Inspired by the song Kiss From A Rose by Seal.

The Mysterious Mare Do Well landed upon the rocky outcropping of a cave, leaping down and heading inside before pressing a stone on the wall, the caves fake wall lowering behind her as she continued further down the tunnel. It took her a while, but finally she reached the end of the tunnel, entering her sanctuary and finally taking off her hat and mask.

When the mask was removed, the face of a young unicorn mare could be seen, her dark blue mane spilling out over her gray furred face and neck. Sighing, the mare took off the rest of her armored costume, putting it away before walking toward the computer which was the centerpiece of the room and speaking. “Synth, what’s the situation looking like after tonight?”

“Things are looking up for a change,” said a burly voice, the computer’s many screens lighting up and displaying various bits of information. “Both Public and Police opinions of you have skyrocketed after this latest battle with Phantom Horn, which has led to a plummet in sales of the Charge Cargo Daily.”

“I see, and the bad news?”

The A.I. sighed, knowing his master wasn’t content with just good news. “Well, the Elements of Harmony are still attempting to find out who you are, for they feel responsible for your activity, and they also want you to come forward with your true identity.”

The Mare sighed, “Didn’t you get a hold of them and explain the satiation, you know, the too many enemies and wanting to protect my family.”

“They got your message, but they sent one back, saying that they understand your concerns but you need not worry, they will work on a way to help keep your loved ones safe.”

“Hm, I guess that ploy didn’t work, we’ll just have to come up with something else to get them off our tails. Now, any more bad news?”

“Yes,” said Synth, “it seems the princesses have taken a personal interest in finding out who you are, especially princess Luna, for she seems to want to personally thank you for all you have done for the ponies of Charge Cargo.”

“…Dam, that’s going to make things a lot more hectic…that will be all for now Synth, you can power down.”

“Will do my lady.”

When he powered down, the mare got up, heading to the elevator and heading up, exiting the elevator to the main house, her butler walking up to her and presenting her a series of flowers. “A selection for the mistress this evening.”

“Beautiful as always Fine Cut,” said the mare, looking them over before grabbing a rose and heading off down the hall, exiting the mansion out its side door and heading into a little wooded area off to the side, walking a ways inside before finally stopping in front of a grave.

It was a simple stone, made from marble, and bearing no name, save for a cutie mark which looked like a galaxy.

She placed the rose on the grave, and then pulled the necklace that was hanging around her neck, looking at it for a moment before pressing upon the crystal, causing it to flash before something came out of it, taking the form of an alicorn.

“Hello Carla,” said the alicorn, “I see we're finally back home.”

“Yes,” said Carla, easing herself down onto the grass in front of the gravestone. “Sorry to have to keep you in the necklace so long Galaxia, Phantom Horn was just needed to be dealt with.”

“I know,” said Galaxia, “but at least I’m home now, so I’ll be able to rest for a time.”

“Well don’t get too comfortable,” said Carla, “We may be on the move again, with Phantom Horn in jail, the power vacuum left by him will no doubt increase our workload.”

Carla got up to leave then, but before she could, Galaxia cleared her throat. “Um…Carla, there is something I need to tell you.”

Carla turned around, giving her a look before she continued. “Look, you know what I was, after all it’s quite obvious due to how I look. I was an alicorn, and even though I’m dead…my life still flows within me. If…if we merge together again, like we have been doing, that life…my life, will go into you…making you like I was.”

Carla stood there a long moment, letting the information sink in till finally she spoke. “Like you…as in?”

“I’m not quite sure,” said Galaxia, “you could just gain my unending life…or you could get the whole package, you could become an alicorn, but we won’t know unless…unless you decided to merge with me again.”

“And if I don’t?”

“You will stay a mortal,” said Galaxia, “but you would also have to go back to the old days when you first became Mare Do Well, which means that most likely you would die due to injuries incurred by your chosen profession.”

“…I…I need some time to think.”

*

Hours later, Carla found herself sitting upside down upon one Charge Cargo’s many skyscrapers, her anti-gravity field keeping her firmly planted on the bottom of the ledge as she gazed at the city.

It was a frightening prospected, the idea that she might soon live forever, and maybe even have wings. She didn’t really know if she wanted that, but she also knew the other option was something she didn’t like to consider.

She remembered the earlier days, the bruising, the broken bones, the awkward questions. Even when she had her new suit made, it had only helped a little, especially when villains like Phantom Horn had begun popping up from Charge Cargo’s seedier underbelly.

She could go back to the way things were, but with the power vacuum following Phantom Horn’s defeat, it would most likely break her, and then there would be nopony left to defend Charge Cargo, even with all the new hero’s popping up lately.

“I guess it’s decided then,” she said out loud, looking toward the stone gargoyle perched above her, smiling at him as she spoke. “Thanks for sitting with me Rufus, always a pleasure.”

*

“Are you sure about this?”

“As sure as I can be, this is the only way to keep the ponies of Charge Cargo safe…I can’t just leave them defenseless because I don’t like the idea of…of becoming an immortal protector. I am Mare Do Well, I have to be what the city needs me to be, not what I want to be.”

“…Selfless to the end, very well, let’s get this over with.”

With that, she dived into the mares chest, Carla gasping as the sudden invasion caused a surge, and she rose slowly into the air, becoming surrounded by magic.

As the magic swirled around her, she felt a burning sensation crawl along her back, and then cried out in pain as two wings shot out from her back, and then cried out even more as a ray of light shot out into the skies of Charge Cargo, parting the clouds above.

Author's Note

Not Really Much to say about this one, save to say expect more stories from this particular universe.