Preparing the Demon's Return
It was a Friday afternoon. School was let out for the weekend, and the students head out for home. Sunset Shimmer made her way to her motorcycle when Twilight Sparkle approached her.
"Hey, Sunset." Twilight called out. "Want to head over my house tomorrow night for a movie?"
"Sure." Sunset replied. "What movie are you showing?"
"It's a surprise. You'll find out when you come over."
From a distance, the infamous Abacus Cinch watches, clutching a strange orange crystal.
"Don't rest that long, Sunset Shimmer." Cinch thought out loud. "Soon, you'll have your revenge on Canterlot High School. And, I'll succeed where Nightmare Moon, King Sombra, Queen Chrysalis, Tirek, and Discord have failed. This crystal is my key to conquer Equestria."
Inside her apartment, Sunset finished washing the dishes after having a single serve pizza for dinner. She went to her couch to relax. Just as she was about to turn on her TV, there was a knock on the door. Sunset answered the door, and there was Miss Cinch standing there.
"Abacus Cinch?!" Sunset blurted angrily. "What are you doing here?"
"Simple, Miss Shimmer." Cinch answered. "You are going to come with me."
"I don't think so. You caused trouble for Twilight Sparkle when you tricked her into unleashing Midnight Sparkle. You won't do the same to me."
"I don't think Twilight can trust you, dearie." Cinch holds up the orange crystal. "This will prove it to you!"
The crystal glowed and Sunset gasped as her eyes glowed bright orange. She soon had flashbacks of her dark past. From pushing others around to when she became a she-demon. Under the crystal's power, Sunset removed her leather vest and took off her boots. She stood barefoot in front of Cinch. The former bad girl gave a low voiced response to the scheming former head of Crystal Prep. "I have no choice. I am yours, master."
Miss Cinch put away her crystal. Taking out a small piece of rope, she cackled as she tied Sunset's hands behind her back. Sunset was then put in the back seat of Miss Cinch's car. The evil former principal then drove away, with the bound and helpless Sunset laying down in the back.
Later, at Canterlot High School, Rumble was just leaving, as the custodian caught up to him.
"Thank you for taking your time to help me, Rumble." The custodian said.
"No problem, sir." Rumble replied. "It felt very good helping out. See you on Monday."
As Rumble left for home, he sees a strange car puling up to the school. It parks near the sports stadium. Rumble then sees Miss Cinch exiting the car, and she brings the helpless Sunset Shimmer with her. Being concerned, he grabs his phone and contacts Twilight Sparkle. At her house, Twilight speaks on the phone.
"MIss Cinch is taking Sunset to the stadum?" Twilight gasped. "Don't worry. I'm on my way."
Twilight hangs up and prepeares to head for the school. What does that former principal of my old school want with Sunset Shimmer? This feels scary.
At the stadium's locker room area, Miss Cinch ties Sunset's ankles together. Then, she sets up an alter for her crystal.
"I found this crystal a week ago near that statue." Cinch explained. "It's said to bring out the darkest of anyone affected. Hearing about how you became a demon during that Fall Formal nightmare, you're the perfect subject."
Sunset got nervous about that. "So, why bring my dark side back?"
"For two reasons. One, you'll be so possessed with madness, you'll want to destroy the school. Two, you might open a portal to your old homeworld of Equestria." Sunset's eyes opened wide as she panicked. Cinch continued her plan. "Then, I'll will enter that world and find a way to conquer. I might assemble the worst villains to help me conquer. Think of it. Nightmare Moon, Discord, Queen Crysalis, King Sombra, Tirek, Cozy Glow. assembled together."
Cinch cackled maniacally as she places the orange crystal on the alter.
"This crystal will slowly fill you with dark energy." Cinch said. "When all is said and done, your demon side will be brought back to life!"
Sunset watched in horror as Cinch aims the crystal towards her. She then places her hands on the crystal, and it glowed bright orange.
"Slowly, but surely," Cinch said, "that crystal will fill you up. Then, it's revenge time."
Sunset looks at the glowing crystal and is panicking. She felt some of her teeth become fangs. "What?!" Then, she saw her clothes change colors as her skin becomes a darker shade of orange. "Oh no!"
