Sunset Shimmer in the Land of Enchantment

Chapters

Alienation
Alien Nation
The Spider's Lair

Alienation

A brightly painted van rattled along the desert highway, Sunset Shimmer at the wheel. The paint job loudly proclaimed it to be the vehicle of The Rainbooms, whose luggage filled the trunk and a rooftop trailer. It wasn't much of a van, really, which was a fact Sunset was actively avoiding thinking about for her own peace of mind. The air conditioner was a wheezing drone that almost drowned the chatter of her friends playing cards or video games in the back. And despite their best efforts at repairs over the past year, it was held together more by duct tape and several layers of paint than any virtue of it's original structure. Some days Sunset swore the Magic of Friendship was the only thing keeping it from spontaneously collapsing into a heap, never to rise again.

But still, she was smiling as she drove. And not only because she had just stolen a glance at her girlfriend, sprawled asleep in the seat beside her. Not that Twilight wasn't utterly adorable, glasses askew against the window and a book on quantum physics still open in her lap. But a sign in the distance had just become visible, showing that the long hours on the road were coming to a close.

"Look, we're almost at the state border!" She said. Twilight snorted awake and looked around wildly, while the others leaned forward to see.

"Oooh! I love the chili peppers on the sign" Pinkie chirped up.

"New Mexicolt. Oh, this shall be lovely" said Rarity, with a little swoon. "And such a charming motto."

"Ominous more like" Applejack replied. Rarity glared at her. "Now I aint sayin' I'm not lookin' forward to this here visit. It'll be a good time. But The Land of Enchantment? When this goes all giant women and rainbows ah just want y'all to remember I told ya so, that's all."

Rarity appeared briefly prepared to argue and then, on consideration, to decide that Applejack had a point.

"Well in any case" she said, "I for one will be grateful to get out of this van soon. No offense to any of you, but road trips have a certain...distinctive aroma I would be quite happy to be clear of."

"Ugh I know!" said Rainbow. "I get so tired of getting cooped up. Hey, can I run along beside the van again for a bit? There's no one else on the highway."

"Um...please don't open the door while we're driving" said Fluttershy from the back.

"Duh! But we've got to stop anyway."

"What? Why?" said Sunset.

"Isn't it obvious? Selfie at the sign!"

"Alright" said Sunset, pulling over as the sign approached. "I could use a stretch anyway. We'd better make sure to get all of us. Twilight, think you can handle working a camera with your magic?"

"No need" she replied, already rustling around in the bag at her feet. "Where is it...aha! My camera drone."

"You packed your camera robot in the car with you?" said Applejack, raising an eyebrow.

"Um...yes?"

The was a chorus of jostling, stretching, and groans as they spilled out of the car. Then there was a whir as Twilight's drone took to the air. Sunset joined in. Her shoulders and legs exhausted and sore. Maybe she could ask Twilight for a massage later.

"GAH!" Suddenly Rainbow darted by in a colorful blur, making her jump and look around wildly for the problem. Which seemed to be Fluttershy. The other girls were all backing away nervously.

"Aw, look at this little girl. Isn't she the cutest thing?"

"Fluttershy, that's a scorpion" said Applejack, staring at the huge arthropod in her hand.

"I know, isn't she beautiful? Oh yes. Yes you're very fierce. But we won't hurt you. And you're just such a wonderful little hunter aren't you? Yes you are! Yes you are!" She scritched it's head, and somehow convinced it to roll over for a belly rub. Sunset shook her head fondly. She should have known.

Before long they were assembled for the photo. Rainbow, of course, was perched on the sign, and Fluttershy was still cooing over her new friend. Applejack stood by Rarity, who had conjured a few of her reflective shields to help with the lighting. Sunset was grinning ear to ear, and she and Twilight held each other close. For all the exhaustion of the drive, this really was a wonderful idea. Her girlfriend and her best friends, a clear sky, and adventures in store. They would be in Santa Tabitha by nightfall. She knew this would be a trip to remember.

Sunset glared at the sunlight pouring through the hotel window and cursed the fates that had led her to love that most insufferable of creatures: a morning person. And not just any morning person either. Twilight Sparkle was the kind of girl who would spring out of bed at the first alarm and immediately launch into her routine with a truly indecent amount of energy. Normally it wasn’t a problem. They didn’t live together, though how long that would remain true was an open question. But in this hotel, in the extra room just for them Rarity had absolutely insisted on paying for, there was no escape. And the time zone difference hadn’t done anything to slow the purple monster down either. Who had even invented time zones? They were a stupid idea. This world was in dire need of some proper organization. This was the kind of anarchy that came of heliocentrism, spherical planets, and an utter lack of Princesses worth the name. Sunset pulled the blankets over her head and struggled to get back to sleep.

“Come on Sunset, it’s time to get up.”

Sunset grunted from under the covers.

“Sunset Shimmer, we have an itinerary.”

“The itinerary can wait for a bit” she replied, muffled by the blankets.

“It already has. See?” The brightly lit phone was shoved under the blankets, making her groan. She pushed it back and poked a single eye out from the covers.

“Twilight, I love you. And I’m telling you, one reformed demon to another, that love is the only thing keeping me from strangling you right now.”

Twilight had the grace to look apologetic. “Sorry. But we really should head down soon. We don’t want to miss breakfast. If Pinkie gets down there first it might all be gone.”

“Mrgh, darn you for being right. You’re lucky you’re cute” Sunset grumbled, emerging from the bed.

Unfortunately, this unavoidably involved looking around the room. The bed and breakfast Pinkie had found for them was well located, cheap, clean, and was even a local business. It was also, depending on which of their party you asked, "a bit...odd", "charmingly eccentric", or "crazier than a weasel in granny's garter". The walls were lined with photos of geoglyphs, pyramids, and other signs of so called Ancient Astronauts. The decorations were a retro-deco that made it look like everything was ready to take off at at least Warp 6. And on the roof a giant sculptural flying saucer was perched cheerfully, with a sign promising discounts to anyone who shared their Abduction Story.

As what she was sure was the closest thing to an alien anyone here had ever seen, Sunset found the whole thing insulting. Not to mention that any genuine 'Ancient Astronauts' were far more likely to be her ancestors than anything from another planet.

Ah well. Sunset shook her head. She reminded herself firmly that she had wanted a unique experience, and that Pinkie had just been trying to help, and started the hunt for her clothes. She could hardly go downstairs in her current state of undress. She blushed, remembering last night. She and Twilight didn’t get much time completely alone, due to Twilight’s parents having entirely justified suspicions of what they would get up to otherwise. And so things had gotten rather...intense.

Fortunately what Sunset lacked in enthusiasm for rising she made up for in speed, and so within a few minutes they were fully dressed and headed out the door.

“There, see? Exactly on time” said Twilight in a satisfied tone.

“Yep. And you said we were going to be late.”

“I said it was time to get up" Twilight corrected primly. She gave Sunset a mischievous sideways glance. "And you know I know what I'm talking about. I've actually developed an algorithm that lets me predict things down to the minute. I'm really pleased with it, I think it will revolutionize scheduling.”

Sunset scoffed. "Nope. No way you can do that."

"I can too!"

"Oh, so you're calling me predictably late now?" Sunset said teasingly. "There's no way. You're messing with me."

Twilight harrumphed back. "It's not a question of being predictable. It's just statistics."

“Uh huh. Then prove it. Let me see that itinerary.”

“What? No! It’s my plan and...hey!” Twilight complained as Sunset playfully snatched up her phone. And then Sunset stared as a blinking calendar alert popped up on the screen.

6:57 am: Sunset Shimmer steals my phone. Hello Sunset! Fortunately she is beautiful and I am ridiculously in love with her, so I forgive her.

"But...what...how?!?" Sunset sputtered. "There's no way that you...wait..." Realization dawned and she looked up to find Twilight grinning and giggling at her. She found herself grinning right back. "Okay, Rainbow Dash is officially a bad influence on you. When did you program that?"

"Last night. It's just hijacking the built in facial recognition from the security suite for a trigger, and a pop up with text and a clock. Nothing fancy."

Sunset just shook her head fondly. Only Twilight would call that 'nothing fancy'.

"You are so adorable. Come here." She kissed Twilight happily, and and the two of them headed down the stairs arm in arm.

The road trip, as with many things, had started when Rainbow Dash got an idea in her head. It had only been a month ago, actually, though it seemed longer. They were at Applejack’s house, sitting in the orchard as the night fell. Sunset was leaning against a tree, Twilight’s head resting in her lap, enjoying the cool evening breeze. Later they planned to cook on a campfire before heading in for a sleepover. Pinkie had even promised a surprise for later. Sunset was sure had something to do with how much she’d been texting with Trixie lately. The two had been thick as thieves before Trixie left for her summer Magician Apprenticeship program, chatting about magic tricks and pyrotechnics. It was an alarming combination, and distance had apparently done nothing to slow them down.

It was the kind of evening she could already tell she’d look back on fondly. And she was happy, listening to Fluttershy tell the others about the bear she had talked away from downtown and how she had helped it be brave. But still, she couldn’t help feeling a bit of melancholy slipping in.

