceed as thus, once the two archers for one team hit a bulls eye, the two on the roller derby team would race around the rink, once they hit the required number of laps, the two on the motocross team would race around the track to the finish line, winning the second round of the games for their team. Crystal Prep Academy started strong in the archery division, Sour Sweet blazing through the obstacle course, going into a roll as she knocked and fired three arrows, hitting her targets!

Poor Fluttershy, having made it to the field at the last possible second, moved slow, taking much longer to hit a target than Sour Sweet since not only were her nerves working against her since she was having to perform in front of a crowd but she was also still fatigued from having her magic drained earlier. As she stepped to the side, she cast a weary glance over at Twilight, her late arrival giving her no chance to warn anyone before the games started.

However this really didn't give Crystal Prep the edge since in addition to be very clumsy and not very athletic, Twilight's thoughts were preoccupied with what was happening here at CHS. That and, of course, her dog could now talk! By the time she finally made it to the stage where she would try to hit a target, Fluttershy had finally found her mark and Applejack was already racing through the course. The farmer had been practicing extra hard and hit a target on her first try, allowing the roller derby team of Pinkie Pie and Rarity to start their laps!

As relieved as she felt that this would get Chrysalis off her back, Applejack felt something gnaw in the pit of her stomach as she watched Twilight struggle to hit a target. The pressure was obviously getting to her and it didn't help her own classmates were hassling her. Yet as much as it bothered Applejack, she stayed rooted in place, Chrysalis's voice echoing in her head.

'You really think you can just duck out on participating in the games? I think not. With your athletic abilities your participation is mandatory so that this school can finally win against Crystal Prep Academy! However, I suppose that if you don't want to participate, then I can't stop you.

By the way, how is your sister doing these days? It was a real stroke of luck nothing... worse happened to her.

I've gone over cases of cyber bullying, did you know that in cases where if someone is harmed through a person's malicious actions on the internet, it can be considered a violation of the harmed party's civil liberties? Oh yes, it can be a very serious offense. I suppose it is lucky that no one has suggested to certain students who have influential fathers that they have a very good case against your sister and her friends. It would be a shame if that were to happen... I know you friend Rarity agrees with me.'

The farmer's hand clenched tightly around the bow in hand. She didn't know anything about the law but when she asked Rarity the fashionista all but confirmed that what Chrysalis said was true. The woman kept that threat over Applejack's head, to make her participate in the games and to also act as a sort of informant to keep an eye on things going on. But then another voice echoed in her head.

"... you're going to hate yourself for it."

And that girl from the hallway was right. She hated what she was doing, spying on people, letting this world's Twilight Sparkle squirm and cry. It wasn't the type of person she was, it wasn't honest. No, there had to be a way around this. All the Apple family could pull together for a lawyer. Then there was Aunt and Uncle Orange, even if they never spoke much they were bound to know good lawyers and would support their niece. The bottom line was that she had rolled over way too easy for Chrysalis!

"Ah can't take it no more!"

Shoving her bow into a surprised Fluttershy's hands, not hearing the timid girl try to speak up and warn her as she marched over to Twilight and began to instruct her, making the other teen straighten her stance and tell her to aim for where the target would be. The result was a success! Twilight hitting a target dead center and allowing the Crystal Prep derby team to take off and start catching up with Rarity and Pinkie Pie. Before Applejack could say anything else though, Twilight launched herself at the blonde and gave her a hug.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!"

"Heh, don't worry 'bout it. Ah jes' got mah head on straight."

And if felt good. She still had a lot to make up for with the spying and she'd have to bust ass to make sure Applebloom would be safe, but she was starting to feel like her true self again. Applejack could feel like the weight on her heart was lifting some, making her feel like she was given a small boost of energy. Then there came a strange beeping nose that came from the human Twilight Sparkle.

"A-Applejack! Get away!"

But it was too late, the device around Twilight's neck opened up and began to drain away the farmer's magic! The blonde tried to struggle against it to no avail as she felt herself grow weaker.

"W-What-?! What are... ya' doin' ta' me?!"

"Oh no! No! No! No!"

Pulling on the device, it wouldn't budge until it had finished draining Applejack's magic, to which Twilight would fall backwards off the platform and hit the ground. As the device hit the ground too, the impact caused it to snap off of the string, rolling away before it to let loose just a small amount of energy. That energy just so happened to be enough that it began ripping open multiple holes in reality, showing another world that was very familiar to Sunset Shimmer... and that had giant pony/human eating plants coming through! The red head's eyes widened considerably upon seeing this, especially when one of the portals opened up on the track and became a deadly hazard for the motocross racers! Seeing the police officers stunned and baffled by this turn of events, Sunset took advantage of the opportunity and ran past them, heading to Twilight Sparkle who was trying desperately to free her foot form the grasp of one of the carnivorous plants to get to the device.

Meanwhile, on the motocross track, a plant had sprouted up and caught Sugarcoat's bike, the girl hanging on for dear life as Flash Sentry had to make a wild maneuver to dodge and lost control, falling off of his bike and hitting the ground. Indigo Zap and Rainbow Dash had made it through, but seeing Flash Sentry down made the Wondercolt turn her bike around and go back. Ever since the Anon-A-Miss incident, she'd had plenty of time to think about how she had failed so badly to be a loyal friend. To hell with competition and Chrysalis, she was not going to leave a friend behind, especially when they were in trouble!

