//-------------------------------------------------------// Ninjas Are Awesome -by NightwatchTheRogue- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Scroll 1 Chapter 1: Friendship is Magic //-------------------------------------------------------// Scroll 1 Chapter 1: Friendship is Magic Everyone, excluding Sunset's goons, at that schoolyard were shocked at what they are witnessing. Sunset finally seized the crown that the girls were desperately attempting to prevent her from taking. A sense of doom and utter terror were the sensations that Luna and the mysterious dark outfit man feeling when the word "magic" was mentioned and the fiery-haired girl achieved her goal. "Hehehe..." Sunset cackled with mischievous glee. She grasped on the golden crown with her slender amber hands and greedy eyes. "At last..." Twilight picked her growling angry purple dog while the rest of her friends huddled behind her, preparing for the worst. The fiery-haired girl's grin and eyes widen with darkness. "... More power than I could ever imagine." She raised the crown up in the air to fully marvel its design and taunt her enemies of their failure. The dark outfit man must prevent the girl from fulfilling the deed of gaining magic fast. He instinctively pulled a small piece of metal somewhere in his clothing. The item was shaped of a hexagon that had a hole in the center and six sharp edges that made it resembled a star. He held the metal star with his right hand like a dart and aimed precisely at the crown. He was about to throw the star at the crown to knock it out of the redhead's grasp but... "Stop!" Luna objected to her friend's decision. She grabbed his wrist, halting his throw. "What... are... you doing, Luna?" The man said, irritated that she would stop him from committing the deed and stopping the threat. "I won't allow you to throw that, Sensei," Luna answered. "I'm not going to hurt her..." "I don't care what you do to Sunset," Luna said. "It's our true identities that are in great peril. If they see that shuriken, the anonymity of the ninjas' presence in Canterlot City will crumble." "I think the girls would be too occupied to notice or even care-" The man said but was cut off as Luna had just slapped his face with all of her might. She had offended scowl on her face. "I wasn't talking about the girls..." Luna was about to speak more. her frustrations on who she meant. "I'm talking about the Or-" But then suddenly... BOOM! It would appear that everyone's speeches have been interrupted tonight by unexpected circumstances. This one was disrupted by a loud booming explosion. The duo looked down and saw the most shocking and supernatural scene they have ever witnessed. Sunset had slowly and ceremoniously descended the golden crown on top of her head and instantly a dark blue rings came out, surrounding her entire body. The rings then exploded into a pillar of corrupted light burst out and shining up towards the night sky, creating powerful shockwaves and ominous dark clouds to gather near the pillar of light. These occurrences made everyone and everything cower in fear. Unfortunately, a number of teens got out of the school building to see what was going on outside, only to have the similar frightened reactions. The crowds of teenagers and the adult pair on the roof witnessed, in terrified awe, Sunset slowly rises up into the sky, a stream of tears flowed out of her eyes and bit her lower lip as if she was in great pain as the magic was surging throughout her entire being. The crown and her aura once again burst out another darker light on the fuschia star jewel, corrupting the wearer even further from both the outside and inside of her mind, body, and spirit. Her amber skin became crimson dark red like her aura, hands became sharp claws, her clothes shifted into a ragged dress, her hair has been styled to take the shape of a flame and she sprouted two black bat-like wings with sharp tips at the bottom ends and the front was shaded into crimson red, grew a tail that had the same color as her hair and the top of her ears grew long and pointy. The redhead had morphed into a horrific form of a fiery demon. "DAMN IT!" The man cursed out loud.He did not care that his presence might be spotted by the fiery-headed demon. He slammed his right fist on the roof's ledge. "We're too late." He looked at Luna. "Why did you stop me?!" "I... I..."Luna nervously stuttered, shocked at her error for halting the man's effort to stop Sunset from putting on the crown. Sunset opened her eyes, revealing blue irises and ink black sclera. It only took a few seconds for Sunset to recollect her sense after her demonic transformation. She was marveled at her new form by laughing maniacally out loud, showing sharp teeth. Everyone and the adult duo gasped in horror and couldn't move an inch, except for Twilight who stared upon the fiery demon with an enraged and determined look. Sunset's monstrous claws started to emit two dark orbs of power and fired them to her underlings. They twitched and convulsed as they were transformed as well. With a flash of light, the boys turned into winged demons like their leader. The lanky one's entire body color was blue while the short one was orange. "This is going to be so cool." The blue demon boy said with mischevious joy. The girls with virtuous auras flinched and backed away from the lesser demons, while Twilight continues to look at Sunset with a more enraged expression and gripping tightly on her left hand. The rest of the confused students cried out in distress for they have no idea what is going on with the scene they are witnessing. "This isn't good." The dark outfit man announced to Luna. There was a hint of distress and frustration in his voice. His body trembling for his instincts went wild and telling him to kill the demons before they cause real severe damage to everything and everyone. But before he could act... "Should we intervene?" Luna asked which sounds like she's begging to do something. "What can we do exactly?" The man retorted. "We've encountered magic a couple of times in our lives and every time, we barely escaped from its clutches with our lives still intact. And have you forgotten about HIM?" His voice became low and harsh when he said the last word as if this individual was a great threat to the man and Luna. Luna began to hyperventilate and became hysterical as she remembered what the man meant while hearing the cries of her terrified students echoed in the air. Traumatic memories of their pasts began to unravel in her mind. Every encounter she had with magic was horrifying and always concluded with severe casualties. She almost lost her only sister to magic. "I'm sorry..." The woman sincerely apologized to the man, who looked at her and got up from his spot. Her eyes tear up with sadness and regret. "No, I'm sorry, Luna." He approached towards Luna and embraced her tight. The young woman wasn't surprised by this action and in fact, fully accepted it as she rests her head on the man's chest, her tears seeping through his outfit. "I should have stopped her when I got here." He gritted his teeth. "But I let my curiosity get a hold of my intuitions." There was no verbal response from her. She only tightened her grip on the hug. This only made the man feel more determined to end the disaster that he was too curious to see instead of preventing immediately. A blunder he wished didn't happen a second time. After he gently got out of his embrace with Luna, he reached his right hand to the hilt of his sword and slowly unsheath it, preparing to surprise ambush the demonized Sunset and her two minions. His blood coursing fiercely through his veins, the hand that was gripping tight on the sword's hilt trembling as his killer instincts were growing impatient as the fiery-headed demon continued to monologue something about ruling Eques-something, a place that he couldn't identify or maybe it didn't exist and the demon was becoming more delusional as the magic corruption lingered more inside her mind, body, and spirit. Luna had it worse. She had calmed down enough for her emotions to shift into depression to primal rage. She gritted her teeth really hard that it might cause one of them to crack. She clenched both of her hands that her sharp nails pierce through her palms and some of her blood flowed out. "I'll go get my tools." Luna proclaimed to the man. She was about to head down but was suddenly halted by her friend, who grabbed her left wrist. "Tools? We need actual weapons like guns, bombs or anything incredibly sharp if we can truly harm or kill these things." The man lowered his short sword, took out the sheath from his back and placed it on the left side of his hip. "The only thing we have right now that can do such a deed is Silver Moon." "Well, I have those kinds of weapons as well..." Luna started to walk to the window that she came out from but suddenly halted, let out a disgruntled sigh, looked at her friend and crossed her arms. "I wish the Hunter was here." "Yeah." The man nodded. "At least she knew how to handle these things." He looked around his surroundings while listening to the sounds of mayhem and distress from the school grounds until he became impatient on what he was waiting for. "Luna." He looked back at the woman. "Yes?" "Weapons?" He raised both of his arms above his head, trying to inform the woman. "Oh, I'm sorry, De- I mean, Sensei." Luna ran to the window panel that had a hatch and went inside. The man could hear a distant sound of heels clinking as the woman ran to the room where she kept said weapons. "... But let bygones be bygones." The distorted demonic voice of Sunset Shimmer said, her voice had a hint of sarcasm. The man headed back to the ledge to continue witnessing what the fiery-headed demon is up to. "I am your Princess now." He saw the demon hold both her hands together and the crown began to glow its unholy light once again. "...and you all will be loyal to..." Sunset raised her glowing right demon hand directly at the school's front entrance, where the panicked students were inside. The man could feel the solid concrete foundation of the school's roof quaking unnaturally as it was about to be crushed by the demon's magic. "ME!" Sunset grasped her right hand and the entire entrance soon crumbled into pieces. The debris was shrouded in dark magic and the demon swept it away to the side as she was focused on the students. She menacingly flapped her demon bat wings and approached the teenagers who began to cry in fear and run further inside the building. And there was a Wilheim scream that could be heard among the crowds for some unknown reason, which the man would have found this moment hilarious if the situation wasn't so serious and horrifying. "Damn it, Luna. Where are you?" The man was growing impatient with the waiting for the woman to return with the said weapons that she claims to possess... in a public service property. He facepalmed at that thought about the recklessness of the woman for harboring dangerous instruments in her workplace. He can sense her coming back, feeling tired carrying something heavy. A light blue duffle bag was first to come out of the window. It had a golden ring on all sides of the bag and it had the same color letters that say "CHS", the "S" resembled a horse's head with a dark blue eye. The bag looked bulky as the contents inside were heavy weapons. Luna was the second to get out the window, feeling fatigued from the haste retrieval and return. She changed her teaching attire into a more biker-like appearance; navy blue jeans, dark sapphire leather hoodie jacket, and black leather boots. She dropped the bag near the man's feet and opened it. The man was surprised on the number of weapons and ammo boxes inside. There was a lot of varieties such as pistols, revolvers, shotguns, rifles, knives, machetes and grenades. There was also a black balaclava mask on top of the pile. "Luna." "Yes, Sensei." "This is kind of overkill, isn't it?" "Not with magic, it isn't." The man sighed as he agreed with the woman. The pair began to load their weapons and prepared for the most intense fight of the century. They ducked down and slumped their backs on the ledge wall. "Pray for luck?" Luna asked, holding silver Buckretta pistols on both of her hands. "You know I don't pray, Luna." The man answered, who had two .44 Neighington Magnum revolvers, instead of pistols, on both of his hands. He twirled both his weapons with his middle fingers and turning off the safety switch. "I meditate." Luna let out an annoyed sigh. "Then meditate for good luck then." She retorted. She pulled out her long hair which turned out to be a wig, revealing her true one, a Pixie hairstyle with the same hair color that had a pearl white streak on the front. She then put on the balaclava mask to conceal her face and performed the same action that her partner did with her two pistols. The duo slightly raised their heads to inspect the main event to find a perfect opportunity initiating a surprise and violent ambush on the demons and save the students. "... I want Equestria!" The fiery-haired demon announced. Her cyan irises lessen and the darkness of her sclera enveloping it. Both of her claws gripped tighter as her dark desires and corruption increase at an unprecedented rate. "And with my own little..." She waved her right arm behind her. "... Teenage army behind me, I'm going to get it." Every student, apart from the six girls, moaned and their bodies were moving slow and in a trance that seemed to resemble brainwashed zombies. "That... that is..." The man tried to say something but his thoughts were overwhelmed by the demon's plan and how... "Fucking stupid!" Luna yelled out, her voice sounded venomous as she is infuriated by the demon's plan and how idiotic and made no sense. She didn't care what this Eques-train or whatever it was Sunset said. All she cared was her students' wellbeing and how to get rid of the mind control. "I'm going to fucking kill her." She bluntly said. "I'm seriously going to shoot every single gun I have on that thick demonic skull of hers." "Luna, that's rather an extreme motive you have there." The man said, trying to calm the outraged masked educator. "I'm regretting this idea already. Maybe we should call the Age-" "Screw that, Sensei," Luna hissed at the man before he could finish his request. "I'm not having another Darkon in this world and ruin everything that we hold dear again." The dark outfit man saw rage and regret in her eyes. He understands what she was saying as they've experienced every traumatic experience they've encountered over the years. From the day they met to years of working together side-by-side. "Ingrid will be saddened if we died because of this." He informed the woman sadly. "Maybe she will be grateful that we at least got rid of an evil magical presence." She said, sighing for she thought would be her last time. "Even though it's not him we're taking down." "Let's do this." They said simultaneously as they aimed their guns at the demons' heads. "Gee, the gang is back together again." Demon Sunset maniacally laughed, wiping a single mocking tear from her right eye. After she was done mocking her inferior opponents, she began gathering a concentrated dark magic from the palms of her hands and forming it into a miniature sun orb. Her sights were directly at Twilight Sparkle, who had her friends on both of her sides with defiant looks and combat ready stances. These girls were completely different and special to the students, maybe even to other humans. They stood their ground with confidence and weren't hypnotized by the fiery-haired demon's dark magic, meaning they have some sort of immunity to it. Unfortunately, Sunset completely ignored their defiant attitudes. "Now, step aside." She demanded the girls with pure hostility in her voice that would've made everyone obey without hesitation and submerged with fear but had no effect on the girls. "Twilight has tried to interfere with my plans ONE too many times already." She raised the concentrated ball of destruction above her head. "She... needs... to... DIE!" She then launched the gigantic orb directly at Twilight, who flinched and raised both of her arms above her head as she doesn't know what to do for it was impossible to dodge the attack in time. However, her friends instinctively jumped to her and hugged together to form a shield, not like it will actually protect anyone. They closed their eyes and hoped for the best. BOOM! Luna and the man were in utter appalled when the orb hit the girls directly. A bright flash of light shined for a split second before a dust cloud was formed by the impact. The woman was about to jump down from the school's rooftop and unleash her entire rage by unloading every clip of ammo from her guns on the demons for killing her students in cold blood. But the man grabbed her right wrist. "What is it now, Sensei?!" She growled at the man for stalling once again. "That demon just killed my students!" "Don't you sense that?" He asked, serious about the question. Luna decided to use her ability to see what he meant. She sighed in relief as her students were still alive but felt uneased as something else that wasn't from one of the girls but rather all of them. After the dust clouds dissipated, the pair were in awestruck when they saw something... astonishing and rather weird. The girls were still huddled close together but something new surrounded their bodies. It was a lavender hue magic field, which protected them from the attack. Sunset stopped her laughter and was now in a panicked pose when she saw them not get destroyed by the blast. "What?!" The fiery-haired demon and Luna simultaneously said. One by one, each girl opened their eyes, and slowly got out of the group hug to inspect the strange magic field that was surrounded their bodies. Twilight was the last one to notice the unexpected occurrence, her friends were holding hands that formed a circle around her. Everyone, excluding the demons, smiled with relief "The magic contained in my Element was able to unite with those who helped create it," Twilight said with a valiant tone, she raised her arm to point at the crown's jewel which was glowing brightly and expel its essence to the lavender girl and her friends. As soon as the essence made contact and a ball of light shined, the girls began to float up in the air, notifying the witnesses that they were about to transform as well. "Do you hear that?" The man asked, confused at what he is hearing. "It sounds like music." "Hey yeah..." Luna confirming his question. "It sounds very peppy and upbeat... like... like..." The pair looked on to see what will come next. The girls began to glow and slowly transformed with marvelous manner. Though, unlike Sunset's dark green tower of corrupted light and horrific painful transformation, the group's light shined like a rainbow that glowed a sense of hope, harmony and other virtuous concepts