“Sunset, are you okay?” asked Twilight. She said it quietly, but it fell perfectly into a pause in the conversation and everyone turned to look. Sunset blushed, and Twilight made a face at her poor timing.

“Oh! Heh, yeah, I’m fine” Sunset said, brushing her hair out of her face awkwardly. “Just, you know, woolgathering…”

Applejack raised a skeptical eyebrow, and Twilight snorted from Sunset’s lap.

“Yeah, sorry. It’s just I was thinking about how everything’s changing. We’ve graduated now. We’re applying to college. I guess I was just wondering how many more times like these we have left.”

“What?” said Rainbow, looking incredulous. “You don’t think we’re going to stop being friends just because of a little distance do you?”

“No!” said Sunset quickly. “It’s not that. You girls are the best thing that’s happened to me in my life, and that's never going to change.” She gave them all a genuine smile. “It’s more like I felt like I finally had things figured out. Everything was going so well. I guess I just... hoped I’d get to enjoy it for awhile longer before things changed again, you know? It's making me feel a bit rootless.”

Rarity nodded. “I understand completely dear. Our lives move on like seasons. We cannot hold on to the moments, but simply savor them as best we can.”

“You should listen to her, she's right. It’s why I never think ahead. Ow!” Rainbow rubbed her arm where Applejack had swatted her. “Sheesh, I was just joking. But yeah, things are gonna change. And we’ll all be here for each other when they do.”

Sunset smiled. “Yeah. Yeah we will. Thanks. I hope I didn’t bring down anyone’s mood.” A chorus of ‘no’s and ‘nope’s rang out. Fluttershy didn’t say anything but patted her head.

“Know what we should do?” said Rainbow. “We should go on a road trip. Pack up the bus and head out on an adventure. Make sure this summer is one to remember.”

“Road Trip! WOO!” Shouted Pinkie, and whipped out a large and obviously homemade firework. “Wait...hey! That’s not what I meant to grab!” The firework began to glow ominously as Pinkie’s magic soaked into it. “Uh oh…”

“Hit the deck!” Shouted Applejack, putting action to words as she tackled Fluttershy out of the blast zone.

“I got it!” Dash zoomed forward in a rainbow blur and hurled the firework in to the sky.

Rarity gasped and a dome of diamond force panes snapped up over them.

The firework lit itself in mid air and took off with a scream, bouncing off the forcefield before spinning into the night like a crazed catherine’s wheel. It burst in a deafening explosion: a pink, heart-shaped bloom over the trees, surrounded by a spray of starbursts.

Everyone stared at Pinkie. For once, she actually seemed sheepish. “Heh heh...surprise?”

"Alright, I confess! It was a heart because I was thinking of Trixie when I made that firework! She's so cute and clever and when she gets back at the end of the summer I'm going to ask her out!" Pinkie sat panting on the bed after her anguished proclamation. They had moved indoors quickly to avoid any awkward questions from police.

Everyone stared.

"Pinkie, darling, no one actually asked you any questions to confess to."

"Oh...he he...oops again?"

Twilight buried her face in her hands.

"Welp, I gotta say, I did not see that comin'" said Applejack. "Good on ya though Pinkie. Just wish you'd found a way to tell us without almost blowing us to smithereens."

"Yeah...I'm really sorry about that. I was reaching for my emergency streamers and I grabbed the rocket by accident. I was saving it for a Will You Be My Girlfriend party, but I guess I'll have to make another."

“Well, it does seem like you put quite a lot of effort into it” said Rarity. “Between you and Twilight, the bar has been set rather high for the rest of us should we want to make a decent showing.”

Twilight blushed. “It wasn’t really that much.”

Sunset gave her a hug, and a kiss on the cheek. “Yeah, it kind of was. I was just writing you a love song. You got the jump on me with a custom sidecar for my bike.”

“Well that’s hardly a big deal” said Twilight. “I build things all the time.”

“You said, and I quote, ‘Wherever we go, whatever the future holds, I want us to go together.’ It was the single most romantic thing I have heard in my life. Now stop reminding me how much I love you before I have to kiss you silly in front of everyone.”

Twilight blushed even redder. “Okay. I’m just saying, when you finally finished it? It was a really, really good love song.”

The others were looking on the scene with varying degrees of amusement and affection. All but Rarity, who had put on a determined expression.

“Right” she said. “That settles it. Yes, Rainbow Dash, we are going on a road trip. And not only that, it will be the best possible trip that can be imagined. Somewhere Sunset Shimmer has never been in her life.”

“Um, Rarity, I kind of haven’t been a lot of places in this world. Pony...juvenile delinquent...doesn’t lend itself much to sightseeing.”

“Pish tosh darling. Our world is somewhat a parallel of yours is it not? Then you know all about it. That hardly counts. We will go beyond your borders, into the wild unknown. At least in spirit.”

Sunset looked at her in confusion.

“Oh honestly. You told me that there was a nation of Griffons in your homeworld. Old enemies, improving relations, rather dreary. Named Griffonstan if I recall?”

“Griffonstone, but yes. What’s your point?”

“Sunset, in this world there is no Griffonstone. And Caneighda is hardly the home of either a lost city of love or nation of hirsute and uncouth demolition experts. The only place to the north I’ve heard you mention that I recognized is Vanhoover. For goodness sake, the Crystal Empire is a rival high school. In Canterlot.”

Twilight and Sunset blinked. Then they looked at each other and their eyes lit up.

“Oh my gosh, do you know what this means?”

“If there’s a geographical limit to the correspondence…”

“I bet it’s highest wherever Starswirl ditched the Sirens, dimensional resonance would stabilize an impromptu vortex. Too bad they probably won’t talk to us.”

“I can’t believe we never noticed this before. Canterlot’s correspondence actually isn’t that high except for people, now I think of it.”

“Not even that, the population actually aligns better with Ponyville. Unless we count it as a suburb? But Canterlot can’t just be Equestria in microcosm either. Vanhoover, Las Pegasus, Neigh Orleans. Whole cities with the same names.”

“That might just be a coincidence. Most naming conventions derive from the ancient Rohirrim, and they were all over the world. But if we could find a metric to chart the alignment, with the proper weighting of variables…”

“I need to write the Princess for supplies!”

“I need a digital atlas and history book!”

They kissed each other passionately, too caught up in the moment to care about the crowd, and dashed off in opposite directions.

“And they’re gone” chuckled Applejack. “Heh, sometimes those two seem like night an’ day, and others you can see they’re two sides of the same coin.”

“Yes. Yes, you can” said Rarity. “And now if you’ll excuse me for a moment, I must take a moment to freshen up. Won’t be a tick dears, do carry on.” Noone noticed Fluttershy squeeze Rarity’s hand and give her a sympathetic look as she left.

Fortunately, the bed and breakfast's eccentricity did not extend to their dining room. A perfectly normal set of waffle irons and batter, cereals and fruit were set on a long table. The only real difference from home was the radio, a local station playing western style lyrics set to what sounded like glass harmonica. It was surprisingly haunting, and Sunset made a note to experiment with a theremin or synthesizer for their own songs when they got home.

To Twilight's apparent chagrin they were actually the last of their friends there. It should have been obvious in retrospect. The other girls had been sharing a room, and Applejack was an even earlier riser than Twilight. Pinkie waved happily from the table, a stack of waffles in front of her. Waffles that were...blue.

"Pinkie, did you put food coloring in the waffle batter?" Sunset asked suspiciously as she and Twilight went to pick up their own food.

"Nope! It's this really cool flour they have here made with blue corn. Tasty and colorful. I'm bringing some home with me!"

Sunset looked at the batter container. It was perfectly ordinary and probably came from a mix. She was going to ask further questions, then thought better of it.

"So now that you two lovebirds have joined us" Dash said, with shameless waggling of eyebrows that earned her a glare from Rarity "we're gonna head out soon right? Twilight may be a bit crazy with the itinerary but I know we all want to see the city."

Twilight nodded, and pulled out a set of pre-printed schedules from her purse. Of course she brought them, thought Sunset with both fondness and exasperation as she rolled her eyes.

"Yes, we're all on track so far and we're split up according to preferred activities. And there should be plenty of time for spontaneous exploring this time too" she added, looking a bit embarrassed. "I learned from that mistake."

Sunset glanced at her itinerary briefly. The exhibition of Desert Flower's work at the Art Museum with Rarity in the morning, meeting up with everyone for lunch, and then the Aerospace Museum with Twilight and Rainbow Dash in the afternoon. Perfect.

"And that was Space Cowboy by our very own Western Sphere" the radio cut it, with a brash static filled voice. "Be sure to check him out on Sonic Fog! And now for some local interest, we're sure you all want to hear about the latest alien sightings..."

"She's eating waffles, stop the presses" Sunset muttered irritably, making Pinkie choke with laughter. Twilight and Rarity looked at her with a bit of concern, but she forced a grin and a laugh at her own joke. Seriously, this alien touristy...stuff was getting on her nerves.

