2. Sunset Shimmer I

Sunset Shimmer

Darkness. That was all of what she knew, moments after awakening. She could not tell whether if it was night or day, but she knew she wasn't in her nice warm bed. Instead, she was somewhere far less than comfortable for her now. Blinking made little to no difference here, it was so dark. The ground beneath her felt soft, like dirt. It didn't "feel" like dirt, though.

Where... Where am I? she wondered. All she remembered was being poisoned by a very tall man in light armor, who also wore a black mantled cloak.

She was reverted back into her pony form she realized; her unicorn form. It had been a long while since she was in her pony form. Unfortunately, she was unsure if she remembered any spells she had learned all those years ago. If she did remember a spell, then she could get herself out of this place. But first, she had to know where she was.

Concentrating, she was straining to conjure a simple illuminating spell. It took little effort though, as she her horn glowed its cyan-ish aura. The light's radius expanded as far as possible. She knew the ground was soft, but did not think it was sand. All around her, were surrounding walls of brick red stone, making it like a tightly enclosed prison. She also noticed a tight feeling around her throat. A metal neck cuff, attached to a long linked chain. At the end of its link, was a lock on left corner of the facing wall.

Why did it have to come to this? She asked herself.

Things were going so well for her back at Canterlot High, making friends with the people she had once wronged in the past. She had redeemed herself, and worked very hard in becoming a better person (or pony in this case). She also battled the Dazzlings; sirens from Equestria, alongside her new friends. All the while, making new memories to last for a lifetime.

Despite seeing where she is, She still had absolutely no knowledge of what this place is, and why she's here. Sunset was not sure how long she had been here, but she needed to find a way out. Any longer here, and she may as well go insane. There did not seem to be any holes, cracks, or anything that would indicate an escape route. And having a cuff around her neck would make escaping difficult. The heat was intense, sweat beading down from her wavy red and gold mane and light amber coat.

Red stone. Sand. The heat. She started to fit the pieces together, I must be in a desert somewhere!

But then how could it have been so hot and dark at the same time? She must not have been too far from sunlight, despite being in perpetual darkness. Perhaps it had just had to do with the heat from outside. It probably won't be long before she becomes hungry, or worse thirsty. Even the thought of food made her uneasy.

If only I still had that magic book! Blaming herself, Then I could tell Twilight I need help, and fast! But what could she have done to prevent it from happening? It wouldn't have made any difference, most likely.

Twilight was back in Equestria with her friends, unaware of her predicament. The thought of helplessness was almost overbearing. She tried to prevent herself from crying, only to have tears run down her cheeks anyway. A lingering thought still crossed her mind: why is she here? Why was she chained up? What is her purpose being here? All these questions probably would go unanswered for her, much to her chagrin.

"Hmm." A stick had been laid across from her; yet she did not realize it until now. She sucked the mucus back up from crying, and decided to investigate.

Memories came back to her of what she learned. She remembered an igniting spell, of which she hopes will work. She can not overuse the spell, otherwise she would tire completely. Carefully, she concentrated to light the stick ablaze, using the spell she remembered. It would cancel out her illuminating spell, but that was the intention. The cuff chaffed her neck in her efforts.

Come on. She tried desperately to cause even a little flame. Her magic crackled, trying desperately to light the stick ablaze. The stick started to burn, showing clear signs of catching fire. Yes! It's working! She thought excitedly.

Seconds later, the wood blazed in crackling flame. As quickly as she could, she used levitation to lift the stick and stab it in the center of her prison. In doing so, she won't have to constantly levitate it. But why did it take forever just to light a fire? Better yet, why did she have trouble casting spells at all? The neck cuff could not be the blame, she knew, it only hindered her movement.

"My magic must be weak here." She spoke to herself quietly, "But how?"

It felt as if it been hours since she first awoke. Sunset kept relighting the stick every so often when it burned out, to keep the rocky prison lit. Her hunger and thirst had also grown over time, and irritating pain seared across her neck from the cuff. She was no longer sure if she was going to survive here any longer.

Maybe, whoever brought me here could bring me something to eat or drink? But then again, how was anypony going to feed her if they can't get to her? Not very well planned out if, whoever they are, wanted to keep her alive. At least, if that was their intention.