that were known to all living being. And the girls seemed to change natural and felt no pain but rather enjoyed the magic flowing throughout their bodies. New appendages emerged on the girl's bodies as well. Their human ears disappeared from the side of their heads and reappeared on top of their heads. In addition, two girls, the one with rainbow hair girl, the shy yellow skin girl and Twilight herself sprouted wings from the back of their shoulder blades. The wings extended themselves, unveiling a majestic pair of angelic feather wings that had similar colors of the wearer's skin. Twilight began to say each girl's virtues, who in return struck a pose. "Honesty!" The blonde cowgirl tipped down her Stetson hat. "Kindness!" The shy girl's pose was rather closed and timid, not freely moving her limbs like the rest of her friends and opened only her left eye. "Laughter!" The pink girl was ecstatic at her transformation and looked all over her body on the changes. Her finishing pose was her raising her right leg while standing on her left foot's toes, showing a huge grin on her face, and flapping her hands like a bird. "Generosity!" The pearl white skin and violet hair girl move elegantly manner as she undergoes her metamorphosis. She placed her right hand on her hips and displayed a beautiful expression that describes her virtue. A professional pose of a fashion model. "Loyalty!" The rainbow-haired girl immediately tested out her magical wings capabilities by zooming really fast, leaving a streak of her signature rainbow hair color. And lastly... "Magic!" Twilight said with such confidence and optimism that overshines the despairing darkness that the fiery-haired demon produced on the school. The light finally diminished enough that the observers can see the girl's colorful silhouettes. Twilight's forehead was glowing brightly of fuschia hue as that appears to look like a single unicorn horn that is fuelled with the magic of... of... the bonds she shared with her friends. Their combined powers were exponentially more powerful than Sunset. It was like comparing the strength of a fully equipped battleship to that of a small worn-out dinghy rowboat. "That... that is physically impossible." The man said in disbelief at their transformation. It was more bizarre and quite childish. "Yeah..." Luna agreed, also befuddled at what she is witnessing. "Are we in a Sailor Moon anime right now? Because it feels like we are." Extraordinary girls with quirky personalities that also act as their virtuous willpower, weird music playing somewhere in the background and their transformations were flashy, colorful, took a really slow time to go through, and they did dynamic poses at the end. Either they were in a Sailor Moon anime or magic has a colorful and silly sense of humor today. Anyway, back to the fight... "Together with the crown, they create a power beyond anything you could imagine," Twilight announced as she and her friends look down at the fiery-haired demon. "But it is a power you don't have the ability to control." As she said that last sentence, Sunset was seen struggling to grab hold of the crown. It appeared like the item was going to its rightful owner. "The crown maybe upon your head, Sunset Shimmer." Twilight continued on her speech. "But you cannot wield it because you do not possess the most powerful magic of all." She and her friends hold hands. "The magic of friendship!" The girls rise up higher into the air and formed a human-linked heart formation. Then suddenly, two beams of rainbows burst out of the group and spiraled towards the sky until it reached the sky and blast down into one larger rainbow beam that was heading towards the fiery-haired demon. Sunset Shimmer was now screaming in fear and paralyzed, feeling hopeless of ever dodging the direct attack. But it wasn't a direct attack, the beam landed on her feet which only gave her a split second before it actually performed its true attack and that is a rainbow tornado surrounding the demon's body. "Ah! What... is... happening!?" She yelled, afraid and confused. The tornado grew into a gigantic size, succumbing the demon entirely. Its center had sparks spewing upwards yet there were no screams of pain or any sound from Sunset. "Here and Equestria. It is the only magic that can truly unite us all." Twilight said. Another beam of rainbows came out of them and shoot at one of the brainwashed students, which began to multiply and hit the rest, freeing them from the dark magic and removing the demonic forms of Sunset's cronies. As a final act, Twilight spread her arms apart and a giant ball of white light flashed throughout the area. And just like that the fight... if you even call that one-minute anime transformation sequence and overdramatic light show a fight... is over. Good has triumphed over the forces of pathetic and idiotic evil. The students are saved from the dark brainwashing magic and manipulative grasp of the demon Sunset Shimmer. And all that was accomplished with the magic of friendship... In the form of a deadly rainbow blast straight towards the fiery-haired demon. Seriously? That's it? Author's Note You have been defeated by a group of friends and your darkness that shrouds and controlled everyone has vanished. Your fate has been sealed, Little Miss Redhead But is does it define who you really are? //-------------------------------------------------------// Scroll 1 Chapter 2: Awakening //-------------------------------------------------------// Scroll 1 Chapter 2: Awakening The battle between the chaotic evil, and lawfully good has ended… Before it actually started. After a moving speech about friendship, an unusual anime style transformation sequence and one rainbow blast later, Sunset Shimmer was brought down to her knees and left in a crater of her own failures, both figuratively and very literally. The stolen magic from the crown and her hubris was her ultimate downfall. There was no chance of her actually succeeding in her goals. All Sunset wanted to do with the magic she obtains was conquer someplace called Equestria. And the first and only solution that she devised at the time was… you’re not going to believe this but just listen… was to turn every ordinary teenage student into mindless zombie soldiers and use them to attack this Equestria place.... somehow. Was she going to use the dark magic to turn the teens into demons just like she did to herself and at her two cronies when they arrive Equestria? Or was she going to plot a long-term scheme that involved training her brainwashed teens into highly skilled and cold-blooded soldiers? Or will she single-handedly defeat any of those who oppose her with magic somehow? Whatever the answer might have been and whether it would've succeeded if her plan came to fruition, she pathetically failed and lost everything with the simple magic of true friendship. Of course, that sounds kind of ridiculous but it happened and seemed to make sense... somehow. After the giant exploding orb of light and the dark ominous clouds have left the scene, the amazing six girls have succeeded but were seen lying down on the concrete ground, probably exhausted from using all the magic they had recently gained on demoness Sunset Shimmer. The liberated students have gathered near the ruined remains of the school's front entrance and observed the appearance on the aftermath of the overdramatic light show or "fight" between the six girls and the fiery-haired demoness. One by one, the girls regained their senses and go up from the ground. Twilight being the last one with some puppy licks to the left cheek from the purple dog Spike. The lavender girl's eyes immediately opened wide, slightly raised up to the ground, and opened her arms to her pet dog for a hug. She and her friends went to her side and stared in awe at what they had just done. On their sights was a giant crater and what... rather who was at the deep bottom, within the black smoke. As the black smoke finally dissipated and the girls looked closer, they were shocked to see the fiery-haired girl was brought down to her knees and left in a crater of her own failures, both figuratively and very literally. Her entire body covered with wounds of all kinds, her hair frizzled and had stray strands sticking out. It appeared she has become the crater's core of failure and guilt. The girls and students of CHS might have been impressed by the results of the battle… while, on the school roof, the pair of shadows were dissatisfied. Don’t get them wrong. They’re grateful that the conflict was immediately extinguished with the stereotypical climax of the power… no, the “magic” of friendship and not through bloodshed and death. The pair felt a little displeased that the battle for the world's fate looked like child's play to the girls and the only damage that occurred was caused by the fiery-haired demon girl; she crumbled the school's front entrance with dark magic and the iron grip of her right hand. There was huge crater after she got blasted by a beam of rainbows. The destruction of past times that dark magic was used that the duo witnessed was far worse and there were actual casualties which range from a dozen to hundreds or even the entire population of a small village. (During the same time as the fight had concluded, on the rooftop of Canterlot High...) After rubbing their eyes due to direct eye contact on the bright flash from the giant orb of light, the pair contemplated their thoughts on what they witnessed. "T-that was amazingly..." The dark outfit man said, shaking his head disapprovingly. "disappointing." "Yeah, very anti-climatic." Luna agreed, shaking her head as well. "My expectations on that fight and the terrifying build-up that Sunset set up have diminished by a single rainbow blast." "I presumed that there would be a little resistance considering we just witnessed this Sunset Shimmer turned into a winged demon that had similar potential to that half of Darkon's power." The man lowered his weapons to the ground and crossed his arms in disapproval. "or maybe it was a quarter of it... or a pinch." "But all she during that long sequence was just stand... I mean, floating still and took the blast directly." Luna said. She would felt relief by now but she felt the fiery-haired girl's presence was still there. She took off her mask, exchanged her dual pistols for a crossbow, which was deep down the duffle bag. "However, I can sense that the good-for-nothing threat has yet to be eliminated. I can understand that because she was hit by rainbows, not by a Hyper Beam or Solar Beam. " She loaded her weapon with an arrow and aimed with precise accuracy at the bottom center of the black smoke cloud on the crater. "Whatever the attack might have been, it was not super effective. Sensei, while everyone is still disoriented and Sunset has been weakened, we can execute her-" "No." He responded, his tone of voice had a hint of disgust. "Let the proper authorities or those young girls take care of that mess and the damages she caused. We had no reason to be here in the first place. Besides, Our presence has not been compromised." He let out a grunt and tossed both his guns back to the bag. "I had to close my store for this disappointment..." "Sensei..." Luna said, feeling furious that her friend and teacher denied finishing of the delinquent girl to ensure that she doesn't have other evil tricks up her sleeves. The girl who claims to call herself Sarah "Sunset" Shimmer deserves the most severe consequences that will occur on her for her actions she caused this night. Luna knows that there are groups or an organization who would take interest in the redhead's capabilities in both academics and dark magic, most likely attracted the attention of him. There were only two ways to stop any of those horrible circumstances from occurring; one was to use their connections to take the girl away and be hidden from modern society until they find a non-lethal solution. This idea, however, the woman gave this unnerving thought that the girl's future to their world would be safe, even if she is sent to prison or somewhere secluded and secured. The other option that the woman favored more was immediate execution. However, the idea was denied by her teacher. "Sensei, you... you..." Luna looked at her friend with an infuriated scowl. "How c-could... How could you just let her go? Do you know what will happen if we-" "I know." The man said before the woman could get another word out of her mouth. "Wait, Luna." The man felt a shock of realization. "What?" She snarled at him. "What's so important that you have to-Mmmph!" The man covered Luna's mouth with his right hand. "I know you're frustrated by my decision..." He said sternly. "But there are more important matters that we have to focus on. Do you understand?" The woman was about to protest but she could see the commanding glare through the small opening of his mask. She, instead, silently nod and decided to listen to what the man has to say. "Okay then, here's the question. Why aren't any of the faculty staff with the students or even nearby during the event?" He asked. "I don't sense Tia or any mature adult presence within the group. Do you?" She felt so shocked when she heard his question as if she was struck down by lightning. It would seem that the weather today was cloudy with a high chance of unusual magic and an ambiance of Sunset's malice. "You're right." Luna put away her crossbow and zipped close her duffle bag. She got up from the roof's floor and was about to rush to the window. "Luna, wait!" The man shouted. He grabbed hold of her left wrist. "What is it now?" Luna was feeling more irritated towards the man for interrupting her. "Your stealth disguise." He said in a deadpan tone. Luna looked down and saw that she wasn't wearing her usual vice principal outfit. This oversight made her feel embarrassed. "Oops, forgot about this." She said. She shook her head as she thought it didn't matter. "It doesn't matter. I'll just tell Tia and the others that I..." "Luna, NO!" He tensely informed her while. "Have you forgotten why you're not supposed to wear that outfit near any of the school faculty staff?" "Oh, that's right." She facepalmed after she realized what her teacher meant by his statement. "I forgot about Mister Doodle. He might recognize my outfit." "No, not that." The man tried to correct Luna's reason, however, jolted his head up at what she just said. "Wait... Doodle? As in Mister Donald Doodle, the guy that we... He still works HERE!" "Yeah..." She sheepishly replied, scratching the back of her head and trying to look anywhere to avoid her partner's gaze. "Shit..." He cursed under his breath, feeling anxious. "Do you think he still remembers our little... 'mistake'?" "Oh yeah, he does. He's still pissed off on what we did to him and his house." Luna crossed her arms and looked up at the sky with an annoyed expression. "He talks about our little... 'mistake' like all the time at the teachers' lounge and uses that moment as a comparison whenever he lectures every delinquent in CHS." "But that was like years ago... He really needs to forget about that." He groaned and shook his head. "We'll talk about that later. Right now, you should go down and inspect the reason why the school faculty staff... heck, any adult in this school are not doing anything during this crisis." "Got it," Luna said. She removed her black biker jacket, revealing a white tank top under it. She shoved the jacket into the already cramped and heavy duffle bag. As she slowly walked towards the open window into the school's library, a wild thought popped out of her head. While her teacher was occupied with observing the students down below, Luna took out one of her pistols, that she was about to use to shoot on Demon Sunset, out of the duffle bag and concealed it on the back of her pants. "I'll just leave the weapons here and go check on Tia and the others." She informed. Half of her body was already inside the school dome. "Sensei, just..." The man finished her request before she could say it. ".... Make sure Sunset or her... 'former' minions don't make a quick getaway. Yeah, this isn't my first time I had to do this." "Thank you." And with that, Luna got back inside to check up on the adults while scheming her assassination of Sunset Shimmer. After a quick wardrobe change and concealing her weapons in a secret compartment in the Vice Principal's office, Luna exited her room and, in a quick yet cautious manner, walked down the hallways as it was littered with a certain pink poofy haired girl's excessive amount of decorations and other trash. "Pinkie always overdoes her party decorating," Luna smirked as she thinks about the pink girl and the multiple detentions she gave on the girl's past antics. The floor was completely covered with streamers, ribbons, balloons and party favors; these were the nice and fun parts of the mess. However, there were bad and disgusting ones like half full cups of fruit punch and squished baked goods that would make the Head Party Planner fuming with psychotic rage. Luna could have sworn that she also saw bottles of liquor and still smoking cigarettes or rolled up joints. After the disaster was properly contained and Sunset was "taken care of", she'll have to do a strict inspection on all of her students' lockers and maybe conduct a surprise drug test. The clinking and squishing noises that the items were making every time her feet collided made the Vice Principal cringed with disgust and disappointment. "Ugh! Seniors..." Luna commented in her head, shaking her head disapprovingly at the sight. She had to be careful of where she was walking and stepping on. She regretted changing out of her comfortable black boots for the pain-inducing and noisy as Hell office worker heels shoes. She sighed in relief as she finally reached her destination; the school's auditorium and indoor PE room. It is where the Fall Formal celebrations were being held... but all of the students were outside observing the aftermath of Sunset's mayhem. Luna was there to inspect the school faculty as she expected the worse. And her suspicions were correct as soon as she entered the room and her eyes adjusted from the disco lights, she was shocked to see that every school staff were lying unconscious on the messy auditorium floor in uncomfortable positions. "Oh no..." Luna gasped in horror at the sight she saw. "Celestia!" She yelled out her sister's name for a response. "Tia!... Tia, where are you?!" No sort of response was met. This increased Luna's already high panic levels. As she searched frantically for her sister's whereabouts, she saw most of the teachers lying down on either the floor face first or leaning against a wall or on the stage. The only common item that everyone had were red plastic cups with spilled liquid contents of fruit punch. She slowly approached one of the teachers and some sort of bad luck, that teacher was Mr. Doodle, the man