"Sadly, all we can tell you is what you already know. Full blown auroras in the lonely sky and silent orange lights are hardly typical behavior for our celestial friends. Even our consulting expert Truth Out, formerly of Nasa, has not offered any explanation. All we can say is keep calm and keep an eye on your cattle. This is KSFR. Now, on with the music."

"Yep, that's the Equestrian menace for you. We're here to steal your women and seduce your cows. Or maybe the other way around, I forget." said Sunset with a snort. There, that didn't sound too bitter right? Twilight kissed her for it at least, which was also nice, but soon she settled back into a bit of a funk. She tried to eat and keep up a pleasant face. The others teased Applejack good naturedly about when they'd be getting their rayguns, and Rainbow and Pinkie competed at making the best spaceship noises, but her heart really wasn't in it.

You're being stupid, she told herself. This is your home now. Twilight loves you. Your friends love you. They've proven that a hundred times over. You've conquered your demons.

Knowing all that was true did nothing to restore her appetite.

Sunset stood in the museum looking at an oversized painting of a flower and trying not to smirk. Certainly it was amazing to see any of Desert Flower's work in person, but these pieces, well...

"Something amusing darling?" said Rarity from behind her, making her jump a bit guiltily.

"Heh, nothing important" Sunset said. Rarity gave her a Look. "Well it's...you'll think I'm silly."

"Sunset, dearest," said Rarity, putting her hand firmly on her hip, "you might as well get it out of your system. I know what you're thinking, and believe me you are hardly the first."

"Other people think these are like exquisite still lives of a hamburger?" Sunset said, with an innocent smile.

"Yes, they could be seen as quite..." Rarity paused as her ears caught up to her brain. Then she laughed, a smile wide on her face. "Oh dear. And here I had such a witty line about deflowering ready too. You, Sunset Shimmer, are trouble."

"Always happy to serve" said Sunset, touching her forehead and giving a mocking little bow. "No, I know everyone says these flowers are erotic somehow. But I really don't see it."

"Well, that just goes to show that you are a far more insightful woman than the rest of humanity. Desert Flower always insisted that they were nothing of the sort, but you know how it is. We are all utterly obsessed with sex. And those rather striking nude portraits of her didn't...Sunset?" She halted with a blush entirely unrelated to her topic of conversation.

Sunset realized she'd been glowing at Rarity, enough that she'd even forgotten to be embarrassed.

"Sorry" she said sheepishly, gripping her arm. "I was listening. It's just...thank you."

"For what dear? Trying to make you blush a bit with a risque topic? Because I seem to have utterly failed at my goal."

"No. What you said." Sunset looked down. "Talking about me like I'm human. I know it's odd but I really appreciate it."

"Oh dear" said Rairty with a concerned frown. "This is about this morning isn't it?"

Sunset nodded. "I know it's silly, but..."

"It is not silly" said Rarity emphatically, and put a hand on your shoulder. "Remember what Twilight always says. If emotions were logical they wouldn't be called feelings. This whole trip was because you were feeling uprooted. I'm very sorry if I've done anything made it worse."

"You haven't. You're my best friend, Rares. You're helping alot."

Rarity smiled at the compliment, and then got a coy expression. "Well, you say that, and I haven't even shown you why I brought you here yet."

"What, really?" said Sunset, surprised. "Rares, I thought we came here because we both wanted to see the exhibition, not to help me with my issues."

"Darling, can't I do both?" she replied with a wink and taking Sunset by the hand. "Come on. I may be a different kind of artist, but Desert Flower has always been a bit of a hero of mine. And for once I think I may actually be able to teach you something, rather than the reverse."

Rarity pulled Sunset along to the next room, leaving her wondering just what the she was getting at.

"In there you saw what most people associate with Desert Flower" Rarity continued her lecture. "Never mind her other accomplishments. People flock to scandal of course, and she certainly had enough of that in her life. That business with her husband, and in both directions at that. Not to mention being an artistic sex symbol she never intended. I rather think she wanted to get away from it all. Which is where we come to these." She gestured at the contents of the room, giving a presenter's twirl.

Sunset looked. Vivid, abstract landscapes of the New Mexicolt grasslands and canyons in strong blues and reds. She had seem them before of course, in books, but in person there was so much more presence.

"Wonderful aren't they?" said Rarity, apparently reading her mind. "She traveled here, to a land far from her home, to escape her past. An arid and desolate place, unlike anything she knew. But she found that she belonged there, despite all expectations. You can see her love for the place seep into everything she did." Rarity hugged Sunset closely. "She came looking for a refuge, but she found a home."

Sunset sniffled a bit, and wiped her eyes. "Darnit Rarity, making me cry in public..." She hugged her back. "Are you trying to destroy my tough girl image?"

"Well, if I have, it's nothing that turning into a Maiar and healing another monster won't fix" said Rarity, stepping back with a smile and putting on a prim tone. "In any case, while you certainly look stunning, I can't help but point out that heavenly blue dress hardly screams 'biker chic' no matter how fond you are of that leather jacket."

"You could find a way to do it if you really wanted to."

"Hmm, I could couldn't I" replied Rarity with mock modesty before they both laughed.

"I'm glad you came with me Rarity" said Sunset. "It's nice to have someone to talk about art with who really gets it. I love Twi. But, you know. If she were here she'd be identifying the flower species and trying to plot where the landscapes were painted from. Which...actually sounds pretty fun" she added with a blush "but it's not the same."

"I understand completely. And it's only to be expected. You are both incredible geniuses, of course. But you are more Leonard di Hoovsi, while she is more Solar Circle."

"Oh I see" said Sunset in a playful tone. "You're saying my girlfriend is going redefine how we see our place in the universe, shattering a whole paradigm and centuries of astronomical thought. And I'll be a dilettante engineer who can't make his designs work."

"Humph. Some people just cannot take a compliment" said Rarity in mock offense. "You know as well as I do those designs were to impress the Maredicis into patronage, and..."

"Alright, alright, I surrender" said Sunset putting her hands up. "You know, I don't usually see this scholarly side of you. I like it."

"There are many things you don't see about me, Sunset. I have mysterious depths, as a proper lady should. Besides, it's a matter of specialization. Not all of us can be good at everything."

"Hey, don't sell yourself short. I recognize that kind of self deprecation, and you're not getting away with it. You're pretty amazing yourself."

"Humph, base flattery Sunset" she replied, turning her back with an offended pout. Mostly, Sunset thought, to hide that she was smiling.

"Haven't you told me it'll get me everywhere? And I mean it. If we get to be geniuses then you do too. No arguments."

"Well..." said Rarity, in a pensive tone, "as long as you don't make me be Tycho Bray. I'm quite attached to my nose, thank you."

"I don't know. If anyone could pull it off it would be you. And silver goes well with ivory."

Rarity actually blushed at that, making Sunset smirk.

"Well, what about you?" she finally replied. "Gold would match your skin tone, but I hardly see you cutting off your nose to replace it. Or ear for that matter."

"Well gold suits you better anyway" Sunset replied without thinking. "It's perfect for you. But fine, no Bray. We'll still get you into my and Twilight's club somehow." At that point Sunset's brain caught up to her mouth, and heat rushed to her face. "Oh wow...I didn't...that came out so wrong." Well, more or less exactly right actually. Which was significantly worse.

"Yes, quite." Rarity was blushing just as hard, unable to look Sunset in the face.

"I'm really sorry Rares, I got caught up in the banter and I wasn't thinking. That whole thing went way more flirty than I meant to and..."

Rarity at least had regained some of her composure. "It's quite alright dear, no harm done. And we have at least determined something important."

"What?"

"You, Sunset Shimmer, are a tremendous nerd when you flirt. It's no wonder you and Twilight are so perfect for each other."

You were keeping up just fine yourself, Sunset thought, adding to her guilty feelings. Sure it was just letting her mouth run away with her (ugh, phrasing) but...

"Sunset Shimmer." Rarity's voice was sharp across her thoughts. "I know that look, and you must get better at not beating yourself up. You love Twilight, no harm was done, and I refuse to allow a moment of poorly guarded words become a major issue. Or allow it to ruin the rest of your day, as I know you will if I don't stop you. Are we clear?"

"I guess" she replied. What Rarity was saying did make sense at least. She was probably overreacting.

"Good. Now come on, we have hours left and more art to appreciate. Unless, of course, you feel unable to contain your terrible burning passion in my presence and need to leave. I wouldn't blame you."

Sunset laughed and sputtered at the unexpected jibe. "What...but...Rarity, what's wrong with you?"

"Just something Pinkie told me about laughter once, dear. Now do try to keep up."

Despite Sunset's worries and occasional twinges of guilt, the rest of their time passed amicably and with no return of the previous awkwardness. Rarity had been right, Sunset thought, sitting hand in hand with Twilight with her friends as they traded stories about the day. It really was fine.

"That rattler zoo? Shoulda expected it I suppose, just didn't think you had it in you Fluttershy."

"Oh yes, they're really fascinating and misunderstood creatures. Though... I did feel a bit bad for that handler."

"How's that then?"