By now Sugarcoat had fallen down, bouncing along the body of the plant to land on the ground, which had spit out her bike and was rearing back to lunge at Flash Sentry! But at the last second, Rainbow Dash reached out her hand, grabbing his and pulling him onto her bike as they just barely managed to dodge the plant.

"Whoa! Thanks for the save Dash!"

"No problem! I'm never going to leave a friend hanging ever again!"

After the bike skid to a stop, Rainbow Dash felt a surge and quickly got off the bike, removing her helmet as she ponied up, taking to the air with a mighty flap of her wings.

"But Chrysalis is going to have a fit if we don't win, get going!"

With a nod and a salute, Flash Sentry revved off the bike and took off after Indigo Zap, shortening the gap and even taking the lead when the girl's bike ran into a hole in the ground created by one of the plants. For Rainbow Dash's part, she ran defense for the racers, distracting and tackling the plants when they tried to go for either Indigo Zap or Flash Sentry. In the end, Flash Sentry managed to cross the finish line first and get the win for CHS!

"Awesome! Oh shit, AJ!"

Flying over and landing on the platform just as her magic faded, Rainbow Dash moved to the blonde's side and helped her to her feet.

"Ah'm fine, Dash. But she don't look happy."

Looking to the platform, Rainbow Dash grimaced when she saw the look Chrysalis was giving to them. The woman motioned to a spot off to the side of the field before storming down the steps of the platform, Rainbow Dash and Applejack moving to meet her in private for no doubt another unpleasant conversation.

Meanwhile, Twilight Sparkle had finally reached the device and closed it, causing the plants to retreat into the portals as they closed up. Spike and Sunset Shimmer, both of whom had been grappling with the plant that had been tangling up Twilight, fell to the ground, sharing a relieved sigh before Sunset's face screwed up into anger as she looked to Twilight. However, before she could say anything, the police officers were calling to her and starting to approach, allowing Twilight to collect her dog and slip away. Yet just when she was hoping an escort off school grounds would be the least of her worries, two dirt clods hit the officers square in the back of the head.

"Hey pig-pig-piggies! Sooooooie! Sooo- OH SHIT!"

Standing by a pile of dirt that had been left over from making the motocross track, Jackie had been taunting the two police officers but the call had summoned about eight others, all charging at the guitarist who took off like a shot back into the school building and taking the officers with her. As worried as Sunset was for the other, she knew she couldn't let the distraction go to waste. So with a relieved sigh, she looked around to see where Twilight had gone.

The Crysal Prep student had not gone far, hiding behind one of the pillars that held up one of the jumps of the motocross track, having stumbled upon Principal Chrysalis chewing out Applejack and Rainbow Dash for 'helping the enemy' and such. But the rainbow haired girl squared her shoulders and shot back.

"Look, CHS got the win didn't it? Us helping the other team didn't do any harm!"

"That is yours and Miss Applejack's only saving grace Miss Dash! And CHS had better win the last round and be the victor in these games! Or need I remind you of the consequences again if you fail?"

This time it was Applejack's turn to speak up.

"Ya'... ya' can't threaten us, ya' can't threaten me no more! Ah'll fight tooth n' nail if'n ya' do encourage some students ta' go after Applebloom with their fancy lawyers! Ah got an aunt n' uncle in Manehattan and a whole mess o' family that'll help!"

"Oh really? Even if you do actually have family members that are more well off, do you really want to go against Filthy Rich when his daughter convinces him to put the screws to you? I know he's a big financial backer of your family, do you think you can even survive financially if he pulls his support and drags things out for years in the courts?"

There was silence and without even looking Twilight could just feel the smirk on Principal Chrysalis's lips.

"That's what I thought. I don't care how you do it, win that final round. Good luck."

Hearing the woman walk away, Twilight Sparkle peeked around the pillar and saw Applejack was close to tears, Rainbow Dash embracing the farm girl in an attempt to comfort her but the athlete had a grim look as well. It hurt her heart to see them so miserable. Wasn't there something that could be done? Slowly she took the magic collecting device out of her pocket and glanced down to it before she felt a hand on her shoulder, forcing her to turn around where she came face to face with the red and yellow haired girl that had helped free her from the plant. She flinched at the harsh look she was being given and glanced down at the hand extended out to her.

"Give it."

"G-Give what?"

"You know what! You've been collecting magic from around here with that device in your hand, now hand it over!"

Gulping softly, Twilight pocketed the device before steeling her nerves.

"N-No... I need it for my research-"

"Are you kidding me? You could have gotten people killed! You have no idea what you're dealing with here!"

"I can handle it! And... and I need it for more than research, what Principal Chrysalis is doing isn't right-"

"Oh what? So the way she runs things is a good enough reason to risk more lives?"

"IT'S MORE THAN THAT! The way she's treating her students isn't right! They're good people and if you knew what was going on you would agree with me!"

"Look, I know it isn't right but you messing around with magic is a bigger problem!"

"So you do know but you don't care? They're so sad and miserable, how can you be so callous towards them?!"

After everything that happened today, it was clear Twilight was working Sunset Shimmer's last nerve. The red head closed her eyes and took a deep steadying breath before opening them again, pinning Twilight under her sharp gaze.

"Twilight... you have no idea what has happened around here, what has happened between me and the students of this school. So trust me when I say this that, as sorry as I feel for them, they did this to themselves. My biggest concern is you collecting magic. So please, hand that device over!"