that Luna and her friend were cautious about interacting. He was lying near the punch bowl table. "I'll check on Mr. Doodle first and then the punch bowl." She pondered. She was disgruntled by that idea but she was close to the man for a quick analysis and had little time to check up on every unconscious individual and her sister before the students or the authorities will arrive at the scenes. "Mister Doodle! Mister Doodle, are you okay?" She shook the man's right shoulder but the only response she got was a cantankerous groan. She attempted to do it for two more times but the results were the same. "Well, at least the drinks weren't poisoned." She muttered with a relieved sigh. She unceremoniously dropped Mister Doodle back to the floor. Luna took a sniff of the area to have a better understanding of what the familiar scent was but couldn't identify it. It took a closer inspection by pouring a cup of punch and slowly inched her nose close to the drink. As soon as she did the action, she immediately retched, almost losing her equilibrium, feeling woozy and nauseous from the smell. She now knew what the extra ingredient that was put in the punch and she feared what it was. "Nightmare..." She growled, feeling both afraid and furiously tossed the cup aside, splashing the contents all over the auditorium floor. This despicable drug that ended the life of someone special to Luna, who held most dear than even her own older sister and her Sensei. "You've done it this time, Sunset..." Luna growled with a tone that resembles that of an unknown monster. Although her entire body quake, She only felt her right fist trembling and ache the most as if was ready to commit the greatest sin towards the fiery-haired girl. Luna had to let go of her unrelenting rage for the time being as she had the more important task of waking up her sister and maybe even the other staff (except for Mister Doodle). Luckily for Luna, she knows a special remedy for quickly waking up people who consumed small amounts of Nightmare without the use of chemical substances. Suddenly, a wild idea hatched inside Luna's mind. She gulped and slowly approached her sister's body. She then took a deep breath for she was going to commit a painful deed to her sibling. This will be the second time she did this to Celestia and this one will be for an emergency. "I'm truly sorry for this, Sister." She sincerely apologized to the Principal as she balled up her right hand into a fist and, in a quick and slightly strong motion, punched her older sister directly in the stomach. Punching someone in the stomach is much more effective in waking up people than slapping them in the face... or that's what Luna's Sensei told her when he thought her the procedure. Obviously, in a normal reaction from being punched in the stomach, Principal Celestia immediately got up, eyes widening to the point that it looked like they were going to pop out like a cartoon character, coughing a lot, and her body and limbs jolted wildly were flailing around and seem to be foam a bit on the mouth as if they were frenzied snakes. Luna will have so many regrets after the night ends. "What is wrong with you, Lulu?" Celestia yelled in a subtle yet furious tone while still lying on the ground. Luna dragged her sister into the Vice Principal's office to provide her better first aid treatment. She gave her sister a special medicine that flushes away the Nightmare's horrible effects and gives Celestia a boost on her vitality. Unfortunately, it only took literally thirty seconds of recovery for the Principal of CHS to realized that the culprit for her gut being punched was from her very own Vice Principal/Little Baby Sister. Celestia would have forgiven Luna for this act if it wasn't for the fact, as soon as she regained consciousness, Luna dropped her and tried to hide behind the stage curtains so that she won't get blamed for the punch. After waking up, Celestia felt her body numbed and had difficulty getting up from the floor. She still had the dangerous sedative lingering around her blood veins but somehow, had enough strength to use both her arms to lift her upper torso but just barely. "Lulu, can I have some assistance with this?" She gently requested. Her arms were trembling from her own weight and appear to give out any moment. Luna cautiously approached towards her older sister, feeling slightly nervous from the stunt she pulled. She reached her arm and grasped tightly on to her sister's. An ordinary woman with a slim physical would have complications when they try to attempt to lift heavy objects, however, Luna is anything but ordinary. Luna raised her sister to her feet with ease. Celestia had to cling on to her sister as her legs quake and not able to support her weight as if she hasn't walked for years. Nightmare is truly a frightening drug. "I will overlook the painful deed that you've done to me... for now," Celestia weakly whispered to her sister's ear. "Could you please tell me where are all of our students?" Although it was weak, Luna can hear the urgency and panic on her sister's voice and composure. Luna had to thought of the right words to say for she didn't want her sister to be in more distress. "They're all fine, Tia but..." Luna hesitated as she can't find the proper words to explain what occurred during her sister's absence. "Luna, please. Whatever the matter might be, I can handle. There's no need to hold back and worry about my feelings. Just... please, I need to know." "Oh no. I understand that you are capable of taking bad news, Tia. It's just that... It's really hard to give an understandable explanation." Luna meekly explained before clearing her throat. "Ahem... All you need to know is that it's Sunset's fault..." "Oh, not another accusation again." Celestia groaned while facepalming. "Lulu, I know Sunset might be a bad apple and might have caused some discord recently..." That last word caused Luna's emotions to snap. "What do you mean 'recently'? She's caused a lot of damage towards the student body ever since she enrolled in this school. Sunset is more than just a bad egg... She's the literal teenage Devi-" Suddenly, a wild slap to the face appeared when Luna was about to say the word 'Devil'. It was the offended Celestia who dealt the blow. "Don't you dare finish that sentence, Luna!" Celestia yelled. "I'm beginning to..." Luna covered her sister's mouth. "No, listen to me, Tia. Sunset Shimmer, the girl who we thought was just another cliche teenage bully..." Celestia softly muttered. "I'm pretty sure you're the only who thought of her like that." Luna heard her sister's remark but ignored it and continued on. "... literally transformed into a real demon monster and hypnotized the entire student body." After Luna was finished with her explanation, Celestia had an uncertain/confused expression on her face; her right eyebrow raised high and her lips tightened. A typical expression that expresses a person's judgmental opinion on a crazy person. "Luna, you know that I will always believe you and know that your judgment is quite important..." The Principal said with a reassuring tone. However, her skeptical look slowly formed into an irritated one. She raised her voice that sounded stern. "But that has got to be the most absurd and rude accusation on Sunset Shimmer that you have ever concocted. How dare you talk about one of my students like an undesirable pariah!" Although it was understandable for Celestia to defend Sunset, Luna didn't want to back down on her statement and repeat the same mistake. "Are you serious, Tia?!" Luna lashed back her sister. "I know defending your students isn't just your duty as the principal... Is this because Sunset looks like..." Luna was cut off once as suddenly, she got tackled down on the floor by her own sister. "Don't you even dare say her name!" Celestia growled as she quickly lunged towards her sister and used her right hand to choke her neck. This action was a complete surprise to Luna. "Ack! Grk!" Luna choked in desperation as she tries to let go of her sister's vice grip on her neck but to no avail. Celestia might appear like an ordinary woman at a single glance but in actuality, this woman possesses hidden strength that still surpasses her sister's. "You have no right to even mention her name, Luna!" She hissed, her expression contorted into despair. Her grip was loosening up enough that Luna escaped. Her tears dripping down her cheeks, some dripping down Luna. Her breathing becoming heavier by the second. "I know that Sunset deserves the most severe punishment for all the horrible acts she caused over the years but... but... she looks just like her..." She covered her face with both of her hands and collapsed, her head landed at Luna's chest. Luna anticipated this moment, so she patted her sister's back while she wailed in despair. While Luna soothes her sister's emotional distress as best as she can, she briefly closed her eyes and began to recollect a... horrible haunting memory on the last time she made her older sister fall into despair and the reason why she can't mention her in front of her sister. (December 8, 200X, Winter- Freezing- Memories of Luna) Celestia and I were below a basement at an unknown location that we have been forcibly dragged into. The walls, floors, pillars and basically everything else in the room were lined up with cold grey metal. The temperature was more freezing than the calm winter days I have experienced. So many corpses and puddles of blood were just lying on the ground that we could barely see the floor's surface. Tia and I were trapped in that one despicable room for several days. Our clothes were covered with cuts, stains of unknown substances and their own blood. Both of us were exhausted, freezing, our vision was distorted, starving, thirsty, and in a lot of pain. I can endure this experience but my sister couldn't. Her sense of hope that someone might rescue us from this Hell slowly diminished with every hour we spent inside. Celestia's mental had a worse experience than I did for I just committed the most horrible and unforgiving act against her. She finally had enough when... "... I'm so sorry, Tia." I muttered, dropping both my knives and dropping to my knees. My hands trembled with fear and sorrow as they felt warm and wet with fresh blood. She tried to cry out but could only heave heavily as my emotions were conflicting with each other. "We... I had no choice." was the last thing I said to her that day. "Nooooooo!" Celestia shouted with all of her might as she ran past her sister and towards the lifeless corpse of a young girl with long red and yellow hair. She embraced the girl's body, not bothered with having her clothes stained with more blood. The young girl's eyes and mouth opened wide and her hair was completely mangled, making her appear like a frenzied beast. She wore a ragged brown robe and wore no footwear. Her nails from her hands and feet looked like they haven't been trimmed for many years. Her teeth were jagged and sharp like fangs. And for some unknown and horrifying reason, her muscles and body degraded her body into that of a scarecrow's. She also had visible dark crimson blood veins all over her amber yellow skin body that appear to look like lightning streaks from Hell. There were two large stab wounds on her stomach and heart. the deranged-looking girl final expression was fear, rage, resent and with no regrets or tears. It was my fault that I delivered the final fatal blows on this girl's body... maybe, also why she appeared like a deranged caged beast. I was too late to save her. Before this dark memory of mine dissipated into the void once again, I remembered the noises that still haunt me to this. The long metal hallway echoed with Celestia's grieving screams over her only child... and also the maniacal laughter of a man that she once loved. That damn bastard Sombra. Author's Note True darkness has cast upon these two sisters once again. Misfortune and fear seem to follow them, no matter what circumstances they are in. Happy ending requires many painful sacrifices and revealing everyone's darkest secrets. What sacrifices and secrets will these two sisters give away to obtain their well deserved happy ending? Hey guys, sorry for the very late posts. Just been pretty much occupied with plenty of other works liking writing experiment fics, looking for work, and reading some stuff to improve my writing. Anyway, that's it for now. Thanks for reading this tale of secrets, Nightwatch the Rogue Shinobi Fading Out. //-------------------------------------------------------// Scroll 1 Chapter 3: Frustration //-------------------------------------------------------// Scroll 1 Chapter 3: Frustration After a few minutes of Luna comforting her overstressed sister, it would seem that Celestia has slightly calmed down and ready to continue their main topic conversation. Luna retreated to her favorite office chair while Celestia was standing near a window that had a clear view of the incident; although she can barely get a glimpse of Sunset under the crater. "What are we going to do, Lulu?" Celestia muttered, her voice croaked a bit. Feeling completely miserable as seconds go by watching the aftermath. "This problem can't be covered under the carpets like last time. The Orga... Ahem, those horrible people will find out what happened here today." "I know, I know." Luna moaned, placing her legs on her desk. "If we're really lucky, we can tell our students to not talk about this until the Agency can finish 'taking care' of their memories... maybe, the neighbors' memories as well. But what kind of cover story will convince them on what happened here today?" Celestia took a deep breath and got up with a resolved composure. "I've already made the perfect cover-up story for this." She said. "Wait... you did?" Luna said in utter disbelief. "Yes." She nodded. "You actually forged a cover-up story for this exact situation," Luna said. "Yes." She nodded again. "Haaaa... I'll humor you. What's this story then?" Luna sighed. "Well, you said that the courtyard was blown into a large crater, right. So, we can just tell the public authorities that a gas pipe must have been broken and it exploded during the Fall Formal. The students are outside because they wanted to see what was going on." "That's pretty... predictable." Luna facepalmed. "And also the most possible and believable," Celestia reassured. "But how can we explain about the school's front entrance?" Luna asked another question. "Collateral damaged from the explosion." She said. Luna shook her head disapprovingly. "It's the Aurora Borealis excuse all over again." She muttered to herself before speaking clearly at her sister. "I'm completely surprised that our school hasn't had a tragic scandal broadcasted on the news with that attitude of yours." "Excuse me!" Celestia yelled in shock. "Tia... You really really suck at lying." Luna rubbed the back of her head as she felt unease. "How dare you, Lulu," Celestia shouted, slamming her hands on her sister's desk. "I spent hours arranging these plans that everyone might find reasonable. What's there to doubt my story?" "Tia, you didn't witness what happened back there. Me, Sensei and a hundred other people in this block did. There was a large pillar of multi-colored light after the explosion occurred." "You didn't tell me that." Celestia pointed out. "Well, excuse me, Princess. You choked me to near death before I could tell you more of the news." Luna informed with a sarcastic tone. In response, Celestia felt awkward and sheepishly rubbed the back of her head."Besides, there were a lot of important things that I more focused on like I don't that the fact... that one of our ill-bred valedictorians turned herself and her lowly minions into literal Hellspawn." "I couldn't argue you with that, I guess." Celestia awkwardly agreed. "I swear, if we were in a more religiously sensitive neighborhood, everyone would think that the Rapture happened and go Biblical on Sunset by thinking that she is Satan himself." On cue, both women heard multiple loud crash noises of glass and metal emitting outside. There was also an additional noise of outraged voices of the teen students. "Kill that demon bitch, Twilight!" "Go to Hell, Sunset!" "Light the witch on fire." "Don't let her touch anyone or you'll become a demon yourself." "Everybody, please don't do this." A lavender girl whose name is Twilight loudly pleaded at the students. "Please calm down." Celestia was in utter shock to see her students behaving so barbaric towards Sunset Shimmer. She understood that the fiery-haired girl had caused "trouble" to some... no, to all her students and the school faculty but she at least expected them to behave more like educated people, not like an angry mob in the old ages. Luna put down her legs off the desk and her face formed a smug expression. "I might not be an oracle..." She announced. "But I called that shit." "That's not funny, Lulu." Celestia scolded. "We have to stop our students from going... what did you say again, Lulu?" "Going Biblical." "Yes, that on Sunset. We have to save her." Luna rolled her eyes as if it wasn't a big deal. She whirled her chair at her sister's direction. "Why?" She asked with a displeased look and crossing her arms. Luna. have you no empathy for..." "Yes. Sunset can just bury herself under the crater for all I care." Luna coldly said. Celestia was beginning to lose her patience at her sister's attitude again. She stared daggers at Luna as she begins a stern lecture. "I understand that you don't tolerate people who might have strayed away from the path of righteousness but-" "Which is why we don't even have to lift a finger." Luna interrupted her sister's explanation. "She'll have shoulder pain, humility, misery, and whatever horrible crap herself for the rest of her short existence. She has to face the consequences for her idiotic actions." "Lu-Luna, that's really harsh, even for you to say." Celestia pointed out, raising her voice slightly. "We still have a chance to save her. Maybe we still have time to save her... unlike we did t-" "Oh no no, don't compare Nora to that kid's show drama bullcrap antagonist," Luna protested. "Unlike her, Sunset truly deserved..." However, before Luna could finish her comment, she and her sister suddenly heard something unexpected come out of Sunset's mouth. "I'm sorry," "Hmmm..." Both ladies hummed curiously at what they just heard. The fiery-haired girl wept her apology out loud under the large crater and in front of the anatomically unusual lavender girl and her friends. Luna instantly got up from her chair and joined in her sister's outdoor observation of the courtyard. Strangely enough, everyone went silent after Sunset said her apology. The women knew that it would be inappropriate to intervene during this scene, so they decided to settle on just observing from afar and listening to the confrontation. Standing above her were six teens with