"Ha! You should have seen it" Dash burst in. "Fluttershy's talking to the snakes, of course, and they're all swarming up to the glass and nodding along with the conversation. So then the keeper comes out wondering why they're acting so funny and making sure we aren't bothering them. And they all turn and just GLARE at him for interrupting. Poor guy just ran for it, it was straight out of Lightning Chaser and the Basilisk's Bane. Complete classic!"

"Well I don't blame them for being annoyed" Fluttershy said. "They were in the middle of a song and were about to get to the rhythm section. But, um, I'm still sorry we scared him."

"Well how about you Sparks" Sunset said, nudging her with an elbow. "You didn't cause a panic when you tried to take home a souvenir did you?"

"The Department of Irradiation Public Outreach Center isn't exactly a souvenirs kind of place" Twilight replied, blushing a bit. "Though I may possibly have disturbed the guard by cooing over the miniaturized cyclotron. A little."

"That's my girl" said Sunset, kissing her on the cheek.

"Well, now y'all are makin' me and Pinkie seem like the boring ones. And being an honest woman, I can't be having that. See there's this place called the House of Eternal Return, sorta like an all year Nightmare House, and..."

Sunset suddenly winced and bent over at a pain in her head, raising a hand to stop Applejack. There was a strange sensation coming through her empathy, not unpleasant but impossible to ignore. It was like trying to tune in on a bad band on the radio, but the announcer constantly muttered in a foreign language. She looked around, trying to see something that could be the source of it, but there wasn't anything visible. And just as quickly as it arrived, it was gone.

Twilight wrapped an arm around her while the others looked on in concern.

"Are you okay Sunset?" She asked. "What happened? Was it something magical?"

"Yeah, yeah I'm pretty sure it was" she said, shaking her head to clear it. "And I'm fine I think, just startled. That was new."

Twilight nodded, pulling out her trusty scanner and running it over Sunset while switching her phone to Record.

"My readings definitely confirm the magic, and I'm not picking up anything wrong with you besides elevated heart rate. Probably from stress." She tried to hide the relief in her voice, and failed miserably. "So what happened? Was it your magic, or somebody else's?"

"Definitely mine. The closest I can think of, it's like when I started overhearing everyone's thoughts by accident. But not quite. It felt more like there was someone shouting with a megaphone, and I just happened to be able to hear it."

"Shouting thoughts...we talkin' mind control here?" Asked Applejack with concern. Rarity gasped and Twilight's face hardened, but Sunset shook her head.

"No, definitely the wrong feel. That'd be invasive and catchy, like a song you can't get out of your head. This I wasn't even meant to understand. And it wasn't quite...on the same channel as usual either. I had a hard time zeroing in on it. Whoever they were, I think they were just 'talking' and didn't expect anyone to be able to hear them."

"Or whatever they were" Twilight replied, tapping out notes. "From what you describe, there's a distinct possibility they may not actually be human."

Everyone went quiet and stared at her casual pronouncement. In a moment she realized it, and looked up.

"Well, it's only a hypothesis" she said, nervously rubbing the back of her head. "I may be completely off base. But it does fit the admittedly scanty evidence so far. You've read Spike's mind before, haven't you Sunset? Without any notable differences?"

"Yeah, other than a weird obsession with catching squirrels."

"Then yes. This is in no way definitive, but we should prepare for some fairly unusual possibilities. Including the miniscule chance that these reports of UFOs may have far more substance to them than any of us suspected."

Applejack coughed loudly.

"Any of us other than Applejack suspected" she corrected herself.

"Well" said Rarity, "I was going to make this suggestion anyway but now it's a necessity." A subtle nod to Sunset that she was positive no one else noticed "I propose that we abandon our rather prophetically themed hotel and go camping."

"Oooh, investigation!" Pinkie chirped. "We've got the van, we've got the meddling kids, lets find the nearest goons in rubber masks and give them a good thwack!"

"Well I think lookin' into this is a fine idea sugarcube, and I'm always up for roughin' it, but why campin'? You hate campin'."

"I was inspired today to give it another chance" she replied smoothly. Too smoothly, Sunset thought. "And the radio did say the sightings were in the wilderness. If nothing comes of it we can try another avenue, but at worst we will have lost a night and had a unique experience."

"I would like to see the wild animals" Fluttershy said quietly. "And if they're really are aliens, they haven't hurt anyone. I think Rarity is right."

"Alright!" said Dash. "I'm liking this plan. All it needs is an awesome name. I'm voting for Operation Starfire."

"Dash, that's the name of the old laser weapon testing site" said Twilight. "It's taken. And besides, we all know where I stand on research but this was Sunset's phenomenon. She'll most likely be affected by it again. And no one has asked her yet."

Sunset looked at a round of vaguely guilty faces. "Thanks Sparks" she said. "But yeah, I'm down with this. On one condition." And she gave a cocky grin. "That we call this Operation Scorpion Tent."

The guilty faces were replaced with blank looks.

"Why would the scorpions want to bother us?" Asked Fluttershy. "I would explain they couldn't stay there very nicely."

Suddenly Pinkie cracked up, doubled over with laughter.

"Pinkie, what the tarts has gotten into you?"

"Hehehehehe...because it's...a sting AND a stakeout! Literally!" Pinkie howled. The others all groaned.

"Alright, who here votes that Sunset have all future naming privileges revoked?" asked Dash.

There was chorus of Ayes, even from Twilight, which Sunset would be sure to make her regret later. Pleasantly. But she was smiling brightly. And to think she'd been worried about having a place for herself in the world. She did, and she wouldn't have it any other way. And if it was a strange sort of place, where a possible alien invasion was a welcome dose of perspective? Well so be it.

Author's Note

For those curious, Solar Circle is Copernicus while Desert Flower is Georgia O'Keeffe. Santa Tabitha is a hodgepodge, but is mostly based on Santa Fe.

The International Rattlesnake Museum, the Georgia Okeefe Museum, and The House of Eternal Return are all quite real. Their resemblance to reality is at best coincidental.

Alien Nation

Twilight produced new itineraries with a worrying efficiency that suggested to Sunset that she had been planning for exactly this scenario. Tourist destinations were replaced with supermarkets and sporting centers, while Twilight personally hit electronics stores in what could only be described as a series of targeted raids.

Rarity and Sunset were left at the hotel. Their job was to identify the most likely site for aliens, inventory their supplies, and pack. And going by the radio, some helpful conspiracy websites, and an intense bout of rumor-mongering by Rarity, they had agreed the place for Operation Scorpion Tent was Caldera Valley National Park. It didn't allow cars, but that was no obstacle to packing. Sunset had no idea what Twilight had originally been intending to haul with the BigMule she'd stuck on the roof of the van. But she wasn't about to complain. The quadruped bot would save all their backs.

The inventory, on the other hand, made her want to beat her head against the wall. Let alone the constant texts from Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy as they dithered and argued and debated over what they needed. And running herd on Twilight to keep her in something resembling a budget, in weight if nothing else, was...challenging. Which made Rarity's interruptions that much more irritating.

"Do you suppose we can bring some pillows? Perhaps a blanket or three?" Rarity asked, grimacing at the map.

"Really don't think so" Sunset replied. "Those are all bulky. We're going to be needing as much space on the mule as we can get for the telescope and electronics. I think Twilight is planning an improved magic detector, and it won't be small."

"But DARLING..." Rarity whined, "you know I have a delicate constitution. If I'm going to be covered in sand, stung by scorpions, and abandoned in the wilderness to die, I would at least hope my bleached bones will get their proper beauty sleep."

Sunset raised an eyebrow. "Your melodrama get away from you there?"

Rarity fidgeted. "Well...yes. But still, there's only so much I can be expected to overcome in the name of adventure. I'm sure we can fit at least one or two, and perhaps my backup makeup kit."

"This was your idea you know" Sunset retorted grumpily. "I would have been fine staying here another night, you didn't have to make a big production out of it."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I merely suggested we investigate. We have an obligation, as experts in the paranormal. I certainly didn't..."

"Rarity, you said you were already planning to suggest it" Sunset cut her off. "The others might have gotten distracted, but I notice these things." Her face softened as she saw Rarity wilt. Great job Sunset, she said to herself. She does you a favor and you yell at her for it. Way to not be your old bitchy self. "I'm sorry. That was mean of me. I know you wanted to help, and I really do appreciate the thought. But you don't need to try so hard okay?"

Rarity looked down, arms crossed in front of her, and Sunset felt even more like a jerk. "Yes, well. I suppose I may have been overcompensating a bit. I'm sorry if I have offended you."

Sunset put an arm around her. "It's okay, I shouldn't have snapped at you, this is all just stressing me out. But overcompensating for what? Because yeah, you've kind of been doing it alot lately, now I think about it. Hotel rooms aren't cheap."

"Nothing worth talking about" Rarity said. She leaned in to Sunset, but held herself even smaller. "And I understand your irritation. I made my bed, so to speak, and now I must lie in it. Sand and all."

"Hey, it doesn't have to be that bad. Maybe you don't even need to go out with us? I bet we could find a use for someone coordinating from back in the city. And you can come rescue us when we all get captured or something."

