Truth Revealed

Dash and her group stood and stared at Sunset Shimmer, while she stared back. It was Lisa who broke the silence.

“What are you doing here, Sunset?”

Sunset tipped her wide-brimmed, boonie hat to them and then said, “I live nearby. Pentagon officials closed down the base six months ago. Yet, they denied local communities permission to redevelop it for civilian uses. So, I was curious as to why there was so much activity in the place again. Then, I saw it was filled with captive ponies. Thus, I’ve been slowly observing and recording what I saw ever since. Was about to head back out to the place when I ran into you. Soooo, what’s up with the place?”

“Well, they are NSA and they kidnapped everypony to be interned there and at two other locations. After Lightning here got raped, we made our break, and now we intend to get the word out about what’s happening.”
Sunset winced at that before replying. “Okay, let’s get you all to my place and you can get some food and clothes. I’ve got a secure web connection, so you can get the word out. Heads are going to roll on this.” Sunset lead them from then on.

Dash being curious asked. “So what did you do before the change?”

“Was a retired CIA analyst. Don’t worry; I’m on your side with this. Kidnapping you people was a dumb move by the NSA. Tell ya, it was nice being able to do this kind of thing again. Being fifty was so annoying.”

“So what did you do some James Bond kind of things?”

“Not usually.” Sunset answered with a smile. “But I was military before the CIA so I am used to field ops. I’ve also collected data for psychological operation teams to create effective “Hearts and Minds” propaganda. So, I know how to craft a meaningful narrative with words and pictures. Let’s get going, we don’t want to be in these woods while the NSA is searching for your group.”

Silence fell after that till they got to a well-maintained, ranch style house that was mostly concealed by trees. Sunset unlocked the door and let them in. “Welcome to my home. Stay here in the living room and I’ll go get some clothes for you all before I start cooking dinner.”

“What’s for dinner?” Dash asked.

“Well, I do have some frozen pizzas without meat. I also have meat pizzas, but it so sucks that I can’t eat meat anymore.”

“Actually, we can.” Jasmine commented.

“Huh?” Some of the pony-humans including Sunset said.

“Well, some of those I was with in the camp did allow studies to happen to them and the doctors discovered that we can eat meat.” Everybody stared at her for a minute before Spits finally said.
“Sunny, get all those pizzas you have cooking. We have meat to eat.” Grins were all around. Even Lightning was smiling. Sunset gave them a thumbs-up and then disappeared while everypony else rested their hooves on the chairs and couches. Dash noticed that on a bookshelf stood a twenty-inch tall Sunset Shimmer plush doll. Hanging around its neck was a convention badge for something called Bronycon.

Then, Sunset returned with a bundle of clothes for them to pick over to wear. Dash picked a simple white T-shirt and a pair of shorts and both fit well except for one thing. Her wings, they were again bound to her back unless she either ripped holes or took the shirt off. It was a tad uncomfortable to say the least, but she will deal with it. Dash decided that she would soon have to buy, or have made, some open back shirts for her and for the other winged pony-woman in their group.

After getting their clothing on, the gang decided to just rest from their escape and waited for the pizzas to be done. Sunset joined them with her boonie hat off and her gun lying nearby. It was Lisa who broke the silence.

“So, do we have to worry about unexpected guests?”

“Nope.” Sunset replied. “I have sensors buried in the ground, hidden cameras watching the road to my home, and a flight tracking radar so no one approaches my place without my knowing.” A sigh of relief came out of everypony.

“So why Sunset?” Spits asked with a slight smirk and folded arms as Lightning laid next to her. Sunset smirks at the group and replies.

“I like that she is practical smart and a bit of a renegade. Some of my actions during my days with the CIA were questionable. Heck it cost me my family. But, I overcame those issues like Sunset did.”

“Okay, I can buy that.”

“So, did you all pick the pony you’ve wanted to be?” Sunset asked.

“All but two of us.” Jasmine stated and Sunset had an eyebrow raised.

“Oh, you wanted to be Applejack?” Jasmine rolled her eyes.

“Everyone thinks I would relate with the shows number one background pony.”

“OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!” The gang comments on that diss while Dash watches with amusement.
“Joking on the background pony bit. But seriously, I have been compared repeatedly to Applejack from Equestria Girls. Heck even the guy who sold us these costumes initially grabbed Applejack. I’m not a farmer, rancher, or even from the south. I’m a jeweler and Rarity breaks the stereotype more so than with Applejack. Heck Rarity Investigates proved that. Yes she is snobbish, but she is far more generous than they would ever be. She is a true noble pony.”

