Isle of She-Beasts

Spike, Sunset Shimmer, and their new companions, Sweetie, Leggy, and the anthropomorphic ewe’s newly adopted son, Kirin, resume their trek through the jungle.

During which, Spike took the moment to observe each and every one of the females, to analyze their key differences on what sets them apart.

Sunset Shimmer, a She-Beast, has demonstrated that she, and the other She-Beasts, displays the most intelligence akin to a human. However, it seems, that day by day, she began to exhibit animalistic instincts, as if the tiger within her was slowly emerging. For this, Spike kept his distance, albeit reluctantly, which he thought was strange because it wasn’t like him.

Secondly, the silent and sweet loving, Sweetie, a former She-Beast, who has become human, but is living a fate worse than death. She’s neither dead nor alive. A pale imitation of her former self. She wonders the jungle, in a daze, seemingly distracted nonstop. Though all the same, she would always flaunt her hips, her chest, arms, and legs, in a dance of some sort. What is the purpose of this dance? Spike, nor Sunset did not know. Still, she does occasionally show traits of a cat.

Lastly, Leggy Lamb, a She-Beast of little words, speaking mostly in bleats. Her humanity is displayed through her modesty and insecurity of her small amount of coverage. It was as if the sheep was becoming human, or she is just a woman trapped in a sheep’s body. Nevertheless, from the way Spike observed her doting over young Kirin, shows a mother hen side of her.

Spike was brought out of his thoughts, when Sweetie, once again, clings herself onto him.

Like she did before, the feral woman was rubbing her head against Spike’s, then caresses herself under his chin, across his chest.

“Cut it out!” Spike groaned, gently prying Sweetie off of him, who persisted and hugged his arm.

On his left, Spike can hear Sunset chuckling, “She’s a clingy kitty,” She joked.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if she was a cat-woman,” He muttered, as he endures Sweetie posing on top of him.

At one point, the former She-Beast posed her large well-endowed chest on top of Spike’s head, much to his discomfort.

“She certainly likes you,” Sunset commented. “And I have to say, you’ve been taking her presence quite well, Spike!”

Spike felt rather uncertain, “Well, it’s…not like she’s going anywhere…”

“I could always scare her away,” Sunset offered.

“No!” Spike quickly answered. “I mean… As much as she…weirds me out, I…I don’t want her to be…hurt? Or… generally nothing bad to come to her. Y’know?”

Spike felt conflicted and confused to why he would say that. It wasn’t like him to be concerned with a woman’s well-being, given his gynophobia. This is all a newfound feeling he was experienced.

“What’s gotten into me?” Spike asked.

“I think I know what it is,” Sunset answered with a smile. “You’re coming out of your shell. You’re finally opening up!”

“I…I am?” He asked, to which Sunset nodded.

“Uh-huh! And how does it feel?” She asked.

Spike pondered at the question, searching his feelings, before he answered, “Well, admittedly…I’m still scared. But just a little. I…I’m afraid, but then I’m not. And…it felt like, how do you say? A breath of fresh air?”

“And that’s great! Right?”

Before Spike could answer, the sound of rustling leaves was heard, startling Spike and his group into alert, once again.

“Oh come on!” Spike groaned in exasperation.

After an entire day of escaping Shade, dodging ravenous, man-eating chimeras, including a recent run-in with a dragon, Spike was beyond stressed that they were far from done with life-and-death perils.

Sunset Shimmer was already snarling, with her unsheathed claws at the ready, as she stood between Spike and whatever creature was emerging from the thrushes.

“Spike! Sunset!” A familiar southern accent voice exclaimed. “Thank goodness you’re all okay!”

Emerging from the bushes, stood a familiar orange wolf-woman, wearing a brown worn Stetson hat.

“Applejack?!” Spike and Sunset both exclaimed.

What felt like a heartbeat, Spike suddenly found himself and Sunset, embraced happily by the orange wolf She-Beast.

“Ah…Ah can’t believe it!” Applejack laughed, barking with her tail wagging rapidly to match her excitement. “Yer all alive! Oh!”

Applejack immediately lets go of the hug and backed away, which Spike thought was confusing.

“I’m sorry, Spike,” Applejack apologized, with sad widen eyes and flattened ears, to express a look of regret. “I…I forgot. Personal space…”

As if struck by lightning, Spike immediately realized what Applejack was apologizing for. She did not know about Spike’s recovery from his Gynophobia. Nor did she know of Spike’s newfound tolerance of Sunset and the other She-Beasts’ presence.