"You do have knack for making a metaphor literal. And I appreciate the offer. But no, I meant it when I said we have an obligation. And we're strongest together. Besides," she added quietly, "I wouldn't want you to go into danger without me. Not if I can help it."

Sunset smiled and held Rarity closer. "I know. And I wouldn't want to leave you behind. I'll feel much safer knowing you've got our back. But you really don't want to talk about it?"

"No. I really don't."

Sunset nodded. She wished she could help Rarity more, something was clearly really bothering her. But her experience with getting someone to open up was mostly with Twilight and...her face heated. Nope. Kisses are not the appropriate response. And mind-reading without permission was not a line she was going to cross today. There were times when she really envied Fluttershy's natural comforting presence, and this was one of them.

"Well if you're sure" she said finally. "Just remember that I'll be here if you change your mind okay? Most of the time keeping things bottled up just makes it worse."

"Most of the time, yes. But in this particular case, to do otherwise would be selfish. I will be alright in time."

"Selfish?" Sunset's heart thudded. That could not mean what Sunset thought it did. "Rares, what do you..."

"Hey girls!" The door to the room slammed open and Pinkie Pie burst in, Applejack and Rainbow Dash following behind. Rarity quickly pulled away from Sunset and stood, brushing herself off in an effort to regain her composure.

Dammit Pinkie...Sunset thought, standing as well. "You've got everything then?" she said aloud.

"Yeppers! And check it out, I've got something perfect if things get crazy!" She thrust an explosively packaged cereal box in Sunset's face.

"...Emergency snacks?"

"NO, silly! Look at the name, Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs! They're perfect!"

"Do I want to know why there's a cereal so sweet your powers can make it explode?"

"Probably not! And it's not just the sugar either." She leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially "They've got caffeine. Even chocolate covered coffee beans have nothing on these babies. I think the name makes a difference. Remember when we tried Warheads? Phew, that was a big boom for the buck!"

"You do know we can't save anyone from themselves if we blow them up first right?" said Sunset. "But yeah, not a bad idea. Did you get the plastic bags? Maybe we can make you a bandoleer or something."

Darn timing, she thought to herself. Rarity, I am going to finish that conversation with you. But now it's time to get to work, and distract myself from the fact that my best friend probably has a crush on me. And exactly what I think about that.

Yep, potential magical and/or alien invaders were far preferable.

The drive to the park was surprisingly short, once Fluttershy had returned and they had pried Twilight away from the last tech shop. An hour in the rattling van took them well out of the city and into the wilderness. It really wasn't what Sunset had expected, to be honest. She'd seen the landscape as she'd driven in, she knew Desert Flower's paintings, but somehow on hearing it was arid she'd gotten a landscape of mesas and endless sand locked into her head. Like Appleoosa, or the San Palomino. Instead it was rolling grassland and suddenly rising mountains of red stone. Even forests in places. It was far more beautiful than she had imagined.

Dropping off the van and arranging a camp site had caused few problems. Loading up the robot with their supplies had gotten them a few looks, though, as well as some concern before Twilight had demonstrated that it had a working solar charger. They were also hardly the only ones there clearly interested in the aliens. Many other paranormal tourists were swirling around. According to their bumper stickers, the vast majority of them Wanted To Believe. Sunset was sure they left a lot of them with the impression that they were with the Men in Black as they hiked off, the robot following obediently behind them.

Of course, there was a possibility of all the other amateur investigators tripping them up. But fortunately, there wasn't much change of anyone else getting to anything unusual first. They didn't have Twilight and her telescopes, or the array of antennas she'd strung across their base camp. If anything magical happened within a twenty miles they would be able to track it down. And Fluttershy had been busily making friends with the local animals. It wasn't helpful as it might have been, since most of the ones she could find were diurnal and couldn't tell one light in the sky from another. They were honestly much more interested in a new community that had been started at the edge of the park, and the opportunities for food there. But still, her animal friends would be very useful navigating in the dark. The others were napping, on the logic that they'd likely get no sleep tonight, while Sunset and Twilight were fiddling with a device to turn Rarity's shields into a tent without overpowering their magic. All in all it was a lovely afternoon, until another flash of psychic static cut across Sunset's brain.

"Are you alright?" said Twilight.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Measurements! Measurements!" Twilight jumped and rushed to her instruments, while Sunset tried to focus on the mysterious signal. It felt much closer this time, she was sure they were on the right track, but homing in on it was like trying to grab water with your bare hands. And there was something different this time, a chattery signal that felt like a response. But before she could really get a feel for it, were gone again.

She looked over at Twilight, who shook her head. "I couldn't narrow it down. I'm sure it's close, but there was some kind of interference. I couldn't get a lock."

"This time there was a response. The second signal probably threw it off."

Twilight slapped her forehead. "Of course! I didn't account for distinguishing multiple sources, so it threw off the triangulation. But I can fix that, we'll be able to do it next time. Help me out?"

"Sure, that'll be a break from working on this darn amulet. I can't figure out the grounding yet, and the last thing we need is our powers going haywire in a crisis."

"You mean like every other crisis we've faced?" Twilight replied, and gave her a kiss. She smelled like solder, and the familiar aroma made Sunset smile. "I know it's frustrating, but going by our track record something is going to go dramatically wrong and we'll have no idea how to handle it. But we'll pull through at the last minute. We always do."

"Yeah...magical and emotional messes do go hand in hand don't they." She hugged Twilight and settled down to work on the thaumoscope. "Hey, Twilight, speaking of..." her stomach knotted. How was talking about relationships so much scarier than anything else about this? "I think there's something we need to talk about."

"What is it?" Twilight looked up nervously, and then dug into a tangle of wires in a show of casualness. That was fine with Sunset, she was staring fixedly at the output of a test cycle and trying to calibrate it. They both had a hard time talking at times, and having something to do with their hands helped. They'd worked through some of their most serious relationship problems up to their elbows in engine grease.

"It's about Rarity." Feedback, too far. Maybe tweak the phase discriminator. "Don't be mad okay? She hasn't done anything wrong. But I think she's got a crush on me."

"Oh." There was a flare of sparks from Twilight's panel. "Ouch!" Sunset looked up to find her sucking on her finger where it had been burned. Sunset passed her the bandaids, which she took with a thankful smile before her face became determinedly casual again. "Thanks. What makes you say that? Did she tell you?"

"No, but something's really bothering her and she wouldn't say what it was. She said she was being selfish. And with everything she's been doing for us lately, I think she's feeling guilty."

"Oh." That word again. Sunset looked up to try to gauge her reaction. She really didn't want this to cause problems. But Twilight's face was unreadable.

"You know you don't have anything to worry about right?" Sunset asked when the silence became too much for her. Dammit this feedback was going crazy, and re calibrating wasn't helping. "I love you, she couldn't steal me from you even if she wanted to. And she doesn't, she's been doing the exact opposite."

"Oh I know!" Twilight said quickly and loudly, then looked over quickly to check that the others had slept through her outburst. Reassured, to began to reconnect a set of cables in a new configuration. "I know. I'm not worried about that. I'm just not sure what to think, that's all."

"Yeah, that's how I've been since I figured it out." Aha, it wasn't the phase discriminator. It was the bandpass filter. That was looking alot better. She tweaked the seating of the quartz crystal with her pliers. "It's a bit weird, you know? Like getting a big 'might-have-been' thrown in your face."

"I know what you mean" Twilight replied. "Did you know that I really thought about asking out Rarity before we became closer?"

"...No, I didn't." Sunset's heart was beating faster again. Why was she getting so nervous again when the conversation was going well?

"Mm. I had convinced myself that I only was interested in you because of the whole savior thing" she snorted at her past self and Sunset chuckled. That was one issue they'd talked out already more than once, in both directions. "Oh Harmony I was such an idiot. But I really wasn't trusting my judgement at the time. I'd just broken up with Timber, and it took me months dating him to realize I didn't even like boys. I'm really lucky he took it so well, considering what a mess I made of that."

"Yeah, that...could have gone better. But at least it turned out well in the end right?"

Twilight smiled and nodded. "Yes. I was lucky I had you all there. And he really was understanding once I finally explained myself. But anyway, I'd convinced myself I shouldn't act on my interest in you. And so there was Rarity, you know how she's..." Twilight stopped and blushed, looking at Sunset to make sure she wasn't jealous.

"Beautiful, giving, witty, and protective?" Sunset supplied with a smile. "Not to mention sharp as a tack. We're dating, Twilight. That doesn't make you blind."

"Yes. That." She coughed. "So...you noticed too then."

"Yeah" said Sunset, her throat tight. She made a final adjustment to the crystal, and the readings stabilized with a hum. "Like I said. Might-have-beens right? It's confusing."

"...We should probably talk to her about this shouldn't we? Sometime when this is over, when we've had some time to process. Let her know she doesn't need to feel guilty for anything."

"Yeah." Butterflies swirled through her, she felt like she was falling as she continued. "Maybe..." she said hesitantly "maybe over dinner some time? All three of us?"

Words couldn't describe her relief when Twilight smiled in answer, and bent over the device to kiss her on the lips.