“Okay so who are the two then?”

“One will be Lightning here,” said Spits. “She wanted to be Rainbow Dash, but they didn’t have it at her store. The other is Dash over there.” Dash groaned knowing what was to come.

“Okay why you? Lightning makes sense, but someone not wanting to be Rainbow Dash.”

“Because I’m not a brony. I was just a guy honoring my word to my girlfriend.” Sunset looked at Jasmine and replied.

“Lady, you are a cruel woman. So, you are also against the Rarijack ship as well?”

“I don’t hate it, but I think the Raridash ship isn’t used enough.” Jasmine then grabbed her girlfriend and leaned in close. “Besides my precious rock is so cute like this.”

“Rock?”

“My name was Tom Davis.” Dash replied and saw Sunset try to not laugh when a ding sounded.

“Okay pizza is ready. You all get your drinks. I have pop, milk, and beer.” Everyone got up and grabbed their preferred food.

* * * * *

After dinner Dash found herself in front of a laptop. She volunteered to be the face of the resistance group as she reveals to the world what happened at the camp.

“Okay I got the computer all set up. Just press the record button and share what you know. I’ll add in pictures I’ve taken earlier then we’ll post it on the web and the truth will be out.” Sunset said.

“Thanks Sunset. Well here we go.” She clicked the mouse and began.

“Hello, my name is Tom Davis, but I currently look like and sound like Rainbow Dash. Like many in the world I was given a costume that has since become my body. I had barely adjusted to this fact and what to do, when my home was broken into and I was kidnapped. The NSA has kidnapped me, my girlfriend, and many other adults and children, and then imprisoned us without probable cause or due process into three internment camps for our ‘protection’.” She did the air quotes thing.

“My constitutional rights as an American citizen have been violated because someone in the federal government is either afraid of our magical powers, or sees me and others useful for something. I am unable to work at my productive job and earn a living wage. I was separated from my girlfriend, denied all contact with the outside world, and a roommate of mine was raped. Those NSA agents never addressed me as Tom Davis, but as R412803. Despite our outward changes, we are still Americans, and have rights and those have been violated.”

Dash takes a breath, and then continues with, “Look at the images taken from a new friend who observed what was happening to us. That was our daily life in that place. I beg my fellow Americans to right this wrong. I am personally suing the NSA for breach of my rights and want to see justice done. All of us changed want at best to go back to normal, but barring that to try to live our lives as normal as possible. Remember, if false and dehumanizing imprisonment happened to my friends and me, it can someday happen to you as well. Tom Davis signing out.” She clicked the off button and then ceded the chair to Sunset.

“That was brilliant Dash.” Jasmine said and she smiled at her girlfriend.

“Just spoke from my heart. I’m still surprised you didn’t want to do this.”

“I think you would have a better time reaching them then I would Dash. Your heartfelt honestly would endear us to many.”

“I may not be an expert on the show but hanging around you, Spits, and Lightning I am bound to learn something.” Jasmine giggled at that. “So you like me for the honestly, so why not give me an Applejack costume?”
“Well, I admit you as Applejack could work, but I think you’re cuter this way and Rainbow matches you more to me. You are the first to go in and you man up on your promises. You would give up much for the sake of your friends.”Jasmine leaned in closer. “What has happened was never planned, but if you had to be stuck as a pony from the show I’m glad it was Rainbow Dash.” She then kissed Dash on the check and Dash blushed at that.

“Jeeze you two, get a room.” Sunset’s rather blunt comment ruining the moment. With a frown, she gave a light slap in the back of Sunset‘s head which only caused the girl to chuckle.

* * * * *

An hour later nearly everyone was sitting around watching the news channel, while Sunset monitored the web. Dash had a cell phone next to her waiting to call a friend who was a lawyer. Soon enough it happened.
They played the recording and Dash had to admit that Sunset did a great job with it, as she blended both still pictures and footage with what she had said.
Dash decided it was time and called his friend.

“Hey Paul, it’s Tom. Been paying attention to the news or were you gaming?”

“It is and don’t call me Tommy boy. Also, I’m not a brony, I lost a bet to Jaz.”

“So you know why I’m calling.”

“I look forward to it Paul.” With that she hung up.