Flustered by that thought, she threw a nearby rock hard at one of the stone walls. When the rock hit the wall... it started to ripple and warp.

"What?" She couldn't believe what she saw. Her mouth gaped in surprise. Now she understood. A hidden trap magic barrier? She realized in awe, Now it makes sense!

Trap magic barriers, are one of many different types of trapping spells. She was most familiar with this one. Any unicorn or other magic user who knew this spell, could not only trap an opponent when cornered, but the barrier also surrounds the captive and weakens his or her magic, preventing any method of escaping. The user can even disguise the barrier, to blend with it's surroundings; making the victim unable to see past its illusion.

That explains why my magic is weak here!

However, her captor was not a pony though. Whoever that guy was who captured her, must have also known magic. As far as how he would be able to use magic, she was not certain. Then again, she didn't know what he was. He didn't look like anyone from where she lived. She knew she couldn't break the spell if she tried; only the user can cancel the spell. However, she did remember a way to see through the hex. As she started to perform the spell, she could hear distant voices outside of the barrier. but of course could not see them. She tried approaching quietly to listen, but the cuff had choked her when she got too close.

Unfortunately she still had trouble hearing them. She prepared herself to use the spell. Straining for power, she concentrated as hard as possible. Thankfully she managed to cast it perfectly, despite taking a while. As the wall's opacity faded, she saw red stone walls afar from where she stood. She looked over to her right, and saw two light armored figures walking towards the barrier from a dark, narrow corridor. One had a gray helm and wore a long black robe, the other had a hood over his head. The cloak he wore looked awfully familiar...

"Him." she whispered to herself in disdain, "He's here."

There was no mistaking it, it was her kidnapper. He wore iron armor with that black hooded mantled cloak, just like before. He was conversing with the other, as he held a torch in his right hand. The fire crackled from the torch, its light was bright in the dark. The closer they came, the better she heard. Fortunately they could not see her on the inside when she used her spell. Whatever conversation they were having, it seemed important.

"So that is how it happened?" Her kidnapper questioned in a plain tone, "An alicorn killed the Beast-master? Have you been drinking again, I wonder?"

"I speak no lie, Kapral!" The robed one replied in a raspy voice, "She fired pure magic at him, and had taken Adoranz hostage! I swear to you, it is true!"

Kapral. That is his name.

"Pah!" He scoffed, "I'll believe flying faeries prance about in a fiery spit, before I believe a princess did such a thing!

They then stopped in front of the barrier, but never faced it. Kapral faced the other, still unconvinced. She noticed they had stubby knobs on their backs, probably an indication they once had wings. Their helms had covered most of their faces, except for their blank glowing white eyes. Their helms had slanted eye slits, which looked very menacing. They seemed much taller than she though; eight or nine feet at best.

"Since when would a princess combat and kill anyone, Bugrim?" He continued questioning, "Ponies are just too peaceful to ever kill! They aren't that strong, for that matter."

"This one had no problem killing one of us, Kapral!" Bugrim insisted hesitantly. "Beast-master's head was turned mush!

"Now then," Kapral was still unconvinced, "who was this alicorn princess, hmm?"

"A newly crowned princess." Bugrim replied at last, "I do not know her name though. Please, Kapral! You've been to another world apart from Equestria; why should you deny that?!"

"I don't have time for this!" Kapral's patience dwindled, she noticed. "I have better things to do, than listen to your squawking."

She swore she heard a door opening faintly. Turning her head back towards the long dark corridor--the cuff bringing some difficulty--she saw another figure approaching. Kapral and Bugrim turned their attention to a robed figure, and kneeled before him in his presence. The figure was wearing a very long, black hooded robe. His very appearance was intimidating, and was notably much taller than the both of them.

"Master Shozad!" Bugrim greeted.

"How many?" His voice subtle and deep.

"Twelve, Master." Bugrim rasped, "The trap had been laid out perfectly. Although, there were a few... casualties."

"I am aware." The master must have already known. "Beast-master and his fostuin's life, are now at the hands of Sabrathan in the afterlife. May he forever live in the nightmares of ponies."

"If I may, my lord." Kapral interrupted, " Bugrim claims an alicorn killed him, and had taken Adoranz hostage."

Master Shozad turned to Bugrim. Staring with blank white eyes, it was rather hard to read what he was thinking. "And he is correct." He confirmed, "A princess has, indeed, done as such."