Even with the long summer days, night came soon after the day they had had. The sky opened, and the stars shone down on six magical girls asleep in a geodesic dome of force panes. The interior was lit only by the occasional spark by the generator, and outside the sounds of the night and the wind were a soothing susurrus.

Sunset was outside, on watch, peering into the telescope. Even after all this time, the stars never failed to astound her. Worlds without end, constellations traced by no mortal hand. Such a profound difference between Equestria and her home, even when they seemed so superficially similar.

A beeping from the sensor array interrupted her musings. She dashed over to the sensors and reached out with her empathy, but there was no message this time. But there was a clear signal, their improvements in the afternoon giving an instant target lock. Unknown magic, rapidly tracking north from Santa Tabitha. Directly towards a second set of signals, rapidly building in strength. She ran over to the dome and kicked, making it ring like a bell.

"We've got it, we're tracking them!"

For once Sunset was glad of Twilight's early rising, as she was up in a flash and fiddling with the controls while the others were still looking around bleary eyed.

"Sunset, whazzit?" Applejack mumbled.

"There's something out there, moving fast. You don't want to miss proving you were right do you? Get up!"

"Sunset, I'm showing a dimensional waveform!" Twilight shouted. "I think we might have a portal!"

"That's not all, I'm hearing something now." Sunset thought she was getting better at distinguishing the signals, there was much less static and more clarity this time, though it was still gibberish. "Back and forth, and...I think it's between the two sites."

"Whoa nelly!"

Applejack's exclamation was well warranted. Over the horizon a tendril of energy had appeared, slowly reaching to the sky like a tornado upside down. And they all stared as a brilliant orange light shot across the sky directly towards it.

"That's them, that's what's signaling."

"And the magic sources. Definitely a portal, it's opening!"

"Not to mention a dang flyin' saucer!"

The energy tendril suddenly leaped to the sky and collapsed into a bolt of green lightning, igniting the sky into a blazing unearthly aurora. They all stared, astounded, their faces lit by the glow.

"...What color is that?" asked Rarity in awe.

"Octarine" said Sunset in the same tone. "An octarine aura and the most intense bifrost radiation I've ever seen. I never thought I'd see it in this world."

"Multiple new contacts" said Twilight, somehow still monitoring her station while staring at the sky. "They're rapidly fading out, I think the aurora is jamming me."

The flying fireball shot into the distance, crossed the horizon into the arcing pillar of energy, and both were gone. All that was left was were the impossible colors dancing between the stars.

Packing up the camp site at four in the morning had not been fun. Hiking back to the van, even with the robot's help, was worse. Without the guidance of a friendly owl and a few snakes they met along the way they would have become hopelessly lost. But at last they were on their way, heading as directly as they could towards the newly discovered dimensional rip.

At least they had learned something. From Twilight's observations, the rift was probably intentional but far more chaotic and unstable than the portal at CHS. In fact, the exact words she used were "sloppy, brute force hamhanded reckless stupidity." Which, in Sunset's private opinion, said a great deal considering the source. Midnight might have torn the dimensional barriers to shreds, but apparently she'd at least been elegant about it.

On the other hand Twilight was also pretty sure she could replicate it with 200 meters of aluminum foil, some complex geometry, and either a stadium concert or a solid lightning strike. So there was that.

The rest of the trip had been given over to wild speculation or, in Rarity's case, desperate attempts to capture the feel of octarine in conventional colors. Sunset couldn't blame her, it was spectacular. She was personally surprised any of them could see it at all, it was normally only visible to the most powerful unicorns. Clearly their attunement to the magic of this world went deeper than they had suspected.

Still, while the guesswork was interesting, they just didn't have enough to go on to draw new conclusions. And she stopped paying attention entirely when she realized Rainbow was just recounting the plot of My School is a Flying Saucer. Nothing truly notable occurred until they stopped for gas around dawn.

Sunset had just paid at the counter and was heading for the door when she felt the familiar scratchy chatter play in her thoughts. And, unlike before, she could see exactly where it was coming from. A man behind her buying six containers of motor oil. He was tall, with greyish-yellow skin and faded blue hair, dressed in a simple white robe.

Sunset quickly waved to the others out the window and texted them to stay in the car, and then snuck up to observe him from behind the snack aisle. There was something strange about the way he moved, all starts and stops. No fluid motions at all. Not clumsy, not uncoordinated, but all wrong. More than anything, it reminded her of bad animation.

And then he turned his head, a quick darting motion, and stared at her. The chattering again filled her head, and she awkwardly waved and turned to leave. Only to jump as an answering signal came from a man entering the door. Another white robed man, with the same faded tones, this time blue skinned and yellow haired. He smiled at her with a blandly friendly expression, and Sunset fought the urge to shiver.

"Hi!" Sunset managed to muster.

"Hello." His face didn't change expression. Sunset wondered if it would have changed if she'd kicked him in the shins. Or if he'd pulled a knife.

"So...you live around here? Those robes, haven't seen them before. But then I'm just passing through myself..." Sunset was backing away slowly. The other one was coming up as well. She could tell without looking, the chatter between them was constant now.

"Yes. I am Zeb. This is Bez. We are brothers." He gestured to his companion, who took up a position beside him. Well, Sunset thought, at least they aren't trying to flank me. They're just blocking the exit. Oh Harmony I hope there aren't more of them.

"So the robes...religious then?" To heck with subtly, she thought. These guys are so uncanny valley I bet they couldn't even tell it's rude.

"Yes. We are brothers."

"Oh, right, like monks brothers. Heh, explains alot. Where do you stay then? You have a monastery?"

"Yes. It is our town" said Zed.

"Our town is very pleasant" Bez added.

"You should visit sometime" they finished in unison.

"Well, maybe," said Sunset, backing away rather faster now. She wondered if she could reach her pepper spray in time. "What's it called, so we can find it?"

"It is our town" they said, still in sync.

"Yeah, but the name of the town."

"Oh. It does not have one" said Zed.

"But that is alright" Bez agreed.

"We know what it is, and that is what matters" they said in conclusion.

"Right...well it's been fun but I really have to go. It was nice meeting you. Bye!"

"Goodbye Arachnea" said Bez, politely stepping aside to let her use the door.

Well, that was easy, she thought, and then froze. "What did you say?"

"Goodbye Arachnea" Bez repeated.

"What the heck did you call me?"

"Ah! It is a test" said Zeb.

"You did not fool us, we know" said Bez.

"Do not worry. All proceeds as ordered" they answered together, and, still smiling, walked out to their car together and drove away.

Sunset continued to stare from the doorway for a moment. And then she shook herself and dashed to the van, pounding on the door to be let in.

"Okay, so those guys were aliens right?" said Rainbow Dash from the driver's seat.

"They were so aliens. Come on, follow them! Go go go!"

"Right!" Dash put the peddle to the floor, rattling all their teeth, and the van tore after them. Good grief, Sunset thought, staring at the car in front of them, the tail lights are even the same color orange. They might as well have 'Take me to your leader' tattooed on their foreheads.

But what they lacked in subtly they apparently made up for in speed. Their car raced eighty, ninety, one hundred miles an hour along the deserted highway, and the Rainboom's van just couldn't keep up. And then they vanished over a hill, and when the van crested it they were simply gone.

The aliens vanishing into thin air was frustrating. That they apparently stopped for gas was just weird.

Having to pay for gas twice was insult to injury.

"Okay, let me just make sure I have this straight here" said Dash, peering over the hilltop with binoculars. "We find a weird little town, of weird little buildings, that is visible on neither the maps nor the latest satellite photos."

Sunset nodded. The town, 'our town' apparently, was a pile of organically shaped adobe buildings all piled together in a jumble. They were painted a stark black and white color scheme, geometric designs that somehow suggested a spider's web.

"A town where we know for a fact there is a hidden dimensional portal, full of creepy monks. Who are probably aliens. And who have a giant super-fancy equals sign burned into that grassy parking lot over there, like landing lights."

Sunset nodded again. Complex designs in two long parallel lines cut between a motley collection of antique looking cars. But that didn't mean anything, for all she knew the cars could fly.

"Kay, glad I'm with you so far. And I'm going to go a bit further and say we've either found our world's version of changelings, Starlight Glimmer, or somehow both. Right again?"

"Yes Dash. What's your point?"

"Ah think what's she's buildin' up to, sugarcube, is that walkin' right in and asking questions sounds like a good way to get locked in a basement and never seen again" Applejack answered for Rainbow, with her usual tact.

"Ugh, look we've been over this. Yes, it's risky. But for all they were creepy, they seemed pretty non-confrontational. I think we can do this. They obviously don't know much about this world if that's their idea of inconspicuous, and they don't know about our magic. Even if it is Starlight Glimmer fronting for a ufo cult, they probably can't stand up to our rainbow power right?"

"Ah hope you're right Sunset. This is just givin' me a bad feeling is all."

Sunset sighed. "Yeah, me too. And hey, maybe this will turn out to be a big misunderstanding. There's a chance right?"

The others looked at her with flat expressions.

"Yeah, I don't think so either" she admitted. "This has pod people written all over it. But we have to check."