Trapped between Sunset and the pillar, Twilight drew a blank on what to do as Sunset reached for her pocket. Yet Spike chose a perfect time to leap from her bag and bite the red head's hand, making her drew back as Spike released his grip and dropped to the ground.

"Son of a bitch!"

"Twi-light. Run!"

With an opportunity presented, Twilight Sparkle bolted with her pet hot on her heels. Sunset had moved to give chase but stopped after she stepped out from around the pillar, Rainbow Dash and Applejack on the other side, both looking equally sad. Applejack turned her gaze to the ground, leaving Rainbow Dash to be the one to speak up.

"Harsh."

"What, I'm not the one who had Celestia resign so that Chrysalis took charge."

Now that was harsh, Sunset knew this as soon as the words left her mouth and she saw the two flinch. But before she could reel it in, Applejack cut her off.

"No... no not that part. Yer right about that. She just meant ya' were harsh ta' Twilight..."

There was a tense silence between them, Sunset adjusting her black hoodie before walking past them, parting with these words.

"Tell me that later. When she loses control of that magic again and someone gets eaten by a plant."

The search for Twilight had proved fruitless until the start of the third and final round of the games. Somehow they were still going, whether it was because Chrysalis was determined to win or Principal Cinch wanted to keep an unbroken winning streak for Crystal Prep, she had no idea. But the teams had gathered in front of the school, Twilight finally appearing with her Crystal Prep classmates. Sunset Shimmer would have approached if not for the fact that Jackie was being lead out of the school in handcuffs by two police officers. The guitarist looked rather roughed up, most likely having been tackled by all ten police officers when they finally caught her.

Poppy looked ready to cause a commotion if Tino and Bobby hadn't been holding her back, Sandy approaching the police officers to try and talk them into letting Jackie go but it looked like it was going nowhere. Chrysalis looked absolutely pleased at seeing Jackie in handcuffs, sitting like a queen upon a throne in her seat as Cadence and Luna got ready to announce the start of the 'capture the flag' event. Yet Twilight Sparkle broke away from her group, walking past Cadence, Luna and Abacus Cinch and approaching the steps where Chrysalis was seated upon one of the four chairs there, a determined look in her face as she took the device out of her pocket. Sunset Shimmer was already off, running towards Twilight in an attempt to stop her from whatever she was planning to do.

"Principal Chrysalis... I want you to admit to what you're doing to your students. Or I will release the magic I've collected, here and now!"

The four adults were shocked, Chrysalis's eyes widening as the woman felt a sweat start to come.

"Miss Sparkle... I have no idea what you are talking about." 'You wouldn't dare!'

They locked gazes and Twilight had no doubts in her mind now. The students here had been kind to her, they had helped her. She knew what it was like to be stepped on and she couldn't stand seeing this woman have her boot to their necks! For the first time in Twilight's life she had the power and she was going to use it to help the students here! She opened the device just as Sunset Shimmer reached out to her.

"Twilgiht NO!"

The shock wave from the magic being released knocked Sunset Shimmer off her feet and sending her tumbling back. Shaking her head and pushing herself up onto her knees, she saw a large ball of magical energy before her... and a surprised and slightly fearful Twilight Sparkle being pulled into it, the girl obviously not having expected this to happen. She locked eyes with Sunset Shimmer, pulling a hand free to reach out to her... before she was totally engulfed and a flash of light blinded everyone.

When the light faded, everyone was stunned by the sight before them. Twilight Sparkle had been transformed into something both elegant and terrifying, her school uniform changed into a dark dress with knee high boots, her skin turned into a darker, more sinister shade of purple, her hair flowed above her head like a dark flame as wings of hellish black kept her in the air. A glowing blue horn protruded from her forehead, more blue magic surrounding her eyes in place of her glasses as the timid bookworm's face was twisted into an cruel, almost insane smirk as she laughed, the action chilling all around her to the bone.

"You were right! I had no idea what I was dealing with before. If I had, I would have done this sooner!"

Having looked to Sunset Shimmer when she said that, she turned her terrible gaze to Principal Chrysalis, casually holding out a hand and shooting a blast of blue magic at the top of the doorway, causing it to explode and send shards of stone and cement raining down on her. As Chrysalis raised her arms to shield herself, she glanced up and saw that Twilight Sparkle had ripped a hole right through to another world, it's name uttered by it's former resident Sunset Shimmer.

"Equestria."

"Oh, I cannot wait to explore that new world! But first..."

Floating a bit closer towards Chrysalis, the woman backing up until she was against the doors of the school, Twilight Sparkle raised a glowing blue hand.

"It's time for the truth, Principal Chrysalis. Unless you wish to face the wrath of Midnight Sparkle."

Buried

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Everyone was in a panic, students were fleeing from the school a the hole ripped through to Equestria cracked along the edges, creating smaller holes here, even parts of the ground fell away, threatening to swallow up any hapless human that was close enough to fall in. The police officers drew their guns and began to fire on Midnight Sparkle, the girl simply raising a hand, creating a shield that deflected the bullets before she used her magic to throw them back. Poppy took this opportunity to snatch the keys from one so that she could unlock Jackie's hand cuffs while Sunset Shimmer tried to bring Twilight back to her senses.

"Twilight! Stop! You don't want to do this!"

Midnight Sparkle turned her gaze from Chrysalis, seeming amused by what the red head had said to her.