"Really?" Kapral inquired, "Coming from you, it has to be true." Bugrim seemed rather annoyed by him.

Sunset had no idea what to make of this, at first. Who were these people? Why are they doing this to her? Or worse... what will they do with her? Considering how she got kidnapped, the last thing she'll do is underestimate them. They also know how to use magic. Was she in another world? She had to be. They mentioned Equestria and the other world, but what world was she in? When they mentioned Twilight killing one of them, she wasn't surprised

I don't blame her. Sunset thought angrily. I'm not sure what they are, but I won't let them harm me!

It was not hard for her to figure out that these creatures can be killed. And if they are ironically weak to magic, then it shouldn't be too much of challenge to get out of here. But avoiding them could prove a more difficult ordeal, given she had no idea how many roam around this place. Still, should circumstances lead her to fight...

I will not hesitate!

After a time the three of them had left, leaving her to herself. Hopefully they knew nothing not about her eavesdropping on their conversation. She had nothing better to do but wait until something happens. Her magic was still weak here, so she had to cancel out her opacity spell. With little effort, the wall's opacity came back. All the while, her neck cuff still chaffed. Every time she tried to re-position it, she felt a sharp pain. The cuff was probably giving her blisters.

As far as she knew, no one else came. She did however made it a goal to remember their names. So far she only knows the three that she saw, as well as one who is captured and one who is dead. Her reasoning behind this was clear: to never forget. For quite some time this has been on her mind. She kept repeating their names in a sequence.

"Kapral, Bugrim, Master Shozad." She recited the names aloud.

Suddenly, Sunset faintly heard a "promising" sound: footsteps. Someone was coming. She could use the opacity spell she used earlier, but she was exhausted from using magic, and was not going to waste any more energy. She thought it "promising", because it might be someone coming to get her. A turnkey most likely.

I must be strong, she thought with humility, and bide my time.

She heard heavy footsteps getting closer and closer. By then, she was preparing for the worst. She stood up, slightly drowsy, waiting for what may happen. She knew what to prepare for when she heard the barrier power down. The barrier dissolved before her eyes, into nothingness. A dark plump figure appeared, with a torch in one hand. She has never seen him before. He wore a black helm under a hooded cloak. He was barrel chested and bow legged.

As I thought: a turnkey.

"Alright ya miserable pony wench!" He told her in a deep voice, "Its time to burn!"

He belted out laughing, content with demeaning her. He then turned to her left, and unlatched the chain from its lock. He grasped it with firm leather gloved hands, and reeled it towards him preventing slack. A lot of the chain was then held in a hoop-like shape, making the rest of the chain shorter. He then yanked hard as if she was a dog. The cuff had tightened it grip on her neck as he yanked her forward, making it hard for her to breathe.

"Ah!" She choked in pain.

"Come on!" he said impatiently, "I haven't got all day!" He laughed heartily at himself.

She had no way of knowing where she was being taken. The portly jailer was pacing himself slowly, just to make Sunset's ordeal last longer then it should. He kept complaining about how slow she was, the hypocrite. He kept yanking her chain, to make it even more agonizing for her. He enjoyed every moment all the way, like the sadist he is.

"With all this meat, our lord of shadows will be pleased!" He told her, laughing maniacally.

Sunset however, felt something promising: her magic was coming back. He had not stopped, so wherever he was taking her he has yet to arrive. She also saw--as he kept yanking the chain--there was a weak, rusted link where he gripped. Up ahead, she saw a large runic door leading to Celestia knows where. Regardless, she needed to escape.

I don't think so, buddy. Immediately, she knew what had to be done. Quickly, she prepared herself. Her horn glowed, charging up for a concussive blast, aiming for the weak link.

"Eh?" The jailer turned around, wondering what the whirring noise was.

The chains rang when the cyan blast hit the link, shattering it into tiny pieces. Debris of small metal fragments, were scattered. The portly jailer heard the blast, and stopped for a moment. He turned himself around and realized what she had done. His white eyes widened from his black helm, in utter shock.