Without saying a word, Spike rushed towards Applejack and wrapped his arms around her for a hug.

“Oh! Spike?!” Applejack exclaimed, startled by the unexpected development. “Wha-What’s…what’s the matter?”

Spike didn’t reply. He felt so much at peace as he continued to hug Applejack, snuggling his face, buried deep in the wolf-woman’s fluffy chest. All the while, he can still hear the bewildered Applejack talking.

“Sunset! What just happened?” The wolf She-Beast asked. “Is this…really Spike?”

“Long story, AJ,” Sunset chuckled.

“How did you find us?!” Spike asked happily.

“Easy!” Applejack held up a familiar boot that is chewed up.

Spike could hardly believe it, when he saw it. It was the boot he lost, when he and Rainbow Dash were flying through a swamp, inhabited by Octo-Diles. He remembered losing the boot to one of the giant crocodilians with octopus tentacles.

“I found this. And one sniff was all I need to track ya!”

“And what about the others?” Sunset asked. “Where are they?”

“The others are waiting for us at a village. C’mon!” Applejack said as she took the lead. “By the way, who are your friends there?” She asked, upon noticing the new party members in Spike’s group.

“Applejack, meet Sweetie, Leggy Lamb, and Kirin,” Spike introduced. “Kirin, Leggy, Sweetie, meet Applejack!”

“Howdy do there, sugar cubes!” Applejack greeted.

“Wow!” Spike exclaimed, upon arrival. “Why didn’t you tell me there was a village on the island?” He asked Sunset and Applejack.

“Because we didn’t know there was a village to begin with,” Sunset replied.

Everywhere they looked, the entire village appeared to be built into the harmonic tunes of nature. It is populated by small thatched-roof huts. Finally, like a wall, the village was surrounded by observation posts in the trees.

“Whoever lives here, they must be very smart!” Spike commented. “And very sophisticated to build all this!”

“Yeah? Why don’t you tell ‘em yourself, Sugarcube?” Applejack suggested.

Spike turned around and found himself face-to-face with three more She-Beasts, two of which greeted him with animalistic growls and snarls.

The first She-Beast appeared to be an anthropomorphic wolfdog — part grey wolf and part Alaskan husky. She has a pointed, dog-like muzzle with sharp and pointy teeth, and a dark grey nose. Her eyes have red sclera with white irises, and she wears dark grey eyeshadow. She has a piercing on her right eyebrow.

Her fur is white with grey encircling her face, grey patches on her shoulders, and long, voluminous silver hair swept to the side to reveal her dark grey ears - the right of which is pierced with two small hoop earrings, the left which is ragged. She has a large, dark grey bushy tail with white on the underside.

Her outfit features a spiked black choker. Her tattered grey, off-the-shoulder crop-top is held up at the neckline by a series of crisscross spaghetti-straps that form an inverted pentagram. She wears shorts that are tattered at the hems, with a crescent moon detail on the right side. Lastly, she accessorizes with fingerless gloves and black toeless stockings, with her black claws protuding due to her digitigrade stance.

The second Reverse-Hybrid appeared to have the traits of an octopus, with tentacles that protruded from the hair, framing her face.

Her hair is worn down with a light teal color gradient at the edges. Her eyes are a silvery/cool grey color as opposed to teal as well as eyelashes, with salmon pink hue in the center of her eyes. She appeared to be wearing a pair of teal headphones on her head.

For attires, she wears a short black sleeveless vest revealing her midriff, with the large silver zipper pulled most of the way down and grey low-rise shorts and fingerless black gloves that show her teal gradient fingertips. She wears teal tights under her shorts and has black boots that, like her vest, have their silver zippers pulled down.

Lastly, the third Reverse-Hybrid appeared to be an American Crocodile.

She has dark teal scales, with blue eyes. Three dark-colored, oblong scales are visible on the back of her head. She seemed to be holding a cigarette stick in her mouth.

For attires, she dresses in a goth-like manner, wearing entirely black clothing to convey a somber personality. Her long black dress displays an Ankh, a hieroglyph meaning "life", on the front. She also wears black tights or leggings with black boots.

The single common trait they all shared was that they each have numbered tags on one of their ears. Similar to the one on Leggy’s.

“Friends of yours?” Spike asked the anthropomorphic sheep, who simply hides away, while holding Kirin. “Guess not.”