"And what makes you think this isn't what I want? I have everything I could ever want! I will never be pushed around again and I'm free to discover a new world!"

Glancing back, Midnight Sparkle found that Chrysalis was no longer at the top of the steps, but a quick look and she found the woman had made it to the spot where Twilight had been when she opened the amulet she had used to collect energy.

"And just where do you think you are going?!"

The woman's head snapped up from looking at the ground, the woman in a low crouch before she a light blue aura surrounded her and lifted her up into the air. As much as Chrysalis wanted to struggle, she found her body completely immobile, only allowed to breath so that she did not suffocate as she was pulled up to Midnight Sparkle's eye level in the air.

"Now... admit to everything you have done to your students."

"I... have done... nothing!"

For that Midnight Sparkle slowly clenched her fingers, starting to make a fist and causing her magic to tighten around Chrysalis, beyond mere discomfort as it felt like the life was starting to be squeezed out of her! Muscles compressed, joints began to creak as pressure was put on her bones, air being squeezed out of her as Chrysalis opened her mouth in a silent scream.

"TWILIGHT! Twilight don't do this!"

As her pleas seem to fall on deaf ears, an idea came to Sunset Shimmer. If her words wouldn't reach Twilight, then she'd have to fight magic with magic! She started looking to the ground, frantically trying to find where the device had fallen when Twilight unleashed the magic, panicking when she couldn't find it. Where had it gone?!

When Midnight Sparkle finally put the pressure off of Chrysalis, the woman was left gasping for air, her whole body throbbing with a dull ache.

"A-Alright... Alright! I will... I will confess. But... But I must tell you something."

"Very well. What is it?"

Chrysalis merely mumbled, making Midnight Sparkle scowl as she floated closer, not realizing she was loosening her magical grip on the woman just a little too much.

"What was that?"

"... you little fool."

Confused by the triumphant smirk on Chrysalis's face, Midnight Sparkle had no time to react as Chrysalis raised the magic collecting device and opened it. The effect was instantaneous as it began to drain Midnight Sparkle of her power... and transfer it to Chrysalis.

"W-What? No!"

As Midnight Sparkle reverted back to Twilight Sparkle and slowly floated towards the ground, Chyrsalis seemed to gain altitude, a green and black aura surrounding her as her form began to change. Her skin became pitch black, shiny and chitinous, her pant suit became a long, black and green dress, fingernails becoming longer and sharper as did the canines of her teeth. A long, horn of poisonous green energy formed on her head, the pupils of her eyes became slits, holes appeared at the ends of her limbs and hair, and a pair of translucent, insect-like wings formed at her back.

"Mm, this worked out even better than I had expected!"

The pleased look on her face bordered on the maniacal as she raised the amulet up as both Twilight and Sunset looked on helplessly.

"And just to be sure no one else gets the same idea..."

Her fingers wrapped around the device as green energy formed around it, the metal bursting into flame and nothing left behind but a pile of ash in Chrysalis's hand. Twilight let out a cry of despair at the sight, knowing that now there was no way to rob Chrysalis of her new found power. The woman turned her gaze to Sunset Shimmer and smirked seeing the high schooler take a step back.

"And you, the one from the other world. You could be a problem as well..."

"Over my dead body you bitch!"

Jackie, Tino and Poppy rushed over, protectively standing in front of Sunset Shimmer while Sandy and Bobby flanked the high schooler. Seeing this caused Chrysalis to laugh, very loudly and in a way that suggested the woman had definitely gone around the bend.

"Oh this is rich! Do you really think you can stand against me, Vibrato? You are little more than an insect to me now! But I will forgive your foolishness. All you have to do is kneel and submit."

"No way in hell! Even if you do got freaky magic I'm not stepping aside to let you hurt Sunset!"

Then it was Tino and Poppy's turn to speak up respectively.

"Damn right! I dunno what I can do but I'm gonna take you down bruja!"

"I'm not afraid of you, I've been waiting way too long to take my shot!"

With Sandy and Bobby in agreement, the solidarity they showed and the willingness to face down someone with dangerous magical powers... Sunset was left speechless. A warmth grew in her heart and from that there came light. All six of them Ponied Up, growing ears, hair lengthening, and in the case of Jackie, Tino and Poppy, they grew wings as well. Surprise turned into confidence, the six getting ready to rumble as they faced off against Chrysalis.

"Aw yeah! What do you gotta' say now, Chrysalis?!"

Surprisingly, the woman didn't seem bothered by Jackie's words, instead analyzing their forms before the toothy smirk came back.

"How... quaint."

Glancing over the field, she spotted Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy around the field, the girls helping their classmates that had been holding on for dear life at the edges of holes, five of the Shadowbolts were also helping but they were nothing of importance to Chrysalis. Raising her hands, bolts of green magic shot out, engulfing the five girls she had her eyes on. All cried out and struggled as they floated into the air, all helpless! Applejack held her head tightly in both hands as she struggled to speak.

"What... are you... doing to us?!"

"What does it look like? I need subordinates and all of you will do nicely. The lot of you are nothing but craven creatures that submitted to me before... and you will do so now!"