anatomically unusual horse ears, tails, and wings; they were in dynamic poses like heroes who had a triumphant victory against the villain. "I'm so sorry." Sunset continued, cowering in fear. Her voice becoming more quivering and depressed as her heart began to open up more. Tears were uncontrollably flowing out of her eyes as if she can't hold them back anymore. "I didn't know there was another way." Twilight looked down at the girl. "The Magic of Friendship doesn't just exist in Equestria." She proclaimed, looking behind to see her friends. "It's everywhere. You can seek it out..." She lowered her head. "... Or you can forever be alone. The choice is yours." Both the women finally see the fiery-haired girl, who was slowly crawling out of the crater; she looked badly injured and her face was filled with her tears, dirt, and ash. "But all I've ever done since being here was drive everyone apart." Sunset sadly commented. "I don't the first thing about friendship." When Sunset felt like all of her hopes and purpose in life were forever gone, Twilight extended her right hand towards the redhead. This gesture of compassion seemed like a beacon of new beginnings for the girl. Sunset raised her head and stared at Twilight. She felt a sense of nostalgia as she slowly observed every single part of the lavender girl's figure. She felt no hatred or any sort of negative emotion towards the girl. In fact, she looked up at the girl with surprise and awe for some unknown reason. She expected to only receive resentment and more pain after everything she did to Twilight and everyone else. Yet, here she is, someone extending their hand to someone who doesn't deserve any sympathy. Sunset believed that she had no choice but to return the gesture by gripping on the girl's hand, accepting her kindness. Twilight's hands were warm and calm that it flowed through Sunset's heart. The girl pulled the injured teen out of the crater with all of her remaining strength. "I bet they can teach you," Twilight replied with a sincere smile. She motioned her left hand towards her five friends, who were also looking at Sunset with the same expressions. When both ladies decided to stop observing, Celestia looked back at her sister with a sincere smile. "So, do you still think Sunset deserves to be treated like a monster?" Luna made a "hmmph" sound, still unconvinced that Sunset meant her apology and suspected that she was just hoping to receive a lighter punishment when Twilight forgave her. While Luna was still in her thoughts, Celestia sneakily exited out of her sister's office and headed towards the school's courtyard to pass judgment on Sunset Shimmer. Celestia halted for a bit as familiar emotions of worries and paranoia began to well up again. She hyperventilated and grasped the top side of her right chest as her heart was beating faster and faster. Dark negative memories of her past rapidly played out in her mind. Images of her sister being taken away, being betrayed by the one she loved and lastly, her holding the corpse of her only child. "I hope I'm making the right choice this time." She quietly prayed to herself. She regained her composure, wiped away her tears and proceeded to walk outside to take care of the situation. (A Few Minutes Later- Near the destroyed front entrance of the school) After the conclusion of the battle, the six extraordinary girls, the rest of CHS' students and Principal Celestia went back inside the school building to continue their partying and dancing the Fall Formal with a new reason to celebrate. The six girls with supernatural abilities and fascinating virtues of Friendship have defeated a great force of evil and hatred. While everyone was enjoying a fun night at the auditorium, Sunset was left on her lonesome on the clean up of the concrete debris that she caused. Her two former cronies; Snips and Snails, were gathering the trash left behind by careless students, ignoring the redhead to do the heavy manual labor on her own. Luna was dissatisfied with the work ethic of these three teenagers. They were slow to pick up things and left them at random corners of the hallway. She had enough of supervising them, she made a decision. "You two, Snips and Snails." She pointed at Snips and Snails who flinched when they heard their vice principal's stern voice call out to them. "You can stop what you're doing and go home now." "Yes, ma'am." Both boys said while saluting, dropping the debris that they were carrying. They sighed in relief as they can get away from Sunset and return to the safe sanctuary that they call home. "Wait," Luna said, halting the boy's tracks. "Make sure to come back to school at six o clock sharp to continue cleaning up the debris. Do you understand?" "Yes, ma'am." The boys saluted again before bolting out of the school like the wind. As soon as the boys were out of sight, Luna immediately slammed Sunset at the wall of lockers, rest her right arm on the fiery-haired girl's throat and slowly raised the girl up, lifting her off the ground. "I could kill you right now and I make it look like a suicide." She snarled. Her free left hand twitching repeatedly as it inches closer at her concealed weapon, a pistol, on her backside. She pointed the barrel right on the girl's forehead. "I thought you were like her when you first came to this school but here you are, acting like a cliched high school queen bee who thinks she can rule the world by hurting and blackmailing others." "M-miss Luna, I'm so-" Sunset was about to apologize but found it fruitless when Luna disrupted her by grabbing both her shoulders and tossed her to another row of lockers. "What were you thinking when you came to this school?" She demanded. "Did you just decide that since you're smart and claim to have great looks that you should manipulate the entire school into obeying your every whim. Do you have any common sense or guilt at all?" Sunset didn't... or rather, couldn't give the vice principal a verbal response. Instead, she just stared Luna with a saddened expression. "My sister was delusional when she thought that she could change your stubborn attitude. She saw potential at you yet you spit on her face by making our school into everyone's hell." "I-I don't know what I was doing," Sunset said. "Exactly. You were acting an idiot. You could have succeeded if the entire student body was on your side but instead, you made everyone your enemy and only have two below-average freshmen boys doing your bidding." Luna forcibly raised the girl back to her feet. "And not only that, but you also brought in a dangerous supernatural phenomenon known as magic into my school and infected my students with it." She glared at the trembling Sunset. The redhead became completely paralyzed in fear when she made direct eye contact with Luna's. They appeared venomous and snake-like with an ominous emerald glow. Sunset could've also sworn that she saw an aura of pure darkness coursing throughout of the vice principal's body. Luna concealed back her weapon. "I'm sick of looking at you." She hissed. "You better come back here to clean up your mess on Monday morning. Ten o'clock sharp, got it?" Sunset swiftly nodded her head. That response was acceptable enough for Luna to depart. As while Luna casually sauntered to the library, she muttered something that could easily hear Sunset and made her more disheartened. "I really hate it that you look exactly like her but act like a monster." After Luna left the area, Sunset began to tremble even more while sobbing her apologize and regrets on her own... until... "Hey, Sara." "Sup, Sunny." "Bo-Bonnibel? Laura?" //-------------------------------------------------------// Scroll 1 Epilogue: Decisions //-------------------------------------------------------// Scroll 1 Epilogue: Decisions (A few minutes after Luna's encounter with Sunset) Luna went back on the roof after delivering Sunset's punishment via a body tackle to the lockers and a death threat. The dark outfit man was still in the area, patiently waiting for her returning, not leaving his sight on the schoolyard. However, the man paid more attention to observing Sunset, who is currently being escorted towards the parking lot by two teenage girls; one with pale yellow skin and was slightly shorter than both girls. The other had light mint green complexion and was the tallest. The short girl had a bright yellow dress with three candies at the skirt and her cobalt blue hair was tied into a bun. While the tall one, for some strange reason, wore an expensive-looking tuxedo with a gold lyre pin on her left breast pocket and had a ponytail hairstyle. Using his acute strong sense of hearing, the man eavesdropped on the girls' conversation. "It's okay, Sunset. We'll take care of your wounds and get you home safely. Maybe you should stay at our place for tonight." The tuxedo girl, Laura said, carrying the redhead by the shoulder. "Don't worry. We're not that mad at you, unlike those other jerks." "Are you sure it's alright for you and Bonnibel to do this?" Sunset nervously asked. "After what I did to all of you, I expected to be attacked as soon as Vice Principal Luna left her sights on me." "Hey, you look completely exhausted and injured. Only an asshole would do such a thing." The short girl, Bonnibel replied with a sincere grin. "Laura and I can tell that you really meant what you said back there. And also, Twilight entrusted you with this Magic of Friendship thing, we might as well help you out with that..." The girl's face flushed in crimson red, feeling flustered. "If that's okay with you." "T-thank you," Sunset muttered, lowering her head and letting her tears flow out once again. "I don't know how I'll ever repay you for this. I barely own anything, to begin with." The girls paused their movements as they reached their designated vehicle; a yellow Volkswagen Beetle car. The short girl went to the driver's side, meaning she's the owner of the vehicle. "Maybe you can if you can be our friend," Laura asked, placing down the redhead on the back passenger seat before she got in the car herself. The man couldn't hear the conversation anymore as soon as the Laura girl closed the door. When the girls got into the car and left the area, the man couldn't help but smile at what he just witnessed. "Even when the entire world wants to reject you, there are still others who would extend their hands for you." He quoted. "Haaa... to be young again." He felt a tap on his shoulder. He looked and noticed that it was Luna, looking quite furious. "What the hell are you spouting on about?" She asked in a disrespectful manner. "For Gods' sake, Luna. Chill out." The man exclaimed. "No, I'm not gonna chill out," Luna said. "What's up with that phrase? What are you? A teenage boy or something." "Okay, I'm getting sick of that disrespectful attitude of yours." The man yelled, losing his temper but instantly stopped when he realized something. Wait, hold up..." "What are you..." "Hush now. Let me take a closer look, Luna." The man asked as he approached the woman and made direct eye contact. He could see dark erratic dark outlines illuminating the vice principal's body. "Yup, just as I thought. It seems you're surrounded with Dark Aura again." "Wait, again, seriously!?" She shouted. "I hate this curse!" "It can't be helped. Your body is more susceptive to gather Dark Aura in an instant pace." The man calmly informed, returning back to his post. "Maybe some of that negative energy of the magic that Sunset released got absorbed into your body." "Do you really have to explain it out loud, Sensei?" Luna irritably asked. "I kind of get what's wrong with me." "Oh, I just wanted to make sure you actually understand what's wrong with you." The man pointed out in a serious tone. "Also, your Nightmare form seems to be leaking out." "Wait, really?" Luna panicked. Took out her make-up mirror and was shocked to see her face. She took a few deep breaths. "Shit, shit, shit, calm down." She repeated that phrase for exactly a minute before finally accepting that she has pacified enough. "Okay, okay I think I'm good. Did you see any noticeable changes while I was angry?" "I didn't even bother looking at you during the event." He bluntly answered. Luna lowered her head in disappointment. "That's really harsh for you to say, you know. I'm asking you a serious question." "Well, you were acting quite more aggressive on your attitude and approaches at Sunset." The man stated. "Oh no, what have I done?" Luna squatted down and held her head with both her hands, messing her hair. Memories of the past hour started to reveal in her mind. "I can't believe I acted like a complete bitch. I don't know what got into me. I didn't drink anything weird." "Look, we'll discuss more on your extended sessions in the meditating room later. For now, we should discuss what we can do with this Sunset girl." The man said. "What do you mean?" Luna asked while rubbing her temples to get rid of a stinging headache, which was the result of her so-called "curse". "What I'm saying is that we can use..." The man facepalmed and shook his head as he realized his poor choice of words. "Oops, I'm sorry, let me refrain that. I mean, we can guide her towards the right path." "What do you mean?" He looked at his friend/student with determination and serious look in his eyes. "She's like us, Luna." After hearing the man's words, Luna felt a sting of pain in her heart. She understood what he meant. For some unknown reason, his words are the only thing to always easily persuaded her. "She's a... a lost soul." The man proclaimed, lowering his head. "She was humiliated in front of everyone and has lost her purpose in life and place in society after that defeat. We can still save her and guide her." The Luna's aching heart continued to grow stronger by the second. Reminiscing regrets from her pasts and thoughts of redeeming herself also came into her mind. "You saw what that Twilight Sparkle girl, her friends and those two girls at the parking lot did to her." The man responded. "Instead of receiving righteous justice for her actions on everyone and almost killing the girls, she was forgiven and offered a chance to learn true friendship with the girls, even though she might not deserve that sort of treatment." "That is indeed a fascinating scene to witness," Luna added. "Although, Tia and I have given her our own form of punishment," "Hahaha, I saw your punishment. You're freaking crazy, you know that." The man laughed, shaking head disapprovingly. "At least, your sister was more forgiving and less murder-y. Either way, giving her some sort of punishment will help protect her from... unknown factors." "I think my sister and I have the same thought too. If we don't do something to Sunset, an angry mob of outraged students would most likely form and go full on Salem Witch Hunt on the poor girl." "That scenario is most likely to happen." The man nodded to the thought. He took off his hood and the bottom part of his face mask, revealing his true appearance which was that of a handsome man in his mid-thirties. He had light grey complexion and crimson red hair and eyes. He took a towel out of his hidden pockets and wiped off the cold sweats from his face. "Phew. This has been the most stressful evening I've ever had." The man sighed in relief. "I think you know what we have to do, right?" Luna whisked her head back to stare at the cloudless night sky with a worried expression. "Of course." She replied, although her doubtful tone made it uncertain if she agreed with her teacher's plan. "I hope you're- wait, where are you going?" She asked as she saw the man walking towards a corner of the roof. She noticed the man sat down on a worn-out red blanket that had an assortment of items such as a portable barbeque grill, a cooler, a few pillows, and a small rectangular cardboard box. "While you were busy taking care of your sister, I saw a whole case of beer, this grill with some meat in a cooler, and this blanket up here on the roof." The man explained, sitting and patting on the said blanket. "I'm guessing this is where the seniors will have their afterparty," Luna stated. "I should reprimand them for this." "I see." The man said before a wild idea popped in his head. "Well, since we're already here, we might as well stay here and have a couple of drinks to... you know, calm your nerves a bit." He said while opening a can and taking a swig. "Wha-" Luna was about to ask him a why but she was too exhausted to argue. She shook her head and let out a deep exhale. "Haaa... Let me at least lock the window so that nobody will come up here. I can let these kids go off with a warning this time." "Excellent." He raised his drink. After she got up and did the deed, she went towards her teacher and sat beside him, grabbing her own drink. She hesitated to take even a sip from her drink due to her absurdly low alcohol tolerance. "Wait a minute..." Luna asked in surprise. "You saw me having overreaction towards Sunset, did you? You better not tell anyone about this." The man tried to dodge the question. "Not now. Drinking." He turned away from her direction with a mischevious grin before continuing his drinking. Luna got closer to the man, her eyebrows furrowed. "Do you understand what I'm trying to say, right?" "Uh huh." The man anxiously muttered, still drinking. "Hey, look at me. Look at me." Luna demanded, acting quite childish and embarrassed. She grabbed both the man's cheeks and forced his head to face towards her. This was a fatal mistake on the vice principal's part. The man quickly put his drink away and wrapped his arms around Luna's back with a devilish smile. The woman blushed profusely as she didn't expect the man's retaliation. Her shock became even more exponential when her teacher delivered her a passionate kiss... and shallowing some beer that was inside the man's mouth. The alcohol that she just consumed has caused Luna to become slightly intoxicated and soon swayed by the man's gesture to escalate their romantic moment into an intimate one. After they released each other from their kiss, Luna tossed her jacket aside and muttered with a childish pout. "You jerk." (An hour later after Twilight said her goodbyes to her friends and magically entered the marble statue) On the other side of the school, there was a forest of trees and other exotic flora. There was a mysterious male figure with slick back white hair and black suit hiding behind the trees and watching the entire scene took place during the Fall Formal. He observed every single moment; from Sunset's demonic transformation to the aftermath of the battle between the fiery-haired demon and the six extraordinary girls. After waiting for an hour, the figure determined the event was done and pulled out a white smartphone, calling his boss. "Hey Big G, This is Griff. I'm here at CHS and... well, I saw some crazy ass shit. Miss Red epic failed at... whatever I just saw and got her ass kicked by a bunch