The She-Beasts were all staring hard at Spike, which has somehow caused his gynophobia to resurface.

“Uh…h-h-hello there,” Spike nervously greeted, the She-Beasts. “N-N-Nice to m-m-m-meet y-y-you!”

The wolfdog was on all four, snarling aggressively, baring her fangs, with her ears folding back, and her hairs standing on end, threatening to attack.

Still, Spike was determined to not let his fear show, as he cautiously approached the anthro dog.

“She’s only a dog,” Spike muttered to himself. “She’s only a dog. She’s only a…a…a scared, angry, dog…but she’s just scared of you than you are of her, Spike…”

Slowly, and still keeping his eye on her, Spike carefully approached the dog, until he was a good distance from her.

“Hey…” Spike called to the wolfdog. “Hey there, girl… It’s okay. I’m…I’m not here to hurt you.”

In response, the wolfdog lunged forward and snapped her jaws at his hand.

“YOW!” Spike yelped, quickly retracting his hand, before she could snap it off.

“HEY!!” Applejack lunged at the wolf-dog, putting herself between it and Spike, and barked furiously at She-Beast, who barked in response.

“Almost got my hand!” Spike breathed rapidly, scared of knowing how close he was to losing his fingers.

“Are you okay, Spike?” Sunset asked, running up to the frightened young man.

Spike let out a frighten yelp, with his heart nearly bursting from his chest. He looked at Sunset and gradually calmed himself.

“I’m still in one piece,” He showed his hand, which is still intact.

“What’s going on out here?” A voice asked.

Spike and Sunset all turned to see the rest of their missing friends, coming out of the huts. The first to approach them was Twilight Sparkle.

“Spike! Sunset!” Twilight neighed, as she breaks into a gallop.

“Twilight!” Sunset roared happily, running forward to wrap her clawed hands around Twilight’s neck in a loving hug.

The pony-woman returned the hug, holding Sunset close.

“Thank goodness you’re alright!” Sunset exclaimed happily.

“Same to you, Sunset!” Twilight said, before she looked and smiled towards Spike. “Oh! And Spike! I’m glad to see that you’re safe!”

“Yeah, me too,” Spike smiled as he walked up to Twilight. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but…I’m glad to see you too, Twilight. And all of you girls,” He gestures to the rest of the She-Beasts, present.

“Indubitably!” Rarity exclaimed. “We’re relieved to see that you’re both okay!”

“Ahem,” Fluttershy cleared her throat, reminding everyone of her blindness.

Rarity flustered as she stammered to correct herself, “Oh! Uh, what I mean is…we’re relieved to know that you two are all alright! So…thank the heavens above!” The snow leopard-woman said, with a hammy act.

“Oh yeah, that’s convincing,” Rainbow Dash squawked in sarcasm.

“Also. I see you got yourself acquainted with Loona, Bea, and Marina!” Pinkie Pie smiled.

“Who?” Spike asked.

“Them!”

Following Pinkie’s finger, Spike soon realized she was referring to the She-Beasts from earlier.

“Oh…” Spike acknowledged their names. “Yeah. Well, acquainted. One of them almost bit my hand off!”

“Oh, that’s only Loona,” Pinkie scoffed. “She’s not used to meeting new people. But she’s secretly a playful little puppy, once you get to know her! Right, Looney Toony?”

In response, the wolfdog let out a growl, saying otherwise.

“I don’t think she’s in agreement,” Spike frowned.

“And we ain’t the only one, with new acquaintances,” Applejack barked. “We’ve got some newcomers in the crowd, y’all!”

With several clamors and exchanges of excitements, the She-Beasts, minus three, all gathered around Sweetie, Leggy, and young Kirin.

Spike watched to see Kirin and Leggy, looking a little freaked out, to be surrounded by a swarming number of She-Beasts.

But thankfully, Sunset Shimmer was able to help ease the tensions. Soon, the anthropomorphic sheep got to know each of the She-Beasts, one by one.

Sweetie, however, from the look of it, wanted nothing to do with the She-Beasts. Instead, she slinked away to be with Spike, resuming her cuddles with the reluctant young photographer.

“Sweetie, no!” Spike moaned, trying to resist her advances. “Get off of me!”

“Whoa, Spike!” Rainbow Dash chirped in a teasing tone. “Sunset told us you’ve gotten over your gyno…your fear of women. But damn! You’re stepping up, now that you’ve got yourself a girlfriend!”