As much as they fought it was a losing battle, the magic seemed to work deep into their psyche, bringing to the surface all of the fear, resentment and anger that they had ever experienced, shaping them into what Chrysalis desired. All of their skin darkened, pupils becoming slits as they changed into very different pony modes than what they had before. Their hair grew longer, becoming ragged and wild, as did their ears and Fluttershy's wings. Applejack's clothes warped until she was wearing a sort of black, wild west studded leather armor, with a pair of ebony six shooters at her waist. Rarity and Fluttershy's clothing turned into more slinky dresses, Fluttershy's seeming to be completely composed of leaves and plants, a thorny, rose bow and arrow in hand. Rarity's was more leather with a BDSM feel, especially in the sharp stiletto heels, and her weapon a wicked looking leather whip.

Pinkie Pie was outfitted with a purple suit and a large, spiked hammer, a manic, wild eyes grin on her face. Perhaps the most intimidating was Rainbow Dash, she appeared to be wearing what looked to be sports armor, made of a sort of flexible, light woven material, cleat shoes, and perhaps the most intimidating part were that instead of feathers, her wings looked to be made of a shiny, sharp living metal. All of their eyes glowed green, their expressions either neutral or twisted and cruel as they stared them down.

It was at this point that all six on the opposing team gulped at the same time, suddenly feeling that their own transformations were a little... lackluster? Possibly under powered?

"Uhhh, Sunshine... I'm suddenly not feeling so confident."

"I know."

Glancing down to her hands, she saw a small spark of yellow magic aura. They had power, it was there... she turned her gaze back up to Jackie and gave a reassuring smile.

"But we have to try. We can't let Chrysalis run amok."

"True... but another point Sunshine. I'm kind of an adult and in addition to feeling weird about beating up on minors... I won't get arrested right?"

Her gaze snapped up to Rainbow Dash when she heard the athlete speak up.

"What's the matter? Scared? I'm not surprised, from the moment I saw you I knew you were a coward. Why don't you go crying home to gay ass Los Pegasus and cry into a beer, loser?"

"... okay, conflict resolved."

At the drop of a hat the two were off, Rainbow Dash flying in for the attack but Jackie making a good move in flying lower so that she could tackle Rainbow Dash's mid-section, sending the two tumbling through the air as they began exchanging punches. Poppy would be the next to move, charging towards Applejack but having to dodge at the last second as the other drew her guns and began to fire at her. Tino squared off with Pinkie Pie, the blonde ducking and jumping up into the air as she tried to break his skull open with her spiked hammer.

That left Fluttershy and Rarity, both standing in front of Chrysalis, ready to defend her. Sunset eyed all three before speaking to Sandy and Bobby.

"I need to deal with Chrysalis without interruption."

"Which means we will need to distract those two. But will you be okay facing off against her Sunset? The power she has..."

Sandy stopped speaking when Sunset smiled to her.

"I know, but I'll be fine. Come help me when you can."

As confident as she tried to be, even Sunset had her doubts. Jackie and the others seemed to have magic of a sorts, but it wasn't like the elements of harmony. And those that were the original elements were essentially corrupted. Could they win? Sunset had to shake those doubts from mind as she watched Sandy and Bobby move past her, Rarity moved to meet Bobby, her whip lashing out as the man dodged while Sandy began to dodge the piercing rose arrows that Fluttershy shot at her, the actress raising a hand and finding to her surprise that she could create magic shields!

That left Sunset Shimmer to square off against Chrysalis, both staring at each other for a long time as the woman slowly floated to the ground. As soon as Chrysalis touched don, Sunset Shimmer charged, her hands lighting up with a yellow, fire-like aura as she shot off a blast off a weak blast of magic at Chrysalis, who effortlessly batted it away with her hand before returning fire of her own. Sunset Shimmer was constantly on her toes, forced to dodged as she watched the woman for any sign of an opening. If she just had one good shot!

The battle between magical beings raged on, Jackie and the others struggling against the sheer power that Sunset Shimmer's former friends had but they found ways to work together. Jackie would find ways to set Rainbow Dash up, leading her into just the right spot so that Poppy would slam into her and send her to the ground. Tino dodged and lead Pinkie Pie into Applejack's firing path, although it seemed like the girl could teleport with the way she was able to dodge each and every bullet.

There was even help from the sidelines when Bobby found himself at Rarity's mercy, having tripped over his own feet and finding himself with that leather whip wrapped tightly around his neck, pulling him to the ground choking as Rarity raised her foot to stab him in the chest with her stiletto heel. It was at that point Abacus Cinch had surprised her from behind, striking her with a piece of broken stone that had been blown off from the front of CHS. The rock shattered to pieces in her hand, not even drawing blood as Rarity slowly turned her head, a murderous glare in her eyes that caused the Principal of Crystal Prep to start sweating.

But it gave Bobby the opportunity to apply his strength and snap the whip before grabbing Rarity by the ankles, flinging her away and sending her skidding across the ground.

"Miss Cinch! Are you okay?!"

"I-I'm fine, yes."

They didn't have long to recover since Rarity was already on her feet, the damaged whip reforming back into pristine shape as she stalked towards them.

"Be careful."

"You got it, get somewhere safe Miss Cinch."

"... Abacus."

Having no time to celebrate over being on a first name basis with the very attractive woman, Bobby let out a slightly unmanly yip as he jumped back, the whip cracking as it struck the ground where he had been standing.

Meanwhile, in the air, Jackie had Rainbow Dash in a full nelson, trying to talk some sense into the other as they struggled.

"Come on you jocktard, snap out of it! You don't want to do this! You don't want to let Chrysalis have control!"

"Shut up! You're the reason we couldn't patch things up with Sunset Shimmer! You took her away and she'll never be friends with us again!"