The town looked even stranger up close. The eerie buildings loomed ahead, and the stark contrast of their designs made the shadows odd in the morning light. But what was even stranger was the rocks. Sunset noticed them right away. Some were stacked in improbable piles that seemed to defy gravity. Some were arranged on the ground in mandalas. And as they got closer to the village more and more appeared, until the entire area seemed a crazed obsessive rock garden. They had just reached the edge of the village and were trying to decide which way to go, when a sudden psychic commotion broke out from all directions. This was the place alright.

"Guys, they're coming!" she warned them. Dozens of people, all dull despite their varied combinations, poured from the buildings in robes. They arrayed themselves impressively, and Sunset saw her friends get into a fighting stance. Pinkie hefted a bag of Sugar Bombs with worrying glee.

And then, as one, they all bowed to Sunset.

"Hail Arachnea! The Queen has returned!"

The Spider's Lair

Sunset stood utterly gobsmacked for a moment. But then she remembered a quote about precisely these situations, and what you say when someone asks if you are a god.

"Yes! It is I, Queen Arachnea! Rise my little...people" Sunset proclaimed, desperately trying to remember anything in Celestia's lessons to prepare her for this situation. Unfortunately, that part of her brain merely delivered an eloquent shrug.

They stood, still in unison. Other than that, they didn't move. That would never not be creepy. She tried to ignore the increasingly worried expression of her friends, and prayed that these pod-changeling-cultist things were as bad at reading body language as they looked like.

"All of you should return to your duties" she desperately fudged. "I have received enough royal adulation for the moment. But you!" She pointed to one of them, more or less at random, a yellow woman with brown hair. "I require an update of your activities in my absence. You may grace our personage with your reports forthwith." I'm going to die, I'm going to die, oh sweet Harmony I'm going to die, she thought, as the creatures melted away into the buildings.

"I hear and obey, my Queen" said the one she had singled out. "What details do you require?"

Sunset was thinking faster than she had in her life. A changeling village, or something similar, led by a dimensional duplicate of her. Never mind how, what mattered was the story. She was the Queen. She had come from another dimension.

She'd bet almost anything her double was from this world, and was here for revenge and conquest. Time to think like her old self. How does this go, first I steal something right?

"How goes the heist?" she tried, packing enough in confidence to make up for the vagueness.

"Quite well, my Queen" it replied. Yes, nailed it in one, Sunset thought. "Weapons are easily procured in this dimension, and their dimensional translation confirms them equivalent to a top of the line Atomic Napalm Neutralizer. Last night's shipment through the portal went off without complication, and another hundred of these 'guns' will be shipped to the mothership tonight."

Oh shit.

Gun running. My other self is running guns to another dimension. Well. That's certainly a thing. A thing that is happening. Yes.

"If'n you'll pardon me yer highness, I've got a question" Applejack cut in. "Just how're you payin' fer all this? Ya can't just be stealing, it's too conspicuous."

"Recruitment is proceeding admirably through your 'internet' enticements, my Queen" it said, not even looking at Applejack. "We have not yet had any difficulties in procuring the identities of the prisoners for the purposes of commerce. Incidentally, aetheric harvest rates have increased by sixty percent."

The entire situation was so surreal for Sunset that the first thought that went through her mind was to feel like an under-achiever. Then she shook her head sharply.

"Take me to the prisoners" she managed to get out. Oh this was bad, this was very bad. But now she had to find out exactly how bad it was before they left.

"Of course." She turned and marched off in the same jerking strides as the others. Maybe they were androids? Did movement in their dimension simply not translate properly through their faulty rift?

The creature led them through the winding paths of Our Town. Though it was small, the many twisted narrow paths and bridges connecting the second floors radically increased the complexity. Sunset was sure there was space here for far more of the doppelgangers than they had seen at their introduction. They probably meant to expand, and she suppressed a shudder at what that implied.

Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see her friends weren't doing much better. Fluttershy was almost cowering, clinging to Rainbow Dash. And Dash herself was nervously glancing every which way. Rarity and Applejack seemed to be keeping cooler heads, watching for unexpected threats, while Pinkie had simply grabbed another bag of Sugar Bombs. Sunset added Pinkie not losing control of her magic to things she was praying for.

In what was probably only a few minutes, but which seemed a lifetime, they were escorted to a larger one of the buildings. Their guide gestured for them to enter. And on doing so, she gasped. At least a dozen pods lined the walls, obviously mechanical but so wrapped in pulsing tubes and gauges that they presented a parody of life. Fog poured from them, chilling the room. And in each pod was a glass set window with a frost covered face.

"Cryonic suspension is stable, and aether collection has not been inhibited by their alien biology" their guide continued in the same blandly pleasant tone. Sunset was really starting to hate that voice. She nodded dimly, trying not to throw up. Several tubes snaked from each of the pods, full of flowing fluid in a variety of colors, leading to a central device that reminded her of an Equestrian mana reactor. Yep, there were the crystal capacitors on the far wall. If she was any judge, they had a way to convert their captives into a phenomenal amount of power. Twilight seemed to agree, staring at her scanner with disbelief.

Well, I guess that's how they can tear a hole in reality then. Also, Changelings meet the Borg. Joy.

But that level of mana depletion...there was no way that was sustainable. She didn't know how long their victims had been imprisoned, but at that flow rate they could start dropping like flies at any minute. She'd rather wait for a better plan, but if she didn't these people might die.

"Well, there isn't a moment to lose. Begin the thaw process for all of them, and procure me a truck. I have a scheme that requires their alleged escape, to lure others into a diabolical trap."

"No."

Dammit, here we go, thought Sunset. I knew that would be too easy. Still, she had to give this her best shot.

"Do you defy your Queen?" Sunset demanded, turning her full glare on the hapless changeling.

"No." More of the things filed in behind them, silent and smiling.

"And what do you call this?" Maybe, maybe there was a chance she could still bluff this out.

"She calls it knowing true royalty when she sees it. Bez and Zeb reported someone impersonating me hours ago." That was a familiar voice, mocking and cruel. She'd heard it every day for years.

Sunset hated her old voice.

Her double strode in, in a red dress and black corset with a high collar patterned like a spider's web. Her expression was scornful, and she brandished a wicked looking ray gun.

"My my" she said, with a sarcastic smile. "All the little flies have fallen into my web. Who are you in this world? Meddling children?" She laughed then. "Oh if you only knew your true selves. In my home you might be worthy nemeses. But you...you're all a bunch of pathetic fools who don't even know what I'm talking about."

"Better than a pathetic fool who gets her name from a comic book" said Dash with a cocky grin.

Arachnia turned to glare at her, her eye twitching. "What did you say?"

"Oh come on, you think I don't recognize it? The Adventures of Captain Proton, ring any bells? What, do you call that thing a Zorcher too?"

"Dash, shut up" said Applejack. "She looks like she might want to use that thing."

"But you do call it a Zorcher right? And those goons are your Replicoids from issue 3? Besides, it's not like that thing works. Remember what they said about the dimension shift converting them? It's a prop."

"Brilliant deduction" she replied, and then shot Dash with an energy blast in the chest. There was a blinding flare of light, and for a terrifying moment Sunset was sure she could see her skeleton. Dash fell twitching to the floor.

"You bitch!" Sunset shouted, the only thing keeping her from charging was Applejack holding her back.

"Hmph, she'll be fine. This was just a taser before I improved it" said Arachnia, unconcerned. She disconnected a glowing devise from the side, and it reverted to a recognizable form. She tossed it casually to the floor, and they all flinched as she drew a small handgun from her bag. "This, on the other hand...well, it was deadly enough already. But as you see, I have ways around these pesky little dimensional translations." She reconnected the devise, and it morphed in her hand into a sleek silver death ray. "So if any of you want to keep your electrons intact, you will do exactly what my Enigmarons say."

"Issue 33" Dash said shakily from the floor. "Not much better."

"Dash, really, must you be pedantic?" Rarity shouted in exasperation. "Here you see a woman of style, power, and grace, with an impeccable sense for the dramatic, and all you can do is critique her taste in literature?" She walked forward, openly ogling Arachnea's costume. "Such elegance. Genuine spider silk I presume?"

"Well...yes" she said, genuinely nonplussed. "From Veridium 3."

"Oh, stunning. I would say I was falling in love with your dress, had I not already seen your face. Why, if I could beg one boon before our death, it would be but a kiss."

There was a moment of stunned silence.

"Oh please tell me they've heard of love at first sight in your world?" Rarity continued, walking forward with a seductive smirk. "It would be so much bother to explain when there are...other Earthly delights I could be introducing you to."

"Rarity, what are you doing?" Sunset demanded. Had Rarity gone completely insane? Had she gone completely insane? Is that what was happening here?

"Isn't it obvious dear?" she said, turning to face them all. "I'm choosing the side of the fabulous." And with that she lunged for the discarded taser.

Arachnea gasped and fired, but the bolt shattered off a shield. And in a fluid motion she snatched it from the floor and returned fire, sending Arachnea convulsing to the floor. More force panes snapped up in a hemisphere around them, deflecting the belated fire of the guards. And then Rarity removed the devise from the death ray, tossed it to Twilight who caught it reflexively, and pointed the restored gun at Arachnea's head. The shield closed to a dome just as the soldiers were ducking around it.