“She’s not my girlfriend!” Spike grunted, trying to pry Sweetie’s kissing lips away. “Sweetie! Cut it out!”

“Oh my goodness gracious!” Rarity exclaimed.

“Uh, Rarity,” Spike panicked. “This isn’t what it looks like. I swear!”

“It can’t be!” Rarity exclaimed, as she stared in fascination at the former She-Beast. “Fleur de Lis? Is that you?!”

“Huh?” Spike asked.

“Fleur what?” Rainbow asked.

“Fleur who?” Pinkie followed.

“Fleur de Lis!” Rarity explained. “She’s a famous fashion model, all the way from Paris, France! She once co-starred in a Paris Fashion Week, alongside Adrien Agreste, the son of the mysterious and reclusive fashion designer, Gabriel Agreste. And since then, she has been on the cover of thousands of fashion magazines, worldwide!”

“Wow,” Rainbow Dash squawked. “Somebody knows their people…”

“And strange tastes,” Applejack added.

“Rainbow Dash, Applejack, honestly,” Rarity frowned. “It’s all very well to scoff. But the fact is, there’s more to fashion than clothing and a fit body. It’s how we express ourselves in such an elegant and extravagant manner.”

“Like how Fleur’s expressing herself being super clingy to Spike?” Pinkie Pie pointed. “Because it really goes along with the way Spike’s expressing his desire to escape!”

“Get. Her. Off. Of. Me!” Spike pleaded, with Fleur, formerly Sweetie, meowing in protest as she refused to let Spike go.

The feral woman wrapped her arms around his chest and neck, locking him in place, while she pressed her breasts into his back. Finally, as an added measure, she wrapped her legs around Spike’s waist, to weigh him down.

Spike was having trouble breathing. He doesn’t know if the former fashion model was snuggling him or choking the life out of him.

Thankfully, before he was on the verge of blacking out, or losing conscious, Spike was saved by the timing of Applejack, who barked at Fleur, scaring the feral woman off.

“Thanks AJ,” Spike breathed heavily.

“No problem, Sugarcube,” Applejack helped the man up. “Still, how do ya think someone like her came to this island?” She asked, turning her gaze at Fleur.

“Well…” Rarity tapped her chin. “I remember several months back, about a news article stating that Fleur was off on a cruise for a well-earned holiday. Come to think of it…she hasn’t been seen nor heard from ever since!”

“And we all know who’s responsible for that…” Rainbow Dash scowled, directing everyone’s attention to the menacing abode of Grogar, atop of a tall mountain, looking down on them.

“The fact that Fleur is here for so long,” Rarity scowled. “Who knows how many more poor unfortunate souls that villainous madman has kidnapped in the past.”

“And he’s been doing it, since the day he was exiled?” Spike asked rhetorically.

“How did you know about that?” Twilight asked the young man, in surprise.

“I told him about it, Twilight,” Sunset answered. “After we had a run-in with a certain…dragon.”

“D-D-Dragon?!” Fluttershy squeaked in fear.

“As in…Ēferno?” Twilight asked, in shock. “The Eternal Flame?!”

“Yup,” Spike and Sunset confirmed together.

“Whoa! Seriously?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “You guys encountered Ēferno and lived?! No one’s ever seen that beast in years! And anyone who did…he was the last they ever saw, before they died…” The Falcon-Woman said eerily, in a teasing manner, at the last part.

“Uh, huh…so I understand,” Spike acknowledged.

“But enough about that,” Pinkie Pie said, as she tries to lighten up the mood. “We’re all together again. Which means…IT’S PARTY TIME!!!”

Faster than anyone could blink their eyes, somehow, the entire village was decorated from top to bottom, with colorful flowers, and there were an assortment of tables, decked with opened coconuts, adorn with tiny umbrellas.

Spike took a dainty sip from one of the coconuts, uncertain of the taste of the drink Pinkie had put, at first.

Once he got more than a lick of the liquid, Spike’s eyes lit up to the tropical, exotic juicy taste, with a twang that felt as if it lit up his mind and soul. With a smile, he proceeded to drink the whole drink.

While he was enjoying himself, Spike took the moment to look at all the She-Beasts, going about their ways in the party.

Pinkie Pie was busting out some dance moves that are reminiscent to the kind performed by street dancers. However, Pinkie Pie, as a monkey-woman, made it seem impossible for a normal human to pull off.