"Wha-?" He stuttered in disbelief "How di-? Why I ought-"

Her horn glowed again, aiming at him this time. As it was charging up, he started running, and then waddling. He can run pretty fast for big guy, but he wasn't fast enough. She fired the cyan-ish beam towards him. No matter how fast he ran, he didn't out run the paralysis spell. His wide body collapsed with a loud thud, it was at that the moment he was incapacitated. The rest of the chain then disintegrated, and the neck cuff with it. She was free.

"Alright!" She told herself. "Now to get outta here."

She galloped to the large runic door, hoping it is the way out. She can't be too sure though. After all, someone could have heard the blast. The door could also be locked, but she had to try. She used a levitation spell to turn the knob. She noticed the runes were not like anything she had ever seen before. They were in a specific pattern, as if it was a foreign language. The door creaked open slowly, mainly because it took Sunset some effort to open it.

When it opened, it was like a wide black gaping mouth heading into tartarus. As nervous as she was, she had to get out of here. So it was either stand unsure of what to do, or blindly go into darkness. The former was a worse idea, because others would eventually find her and kill her. The latter was her best option. Regardless of what lied ahead, she must get out.

Into tartarus I go. she thought as she entered.

She went in, and lit her horn with enough light to see where she was headed. And just enough not to be spotted. The door had closed itself shut, the further she went. Every time she turned her head, light would bounce off the walls. She could see even more runes than before. The runes were carved across the red stone walls, she even saw vague drawings possibly depicting a sacrifice. There were black, skinny figures lifting four legged creatures with their stick like arms. They seemed to be throwing them into some kind of pit, with very red wavy lines. Not knowing where the path may lead, she kept going but at a slow pace.

After a time, she found a door at the end of the pathway. It only had one rune though. It was in a very peculiar shape, angular and sharp. She turned its knob, and as she opened it she found herself overpowered by a bright searing light. The sun was not as hot as before, however, but still bright. She squinted her eyes, and realized....

I was right, She thought as she exited, I am in a desert

The sun was setting bright against the vast open, sandy landscape. Strange red rock formations surrounded an area, close to where she exited. There was an overhang of red stone above the area, that curved inward. Within its center, there seemed to be a pit of some kind. The cloaked figures had gathered under the overhanging rock, and around the pit. And there were also ponies, chained up against a wall like rock formation. The black cloaked figures were chanting in an unknown language, their voices in perfect unison. Hurriedly, she hid behind a large red stone boulder to prevent from being seen out in the open. One cloaked figure stepped forth, and had set the pit on...

Oh no! She realized in horror, That's what he meant by burning!

They then sat down, crossed legged and swayed side to side. This seemed to be their way of worshiping this "Lord of darkness". It was like what Bugrim had told his master: twelve ponies were captured, and were chained together. The poor captives looked very terrified. Tears welled up in their frightened eyes, all equally horrified and uncertain. The pit's flames danced in the evening air, embers were floating up, and descending to the sandy floor. Sunset had felt deep empathy for them, being offered as sacrifice to a lord of darkness. They were linked together by cuffs around their necks, like hers. But she was free from her chains. She had to save them... but how?

Thankfully they were spending so much time chanting, otherwise she would not have been able to elaborate the situation. Not wasting time, Sunset prepared for a teleportation spell. Her horn's aura glowed, instantly she was surrounded in a cyan-ish bubble. Within seconds, she got behind the wall formation hoping no one heard it. They seemed to have been waiting for someone, she assumed.

Peering from one side of her cover, she witnessed the captives up close. There were at least four mares, four stallions, and four foals. Two of them were fillies, and the other two were colts. Most of the stallions were very slim, save one. Each of the mares reacted differently either being confused or downright inconsolable, one of them holding a pink filly tight in her arms. Every one of them, distinguishable from the rest.

As the chanting grew faster and louder, a small light gold coated pegasus colt turned to where she was taking cover. The foal's mane was green with black streaks. She moved behind quickly, hoping nopony or no one saw her. She panted as quietly as she could. The sun had set, and now night is closing in. The darker it got, the faster the chorus chanted, she noticed. The orange fire violently grew from the sound of their chorus, it seemed. Its flames had danced vehemently, she could see forms within it that appeared strange and vivid, unlike any fire she had ever seen.

They're not just waiting for their master, She speculated, they're waiting for nightfall.