"She's fucking with your head!"

Grabbing Jackie's shirt, Rainbow Dash pulled off a front flip that threw the guitarist off of her and rolling through the air before, with a flex of her wings she shot half a dozen metal feathers at Jackie. While the blue haired woman managed to recover and avoid major damage, she could feel them slice along her arms, legs, and one even cut her cheek! Gritting her teeth, she blocked a punch from Rainbow Dash and the struggle continued on.

Poppy wasn't having much better luck talking with Applejack, but she had managed to get close and grab her wrists, forcing the blonde to point her guns up into the air.

"Dammit, don't make me have to put you down!"

"... do... it..."

Having not heard a peep out of the farmer until now, Poppy's eyes widened, thinking she had misheard. Looking closely, she saw the sickly green glow faded back into Applejack's normal green eyes.

"Stop... me. Please.

But soon her eyes glowed once more and Applejack brought her leg up, viciously kneeing Poppy in the stomach and knocking the wind out of her before striking Poppy's head with the butt of her gun. However, before she could line up her sight and pull the trigger, a movement in her peripheral vision caught her attention. Poppy spotted it just in time as well and jumped away just as Applejack did before Sunset Shimmer nearly bowled them over, the red head rolling back up onto her feet and grimacing. The high schooler looked very battered and bruised while Chrysalis looked perfectly fine, the woman up in the air again and smirking down to Sunset Shimmer.

"Well, it certainly has been fun. But I'm more than finished playing this little game, it's time I ended this."

Raising both hands, she shot a concentrated blast of green magic towards Sunset Shimmer, who tried desperately to raise a shield to defend herself. It held for only a moment before it shattered, the magic blasting a hole through her chest and sending her flying back until she hit the far wall of the school building. As she slid down into a sitting position, a large, smear of blood trailed behind her as blood poured out of her wound, staining her clothes and the grass beneath her. Her eyes were wide, the shock of the attack making her numb to the pain, some blood escaped the corners of her mouth as she let out one last, shuddering breath before her entire body became slack and un-moving.

The silence that fell over the area was deafening, no one moved an inch, all eyes drawn to Sunset Shimmer. Even Applejack and the others stopped and stared as the sight of their former friend's lifeless body. All were in shock, the spell only broken when one, winged guitarist let out a loud, sorrow filled scream.

"SUNSEEEEEEEEEET!

All In All Is All We Are

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Death. Every living thing had experienced or at least seen it in some form or another and this was no less true of those gathered there today at CHS. Some had seen it's portrayal through entertainment, whether watching a fictional being expire through film or by pulling the trigger themselves by way of a console controller. For others it had hit more close to home, the death of a beloved pet or a family member passing. But this was different. There was no disconnect through a screen, they didn't show up in the aftermath, and it wasn't peaceful, it wasn't natural. It was violent, it was bloody, and a young life had been cruelly snuffed out.

For those from Crystal Prep Academy this was traumatic, for those that were from Canterlot High School it was so far beyond that. This was the girl whom they had bullied three months ago, who they had maliciously driven out of the city for an act that had been perpetrated by three other individuals. The girl who had done her damnest to make up for years of bullying and for her actions at the Fall Formal, who had saved them from the Sirens at the Battle of the Bands. The girl who they should have trusted more and apologized to when they had the chance. Now dead, trying once more to save them all...

As for those who had been closest to her, former friends and current friends, most were devastated. Sandy and Rarity wore horrified expressions, hands over their mouths as tears streamed down their cheeks. Bobby too was in tears, Poppy and Applejack could only stare at Sunset Shimmer's lifeless body, but the most heartbreaking were Tino, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were bawling, with Pinkie Pie in Tino's arms for comfort while Rainbow Dash was on her knees sobbing. The only one not crying was instead screaming, her anger slicing through the sorrow like a hot knife as she continued lashing out at the one responsible for all the misery and despair.

"YOU BITCH! I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU!!!"

Despite her vision blurry from un-shed tears, it was the pure rage and hurt that pumped adrenaline into Jackie's system, making the winged guitarist lash out with wild punches. The target of her pain simply smirked, Chrysalis dodging or blocking the strikes as she seemed to savor the younger woman's anguish.

"Does it hurt, Vibrato? Do you feel a familiar sense of failure? Did you care that much about her?"

Each word seemed to spike Jackie's anger further, her movements becoming increasingly sloppy until Chrysalis simply grabbed one of her wrists and twisted it behind her back. There was enough force that Jackie cried out, feeling as if her shoulder would be twisted out of it's socket. Then with her other hand, Chrysalis sent a blast of magic to Jackie's back, not enough to kill... oh no, this woman had infuriated her too many times in the past, she would draw this out. The green haired woman's smirk was almost manic as she let go of Jackie, watching her drop twenty feet to the ground with a big, scorch mark on her back as the smell of burnt skin started to fill the air.

Choking down a sob, Jackie shakily started to push herself back up onto her feet as Chrysalis floated back to the ground.

"Jackie stop it! You can't beat her!"

"I. DON'T. CARE!!! AHHHHHHH!"

Ignoring Poppy's protests, Jackie once more charged in swinging, failing to land even a glancing blow while taking many herself, whether it be a punch strengthened through magic or another burning, magical blast that sent her back to the ground. After the last blast threw her down, Jackie didn't even have the strength to get up onto her hands and knees. Her right eye was swelling from a punch, her nose was bleeding, and now her stomach, left arm and left thigh were burned. Her wings were in no better shape, bloodied, chunks of feathers missing, and the right broken, twisted in a weird angle as it hung limply from her side.