Next, Spike turned to see Rarity posing Fleur de Lis, adorning the latter with leaves, flowers, feathers, and all sorts of materials she could find. It would appear that Rarity was already working on another fashion design of the sort, and needed Fleur’s cooperation.

In another part of the party, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were competing in an arm wrestling match. Applejack was straining hard as she got one of Rainbow Dash’s wings, but the falcon-woman wasn’t going down without a fight.

Suddenly, Applejack let out a loud and strong sneeze, that somehow caused her to triumph over a bewildered Rainbow Dash.

Close by, Fluttershy was cuddling both Leggy Lamb and the young lamb, Kirin.

“Aw! You two are so precious and cuddly!” Fluttershy squealed, as she snuggles with the sheep, practically melting into the thickness and soft textures of their wools.

Somewhere down the street, the wolfdog She-Beast, Loona, was drinking from her coconut, with her tongue lapping. However, she seemed rather reserved to herself.

Meanwhile, Sunset Shimmer was engaged in a conversation with Twilight Sparkle. Judging by the expressions on their faces, they appeared to be discussing something serious, concerning, but also relieving.

Curious, Spike was just about to walk over and join in on the conversation, when he noticed the octopus-woman, Marina, walking up to him.

“Hello?” Spike greeted the octopus-woman.

In response, Marina said something to Spike, but it sounded rather gibberish, if not alien.

“I’m sorry, what?” Spike asked, to which Marina repeated herself. “Come again?” Once again, Marina repeats herself, which Spike was unsure. “I’m sorry, but I don’t understand a word you’re saying.”

“Hey Spike!” Pinkie Pie chirped, as she and the others gathered around him and Marina. “Wanna dance?”

“No thanks, Pinkie,” Spike gently declined. “Uh, Marina was trying to say something, but I don’t understand a word she’s saying.”

“Let me try,” Pinkie Pie walked up to the octopus-woman and asked, “What’s the matter, Marina?” With that, Marina explained herself to the pink monkey-woman, who simply nodded in response, before she answered, “I have no idea what she was saying.”

Spike nearly fell to the ground. Pinkie Pie’s random antics are sometimes so incredulous that he just can’t believe her at times. He wondered if she’s ever serious about anything.

“I have an idea,” Twilight suggested to Marina. “How about we play a game of charade? Like, you only need to act out something, and we’ll try and guess what it is you’re saying. Does that sound okay?”

In response, Marina simply nodded in approval at the idea. With that, she pointed at Spike.

“Okay?” Spike acknowledged, while looking unsure where this was heading. “Me? What about me?”

Marina held up her hands, before she used them to wrap around herself.

“You want Spike to squeeze you until you pop?” Pinkie guessed, to which Marina scowled.

“I think it’s a hug,” Applejack deduced, which Marina nodded. “Oh! You want a hug from Spike?” Again, Marina nodded. “Well, ya heard the octopus, Spike. Get in there!”

“What!?” Spike shrieked, before he blushed and walked away. “Oh no, no, no, no! I-I-I can’t!” He stammered, shaking his hands rapidly. “I mean, I love to, but I’ve seen enough—“

Unfortunately, Spike wasn’t looking where he was going and accidentally backed into the crocodile She-Beast, Bea. The anthropomorphic crocodilian was so startled, that she immediately reacted with a strong spin and a flick of her tail that tripped Spike.

The crocodile turned around and angrily snapped her jaws at Spike, who frantically crawled away to escape. Luckily, Twilight and Applejack quickly diffused the tension before it could escalate to a violent drama.

Afterwards, everyone resumed the party. Spike decided to spend the party, in the company of Sunset and Twilight, for safety reasons. During which, he observed the She-Beasts with the yellow tags on their ears.

He watched Leggy Lamb bleating to Marina, who responded in her gibberish words. In response, Leggy appeared to be nodding, before she continued the conversation with more bleats.

“They can understand each other?” Spike asked. “What kind of She-Beasts are they?”

“They don’t talk much,” Twilight explained. “But they’re not She-Beasts.”

“They’re not?!” Spike and Sunset exclaimed.

“But…what makes you say that?” Sunset asked.

“This,” Twilight showed a yellow weathered file, with a label of red words that read: “Reverse-Hybrids.”

“Whoa! This looks important,” Spike commented as he and Sunset took a look at the file’s content.

“Where did you get this?” Sunset asked.

“Marina gave it to us,” Twilight answered. “She may not talk perfectly yet, but she’s very intelligent…for a cephalopod.”