After a while, a familiar figure appeared from the shadows behind them. Their chanting and swaying became even more sporadic, convulsing back and forth side to side. Their chanting then grew guttural, and monstrous. The captives became even more frightened, as he walked toward them. The fire's shapes grew more vivid, and raged violently. He then stood back facing them and, raised an open metallic palm.

The chanting had ceased. And not a moment too soon, she thought. The only remaining noise was the roaring, vivid flames of the pit. The master had stepped forth, spreading his arms wide. The stubs on his back also spread out as if they were tiny stumpy wings. He stopped close to the pit, standing his ground as the fire grew tall. The others got up, and came toward the pit. She also noticed Kapral had his back up against the far corner, as if he wanted no part of it. Seeing this, confused her.

Why are you not participating? she wondered.

"My brothers." He spoke in a loud booming voice, "We are gathered here, for night has come, and our moon shines brightly upon us!"

"And darkness with us." The others said in unison.

"We carry a burden for our righteousness: to put aside our need for wings, for his guidance. The people have cut off our wings for our crimes, and cast us out into Casah. Because we have no wings..."

"We now no longer fly." in unison.

"The city of Nezend is filled with unrighteous people who had opposed him! And his own brother, unjustly betrayed him! For those who once followed their late emperor, they are..."

"The enemies of Sabrathan."

"When his dark flames grow in hunger, we his followers are the ones who satisfy! For we all know..."

"Flesh must be offered."

The master had then paused to turn back at the captives. She poked out her head, peering slightly so she could analyze and not be noticed. Sunset did not want to waste her magic to see through stone. No, she had something else in mind. His blank eyes, stared at the poor things with contempt. She looked back at her captor, Kapral, who still leaned back nonchalantly.

"Yes." He said at last, "The flesh, of the enemy!"

The colt from before along with the other foals, began to weep in fear. The older ponies began to panic, but they couldn't run. The pink filly was weeping audibly, but the mare holding her tight was trying to encourage her not to. The crowd of cloaked figured jeered at the captives, taunting them. For a time, Master Shozad did nothing to cease them. But once he held his palm up, the jeering had stopped.

"Ponies!" He continued, "These colorful heathens, have also persecuted the lord of darkness! They are the allies of his greatest enemy: his brother, Anakim! Who put his put his own brother, into exodus!"

"We haven't done anything to you!" a gray blue coated stallion spoke up, defending himself.

"Yeah," an orange pegasus mare pleaded, "we'd never do anything like that!"

"Silence, foul creature!!!" The master shouted angrily. The stallion and mare backed against the stone in fear. The master glared at him hatefully. "You insolent creatures have no rights here! For you see... your time is nigh. The flesh shall not speak, unless spoken to."

Sunset needed to bide her time, and wait for the right moment. Patience is key here. Just as she was about to make her move, the portly jailer whom she escaped from, was sprinting as fast as his bow legs would allow. The master had turned to the turnkey's direction. He was huffing, and panting heavily when he stopped. Soon after, he started wheezing. She didn't think twice on what he was about to say.

"Master Shozad!" He panted.

"You are late, gaoler." He said impatiently, "Where is the last one? We had start the ritual without her. You better have a good excuse, pig belly!"

"The pony wretch is loose!" He cried, "She freed herself with her magic! She knocked me out cold, she did!"

"What?!" He cried "Impossible! She is an insignificant, defenseless creature! She couldn't have!"

"I swear, master, she did!"

"She couldn't have gone far. Find her, and bring her back! Or else, I'll have you whipped for your incompetence!"

Defenseless huh? She thought, slightly offended, We'll see about that. She sidestepped out from her cover. Engulfing her horn in aura, she wasted no time!

She shot a concussive magic blast at Shozad. The beam passed straight through his aorta, blood had gushed from his wound when he was shot. The blast was stronger than she anticipated, leaving a large gaping hole in his chest. His body collapsed lifelessly on the sand. The jailer had then sprinted away in cowardice, as the other followers made their move on her. They were rushing towards her, jagged daggers unsheathed. Fortunately, she thought this through.

"Check-" She whispered to herself.

Quickly, she fired three blasts above the stony ceiling of the overhanging formation. The impact was so strong, large rocks and dust fell upon her future attackers. Their bodies crushed on impact. Killing was not something she intended to do, but it was all she could do. She had cast a barrier spell to protect her, and the other ponies from the falling debris. She could hear the ponies behind her gasping, surprised they're still alive. Once the overhang was completely destroyed--and safe--she canceled out the barrier.