Twilight rode her bike to the school. She met up with Rumble as they enter the stadium. They peeked into the locker room area, and they saw Sunset bound and helpless. They see the crystal glowing, and saw Sunset's hands sharpen up like claws.
"Rumble," Twilight said, "slip out and call for my brother. You do have your phone with you don't you?"
"Never leave home without it." Rumble answered as he pulls his phone out.
Rumble heads out as Twilight gets closer to her helpless friend. Sunset's hair rises and crimson wings start to form on her back. Having a felling, Sunset turns and spots Twilight. The brainiac sees that Sunset's eyes glowed red and tears dripping down her face.
"Go away, Twilight!" Sunset pleaded in a demonic type voice. "It's too late for me!"
"It's never too late to save a friend." Twilight informed as she grabs a nearby towel.
Acting fast, Twilight grabs the crystal off the alter, and wraps the towel around it, completely cutting off the orange glow. Seeing that the crystal stopped glowing, Twilight places it in her bag.
"You...you saved me." Sunset said, still shaking.
"Of course, I did." Twilight replied. "You're my friend. I wouldn't let you down."
Sunset was relieved as a tear ran down her cheek. "Thank you, Twi."
Twilight draped Sunset over her shoulder, and carried her out of the locker room. Outside, Cinch decided to return to the stadium. "Let's see if the demon is back."
Just then, Miss Cinch sees Twilight carry Sunset out of the stadium, and has the crystal and alter in her bag.
How dare Twilight Sparkle ruin my plan. Cinch thought angrily. She then sees a police car approaching the area. The occupant of the car scared Miss Cinch a little. It's miss Sparkle's brother, Officer Shining Armor. I better get scarce.
After being untied, Sunset was relieved that the nightmare is over. Now that the crystal stopped glowing, the effects are gone.
"You're a good friend, Twilight." Sunset said with a low voice. "You saved me from critical insanity."
Twilight places her hand on Sunset's shoulder. "That's what friends are for."
Steam rose from Sunset's body. The former bad girl is concerned. "What's happening now?"
Soon, her clothes changed back to normal. Her hands are no longer claws, her hair lowers back to its normal length, and Sunset's fangs and wings disappear as her skin is back to being a bright marigold color. "Hey, I'm back to normal!"
Twilight then had a theory. "With that dark ceremony interrupted, the effects of the crystal wore off."
Officer Shining Armor arrives to check on the situation. "Everything okay now?"
"Yes, it is." Twilight answered. "Sunset is safe, and I have that dark crytal. I think I should study this thing."
"And, I better tell a friend about that thing." Sunset added. Namely, PRINCESS Twilight.
"Good idea, Sunset."
"I'll take Sunset home, sis." Shining Armor offered.
"Thanks, brother." Twilight said as she hopped on her bike.
With the crystal in her bag, Twilight rides off to home. Meanwhile, Shining Armor escorts Sunset Shimmer to his police car.
"I can't believe I took off my leather vest and boots for that wicked woman." Sunset said angrily.
"It's that crystal, no doubt." Shining Armor replied. "Miss Cinch must be very interested in your old home of Equestria ever since the events of the Friendship Games. I'm sure my sister's pony counterpart would like to hear about that crystal."
They approached Shining Armor's police car. He takes out his handcuffs and cuffs Sunset's hands behind her back. Sunset got nervous. "Wait a minute! What's with the handcuffs? I'm not insane, nor am I a criminal."
"I know, Sunset." Twilight's brother said. "This is just so you don't hurt yourself. Miss Cinch has put you through a nightmare. These cuffs will keep you still as I take you back to your apartment."
Sunset was placed in the back seat. Soon, Shining Armor drove away from the school, and on the road to Sunset's apartment.
"What happened to Miss Cinch, anyway?" Sunset asked.
"Probably saw me coming and decided to hide." Shining Armor figured.
Back at the school, Miss Cinch peeked up and looked around. Twilight is no doubt going to be on her guard. And, so will her friends. I better stay out of sight until the heat's off.
THE END