of crazy rainbow bitches. I'll explain later but..." He said, sounding a little disappointed and anxious. "What should I do?" There was a minute long silence from his phone before he got an answer. "WHAT DO YOU FUCKING THINK, DUMBASS?! BRING HER TO ME RIGHT FUCKING NOW!" It became clear that the caller's voice was that of an adolescent woman with a gruff tone. She yelled really loud at the phone that the figure had to distance himself from his phone. The woman on the phone abruptly ended the call after she gave the order. The figure let out an exhausted sigh and looked towards the school's front entrance. He saw a glimpse of Sunset being threatened by Luna at gunpoint to the forehead. "Maybe, I'll do it tomorrow." He sheepishly said to himself. He slowly walks back to the forest's shadows, not noticing a mysterious figure jumping off the school's roof. (Meanwhile, in the same time) After finally emptying the last few cans of beer, enjoying some good food, and enjoying a private moment with Luna, the man put back his shirt on, feeling slightly flustered. "So... Ahem... Let's go home, Luna." He asked, rubbing the red marks on his neck. "Maybe later, Sensei," Luna said, still buttoning up her shirt. "I'm still a responsible educator of CHS. I have to ensure that every student and staff in my school are safe..." "...And also make sure nobody mentions the events happened here tonight or the authorities or THEY will arrive in your school and investigate every inch until they unexpectedly discovered our presence." He continued. The vice principal chuckled while clumsily putting her pants back on. "That too. Besides, I think I'll spend some quality time in my office researching on a certain fiery-headed girl, to see if she is truly worthy of our guidance." "Then I guess I'll see you tomorrow night for movie night. I want to see more of those Western cowboy movies." "Oh, so you like watching them now?" She asked, concealing a necklace that had a silver ring with a tiny diamond fragment back inside her shirt. "Yeah, I got... how do you say this... ummm, " got hooked" on them." He said, putting away a similar-looking necklace. Luna giggled even louder. "Hahaha, then I'll bring you my favorite Eastwood films. I think you'll like the selection this man offers." "I would love that. Goodbye and good luck with your efforts." "Thanks, Se..." Luna felt grateful to hear her teacher say he had faith in her. "You'll need it." He said before he leaped out of the roof and heading to an unknown destination. "Asshole." She muttered, feeling a little bitter that she has to clean up the items of the roof but shrugged it off and giggled as she can't really be too mad at the man she loved and trusted. Author's Note Emotions and choices in life are never set in stone. Will Luna uphold her new duty as the guardian of Sunset or will the Nightmare curse bare its fangs once again and tear the fiery-haired girl into pieces? Time will not be the only concept to determine this question. But that's a secret for now. Hey guys, Gonna release new chapters in two weeks (Monday- Jan 17, 2019) That is all I've got to say. Thanks for reading these tales of secrets, Nightwatch the Rogue Shinobi Fading Out. //-------------------------------------------------------// Scroll 2 Chapter 1: Morning //-------------------------------------------------------// Scroll 2 Chapter 1: Morning (Current Timeline- October 2, 2016- Autumn/Fall- Monday- Sunny WIth Some Clouds- 12:00 p.m) "Where is she?" The Vice-Principal of CHS was seen all in her lonesome at the school's courtyard, near the marble stallion statue that harbored a mysterious magical alternative world. She appeared to have a worried expression on her face yet seem to have her arms crossed. "She's late." Luna groaned in both annoyance and concern, tapping her right foot as her tolerance levels were dropping to single digits. She took momentary glances at the two former goons of Sunset were busy gathering the debris inside the school building. She continuously checked her silver watch on her right wrist and began to pace back and forth in front of the school's marble horse statue with caution as to make sure she doesn't trip down on the crater. She impatiently waited for the redhead's arrival for her first day of debris clean up. The watch indicates that it was twelve in the afternoon exact. It has been exactly an hour since she started to wait yet the redhead's presence has not been acknowledged. She wanted to call the girl but hesitated as she thought that the girl will immediately hang up if her voice was heard. "Where the hell is that flame-headed kid?" She sighed, feeling anxious that she might have scared the girl into not coming after their last confrontation. "Ugh, I hope she's okay." She looked up at the sky. With low grim tone, she took a nervous gulp and whispered to herself. "I hope you didn't run away... or worse." (An hour and thirty minutes ago- 10:30 a.m) "Oh no, oh no, oh no." Sunset repeatedly shouted in panic as she quickly got out of the shower and now frantically searching for decent clothing in her drawer. Her eyes were a little bloodshot and her hair was a mess; still wet and fuzzy. The fiery-haired girl forgot to set up her alarm on her phone, which was one of the worst mistakes she has made since today was her first day on cleaning the damaged debris of the school and redeeming herself in front of those she has wronged. Although defeated, humiliated, emotional distressed, and injured Last Friday, she spent a decent fun night with her new friends, Bonnibel and Laura, as they were chatting about nothing for hours while they mended her wounds and sleeping on one large bed in Bonnibel's room, which she found rather strange yet comforting. Unfortunately, she spent most of her weekend lingering at home, fearing that the CHS students were hunting her down to deliver their own punishment. Her extreme high levels of paranoia, nightmares of her past mistakes, and fear of the inevitable have kept her awake for an entire Saturday and half a Sunday. She finally went into slumber when her body just told her that she had enough and forced Sunset to pass out on her bed. The only reason she woke early in the morning was due to a few loud knocking noises that she heard on her apartment door. She thought it was either Bonnibel or Laura who came to carpool her to CHS. The girls made an agreement that they will take care of the redhead and escort her to CHS safely. That promise gave Sunset some heartwarming relief and joy as she had made two new friends who have her back. Except right now, she felt like an ungrateful jerk for not keeping her part of the agreement by not waking up early and forcing her new friends waiting for what seems like minutes. Her guilt increased as the knocking's noise levels progress louder and more aggressive every minute she didn't answer the door. She hastily brushed her hair, washed her face, put on the appropriate attire for heavy manual labor, and grabbed a piece of toast. Her work attire consists of a white tank top, blue jeans, black boots, and her signature (slightly tattered) black jacket. She received a yellow construction hard hat from her new friend, Bonnibel, who for some reason had one lying around in her house. After finishing devouring the toast, she quickly grabbed two apples for lunch while she proceeded to rush towards the door to greet her friend. She opened the door and... "Ss-sorry, I'm late." She stuttered, her tone slightly muffled as she held an apple with her mouth. "I hope I didn't make you wait too lo-" She attempted to show a smile to brighten her friend's mood and show that she apologize for her tardiness but soon lose it and formed a shocked expression as soon as she saw who was actually on the other side of the door. The first figure her eyes met was a teenage boy, who had creamy white skin and slick back hair and golden yellow eyes and lips. He had an athlete's physique, most likely a runner's as seen from his well-built legs. From his right hand, he seemed to be holding a long metal stick that had a rubber-insulated grip and a few buttons. Sunset immediately identified it as his custom-built high voltage cattle prod that he dubbed 'Zeus'. Behind him were two older-looking colossal teens whose faces can be barely seen above the door frame and their heads almost touch the hallway's ceiling. The boy and the goons wore expensive black business suits and black sunglasses; giving them the appearance of a high ranking politician and his bodyguards. "Oh, good. We are on the right address." The boy said to his two goons with a delighted yet ominous tone. Lowering his glasses slightly to stare at Sunset with a threatening smile. "It was really hard to find you, you know that, right?" "G-Griff, h-how did you f-find me?" Sunset stuttered. Her anxiety made her nerves quake as she knew what will happen to her next after confronting this boy named Griff. The fiery-haired girl felt a sense of panic and paranoia as her mind started to make assumptions on the reasons why a boy that she has known for years after she arrived in the Human world would appear in front of her after the failed escapades on last week's Fall Formal. The only conclusion she could think of was that she will be kidnapped and toss into the angry CHS students to do... unspeakable things to her. "No time." Griff instantly denied to answer her. With a swift snap of his fingers, he said with a confident tone. "Boys, bag and grab her." A second after hearing the quick command from their leader, the two large goons immediately grabbed the girl's arms while the boy placed a sack on her head to conceal her sight and screams. Sunset didn't bother to put any sort of struggle as she knew that she was no match for the two goons' overwhelming strength. Yet absolute fear had other plans as her body instinctively moved frantically to loosen the goons' hold on her. As she tried to break free from their grasp, Sunset suddenly felt an intense jolt of electricity from her lower back, which later courses throughout her body. She knew that this was Griff's basic kidnapping technique; During the victim's struggle, he tases their backs with his cattle prod to stop their movements entirely. Her mind gradually drifts into unconsciousness, her body went limp and got dragged to an unknown location. //-------------------------------------------------------// Scroll 2 Chapter 2: Misunderstanding //-------------------------------------------------------// Scroll 2 Chapter 2: Misunderstanding (Time and Location Description: Undetermined) It was Sunset's second time waking up today. First was in her comfortable bed and this time she's cramped inside of a van or in a large vehicle. Luckily, her appendages weren't bound, forced down on the ground, or had a gag in her mouth. It seems her captors were concerned for her safety for she had a seatbelt on, although she still had a sack on her head that she knew she shouldn't remove if she valued her life. She could only hear the muffled noises of cars driving through the pavement, rapid foot tapping on the van's metal floor surface, and a bunch of men inside the van having quiet conversations with each other. She can't quite distinguish what they were saying or which voice was Griff's but she knew him enough to know that he is an impatient and talkative guy who would jump into any conversation in any given chance to quell his boredom. Since she's going to be sent over to THAT place, she decided that she should at least get herself comfortable. "Gah!" She quietly groaned in pain, her body instinctively recoiled forward. Sunset felt a strong stinging sensation on her upper back when she tried to make herself comfortable. She found this strange considering she had been tasered on the lower side and even then, it shouldn't have cause nerve damage that would leave a long painful effect. Now that she thinks about it, she has felt this sensation for the past weekend. It felt like the reverse feeling of receiving her demon wings. Instead of being quick and euphoric, this feeling is now slow and quite painful. After a few seconds of processing her thoughts, she made a realization that it might be one of the side effects of bringing in Equestrian magic into a foreign world and corrupting it with her selfish intentions. "Hehehe." She chuckled in her thoughts at her misfortunes. She now realized how unorganized and ridiculous her past goals were and that she didn't devise any plans on "if" she did achieve her goals. In her defense, her logic was corrupted and made her thoughts scramble into the nonsense that only an insane person can understand. This corruption was fueled with the desire of proving her former mentor that she has the capabilities to rule everyone and be the most powerful being in all existence. Well, look at those desires and emotions got her now. She has to reprimand the school for a whole week by picking up the debris and do some repairs. She was also now enemy number one to all CHS students, especially to Twilight's friends. ... Well, some good things happen that night as well. She befriended two students; Laura and Bonnibel, which were genuine as they approach towards her by their own accord, not by someone's pitiful request. She could put a little trust on the two girls who offered their friendship to her without being given requests from the Twilight, healed her wounds and let her sleep in their home. However, she couldn't say the same thing for the five girls considering they were the first victims of her schemes. She believes that they would never keep their word to Twilight as she caused serious damage to their friendship. With that in mind, she decided to get out of their way and, instead, find the true Magic of Friendship with the people who called her friend first. Her depressing thoughts have come to a stop when she felt her transport stopped and she could hear the metal doors open. The bag was taken off and the first person she saw was Griff with an anxious expression. "Hey, Sunny." He sheepishly said, rubbing the back of his head as he felt awkward towards the redhead. "Are you okay?" "W-why are you asking?" She meekly asked, attempting to make eye contact but her sight immediately went to the vehicle's strangely clean carpet floor. Sunset was too anxious to gain any confidence to see an old acquaintance. Instead, she shyly muttered. "You shocked me." "Okay, that wasn't my fault." He instantly objected, he got out of the van and offered a hand to assist Sunset's exit out of the vehicle. "One of my men was a newbie and he thought you were just an ordinary pick up. He thought he could take care of you by snatching Zeus from me and shocking you." He bowed his upper torso to apologize. "I'm so sorry for my subordinate's mistake. Please forgive me." Sunset was surprised by the boy's gesture. "Oh no, it's fine as long as you explained why I got tased." She reassured in a half-sarcastic and half-nervous tone. She wanted to give Griff a piece of her mind but for some reason, she thought it would be too rude. She decided to ask an important question. "Ahem... So... Ummm, Griff." "Yeah?" He said, feeling more unease. "I'm not trying to make you irritated or anything but... why did you abduct me?" Griff did a double-take flinch. It was not due to the absurd question but rather the redheaded girl's uncharacteristic statement. It sounded like she was genuinely worried that she might make him mad or something. He just shook his head furiously to remove that thought before it clumsily comes out of his mouth and might receive a straight right to the face by the said redhead as a response. Griff put his hands on his pockets and strayed his eyes to the left, looking ashamed. "Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I didn't want to do it but..." (A Few Hours Ago- 10 minutes before Sunset woke up) Location: A Parking Lot near Sunset's Apartment Complex "I hope she's still up there." Griff got out of his van with both of his gigantic and muscular subordinates following him in a feet away distance. The goons had stoic composures and appeared to be expressionless due to their sunglasses and neutral faces. They wore typical black business suits and sunglasses that resemble them like cliche government agents or mafia goons Nevertheless, Griff seemed to be the exact opposite. His entire body kept trembling, head visibly dripping sweat and had black bags around his eyes after a couple of sleepless nights waiting for an opportunity to introduce himself to Sunset and silently and discreetly seize her, however... His eyes shifting everywhere yet doesn't seem to be focusing or even noticing his surroundings. That was until... "Are you fucking serious?!" He exclaimed in utter shock and anger as he bit his lower lip to not bring any attention to the horrifying scene that he is witnessing now. He saw that the problem was still there and appeared to have intensified even more. "Yeah, so after that debacle at the Fall Formal, a crowd of bloodthirsty teens camping outside your apartment block before I could even get there." "Get the fucking away from the door, you bitch!" One of the jock-looking teenagers who were pounding at the front door shouted. "Yeah, get that whore of a demon down here to get what she deserves." A girl wearing expensive clothes and accessories added to the angry demands. "Ho boy, they looked pissed as hell and tried to force their way through the door. I thought it would take me a day to just wait for the crowd to lessen but that wasn't the case." Griff's two subordinates immediately formed themselves into a human wall in front of their leader to prevent stray teens from harming him while they reach the front door. The delinquent young man gripped tightly on Zeus, a custom cattle prod that holds enough energy to power an entire block of apartments. It was a shining silver rod with a switch on its bottom red hilt that starts from off to dangerous: high. It is his favored tool for abduction and crowd control, which the second purpose was quite necessary for the upcoming disaster that will befall on him and his subordinates. "I told you fucking kids for the last fiftieth fucking time that you're not allowed to enter the apartment if you aren't a resident here." A loud booming voice angrily responded. The owner of the voice appeared to be an attractive middle-aged woman, who was standing on top of the apartment's rooftop with a bullhorn on her right hand and a picket sign that says "fuck off, you kids!" on the other. She had long and slightly curvy platinum blonde hair and complexion. She also wore a sundress with a flowery pattern, even though it was in the middle of a chilly Fall season. Yup, that's Sonia Shine or "Sonny" to those who are close to her. At first sight, people might think they saw the human personification of sunshine over a flower field but after focusing on her burning crimson red eyes and angry expression that came with it, they might think she was