Knowing the file’s contents contains the works of nightmares, and Dr. Grogar’s names written all over it, Spike and Sunset braved themselves for what they were about to find.

Inside the folder, there were pictures, notes, and schematics of the sorts, detailing the DNAs of humans and animals. What’s even more startling was found on the written documents.

“This is insane!” Spike exclaimed in shock. “As if turning humans into animals wasn’t enough, Dr. Grogar had also conducted experiments to make animals more like humans!”

“Hence the name, Reverse-Hybrids,” Sunset deduced. “He’s reverse-engineering the animals. Forcibly adjusting their spines, legs, muscles, tendons, and vertebrae to make them walk on two legs. Very painful!”

Spike looked at the discomforted looks on Sunset and Twilight’s face. Without a shadow of a doubt, both She-Beasts were experiencing post-traumatic flashbacks.

Sunset turned to look at the Reverse-Hybrids present in the village, including Leggy.

“I already know how painful the transformation was,” Sunset grimaced, hugging herself. “But…just the thought of what they had to go through, it’s…”

“Uncanny,” Twilight finished.

“This is…beyond animal cruelty!” Spike said to himself in disgust. “It’s low! It’s just not right!”

Still curious to what other horrors Grogar had been cookjng up, Spike decided to look through the files, reading up some interesting documents.

The Good
Reverse-Engineering process was a success! Animals can become human!
Animals can age the same as humans.
Animals can build like humans.
Animals can now live like humans.

The Bad
Subjects’ brains have yet to fully develop.
Subjects seemed trouble at communicating the same we humans do.
Subjects logical capacity varies among the hybrids.

The Ugly
Only the females survive the process.
All male Reverse-Hybrids ended up dying through the process.

“Creepy,” Spike commented, at the cruel and unusual death of the male Reverse-Hybrids.

Experiment 666
Name: Loona
Race: Wolfdog (half Grey Wolf, half Alaskan Husky)

Notes:

• Exhibits hostility
• Fails to respond the simplest of commands
• Lacks social capacity

Analysis:
Formerly an attack dog owned by I.M.P (Immediate Murder Professionals). Subject was stolen from BLITZØ by Cozy Glow. Subject was diagnosed with symptoms of syphilis.

Experiment 1958
Name: N/A
Race: Sheep

Notes:

• Displays insecurity
• Exhibits human need of coverage and modesty

Analysis:
Subject willingly shed wools to adjust to the island’s tropical temperature. However, the subject has exhibited a rising temperature, with excessive sweating. Suffers dehydration. Cause is likely from female homosapient DNA.

Experiment 71127
Name: N/A
Race: Octopus

Notes:

• Exhibits advanced intelligence
• Remarkable techno savvy
• Language developing
• Able to shoot inks

Analysis:
Found off the coast of Miami. Subject displays remarkable intelligence and appears docile compared to other Reverse-Hybrids. Oddly, though, it speaks in a different form of language that is not like any recorded human languages. Note: Subject has also showed to be very skilled with a computer, including hacking. So it needs to be kept a very close eye on when using said device.

Experiment 2017
Name: Beatrice Santello
Race: Crocodile

Notes:

• Developed an addiction for smoking
• Seemed rather aloof and somber
• Prefers to keep to itself

Analysis:
Formerly owned by Radiant Hope, whom she named after her grandmother. Her fiancé, Sombra, considered flushing her down the toilet.

After genetic advancements, the subject displays a cold disposition and keeps to itself, preferring to smoke as a coping mechanism.

“Whoa,” Spike exclaimed after reading the Reverse-Hybrids’ files. “So each of these poor girls were originally owned by Dr. Grogar’s…benefactors. Or they were just simply wild animals who were randomly snatched up to be subjected to his gruesome genetic modifications.”

“And he did it without any consents, from the looks of it,” Twilight added, with disgust.

“When you think about it,” Sunset began. “These Reverse-Hybrids were just animals who have had a family, or were living their lives. But then…some madman came out of the blue and performed horrible experiments that…broke them…and ruined them…”

“Which explains for why my being here, has a lot of them on edge…” Spike looked down.

On one hand, he was fascinated at Dr. Grogar’s work of making animals somewhat as intelligent and sophisticated as humans. The village they now reside in seemed to be proof of it, if the Reverse-Hybrids were the ones who constructed their huts to begin with.