"Alright, all of you, out!" She commanded. They obeyed, retreating to the door. "Well, that's better. Oh and, in case there was any doubt," she said directly to Sunset. "The fabulous side is you. Now quickly Sunset. The van is too slow. How fast can you steal a car?"

"Um...I'm out of practice. Five minutes?" Her delinquent past was well buried, but that didn't mean it was gone entirely.

"Well, I suppose that will have to be enough. And now we have a problem. I can't move these shields without dropping them, and I think we all see how that would end."

Sunset's heart stopped. "Rarity, are you saying..."

"I'm afraid so." Rarity kept a calm expression, but despite her obvious efforts her voice was trembling. "Please be back soon to rescue me. But, well...if you can't, I'll understand."

There was a flare of light, and they all saw the surge of transformation that transformed her into a spirit of Generosity.

"The Tartarus you say!" Dash burst out, breaking the silence. "Rarity, we're not leaving you behind. If you're staying, I'm staying too."

"No you're not, Dash. Because I want you to be safe. And because I know..." Rarity's breath caught for a moment, but recovered. "I know that you'll come back for me."

Dash sniffled, and wiped her eyes. "Fine. But you owe me big time for this Rarity. You hear me? So I'd better be able to collect."

Everyone laughed, the kind that happens because it hurts. They couldn't even hug her goodbye.

"You'll never get away with this" Arachnea gasped from the floor struggling to rise. Until Rarity put her foot lightly on her throat.

"Oh but I shall" she replied. Her face hardened in determination. "And isn't that our line? Now I'm sure your thugs will break this shield eventually, but for now? I'm going to insist you use those lovely psychic powers to order them to let my friends leave. All I want for them is a sporting head start."

Arachnea nodded spitefully. "Done you little brat, and much good may it do you. They're never getting you back."

"Yeah, we'll see about that" said Sunset, putting her hand against the cold dome. "Rarity..."

"Sunset, I..."

"I know" she said softly.

"And it's okay" said Twilight, coming up beside her. "We'll talk about it when we're free." She also reached out, and for a moment they all held hands through the diamond.

"Thank you" said Rarity, her eyes closed. "Now go, please. You don't have much time."

Her friends nodded, then turned and ran. Arachnea was about to make some remark, but a pointed look put an end to that. Soon she heard a deafening set of explosions. Pinkie must have destroyed the other vehicles. Clever girl.

And soon, far too soon, the Enigmaron forces filed back into the chamber. They all were heavily armed, and they carried a large glowing devise she did not like the look of at all. Arachnea said nothing, but smirked from the floor.

"Right then" she said, channeling the full force of her Generosity-granted power into her shields. "Lets be about it." She braced herself. This was going to hurt.

The landscape blurred under them as they skimmed above it with an eerie thrumming. It was Twilight who had realized how to activate the dimensional transmogrifier and attach it to the car. The resulting ship was unfortunately completely unarmed, even if Sunset had found a cloaking device. But it had gotten them to the outskirts of Santa Tabitha in minutes. Unfortunately, they were at a loss as to what to do next. For lack of a better option she was heading back to the hotel.

"I'm not sayin' we're gonna leave her" Applejack replied angrily to a glaring Rainbow Dash. "Like heck we're gonna leave her. But we need a plan. There's too many of 'em to count on our powers."

"I could make another magic trap" said Twilight. "I'm positive all this 'technology' is just powered by their form of magical energy. Maybe I can take it away."

"Not a bad idea" said Sunset "but I'm worried what would happen if it overloaded. Those were some really big capacitors they were filling."

"Um...don't all those people need the magic to stay alive?" said Fluttershy. "I mean, I don't think cryonics is something that really works without magic. Right?"

"Ugh, no it's not" Twilight growled. "Dammit! Where's Midnight when I need her?"

"Hey" said Sunset, putting a hand on her shoulder. "I know you don't mean that."

Twilight sighed. "No, I don't. Midnight wouldn't care about the prisoners, or about Rarity. I just feel so helpless."

"Yeah, me too. But we'll come up with something okay? We're at the hotel now. We'll sit down, take stock, and then we'll go save her like the big damn heroes we are. Okay?"

Twilight nodded. "Yeah. Okay" she looked out the window at the buildings drifting by as they floated silently overhead. "You know, there's a pretty huge irony here isn't there?" She pointed to the tacky flying saucer sculpture on the roof. "Just two days ago that dumb thing was the biggest problem we had to worry about. And now we're landing an actual ufo in the parking lot."

And then the proverbial lightbulb went off over Sunset's head. She looked at Pinkie, who suddenly was sporting a disturbingly wide grin. At Dash, whose expression was opening up to one of utter glee.

Applejack crossed her arms, a dangerous smile on her face. "Do y'all want to share with the rest of the class?"

"Twilight," said Sunset with a mad grin, "just how much juice is left in that transmogrifier?"

She blinked at the apparent non-sequitur. "Not much. We're burning through it quickly. I can recharge it, but I'd need a source of magic. Why?"

"Not a problem" said Dash, transforming in a swirl of elemental Loyalty. "Failure is not an option. Lets go save Rarity!"

Rarity was gagged, thoroughly tied to a stretcher, and literally everything hurt. The bonds were almost superfluous really. She could hardly twitch a finger. She had put everything she had into keeping up her shield for a few more moments, and then a few more. And the shattering sensation as they failed had driven her to the floor.

Of course, unconsciousness would have been too much of a release. She might not be able to move, or do anything but stare at the sky. But she knew what was coming. She could see the octarine Aurora in the stars above her. The portal was open, and its light cast flickering shadows of another universe. Enigmarons as pale insectoid cyborgs, their homes a slime-ridden hive draped in elaborate decorative knotwork. And looking down on her, Arachnea, unchanged. All Sunset Shimmer's beauty, twisted by a malicious sneer.

Truly the worst defacement of all.

"You know, you really put up a good fight" Arachnea was gloating of course. She couldn't seem to help herself. "I'm impressed, the Proton Ram should have taken you in one shot. And how you endured the Sonic Agonizer? That Nova power of yours is quite extraordinary. You know, none of your counterparts are superheroes?"

Rarity knew this game. It seemed any evil Sunset was a fan.

Arachnea smiled sweetly. "It must be to make up for a lack of competence."

Yes, there it was. Predictable. And of course you focus on the magic when it's will that makes it possible, you utter nag.

"But don't worry. Soon we will..." she stopped and looked behind her. Rarity's heart leaped. "WHAT?"

Screaming bolts of crackling blue energy tore overhead, and Rarity felt the overpressure of an explosion. And despite everything, she smiled.

"No! NO! The rift generator!" Arachnea was screaming, seemingly incoherent with rage. "It's collapsing! Everyone to the portal, now!"

"Arachnea!" Sunset's voice boomed out from somewhere high above. "I know that you're angry, and you feel like power is the only thing that will help you. But it won't, it will just cause more misery. Please, if you surrender we can show you a better way."

"Shut up!" Arachnea screamed back. "I don't need moralizing, especially from you. I'll see you again Sunset, and believe me when I say there will be a reckoning for this. So swears Arachnea!" There was a crackling thoom, and the portal was closed.

Above her, Rarity saw a silver flying saucer drift into view. It was...well, it was a deco screaming disaster of a cliche to be honest, even glowing with the blue energy of Loyalty. Tacky, and full of completely incoherent design elements. And there, waving from the lower portholes, were her friends.

It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

Sunset and Twilight leaped from the ship, descending elegantly in a stream of light, apparently in too much of a hurry to wait for it to land.

"Rarity, are you alright?" said Twilight, touching down beside her. A purple glow and her bonds began undoing themselves, while Sunset removed the gag.

"Well of course I'm alright" she said, suppressing a cough. It took all her effort, but she managed to reach out and clasp both their hands. "You're here."

Sunset and Twilight both held her, tears streaming from their eyes, and both kissed her delicately on the forehead. And Rarity felt, despite the pain and the disaster of the evening, that it was entirely possible this was heaven.

"And now for some local color, we've had quite an evening haven't we? In addition to the ongoing UFO phenomenon, the famous alien statue of the Galactic Rest bed and breakfast was replaced last night with a vintage car. A 1975 Citroen DS no less, though the original owner cannot be located. The statue itself was located by police over two hundred miles away in the ruins of an unlicensed habitation. Investigations are ongoing into possible cult activity, and fourteen confused survivors were pulled from the wreckage. They all claimed to suffer from amnesia, but reported being rescued by a group of mysterious and beautiful women with psychic powers. As for explanations, who can say? Consulting expert Truth Out has turned in his resignation, claiming it was all caused by unicorns. His official comment is, verbatim, "We live in a world where that just happened. Nothing matters." What is the truth, what is the government coverup, and how much is the whimsy of our celestial friends? We don't know. We're just the radio. But now it's time for more music. Keep your towel at hand and your tin foil ever watchful. This is KSFR."