a demon, which seemed reasonable as her loud threatening voice that sounded like the Devil appeared... and they tried to shout at kids to get out of their lawn with little to no success. "Oh hey, Sonny is here. Maybe she'll let me in." Griff said to himself, feeling a bit relieved to see a familiar face. "You think she'll let me in as well?" A young man's voice asked. "Gah!" Griff shrieked when he heard the question and a small tap on his shoulder. He prepared his cattle prod and attempted a swing at the person but instantly halted his counter-attack when he saw who it was. "Goddammit, Flash!" He shouted at the culprit who was a teenage boy with cobalt blue short hair. "Don't do that right here. I almost shocked you." Both of his subordinates glanced behind them and tried to remove Flash from their boss's personal space, however, Griff raised his right hand to signal them that it was fine and continue pushing away waves of angry teens. "Yeah, sorry." The boy named Flash sincerely apologized while rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. He saw what Griff's bodyguards were going to do but was saved by the said young man. As soon as the white-haired boy resume his walk, Flash followed a foot distance behind him. "Wait..." Griff said, feeling a bit suspicious for the boy's presence in this location. "Are you part of this angry mob?" "What!? No." He objected. "I came here to see if I can help Sunset...' "Why? Didn't she broke up with you last month?" Griff bluntly stated. "Are you sure that..." "Yes." Flash interrupted, sounding a bit irritated that someone is questioning his intentions. "Even though she is my ex, that doesn't mean I hate her guts. I still care about her." "Man, you still love that psycho." "I'm going to tell Sunset about what you said." Flash bluffed with a sly grin on his face. "Please don't." Griff pleaded as he was afraid of the outcome of the tattling. "Haha, no need to cry about it, dude." The blue-haired boy politely jeered at Griff. Their conversation seemed innocent and a great distraction from the mass of hatred and other negative emotions. However... "Hey, these assholes are trying to get inside before us!" A teen boy shouted at his classmates. One of the teens noticed Griff and his group approaching the building's front door and decided to signal the rest to... "Get them!" To assault them for cutting in line on their Sunset Witch Hunt. "Haaa..." Griff sighed. Not of annoyance or of irritation but a sigh of relief and joy as now... "GRAHHHHH!" A wild jock with Goliath-like physique and behavior of a hungry wild lion emitted a thunderous warcry, he leaped out of the crowd and immediately charged towards Flash, the least threatening individual of Griff's group, unfortunately... "GAHHHHHH!" He didn't account on Zeus and his 10,000-volt touch on the jock's right cheek. Steam and the smell of burnt flesh was flowing on the tip of the cattle prod. "Ahh, gross." Griff retched at what happened to his weapon. Some bits of said flesh has melted on its tip. "You how hard it is to clean this crap off." All of the normal teens tried to prevent themselves from vomiting at the sight they just witnessed. Some were able to hold it in but had to use all of their willpower to keep it in, while the others... weren't so lucky as they proceed to either expel the contents of their stomachs, running away towards their homes or both. Flash just stared at Griff with a half-disgusted and half-disappointed expression, which the delinquent can tell. "Dude, don't even say one word, let's just go," Griff said while he looked up at the apartment's rooftop where Sonny noticed what occurred and had a huge smug grin at the results. "Oh my god, I'm calling the cops." A girl's voice yelled. "I already did that six fucking times." Sonny roared back with her megaphone. "You told them to fuck off, arrested most of your buddies' ass and yet there's still a lot of you in my property, you fucking dumbasses." She then proceeded to excitedly wave towards Griff and his group. "Yo Griff, Flash and... you guys. Make some room before I let you in. These fucking kids are pissing me off." "Got it, Sonny," Griff replied as he set his cattle prod's setting from medium strength to dangerous: high. He proceeds to aim it towards the crowd and casually wave it. The weapon made a threatening unstable static noise and sparks flying fiercely. "Okay now, you heard the lady. Piss off or I'll make you do it. And if you think you can jump at me if Zeus runs out of batteries..." He lifts the left side of his jacket, revealing a holstered pistol. "Then you guys are special kinds of dumbasses." As soon as Griff unveiled his second hidden weapon, the crowd quickly dispersed away from Griff's group and left a wide-open space on the apartment's front door. Griff, Flash and the two large henchmen finally reached the door. The delinquent young man was about to ring the door when immediately, the door opened up and Sonny's head poked out. "Hey guys, thanks for that." She appreciated the young man with a gleeful grin. "They have been there since Saturday. I have no idea why they want Sunset but I'm not going to toss her to that crowd of crazy teens, no matter what the reason was." "I know, I know," Griff replied, feeling a bit concern as well. "I'm here to grab Sunset to bring her to Boss." "Ah," Sonny said, deadpan. "I'm not sure if she's in trouble or..." "Yeah, it's private." "Fine fine. I'm not gonna pry anymore." She shrugged her curiosity. "As long as Sunset is safe." "The guys and I were lucky to get inside at all. You got to thank Sonny, your landlord for letting us in." "But how are you guys going to Sunset?" Flash asked the important question. "You can't just escort her out here, even with so much protection." Griff snapped his fingers. "You're right." He agreed with the boy's question. So his answer was to unholstered his gun and hand it over to Flash, who in obvious reaction was surprised and freaking out when he received it. "You guard our exit while I 'kidnap' Sunset." "Wha- wait... isn't this..." Flash stuttered in a panic. "Dude, we don't have time for this. I'm already late. Boss is going to kill me. "Oh yeah, she will," Sonny admitted with a smug demeanor. She shook her head. "Don't worry, dude. I'll help dreamboat over here if anyone tries to barge in." She took Griff's gun out of Flash's anxious hands. "Thanks, Sonny. I owe you one." "You owe me dinner." She demanded, which earned a quick chuckle from the delinquent. "Sure sure. Come on, boys. Let's get the girl." He ordered his two still silent grunts as they use the elevator and head towards Sunset's apartment room. "So yeah, after a few minutes after in the elevator, We met, one of my boys shocked you, then I kidnapped you and here we are." "I see," Sunset muttered, believing Griff's explanation to be the truth. "Bonnibel did mention something about that." The redheaded girl didn't notice that disaster when she got back at her apartment yesterday since she slept through the ride back in Bonnibel's car. Fortunately, last night, her new friend texted her that she noticed an angry crowd of teens waiting for her arrival. She had to carry Sunset and climb the back alley fire escape to get inside her home. Sunset was a bit skeptical of the girl's statement from their text chat because some of the sentences sounded like they were either illegal, might have been phrased wrongly, humanly impossible or just a lie. The information that she could believe wholehearted was the angry mob of vindictive teens waiting by her doorstep. She had hoped that the teens would give up their pursuit in an hour but Griff's statement proved her wrong. Griff continued. "... I had to use Zeus to control the crowd that tried to come with us. Some might have gone to the hospital." He shook his head disapprovingly and shrugged the thought. "Who cares. Anyway, I had to make your escort look like an abduction or you will be taken away by those angry teens. " "I've been meaning to ask you this," Sunset said. "But where are you escorting me to exactly and why?" He replied, the atmosphere shifting further into an ominous feeling. "Oh yeah, that. It seems that you've done a lot of damage at CHS that Big G couldn't ignore" As soon as Sunset heard the name "Big G", she took a nervous gulp and shiver. "It looks like she wants to see you." As soon as Griff said that, a slim physique individual revealed their hazy form from behind of one of the underground concrete pillars. They wearing a dark purple body suit from head to toe, their right hand clutching tightly on a sharp hunter's knife that has a purple scorpion tail as the hilt and was glaring towards the two teens, mostly on Sunset with a murderous glare. "This might make things more difficult than I thought." //-------------------------------------------------------// Prologue: Magic Within the Darkness //-------------------------------------------------------// Prologue: Magic Within the Darkness Canterlot City A large metropolis that has stood on the country of Equis as its main capital ever since humans first settled on this land. Over the centuries, many of its citizens, which included some world-famous celebrities, were born there and have claimed over the years to the media that this capital was incorruptible from the dangers outside its borders for they had reliable security that inspects every dark corner to prevent new seeds of evil from sprouting and growing in numbers like weeds, provide stable shelters, education, and careers, have their own bountiful source of almost every resource known in and more interests that benefit humanity and beyond. Canterlot City is considered to be a true "Paradise" for those who yearn for it. But that was all a lie. All of these claims were implanted into the minds of the people by corrupt yet well connected and resourceful authority figures as to give the illusion that this capital is the shining beacon of hope. Their illusion was a way to control both the inhabitants and outsiders into not leaving their "Paradise" and grant them any resources that they desire. However, there are vigilant and skillful individuals who are not affected by the manipulators’ control for they knew the truth. They protect the innocent within the shadows that the self-acclaimed city has cast upon the world. The darkness provides them a veil of anonymity; not to hide their identities but conceal their intentions from notorious beings who will exploit their weaknesses and bonds of their family and friends. These groups are in a constant war for the fate of the country's secrets; one seeks them and exploits their capabilities for their own amusement while the other defends them and learn from it for future generations. Each building in the city that harbors vast amounts of secrets that either harmless or dangerous. And among these various structures that this capital has established over the centuries, there is one school facility that contains more mysteries than the entire city and even the country of Equis itself has to offer. These secrets that every living and non-living beings desire to know and witness such as... Knowledge, that has been identified, gathered and studied by humans and others alike ever since the dawn of time Technology, which builds through hardships and improves the lives of every living creature But the most important of all, The one which bends the realities of time and space into an unimaginable fantasy that has infinite potential including fulfilling the dreams and desires of any creature. It comes in many forms and names, however, over the recent centuries, many have decided to call this great mysterious power... Magic. (September 29, 2016- Autumn/Fall- Friday- Windy and Cloudy- 10:27 p.m) "What was that?" A dark silhouette figure quietly whispered to himself while he leaped from roof to roof or surface of various rows of suburban houses, trees and any structures that are distant from the lampposts' light. The figure was performing complex acrobatic techniques that were on par, or even excel, that from a coordinated and professional gymnast with ease and agility of a nimble feline. His speed increased with each leap on the buildings' surfaces. It would appear he was in a hurry to reach somewhere on a time limit. I must posthaste to that great source of malice before I will be too late. The dark figure thought to himself. I don't know what I sensed just now. It wasn't from this world and incredibly strong. I just know it. He lands at one of the suburban homes' roofs to rest and survey his surroundings as to determine where this "great source of malice's" exact position is. He squints his eyes as to get a better vision through the dark veil that the night has shrouded throughout the area. However, he wasn’t using his physical eyes to search his target but rather he was relying on his spiritual ones to hunt down an evil presence that was approaching within his city soon than later. Although, the luminescent lights from the Moon, streetlamps, and buildings were there to provide him necessary assistance to his search. He might as well use them because he might see something unusual and not use too much of his energy. Though, the lights also shone the figure's entire body, revealing his outfit. It was a dark sapphire and seemed to covered most of his body. He had a hood with similar colors; it had a long horizontal rectangle window that acts as a small window for his crimson red eyes. He had hand protectors on the backs of his hands. His leggings went over his legs concealing some dangerous tools and wore thick socks that dampen the sounds of his footsteps, which is the reason why none of the homes' inhabitants notice him leaping on their roofs and ledges. On the bottoms of his straw sandals, metals-like talons were set that help the figure walk on slippery surfaces of the roofs and ledges. And lastly was a minimally sized item that would tell everyone who sees him as a threat; a short straight sword in a sleek onyx dark sapphire sheath. It is tied on the top and bottom of the sheath and is carried on the figure's back, the rope sling on his right shoulder. He observed around the area; first to the North, next was to the West, then the South and lastly... With an intense jolt from their nerves, the figure finally found what he was hunting for and he didn’t like where it was originating; the East horizon of Canterlot City's suburb area. The sensation was like that of a lightning bolt that directly struck his body and every nerve stung with pain. He shook his head and continued his building leaping towards the location that had untold evil coming soon. "I've never felt this wave of hostility before." The figure thought himself. "This one also seems to unnatural and... not from this world. What does this mean? How big is this threat?" After a few more minutes of leaping, he finally reached his destination which was a local high school building that he was all to familiar with. He made his final landing on top of the roof, next to the dome-shaped structure that had colored glass panels around it. He decided to rest for a bit and prepare for the fight up ahead... no wait, it was down below. "That's close enough!" A young female voice yelled in a threatening tone. He looked down to see who said that and saw that the voice belonged to a fiery-haired and light amber skin girl near a marble horse statue. She wore a black leather jacket that had metal studs at the front and collar and black knee-high boots with fuschia patterns on the bottom front. Within that jacket, she wore a fuschia shirt that had a large red-yellow sun symbol spread throughout her torso. She had a skirt that matches the colors of the shirt. "That young lady is obviously the main threat I am looking for." The figure quietly said to himself. Behind her were two young boys who wearing both wearing black top hats with a silver line and red bow ties. They were both poorly dressed and had different body types. One was tall, lanky, had green hair and light yellow skin, and wore green jacket that had a long black collar and a snail symbol near the top left side and light brown pants. His companion was slightly shorter, plump, had two front buck teeth. orange hair and wore a black tuxedo shirt and dark navy blue jeans. The boys, who must be acting as the redhead's servants, were holding tight on a small purple fur puppy that had green ears and hair. The little dog appeared to be struggling to escape from these boys' clutches. He must have been used as a hostage for some kind of ransom. "Twilight!" The dog shouted in distress before the snail boy shut his mouth. "Oh, great. A talking dog." The figure said in a deadpan tone, feeling annoyed if he was hallucinating or he actually heard the dog speak human tongue. He shrugged it off and instead paid attention to what the redhead girl and her cronies were facing. Six girls who wore elegant and colorful dresses that shine the darkness of the night. Everyone had determined looks and prepare to fight the redhead and whatever she had for them. The figure decided to observe closer inspection on the group's auras, an ability he gained later in his life, to see what their true personalities and if they are fighting for the side of freedom or corruption. (Through the red eyes of the figure) With the use of his other ability which was to perceive the environment's time slow down, he first inspected the aura of the fiery-haired girl in the leather jacket for was the most threatening person in the conflict. Her soul's color was crimson dark red, flowed out of her body like flames of hatred and surging with anger and dark desires that won't quell unless she gets whatever she wants, no matter what the costs and who she sacrifices. The figure only felt resent towards this girl when he looked into her aura. He needed to eliminate her quick before those desires are fulfilled. He knew that this option was extreme and would tilt his moral views to the dark side but if he doesn't do anything soon, something terrible will fall upon the school he is standing on. The figure was unconcerned towards these boys for they did not have an aura that had no interesting traits and didn't see them as any form of threat other than mindless goons to the redhead. So moving on to more interesting things. Now on the opposing group, the lavender skin girl, who must be the leader of the group. She had dark sapphire long hair with purple and raspberry pink streaks. She wore a light fuschia dress that had white and dark sapphire streaks, waistbelt and bow, it also had three white and purple stars on the bottom left of the dress. The figure can tell that she is intelligent, hopeful and loves everything related to friendship. She must have been an expert... no, a true master of friendship and has a deep desire to spread it to everyone in the world. However, she seemed to be new to everything in this world due to the way she composed herself and the aura differed