"Mm, how does that poem go? Rage, rage against the dying light? You always were a stubborn fool..."

Clicking her tongue as she saw Jackie still attempting to get back on her feet, the feeling she was experiencing could not have been more delicious unless it had been Celestia crying on the ground. However before she could get much closer, a shot ran out and a bullet struck where she had almost stepped. With a raised brow, she looked over to Applejack, a grim look of determination on the blonde's face as she pointed her six shooters at Chrysalis.

"Ah'm gonna put ya' down mahself ya' cold, manipulative cunt!"

"Really now, Miss Applejack? While I applaud you for breaking out of my control, I think you are forgetting something..."

Raising her hand above her head, dark energy was forcefully ripped out of Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash, all five girls letting out gasps of pain, and those that were not already on their knees fell to them, their appearances returning to normal.

"I giveth, and I taketh away. Without my power, you stand absolutely no chance against me. And all of you will either be wise to kneel and watch me put an end to Vibrato's miserable life. Unless you would like to try and stop me? In which case I would be more than happy to send you along after your little friend?"

After a pause in which no one moved, aside from Bobby who had his hands clenched and was shaking, Chrysalis smirked and turned back to Jackie, raising a hand as she charged a much more fatal magical blast. Just before she could release it though, a fist collided with her right cheek, making her actually take a step to keep balance before she turned her head slightly to see it was Bobby. The man was still shaking but the determination was clear in his eyes as he ducked the fatal blast of magic before throwing another punch. This spurred the other three into action as well, Poppy and Tino flying in to dive bomb with a kick and a punch respectively while Sandy tried to throw up shields and provide defense.

While Chrysalis was distracted, Applejack and Rarity moved in to carefully carry the wounded Jackie off the battle field and closer to Sunset Shimmer. The only way she could lie down was on her un-burned right side, but she turned enough so that she could look at Sunset Shimmer, the girl's lifeless body still having not moved... and finally broke down. She hid her face against the ground, ignoring the pain as her body shook and she shed more tears.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

It wasn't rational. She didn't know what she could have done, people would tell her there was nothing she could have done... but she still felt that she could have done something! As she finally let her emotions go, it had all reached a fever pitch... and there was a spark. It started with a faint glow from Jackie, but as it grew more softer light came, from her friends, from Sunset's ex-friends, from the students of CHS and even those from Crystal Prep Academy.

The dancing lights floated into the air before gently drifting down over Sunset Shimmer, infusing her body with life as she began to lift into the air.

The pure white light suddenly became warmer, changing into living fire as Sunset's body became upright in the air and once the light dispersed, she was alive and changed. Her outfit had changed, the top a white and warm red bodice with gold trim, red leggings, white knee high boots with gold trim with her cutie mark on the ankles. She also wore fingerless gloves that were the same color as the boots but with her cutie mark on the backs of her hands, there was a streak of red across her face over the eyes, and along with the horn of pure light out of her head there was also a pair of angelic-like wings made of golden light.

Daydream Shimmer was born.

Everyone was stunned at the girl's sudden revival, but as she opened her eyes and gazed at them, there was a feeling of ease, that everything would be okay, and undoubtedly relieved happiness that Sunset Shimmer was alive.

"Sunset..."

As the red head's gaze turned to Jackie, sadness and concern filled her as she quickly moved down to the blue haired woman's side. Just going on a hunch, her hand hovered over Jackie's body and a gold aura covered Jackie's wounds. The burns and bruises healed without even the trace of a scar, Jackie was too shocked and surprised to do anything other than watch Daydream Shimmer turn to face Chrysalis, her gaze hardening as she began to slowly walk over to the woman, Chrysalis's look of shock morphing into a scowl as she glared back at the other.

"Do you think this changes anything? Your power is still nothing compared to mine!"

With that she began to throw orbs of magic energy, her shock coming back when Daydream Shimmer didn't even have to raise a hand to summon a shield, the orbs deflecting safely off of her aura alone. Frustration and anger began to rise in Chrysalis as she began charging up more powerful blasts, causing Daydream to have to put up an actual shield now which didn't even shudder as Chrysalis's magic exploded against it. The red head didn't even pause in her walk as she came closer to Chrysalis, the woman letting out a snarl as she flew up high into the air. Daydream stopped and watched, her gaze still one of anger but otherwise calm as Chrysalis raised both hands over her head and created a ball of green destructive magic that was bigger than a mini-van.

"How about this Shimmer!? Still nothing to say?! No clever quips?! THEN YOU BETTER STOP THIS UNLESS YOU WANT ALL OF THESE PEOPLE TO DIE!"

Throwing her hands down, Chrysalis launched her attack, a triumphant smirk on her face, thinking that she had won! But then the ball of magic stopped! Confusion warped into surprise as the magic suddenly burst! The energy harmlessly dispersing as through the light she saw a blur fly up and Chrysalis found herself face to face with Dayream, the girls' arms crossed and an un-amused look on her face. The green haired woman attempted to strike the girl's face but her hand was caught, the burning green aura overpowered by the oddly warm, golden one. But the gentleness was soon gone as Daydream Shimmer's hand tightened, causing bone to grind against each other and ligaments to be pushed to their limits as Chrysalis cried out and tried to pull her hand away.