"-mate" She finished her sentence. The former captives cheered for her, something she rarely ever had.

"Thank you, for saving us." The gray blue stallion told her, "Do you think you could get us out of these chains?"

"You're welcome." She replied, "And yes."

She had not realized the chains were rusted up; which makes it easier for her to break it. Charging up her blast, she disintegrated chains without fail. Now they were free. Everypony rejoiced, hugging each other and so forth. The light gold colt from before came rushing toward her, hugging her tightly.

"Wow! You're amazing!" The colt told her, with wide dark green eyes gazing up at her.

Sunset Shimmer had never felt so good in her life. For a long time she had been seen as a monster, but now she felt like a real hero. It was almost like when she helped Twilight defeat Adagio Dazzle, only on her own. However, something else came to her mind: How is she going to get home? And these ponies would want nothing more then to go home.

"Lets go, now!" Somepony spoke suddenly. A mare with a light green coat, long braided red mane, and hazel eyes came up to her. Her cutie mark was a star cut ruby. The other ponies looked at her, confused.

"Ruby," The orange pegasus mare asked. She had a short spiky mane, which was dark purple with light purple highlights. "What are you talking about? Their all dead, what do we have to worry about?"

"More could still be alive!" Ruby admitted, "Lets go, now, before one of those things comes back from the dead!"

"They can't come back from the dead!" A brown mare argued.

"Well," The grey blue stallion commented, "I'm not staying to find out."

Sunset pondered on that. Could it be possible some of them survived? She glanced back at the wreckage, viewing the damage done. What was once a large overhanging rock, is now a giant pile of rubble. But the mare did have a point, even with the overhang destroyed, some of those people could still be alive.

"She's right," Sunset agreed, "we have to get out of here."

"Alrighty then." Ruby replied, "Lets not waste any more time."

It took a long time to get away from that dreadful place, treading across the dunes of this alien desert. The moon had already risen high above them, its light shining brightly in the sky. The air was cool and calm, thankfully; a break from the searing heat. The thirteen ponies continued walking a long distance until they had no other choice but to stop. They stopped under a wave-like rock formation. From the way it was formed, it would give them shelter them from the heat when the sun rises.

Sunset had been thinking about what that light green mare--named Ruby--had assumed. Some of them could still be very much alive, possibly tracking them down and aiming to kill them. But she also wondered about her kidnapper, Kapral. When those fiends were all coming to attack her, he didn't move from his spot. It wasn't until she destroyed the roof, when he decided to move. But she didn't wonder if he was still alive, she wondered why he didn't participate.

What was his reason? Why didn't he try to attack?

"Hey, Mamma?" The pink filly asked sometime after they stopped. "Where are we going?"

"I don't know, sweetheart." She heard her mother say. She didn't see her, though. "Wildstrike, what do you think?"

"To tell you the truth, I don't know either." The gray blue stallion answered, "And I'm not even sure we know where we're going."

Sunset didn't know most of the ponies she's rescued, other than when she heard their names in conversations. Wildstrike was the stallion with a gray blue coat, sandy brown mane, brown eyes, and a glass bottle cutie mark. The orange mare with a short spiky dark purple mane, was named Void Wing. Her eyes were a lighter shade of purple, and her cutie mark was a dark purple spiral. Sunset thought "Void Wing" was an odd name choice for a pegasus like her, but a name's a name.

The light gold pegasus colt with a dark green mane with black streaks, was Lemon Lime. He had blue eyes, but did not have a cutie mark. He seemed to be rather fond of her since she saved them. All in all, she only got to know four of twelve. She should allow herself to get to know them in the morning.

"Excuse me, miss?" Sunset turned her head to see that it was Void Wing who asked.

"Yes?" She replied.

"What's your name?"

"My name is Sunset Shimmer."

After that, nopony said anything more. They were exhausted from their brief trek, away from that horrid place. They have a long way ahead of them, so they needed sleep. Even though Sunset had not the slightest idea where they are headed, she knew they had to get out of this desert. She pushed the thought aside to get herself some sleep, lying down on the soft sand beneath her. Their journey will be long, but for now, they were safe. Safe and secure.