from the rest, except for the fiery-headed girl. Behind the lavender girl was another one with white pearl skin and violet hair. Her attire consists of a light blue dress that had only one shoulder strap on the right side, a hairpiece with similar colors to that of the dress. She had a sense of fashion and elegance that can only be compared that sophisticated nobles from the figure's homeland, but she glowed with a bright generous aura that helps those in need and she smiles at her deeds towards others. She must also be the one who picked... or even designed the dresses that the girls were wearing. Then there was a light orange skin girl who wore a light brown Stetson hat under her blonde hair like one of those protagonists from old Westerner movies that his female apprentice kept showing him despite having a busy schedule on his secret life and training. Her hat had a bright red rose on the front center of the light green line. She wore a white scarf and her dress was light navy blue with a red waistband and red apple marks on the bottom of her skirt. With a single glance of her aura, he could easily see that this one appeared to be the most responsible and honest one in the group. The figure felt like he could trust this girl with any problem he had even if it was impossible to achieve for she will motivate you on hard work and appreciate what you have in the end. The most colorful of the girls was the one with the rainbow hair and light cyan skin. She had a matching color dress that had a purple belt and a gold thunder cloud accessory on the center. Her aura had a wild and boastful personality that would've been off-putting to most people but her enthusiasm for every physical activity and her unbreakable loyalty attracts the most interesting individuals, something that the figure could relate to. This unbreakable loyalty made the figure envious for he had a difficulty trusting his allies and friends over his logic. And there was also the time when he abandoned everyone that was dear to him. He expected the colors of her aura to be a spectrum of rainbows but to his surprise, it was bright orange meaning she is hiding something about her identity. The figure shook his head to get rid of that train of thought and observe the next girl, who seemed to be the shy one in the group. The girl with long light pink hair and light yellow skin matches the description. Unlike the girls' short skirt dresses, this one's cyan blue dress had a long yellow skirt that reaches down to her knees; it also had a tiny pink butterfly on her waist and a blue one on the right side of her hair. Her shyness might be her main personality, it wasn't her defining trait, it was her kindness to every living being. Her aura was light pink and had a natural attraction to every creature in the world, trustworthy humans and maybe even beyond. She would do anything to take care of the creatures and her close friends and family for they are the dearest to her kind shy heart. The figure cringed and had a paralyzed sensation when he looked deeper into her aura. He felt like her soul STARED back at him to asked... No, demanded not look any further. This must be her assertive side that has yet to be released. If it ever came out, even the most fearsome individuals would tremble in fear if they encountered this assertive side. And lastly was a girl who was pink all over her body. She wore a strapless dress that had similar colors to that of the elegant girl's, with an addition of a yellow waistbelt and purple skirt. She also had a tiny light blue top hat that the figure couldn't help but giggle for it seemed to be overwhelmed by the girl's big poofy pink hair. Her aura shined so bright with light blue color and positive energy that can she make any depressed individual near her to smile and laugh all day and night. He could sense that she has an innate ability to organize amazing parties and any other festive events that the calendar or herself has set up. Yet again, the figure had the same feeling when he looked deeper into her soul just like with the last girl but this one caused him to actually backed away a few steps before returning to his post. There was a dark presence inside this pink girl that has been heavily chained and locked away where no one will know and witness. It wasn't evil, it was just plain crazy for it had an intent to take over the girl's body and physically assault the redhead girl and the boys for no reason. But somehow, the pink girl restrained it before a glimpse of its presence got out. What this all means is that pink girl is crazy and somebody should call the authorities before she turns everything topsy-turvy. However, there was one aura that exceeds with more power than the entire group and it is not even a living being. The source of this great power came from the lavender girl's head. She was wearing a golden crown with a six-pointed light purple star that is perfectly suited for a sovereign princess to wear. It appeared to be realistic as it gleams with gold, jewels, and royalty. The figure can feel a powerful and ancient energy emit from that crown, he decided to pay close observation on that item for it might... no, it will be the catalyst of the upcoming great malice. He ceased his abilities to see what happens next. After the figure was finished observing on everyone, he could see that each of these colorful girls glowed a virtuous aura that can only be compared that to legendary figures in history who benefit mankind and beyond. The redhead was holding on a heavy sledgehammer with both of her hands but the figure sees that she has no intent on destroying or even damaging the statue as if it was important to her and depending on the aura she's emitting, the statue was her means of escaping... or conquering whatever's inside. The ambiance became more hostile and tense as each second pass by. It was like a personalized battle between good and evil. The outcome on who will win this battle was undetermined. "The threat is here..." The figure said, skeptical about the current situation. "... yet there's nothing here other than a pack of strange young teenagers in unusually bright outfits, fighting over a talking purple dog and... that marble statue." "Don't hurt him!" The lavender girl demanded as she scowled at the redhead, slightly raising her arms and gripped her hands. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of it." The redhead said with an evil grin, tightening her grip on the sledgehammer. "I'm not a monster Twilight." "Let go of the dog." She ordered her cronies, who obeyed her order. They lowered the purple dog to the ground and it immediately ran straight to the lavender girl, who hugged the little animal with a relieved smile "So, that girl whose aura sparkles with friendship name is Twilight." The figure said to himself, resting his arms on the roof's ledge. "Yes and that mischevious fiery redhead is Sarah "Sunset" Shimmer." A familiar voice of a woman joined in on the figure's observation. "Good evening. Luna." He nonchalantly greeted his friend. He wasn't even surprised that she came up to the roof without notifying of her arrival for he sensed her presence a while ago. His friend who suddenly appeared on his right side was an adult woman in her late twenties. She had grey skin and long sapphire hair. She wore a light magenta shirt that had a sapphire-colored belt and white collar with a crescent moon button, dark blue pants, and pointy white heel shoes. "Good evening as well, Sensei," Luna said. "I can never surprise you, can I?" "As a master of stealth and deception, I have to be aware of my surrounding at all times or I might face immediate death and dishonor to my past ancestors for being irresponsible." "Ninjas." Luna giggled. "One day, I will get a chance to scare you straight." "And you would know that if you do such a thing, I might accidentally kill you." The figure responded, serious about what he said. "Yeah..." She agreed, turned her head to the left. "Just like happened last time." "Hey! He only got minor injuries." He said, rubbed the back of his head with his right hand. "Though I'm still paying for that bill. But in all seriousness, Luna. You felt that malice right here, right?" "Yes, and it is originating directly at Sunset." Luna glared her eyes towards the redhead. "I always suspected that girl. With her mysterious background and rude attitude towards everyone, I wouldn't be surprised that she might the spawn of the Devil." "And she enrolls in this school for how long exactly?" "Three years," Luna responded, frustrated to admit. "Some school staff, students and I wanted to expel her during her second semester for we hypothesized that she might have been the cause of ruining the friendships and strengthening the social cliques. That girl carefully concealed her tracks, leaving no solid proof. Tia refused to acknowledge our request to give the red-headed demon an expulsion due to her valedictorian status and that Tia saw a bright future on that girl ." She shook her head disapprovingly at her sister's lack of hindsight. "I do not want to speak ill of my sister's words of wisdom but that is a load of bullshit. That girl has been nothing but a menace to society and friendship." She pointed down below on the school grounds." You see those girls who are confronting Sunset right now." The figure never left his sight on the confrontation, the girls were talking to Sunset about something but he nodded. "Through careful eavesdropping on one of their conversations, I found out this afternoon that Sunset was the main cause of destroying those girls' friendship with the deceiving power of miscommunication. Twilight was the one who fixed their friendship." "I see." "And I just found out that she is also this year's Princess of the Fall Formal, which is pretty impressive for a newcomer." "Oh, she's a new student?" He questioned. "Well, from what my sister told me, Twilight claims that she is a transfer student from a far-off place and has taken interest in participating in this year's Fall Formal." "You have doubts about that information, Luna?" The man asked. "Yes. Just like Sunset, Twilight had a mysterious background and she wouldn't explain where she is exactly from." Luna let out an exhausted sigh. "Due to my sister's error and trusting nature, this girl easily got in without an application form or a background check." "Well, your sister does know what's best. Maybe, she knew that this Twilight was hiding something from all of you but still let her roam around the school because she might help change this school and its students for the better. "I guess you're right," Luna agreed. "But I could have at least gathered information from her if I interrogated her when she got in trouble." "What happened?" The raised an eyebrow, curious what the woman said. "Sunset poorly framed her for destroying the preparations of the Fall Formal that my students worked so hard on." "That's horrible." The man said, disgusted that someone so young actually has that nature to commit such a heinous deed and pinned the blame on someone innocent. Usually, toddlers would do that but he guessed that maybe reckless teens do it as well. "Did you punished her?" "No, a boy named Flash Sentry defended and proved her innocence," Luna responded, a little smile appeared on her face. Although, it wasn't grateful smile but rather an amused one. "It wouldn't have mattered since the only the evidence I got on the vandalism was inadequately edited photos of Twilight Sparkle damaging the preparations in weird and stiff poses." The woman began to giggle as she couldn't resist it anymore. "It wasn't even photoshop, someone just took physical pictures of Twilight and cut and paste it to the incriminating photos. I mean, they didn't even wait to let the glue dry before giving them to me." "That is very stupid." The man joined in on the laughter. "And glue? What were they thinking?" "I know right." Luna giggled for a few more seconds before she regained her calm behavior. "Ahem... Anyway, Twilight left my office before I could ask questions. I did have another chance to give her and her friends/accomplices detention or some sort of punishment for a little show they pulled earlier. However, sister stopped me due to the show being "positive morale boost" to all the students to get them excited for Fall Formal." "I was going to ask what it was about..." The figure said. "But I can presume that this about the singing and dance they performed in your school dining hall earlier this morning." "Ah! H-how did you know about that?" Luna nervously asked. "I saw it on the top trending videos this late afternoon. I think the whole world knows about it." The man said. "It was nice but annoying to hear all day. And unfortunately, my staff also saw the video and repeatedly jumped and stomped on my floors while singing to that catchy music on full volume." He shook his head disapprovingly and sighed. "Although I do have to admit that I'm a little impressed that you have some very talented students, Luna." "Well. Thank you, Sensei..." Luna blushed at her teacher/friend's compliment but shook it off when she sensed horrifying something coming. It felt like a lightning bolt stricken down on her multiple times. "Sensei, you definitely felt that one, right?" "Yes." The man agreed. "And it seems to be getting worse and approaching fast." "But isn't it already here. Sometimes, these abilities are completely random." Luna said, skeptical on what her teacher is describing. "Sunset's the main source and you must have checked her aura. How is it growing at an exponential rate?" "I don't know, Luna." The man said, unsure what is going on anymore."There are only two likely reasons for this phenomenon and sudden power boost. One is that she took large amounts of dangerous performance-enhancing drugs like that new drug, Storm." "I can see that happening but she would be dead by now if took any amount for her age." Luna took a glance at Sunset to confirm if she's not dead or having a seizure. The redhead seemed to be physically fine as she is chasing after the girls with her two underlings. They appeared to be playing catch with the Fall Formal crown. The woman simply shrugged it off and think of that moment as weird, insane, and childish. "But her being alive means it's not that. And the second one?" "Magic." He solemnly answered with a furious scowl. "Fuck..." Luna quietly cursed under her breath. Knowing too well what that meant. "I'll take that!" Sunset's voice shouted in satisfaction. The figure and woman quickly returned to their observation after they heard the redhead's voice. What currently is happening while the duo was talking is that both opposing groups were spreading out all over the area and the redhead, Sunset Simmer who seemed to dropped her sledgehammer to chase and grab the crown. She revealed an evil grin on her face as if the crown she snatched from the girls was important to her... and gravely dangerous to everyone. Welp, they're all fucked. Author's Note Hey guys, this is a new story about Sunset Shimmer and somehow got the attention of the ninjas in the Human. I'm trying to map out my stories' universe with the canon movies, comics, and shorts. I've pretty much occupied with plenty of other works like writing, planning my other stories, reading suggestions, and researching to improve my writing. Anyway, that's it for now. Thanks for reading these tales of secrets, Nightwatch the Rogue Shinobi Fading Out. //-------------------------------------------------------// Scroll 2 Prologue: Consequences of the Past //-------------------------------------------------------// Scroll 2 Prologue: Consequences of the Past (Three Years Ago) It was the first year anniversary of Sunset's arrival to the Human World also known as Earth. The first few months being in this mortal plane was quite... a difficulty for the redhead. She came unprepared and without any basic pony- no, human necessities to survive. She couldn't afford to participate in the school, Canterlot High, which holds the dormant portal to her homeworld, Equestria. She had no stable income to pay for her school supplies and other fees. Since Sunset was unfamiliar with the world that she was brought into and had no connections whatsoever, she is forced to live the life of an underage vagrant. However, even if she has the finances to apply, her age and lack of guardianship were another predicaments that the school can't overlook. When Sunset first tried to administer herself on the first day of her arrival, the receptionist asked proof of permission from her parent or guardian. The girl made a fatal error by stating that she would do the paperwork herself by saying... "I don't need any stupid adults to just apply to this dingy educational facility." As a result of that offensive statement, the receptionist called the authorities to escort her out of the school and get information about her background, however, she escaped from their clutches before the police could reach the school. Which lead her to the present situation. She was currently squatting at one of the abandoned offices in seedy areas of Downtown Canterlot City in solitude. The building was a perfect location to remain low profile and hide her savings and any other possessions since most of the homeless stay at the city's shelters. She survived on slightly clean tap water from the murky bathrooms and ate days old bargained fruits and vegetables from a nearby store. She later found a way to grow her own food on the rooftops. On the streets, she scams adults into handing over either money, decent half-eaten warm food or clean clothes by using her self-claimed 'adorable' appearance and dressing like a dirty beggar. She made multiple attempts at shoplifting but proved to be quite risky as the security around the shops increased with every attempt. Her views on everything about her current self and predicament were pathetic, made her feel weak, and wished she was dead every time she wakes up and before going to sleep. There were desperate times where she would cry on her worn out mattress bed and feel regret for her decision at rejecting her studies as Princess Celestia's personal student. But she furiously cast those feelings aside for she sees herself as a prideful girl who can survive any problem with only her own willpower and knowledge, not from the help of others. She will do anything if it meant that she can see finally the utterly despaired expression on Celestia's face as her former mentor has rued the day for not handing over the true destiny that she undoubtedly believed she deserved. (December 24, 2014- Winter- Wednesday- 10:23 a.m- Snowing- Downtown District) It was a dark and cold snow day in the Downtown District, just another regular money earning day for Sunset Shimmer but for others, they were in an auspicious for they were celebrating the upcoming holiday which was Christmas... although, there are some who celebrated