"How dare you..."

While there was no malice, the anger in Daydream Shimmer's voice was potent enough to make Chrysalis cower slightly.

"How dare you treat my friends so shamefully!"

An increase in pressure had Chrysalis on her knees in the air, crying out and starting to consider the option of cutting off her own limb to escape. But still she managed to glare up at Daydream Shimmer.

"W-What will you do? Kill me?! You don't have the nerve!"

"It's not a matter of nerve, Chrysalis. I refuse to stoop to your level... but you won't just walk away from this. I don't know what happened in your life to make you this way, but I think it's time for a fresh start."

Chrysalis's struggles increased as a glowing light grew brighter, engulfing the both of them before there was a flash! All in the area were blinded and had to shield their eyes until it was over. When they glanced back to the sky, there appeared to only be Daydream Shimmer still left, but as she descended some noticed something in her arms. Jackie would quickly approach, wanting to give Daydream possibly the biggest hug of her life but stopped when she noticed what the girl was carrying.

"... is that?"

"Yes."

In Daydream Shimmer's arms was Chrysalis, the woman who had terrified, blackmailed and tormented many throughout her life, now a ten year old child! Jackie would have sworn her jaw hit the floor as she looked at the sleeping child, unsure if this was what she was really seeing or if this all turned out to be some dream after passing out from her wounds.

"Wha-? Buh?... WHAT???"

"My magic reverted her back to an age before she turned into what she was as an adult. I guess my hope was that this time she'd grow up to be someone nicer."

"Uhhh, nice sentiment, Sunshine, but whose going to take care of her?"

"IIIIII may have a solution!"

Both turned to see Discord sauntering up, appearing to have been unaffected at all by the events that just transpired aside from the red, bloodshot eyes.

"I have a sister who lives with her husband in a town not too far from here, two girls. One a little creepy and doesn't speak much, obsessed with making little red statues she called 'markers', but the younger is a sweet little fluffy puffly thing. If Chrysalis doesn't have any immediate family members to take care of her, I'm sure my sister wouldn't mind adopting little Chryssi here!"

Daydream Shimmer looked to Jackie, who shrugged helplessly in turn, so the red head gave a nod to Discord who took Chrysalis from her arms, saying that it would be best to take her somewhere that the woman turned child could sleep peacefully. A moment after that Daydream was engulfed in light, the energy spreading out to heal any left who were hurt and closing any portals to Equestria that Midnight Sparkle had ripped open. Now Sunset Shimmer once more, she smiled to Jackie before turning to look at her ex-friends before spotting the human Twilight Sparkle who was trying to slink away.

"Twilight!"

The girl froze before slowly turning to face Sunset, eyes wide with fear and guilt as her fidgeting and twitching became worse as the red head came closer. Which was why the gentle touch to her shoulder and the kind smile was surprising.

"We need to talk. And I need to talk to all of you as well."

Her ex-friends flinched slightly, surprised that Sunset wanted to talk to them and was smiling to them as well.

"Um, what about us, Sunshine?"

"Jackie, I need to do this, it's time I talked to them. Could you please wait for me?"

"... sure."

Jackie watched as Sunset lead the six girls into the school for some privacy, the door having been propped open by Discord on his way inside. The guitarist frowned softly but smiled to Poppy when the other walked up and spoke to her.

"Are you going to be okay?"

"Well yeah, when Sunset went all super form she healed me up real good!"

"Not that. I mean are you going to be okay"

Unable to keep eye contact, Jackie stuffed her hands into her pockets and stared at the ground between them.

"... I don't know."

"... seems like they might be talking awhile, want to see if they'll deliver here?"

".... yeah."

With a bit of searching on his phone, Tino found a pizza place that would deliver a couple pizzas and bottles of soda to them while Sandy made a beer run, knowing they would all need it. There would be students who left but many lingered, wanting to talk to Sunset but also wanting to talk to Jackie and the others. Many questions were sent their way, asking about how Sunset had been, where she lived now and the like. Bobby was happy to be on speaking terms with Principal Cinch and it looked as if the woman had really warmed up to the college student. Tino was chatting up a group of girls, one with dark hair and who wore a pink bow time, one with spiky blue hair and headphones, one with mint green hair and a flower behind her ear, and another with blue and pink hair. Despite his best efforts, Tino had a feeling that he was speaking to two couples instead of four single ladies...

Jackie even got to meet Flash Sentry! Sunset Shimmer's ex! Who also had blue hair and played guitar!... this seemed more awkward than what it should have been.

It was about an hour later that Sunset Shimmer and the others came out of the school, looking like there had been some crying going on, still some uneasiness, but smiles as Sunset Shimmer gave each of them a hug before walking over to Jackie and the others.

"How'd it go, Sunshine?"

"... good, I guess. A lot of talking, some crying... making up."

"Soooo, you've forgiven them."

"Kind of? It's hard to say, I'm not mad at them anymore but there's still this distance..."

"Well, that's kind of expected you know? After how things ended and you're physically living away from them. If you want to get close again it's gonna have to be like, through e-mail or something unless you plan visits."

"... yeah. By the by, CHS and Crystal Prep's spring breaks are coming up in a couple weeks."

"... okay?"

"So I suggested they come over and now they're planning on spending Spring Break in Los Pegasus."

".... WHAT?"

All Apologies

by Gpizano

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