The gray unicorn ran over the dead landscape heading towards a cliff. She looked back over her shoulder tightening her grip on the two semi-automatic ten millimeter pistols she had. Her rifle was strapped to her back. She frowned as her pursuers drew closer. "Buck!" She scrunched her face. Her eyes hidden behind her scavenged Shadow Bolts flight goggles. The mare slid to a stop looking back one last time before she jumped. The air below her suddenly formed dark clouds with strange rainbow flashes. All the sound went completely silent even her own voice. Above Canterlot castle an odd dark cloud erupted from a black vortex. A single pony burst from it landing on the balcony in a heap. She rolled to right herself. She looked around cautiously before putting her pistols away. Her movements betrayed her uneasiness. Her horn glowed briefly as her form seemed to fold into thin air. Light taps could be heard creeping into room from the balcony.
Celestia perked her ears as she stretched out her senses. There was somepony in her bedroom and she wasn't about to fall victim to an assassin. What made things worse was that she wasn't the one in her bed. Celestia could hear the pony near the bed and gave an almost terrified gasp. That was when the princess moved flying quickly to grab the invisible intruder. She had expected some struggle or thrashing but not what really happened. Just as she was about to drop the intruder into the rather large bath, which was more of a small personal pool, in the deeper end the pony appeared almost like casting off a cloak. The grey mare was clearly panicked and wrapped both arms about the alicorn's waist when she was released. Celestia struggled slightly to stay in the air and noticed the mare was more focused on the water than on her and she seemed heavier than she should have been. What really caught Celestia off guard was how the mare was muttering the same thing over and over. It was the rapid fire uttering of, "No," which increased in volume each time that got to the alicorn. Odd behavior for somepony trying to assassinate a princess, and considering she had weapons that weren't drawn and wouldn't be ideal for a close range kill and avoid a quick capture. Celestia felt it then. The clinging mare had a slight tremor in her body. Celestia looked down at the mare and saw the arms were not covered in armor but actually made of metal. She hovered lower moving back away from the tub.
The mare let go falling the short distance to the ground. Her feet however didn't find purchase before she had fallen backwards. There was a ring as the mare unceremoniously hit her head on the side of the pool like tub. "OW! Bucking 'ell!" Somehow when she fell she'd chipped her horn and was now clutching it in her metal hands. "Always the horn." Celestia landed silently next to the unicorn watching her. The unicorn began to edge away from the tub still holding her hurt horn with one hand. The gray mare now was muttering softly, "Just my luck. Why can't anything be easy?" She tensed as she felt a hand rest upon her shoulder.
"Calm yourself my little pony. Why were you sneaking through my chambers?" Celestia's voice was gentle and soothing. Despite her tone the mare in her grasp didn't seem to be calming down very much. She was convinced now this mare wasn't an assassin, but still had seen death by violence. The gray mare's actions were those of a tortured soul that had endured too much pain. There was a sound of wings out on her balcony. Gentle clicks of steps made their way towards the bed and paused before moving towards the door of the bath room.
"Sister, we sensed a troubled mind in your chambers. Are thee alright?" Luna said gently as she stepped inside. The gray mare perked her ears towards the sound. Luna gasped and stared at the young mare. "Why we are impressed with thy medical progress. Is she one of thy hoof maidens?" Celestia frowned looking at her sister shaking her head. "Oh. Apologies, we should not have assumed."
The gray mare's head turned falling upon the crest of the moon. Her eyes traveled up to the crown on Luna's head. The action was much slower than the bare glance she had used normally. Celestia had noticed the mare's attention. "Luna we have a visitor. I had thought her to be a danger." She paused when she heard the sharp intake of breath from the gray pony. When she looked the mare had averted her gaze down to the floor. She realized this mare was actually bowing to her sister. "Interesting. Lulu I wasn't able to get much from her but perhaps you could speak with her. She doesn't seem to like water much, but perhaps you could get her cleaned up."
"I like water just fine." The mare had snapped quietly almost in a whisper. "I... I can't swim. I sink." Both princesses looked at the gray mare. "You try having half your body made of metal. That and drowning isn't exactly fun." Celestia seemed to look a little meek as she glanced back at the pool sized tub. Luna gave Celestia a questioning look. "She was going to drop me into that pool." The mare looked over at where the chip from her horn rested. "Too bad my horn isn't metal. I could use fewer headaches."
Celestia reached down lifting up the horn chip and placed it back where it belonged. A soft golden glow enveloped her hand and horn. When she pulled her hand away the gray mare's horn was pristine as if it hadn't been damaged. Luna now stepped closer looking down at the mare. "Rise and tell us thy name." The gray mare blinked lifting her eyes to look at the moon princess. She would stand slowly only casting a brief glance at Celestia.
She wore a look of bewilderment as she stood in front of Luna. "My name is Sparkle Shot, but my friends call me Sparky." A metal hand moved to rub the back of her head. "Forgive me but you aren't exactly as I imagined you would be." Luna gave Sparky a curious nod. "I thought you'd be taller. I can't say I'm disappointed. I like actually knowing what you look like." Sparkle Shot looked away almost shyly.
Celestia looked at her sister. "I think you have a pony here that worships you like you always wanted Lulu." Luna blinked then looked from Sparky to Celestia. "Why look at how she treats you." Celestia smiled towards Luna. "I'm a little envious of you right now. Do you think if you had met this mare a thousand years ago you'd have felt so ignored?"
Luna looked back at the gray mare for a moment before turning towards Celestia. "Perhaps you are correct. We certainly would have felt more wanted had she been near." Luna turned towards the door. "We have a long night and our guest is likely weary after her journey. We shall enjoy her company for tonight and allow her to clean up. The morrow shall see where she will reside." Both princesses failed to notice the blush that colored Sparkle's cheeks at Luna's innocent remark of where she'd spend the night.
The rest of the night had thankfully gone with no further embarrassments. Sparky had cleaned up rather well despite the map of scars on her back and chest. The night gown which was borrowed from Luna did much to hide most of it. Dawn was just arriving and the gray unicorn hadn't ye slept. She had spent the night staring at the sky. It wasn't until the first rays of the day peeked over the horizon tat she even moved. Luna spotted the mare on the balcony and approached. "Hast thou not slept?" Sparky shook her head and tried to stifle a yawn. "We insist you come inside before you catch thy death."