other holidays or not all. Sunset was feeling a little giddy for she heard other beggars that this festive holiday made citizens and foreign tourist feel more pitiable towards the homeless and needy. These people that she calls 'fools' would offer the beggars more paper money instead of loose change and hand over delicious seasonal meals to make themselves feel better and think they have saved the misfortunate but in reality prolonged their miserable lives. Such selfish opportunities give selfish motives to the fiery-haired girl as it gave her hope of boosting her savings for her upcoming schemes. She made her usual morning routine; she tended and harvested some poorly grown fruits and vegetables on the rooftops, ate her minuscule breakfast of stale bread and dressed into her ragged pauper attire. Before she departed from her 'home', she brushed her teeth and gave herself one more look on the bathroom mirror. There was barely any light passing through the bathroom, however, Sunset wasn't using the mirror to check her appearance but to insult herself. "You look pathetic, you piece of trash. You better make more money than you ever did in these past few months, you pathetic girl. " She harshly shouted insults to her reflection, furrowing her eyebrows and gritting her teeth. These words were not spiteful criticisms of her current lifestyle but rather a short yet harsh motivational speech for herself to work harder than anyone else and not stray towards the reality of crawling back to her foolish mentor. After one deep breath later, She departed from the premises and head to her usual begging spot, a street pole sign that said "Sweet Street" and "Solaris Hills". That location was in between the middle-class commercial district and suburban hilltops of the upper-class socialites. She had to fight for that spot from other older beggars every day until they got the message to stay away in the form of the redhead stabbing one of them in the leg and calling it self-defense in front of the authorities. Some of the veteran beggars knew to avoid the little girl no matter for she only caused them trouble and got most of them arrested or worse. got beaten up by passers-by who took pity on the little demon. Even when she was wearing a heavy layered snow coat and other appropriate winter gear, Sunset still felt the unforgivable chill and loneliness of the December Winter. She won't stop shivering and breathing cold mist. This gave her a huge advantage in gaining more pity from rich people to drop more money on her. This idea surprised her even now on how underhanded yet so simple to perform. It was a trade secret to all the veteran beggars in this world. Back in Equestria, even the word beggar was foreign to all pony settlements. Everypony had a well-paid job due to the Cutie Mark Career Clause that was established by Princess Celestia and the Equestria Education Association a thousand years ago. Sunset gritted her teeth as she began to reminisce her old homeworld as if it was a warm nostalgia. But she refuses to relive a single moment over there as it only reminded her of her old mentor who denied her of her destiny and easily discarded her status as the princess' personal student. "No no, she has no control over you anymore." She muttered to herself, making sure nobody who was passing by could hear her. She let out a deep sigh. "Let's just get this over with it." (A Few Chilling Hours Of Begging Later) Sunset was feeling quite smug of herself. She achieved in making a lot of money in one day than she ever did in the past months. She decided to buy her very first warm meal in a restaurant that provided a wide array of vegan meals. She purchased some foreign delicious delicacies from the distant eastern continent, something Sunset has always wished to experience delectable meals such as vegetarian spring rolls, stir-fried vegetables, tofu soup, and a favored side dish called 'rice'. Unfortunately, she couldn't stay inside the restaurant's warm environment for even a few minutes due to her ragged appearance and receiving complaints and disgusted glares from other customers. She had no choice but to bring her meal to her hideout. Just holding on to her meal made her stomach rumble, drool with anticipation... and feel slightly anxious that the food might go cold quickly or she might drop them before she reaches her destination or some idiot will snatch it. She speed walked through the streets and avoid bumping at the crowds of annoying jolly people. She felt some relief as she approached a familiar alleyway that acted as a convenient shortcut towards the abandon office building. However, as soon as she set her foot in the path, she had an unfortunate encounter with two kids who were close to her implied age which was thirteen years old. Sunset let out an irritated groan as she cursed the fates for she has confronted her most hated demographic in this world; ignorant and immature children. She made a quick examination of these two children. One was a tall rowdy girl and the other one, who was shyly behind the girl, was a sheepish looking boy. Both of them had golden yellow eyes and white shoulder-length hair and complexion. "Hey, what's up, Flamebrain?" The girl calls out Sunset, who in turn just ignored and continued to walk away from the duo before tensions escalate. However, the girl would not have any of the redhead's attitude. "Hey! The fuck's wrong with ya?" She shouted and placed her right hand on Sunset's shoulder. "Has anyone ever taught ya any manners? If not, then I'll show ya. Name's Gilda Griffonstone and this here's my loyal right-hand, Griff." She gestured her right arm at the boy with long white hair. He had a meek expression as if he didn't want to be introduced to strangers. "Yeah, hey. Goodbye." Sunset nonchalantly greeted back with no care at all before continuing to head to her destination. But Gilda was not taking any attitude from a scrawny beggar girl. She moved slightly to block Sunset's path and start an intense stare off. "What's the rush, Flamebrain? Ya runnin' back to your smelly hole to count yer dirty money? Are Ya? Are Ya?" She repeated her childish question over and over while slowly inching her face towards Sunset's, who was losing her patience by the second and was about to sucker punch the fool who was in her way until... "Hey, Big G. Calm down." The boy named Griff grabbed Gilda's arms from behind and intervene her mockery on the girl. "She looks like she's only carrying pennies and nickels. She's not worth mugging." "Hey, let me go, Griff." Gilda struggled to be free from the boy's hold on her. Sunset saw this unusual scene as an opportunity to make a hasty retreat to home (after making some short route changes to prevent the rowdy girl and her lackey from finding out her hideout). Gilda notices the redhead leaving. "Hey, come back- Let me go, Griff." She whined to her friend to free her. "Fucking weirdos," Sunset bitterly muttered to herself as she climbed over a metal fence. She continuously looked behind every minute to see if she was being followed. She just wants to go home and forget the awful encounter she experienced. After making cautious maneuvers in the alleyways, Sunset finally reached her hideout without anyone on her metaphorical tail. She moved a heavy desk to block the only entrance into the building and climbed up to her room to get her well-deserved meal and rest. Sunset was a little disappointed since her meal got cold after making many detours. She decided to heat up some tomato soup in a can. She went over to the makeshift fireplace and, after a few attempts on igniting the flames, she began to cook tomato soup over a slightly rusted pot. While she waited for her soup to be done, Sunset counted today's profits. She got over two hundred and twenty dollars worth of pity change. Adding to her current savings, she had over two thousand and one hundred twenty dollars, not including the jars filled with coins and a small pouch of Equestrian bits that she has yet to pawn over. Sunset unveiled a devilish smirk as she repeated her counting of the profit she's holding. She had enough money for the required educational fees and to... to... ummm... She facepalmed at her own stupidity as she completely forgot to add in one important factor that would succeed in securing her future plans. After long months of begging and surviving, she forgot to perform one duty that would initiate her plan to enroll to Canterlot High, which was that she had made no sort of connections of adults to be her temporary guardian. "Celes-... no, I mean GODDAMMIT!" The redhead roared in infuriation but took a momentary pause when an idea pops out of her mind. She literally bit her tongue when she almost muttered her former mentor's name. She figured that she could easily forge many mature confidants over the few months as a beggar. However, reality dropped on her head when she remembered that she antagonized most of the homeless community and had not left her hideout as much, except for when she starts her begging scam or scavenge for nourishment. Sunset devise on using a bit of her hard-earned fortune to hire an adult, however, her paranoia and twisted logic had persuaded her that the hired help might assault her and steal the rest of her money or worse, she will be taken away and sold to an unknown group that she heard from the countless rumors in the streets. The levels of her anger and frustration have risen to new heights that she thought were impossible. Her hands trembled and eyes became bloodshot. These intense emotions became too overbearing for the little girl that when it finally blew out, Sunset went to the nearest desk and attempted to flip it upside down but failed due to her frail malnourished body. Instead, she grabbed a loose metal pipe from the bathroom and repeatedly slammed it on the desk while screaming indescribable grunts. Sunset didn't stop her relentless bashing on the office furniture until she smelled her soup burning. After taking a deep breath and removed the soup out of the fire, the girl set up her meal at an undamaged desk. Sunset decided that she'll continue her venting after eating her dinner. "This is fucking delicious," Sunset growled when she took a bite of the vegetarian spring roll with some rice. She was conflicted between her anger and sating her hunger. She wanted to vent more on the innocent abandoned office furniture but she hasn't eaten since breakfast and might collapse from excessive physical activity. She excessively munches her meal without taking a moment to savor the flavor. Tears started to well up in her eyes yet quickly wiped them off for she refuses to admit defeat at a single folly in her plan. "No, I can still fix this." She muttered to herself while there was still food in her mouth. She grabbed the handle of her pot to drink her warm soup. "I might not get any support from those useless homeless pon- I mean, people anyway. Yeah, all of them don't even look the part to be my pare..." Sunset paused her soliloquy before she said that last word. Her mind began to be filled with regret and melancholy. Even if it was a vital part for her facade, Sunset felt uneased mentioning that word for she was completely estranged with those ponies to the point that she barely knew their existence. Sunset's depressing train of thought was put to an abrupt halt when she heard a metal screeching noise emit close by. "Well well well, so this is where you are?" Sunset flinched when she heard an annoyingly familiar voice ominously exclaimed. She dropped the hot pot of soup as she turned towards the origin of the voice and saw the Gilda girl, who was wielding a metal which was dragged slowly on the ground to create the ominous metal screeching noise. "We would have a hard time findin' ya if it weren't for your really really loud bitching up here." The golden-eyed girl explained with a smug grin that perfectly complimented her threatening composure. Sunset learned many forms of close quarter combat techniques during her time as the Princess' personal student, however, that knowledge was completely useless to her for it was suited to a pony's body, not to a human's even if she gets on all fours. When she arrived at the Human world, she had to learn self-defense through second-hand books and distant observation on the daily low light muggings in the alleyways. Sunset retrieved her own metal pipe and prepared a poor sword fighting stance. Her legs were bent down and knees facing each other. She had a weak grip on the pipe and looked like it was going to slip any moment. "What the fuck!?" Gilda laughed when she saw the redhead's poor attempt at defending herself. "Can ya actually fight back, Girly? Well, it doesn't matter since I'm gonna kick yer ass for ignoring me." She raised her pipe and placed it on her right shoulder. She then bent down and leaned slightly forward, facing at the fiery-haired girl. "YOU'RE DEAD!" She roared before she rushed towards Sunset like a speeding train. Sunset had little time and weakened reflexes to anticipate the attack but somehow, blocked the girl's first swing. However, Gilda did predict the guard as she raised her right leg and, with full brute force, fiercely kicked the redhead's belly. This caused her to collapse to her knees, knocking the wind out of her and almost vomiting her meal. Sunset tried to push back the thuggish girl but the feint attack caused all of her strength to dissipate and only made the girl stumble a few steps back. "Seriously?" She shouted, furious at the girl. "Is that all you got? How the fuck did you even lived this long?" Gilda soon glared at the redhead. "I've been watchin' ya for a few weeks now and I've got to say... You're such a fuckin' disappointment." Her delinquent-like accent seemed to thicken with every second she speaks. "You've got some nerve ratting on my homeless friends with your fake cryin' and lies. I've been tryin' to catch ya but yer one slippery leech..." "Gilda, wait up..." A meek boy's voice called out at the girl. It must be the Griff kid who was following Gilda. He sounded panicked and scared. Both girls face towards the voice and witnessed the boy weakly approach his companion and sweating like crazy. "You shouldn't have left me alone like that. That's so mean of you." He whined while he wiped away the sweat from his head with his right sleeve. "Goddammit, Griff. I told ya to go home, didn't-" While Gilda was distracted with talking to her companion, Sunset took the chance by hastily reaching for the still hot pot, toss the soup onto her assailant, tackling her to the ground and relentlessly slapped her face. The redhead was meant to deliver a flurry of punches as she tried to form fists but was not used to her human body. Fortunately, the second-degree burns and slapping were effective enough for Gilda to yield into submission. She let out painful cries as tears flowed out of eyes and feeling the agony of the hot soup. She tried to sweep away the redhead's ruthless slap but the pain was too unbearable for her to perform any movement. Under her thuggish persona was actually a weak girl who only had intimidation and brute strength to not appear weak in public. "S-stop... p-please." Gilda cried out, her eyes closed shut as to prevent the soup from damaging her eyes. Griff, her partner, seemed hesitant to help her or grab hold of the redhead as he was scared that he might get caught in the assault. "Oh now you're begging me to stop," Sunset growled while continued to slap the girl as she spoke. She let out a fiendish smile as she relished her vengeance on the girl who kicked her stomach. "What happened to "you're dead"? Are you just all talk? This is what you get for kicking my stomach." She inflicted the hardest slap she could muster onto Gilda's left cheek. "N-no, p-please... I-I'm sorry," Gilda muttered, her speech became a little indescribable as bruises on her face began to swell and bleed from the endless slapping. Sunset halted her assault, not due to the girl's cries for mercy. Her hands began to feel sore and saw that some of the small cuts that she got from the past few months reopened. The redhead weakly raised herself off the girl's body and reach a metal pipe that Gilda previously wielded. The golden-eyed girl wouldn't stop squirming and begging for mercy as Sunset performed a few more intimidating hand pats with the tip of her weapon. "So, this what you truly are." Sunset looked at the sniveling pile of tears and lukewarm tomato soup with a pitiful yet annoyed expression. "I thought you were some two-bit thug trying to steal from my hard earned money but in fact, you're just a pathetic stalker. You might intimidate me but when it comes to conflict, you're weak." Sunset delivered multiple blows of blunt and harsh taunts that hurt the girl's self-esteem more than the physical bruises on her face. Gilda could do nothing but continue to whimper like a defenseless animal. "Y-yes y-yes. I'm s-sorry. I'm s-sorry" The white-haired girl repeated her apologies as she covered her eyes. Sunset didn't care about what the girl had to say for she was about to end everything on the helpless delinquent kid when a sudden wild inspirational thought brightened in her mind. She raised her iron pipe above her head and quickly slammed down hard but it didn't hit the girl's head rather on the floor. Some of the damaged rubble sprinkled on to the girl's left cheek. Sunset's sadistic trait appeared to have awakened as she stared down at her defeated foe's pathetic and battered up face. It was hard to distinguish which liquid on her face was bleeding or tomato soup but the redhead didn't care one bit. She decided to continue to torment the girl since the partner seemed to not intervene and remained silent during the assault. Gilda flinched as she stared at the fiery-haired girl's demonic-like eyes and continues to hear small tapping sounds of the iron pipe hitting against the moldy floor tiles. "Okay, I'll stop but if you want me to stop beating the ever living crap out of you and your friend over there, then listen to what I've got to say." She said as she slowly raised the pipe up and rest it on her right shoulder. Gilda's confidant flinched and hid behind a recently wrecked desk when he was mentioned in the threat. "Yy-twou tt-thunk I'm just godda l-listen two pwhat ya-" Gilda's protest was cut off as Sunset inflicted another intimidating slam of her metal pipe, inching closer to the girl's face. "That wasn't a request. It' s a demand." The redhead growled. "Now listen carefully, I want you to..." Ring Ring Ring Sunset's eyes slowly opened up and clumsily reached for her phone. She just missed a call. "Oh no!" She exclaimed in a panic as she noticed what time it was. She scrambled out of her bed and grabbed her clothes from the floor. It was her first day of cleaning up her mess. Author's Note Sorry for the late update. Just got a job that I was focused more on that I forgot to take care of my work.