Unfortunately, the fascination stops there, as Spike felt himself riddled with the guilty conscience that a human was behind it all. A human who forced animals against their wills to become humans. This made wonder if humans were the villains all along? Humans have bickered, argued, fought, hunt, killed, and steal. So many have changed the course of history, while others have made a difference, for better, or worse. And most of the times, the animals and their homes were caught in between.

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Later that night, Sunset Shimmer was getting ready to sleep. She had gotten herself settled in a hut, with a single bed that is surprisingly comfortable, complete with a pillow and a blanket.

“Wow, I don’t believe this,” Sunset exclaimed, marveling at the fabric of her new bed. “I forgot what it felt like, having a bed.”

She was just about to curl herself into a ball, when there was a knock at the door.

“Who is it?” Sunset called.

“It’s me, Spike,” The man called. “Can I come in?”

“Sure, Spike,” Sunset called, granting the man permission to walk in. “What’s up?”

“I…I…” Spike stammered on his words, blushing hard, which Sunset thought was cute. “I know we’ve got our separate rooms now, but…would it be alright if…I sleep with you again? One last time?”

Sunset could hardly believe what she was hearing. She simply scoffed and shook her head in amusement.

“Why for the last time?” She asked, patting a spot beside her. “You can sleep with me, whenever you want.”

“Really?” Spike asked, uncertain.

“Really, really,” Sunset purred. “And I’m more than happy to comply because you’re my friend. And I want you to be happy with it.”

Spike smiled shyly, “Thanks,” He walked over and wrapped his arms around Sunset in a loving hug, which the Tiger-Woman gladly returned.

“I have to be honest,” Spike sighed. “The last couple of days, trekking through the jungles together, outrunning Shade, has been…”

Sunset looked deeply concerned at the young man’s sudden silence.

“Has been what?” She asked.

“I don’t know…” Spike looked up to Sunset with a mess of expressions on his face. “I was scared. But then, I was happy, ‘cause I felt so alive! I never thought I’d have such an adventure! And…I got to share it with you, Sweet—I mean, Fleur, Leggy, and…and Kirin.”

Sunset smiled lovingly, admiring the newfound burst of joy from the young man.

“I…I don’t know what to say,” Spike continued. “I don’t think the guys back home will believe this. But, all the same, I…I didn’t want to lose it. Like…like for some reason I…I just wanted to be with you. I don’t know why…”

The man has a troubled look on his face, as he clenched his head in his hands, unsure what to say next.

“Am I…going crazy?” He asked.

“No! No way!” Sunset consoled, taking Spike by the hands, and guiding his eyes up to make eye contact.

“I don’t think it’s crazy, Spike! Like I said before. It means you’re finally coming out of your shell!”

Sunset watched as Spike turned his head up, smiling at her.

“Well, I like it,” He said, hugging Sunset close. “I like coming out of my shell. And I have you and the girls to thank for it.”

“Aw!” Sunset smiled, as she gently stroked his back.

Suddenly, the door of Sunset’s hut fell down, to reveal a pile of colorful She-Beasts, plus jungle woman, spilling into the room.

Sunset and Spike both let out a yelp. The kind of yelp a woman makes, when she realized she was being watched, undressing.

“What are you girls doing?!” Sunset demanded.

“It was Pinkie’s idea!” Rainbow Dash pointed. “We weren’t spying or eavesdropping!”

Sunset, however, knew otherwise and was far from pleased, whilst Spike seemed freaked out.

“You just had to open your big mouth, didn’t you, Dash?” Applejack shook her head.

“I apologize for everyone on their behalf,” Twilight said. “I tried to stop them. But the truth was, we were all very anxious for Spike.”

Upon hearing the last statement, Sunset’s suspicion immediately turned to a mix shade of amusement and suspicion. She turned to see a perplexed look on Spike’s face.

“You are?” Spike asked. “Really? Why?”

“We’ve been worried sick about you and Sunset for a whole day, Sugarcube,” Applejack explained.

“And we all just wanted to keep you safe, Spike,” Fluttershy added.

“Plus, Sunset told us that you’ve been getting over your gynophobia,” Twilight brought up. “So, we were curious to know what had happened.”

“Well…” Spike turned to look at Sunset, looking like a kid asking his parents for permission.

Sunset simply gave him a gentle nod, as she beckoned for him to tell the whole story. And so, Spike did just that. Needless to say, the She-Beasts in the room could hardly believe such an interesting revelation.

“…And here we are,” Spike said, once he came to the conclusion.

“Oh my gosh!” Twilight gasped. “I’m sorry to hear that happened to you, Spike.”

“It…must have been…awful…” Fluttershy added.

“It’s okay…it’s in the past…” Spike said, as he tried, but failed to put on a smile. “I should get over it. Right? I’m a…I’m a big boy now…I think.”

“Spike, there’s no need to hide it,” Sunset consulted, as she put a hand on his shoulder. “Having post-traumatic stress disorder isn’t something to be ashamed about.”

“And again…I’m sorry for…falsely attacking you on our first meeting,” Rainbow Dash apologized. “I…That wasn’t a good first impression and…I was a real jerk…”

“It’s not your fault, Dash,” Applejack comforted. “If anyone’s to blame, it’s that lowdown scoundrel of a varmint, Dr. Grogar!”

“Ya damn right!” The falcon-woman agreed.

“But again, we’re glad to have you all back,” Twilight said, while focusing mainly on Spike. “Especially you, Spike… Now that we have your trust.”

The She-Beasts and Sunset all looked at Spike, waiting to hear his response, while reading the conflicted expression on his face.

He wasn’t scared as he was before. But the young man looked away, as if he was uncertain about something. Whatever the case may be, they didn’t have to ponder for long, when he let out a yawn.

“I’m bushed,” Spike yawned. “Can we all get some shut eyes?”

“Of course, Spike,” Applejack nodded, as she and the others were on their way out.

“Hold on!” Spike called out.

“Yes, Spike?” Twilight replied.

The young man seemed confused, as if uncertain on what he just said. Eventually, Spike took a deep breath to calm himself, and regain his composure.

“How would…I mean…would it be alright…if we all…sleep together?” Spike blushed a shade of pink for asking. “Y’know, just for tonight?”

Upon hearing such request, Sunset looked up and immediately shared the rest of her fellow She-Beasts’ delight.

“Of course!”

Soon, all the girls were all on top of Spike, in a bundle of colorful furs and feathers, snuggling up next to him.

Sunset Shimmer spooned him from behind, with Applejack laying her head on his right shoulder, and Fluttershy’s fluffy ruff was snuggling his left cheek. Pinkie Pie has spread herself across his torso, with Twilight on her left, and Rarity on the right, beneath Fluttershy. Only Rainbow Dash, who wasn’t fond of having her wings crushed, was roosting atop Spike and Sunset’s head. Lastly, their newest addition, former She-Beast and long lost fashion model, Fleur de Lis, had curled herself into a ball, and snuggled across Spike’s waist, next to where Pinkie Pie was sleeping.

“This feels really weird,” Twilight commented.

“But, are ya comfy, Spike?” Applejack asked.

The young man was blushing a shade of pink, with his voice pitching high.

“…This is a little…strange…and nerve-wracking…” He admitted.

“Well, you asked us to sleep together,” Sunset grinned. “But you didn’t say how.”

“Touché,” Spike shifted, until he got settled. “Though, if you don’t mind my saying…you girls all feel…fluffy. I mean, you’re all warm and…you’ve got some really nice…fur…and feathers. So soft, and…Sorry.”

“No need to apologize, Spike,” Sunset chuckled. “I think we all understand.”

“As long as you’re comfy, that’s fine by us,” Applejack added.

“We want you to be comfortable as much as you want,” Twilight reassured.

“Uh…thanks, I guess…” Spike replied, sounding unsure.

“Good night,” Fluttershy started.

“Sleep tight,” Applejack followed.

“Dream of bed bugs tonight!” Pinkie Pie finished, before she started sawing logs.

Sunset, Spike, and the others all exchanged some laughs, before they all fell asleep in each other’s embrace.

After a whole day in the jungle, escaping from Shade Stalker, staring death in the eyes of Tirek, Raptorians, and Ēferno, this was a calm after the storm.

Sunset closed her eyes, nuzzling her chin atop Spike’s head, while holding the man close. Knowing that tomorrow will be the start of another life and death survival, on the Island of Dr. Grogar, for now, the tiger-woman is content to just being with her friends again.

Outside of the hut, a pair of eyes watched, with a twinge of jealousy.

He was the first human she’s ever seen. To her, he is beautiful. When she first laid eyes on him, she just wanted to be with him. She wanted him all to herself.

Instead, she was helpless as all the others snatched him away from her. They are selfish. It wasn’t fair. Yet, deep down, she knows that someday she’ll have him.