Subsistence

by snq144

Rating: teen
Tags: Sunset Shimmer, Narcotics, Gore, Dark, Sonata Dusk, Alternate Universe, Drama, Equestria Girls, Aria Blaze, Adagio Dazzle, Suicide / Self Harm, Tragedy, Profanity, Violence, Sex, Human
Length: 4606

After years of running and hiding, a girl returns to where it all went wrong.

*Warning tags are for mentions in the story only. (At the current moment)*

Seven years after everything went wrong, the world continues it's negligent existence. Border tensions are heightened, war continues to consume the globe, and crime eats away at the populace. And throughout it all, three siblings continue to rule with an iron grip, though those close to them offer nothing but adoration.

Just as they planned.

However not everyone was ignorant of the state of the world, a shrinking group knew the truth, but with the number now reduced to a single member, the fight is lost. Instead, it was time for acceptance that it was all over. Using the last of her resources, a girl has returned to the grounds of Canterlot High School for one last time.

Published 2019-03-07 03:10:01 UTC
Last updated 2019-04-06 03:39:01 UTC

Acceptance

She struggled to keep her composure as she handed the last bill from her wallet to the cabbie before shuffling out of the car, the vehicle humming off as it’s electric engine propelled it forward to the next pick up. The girl paused as she looked around at the buildings surrounding her. Nothing had changed in the years since she had last been here, the brickwork still hearkening back to decades past when Canterlot had been a bustling hub of industry. Now these tall, narrow pillars were reserved for low-income housing, the rent probably similar to what it may have been when they were first constructed.

Her aquamarine eyes glanced over across the street, narrowing as they settled on Canterlot High School, her entire reason to be here. Running a hand through her scraggly, sapphire blue hair, the girl quickly checked both ways for oncoming traffic, before meandering slowly across the road. The first thing she noticed was how open the walkway up to the front doors was, the old horse statue and block were gone. She paused as she neared where it once stood, her eyes glancing down as a sad frown played at the corners of her lips.

A jolt ran down her spine as she noticed a single, small circle tile sitting directly in the middle of the small plaza. She knelt down, fingers gingerly tracing the shape sitting in the middle of the tile; a sun, split in half. A tear ran down her cheek, merging onto her nose before coming to dangle precariously on it’s tip. It dangled there, before falling, coating the tile with its salty contents as the girl wiped at her cheek. Today was the seven year anniversary of the day the Sirens won.

The day everything went wrong.

(\/):.:(\/)

At first, everything seemed fine when three new sisters transferred into CHS, the student body was more focused on Sunset Shimmer, and their varying opinions of her still being a member of the school’s student body. If it wasn’t for Princess Twilight, there likely wouldn’t be anyone on her side, so having six at least sometimes speaking up in her defence was a godsend for her as she tried desperately to right her wrongs and makes amends as best she could.

It had been brought to light that Sunset was just barely above being destitute; living with an elderly woman in her apartment complex in the wrong side of town, a building that was threatening to fall in on itself at any moment. Very few had ever made a point of how Sunset always wore almost the same clothes every day, they had often been more focused on not inviting her wrath at the time. But now, it was just one of the many things people muttered about her behind her back. Rather loudly, behind her back.

So when the three sisters arrived, they were greeted warmly- the students had learned from Princess Twilight, after all. It just wasn’t meant to be shared with the one that had brainwashed a majority of them and caused their lives to be so tense for the last three years. Ironic, given what these sisters would end up doing. One of their first lunch breaks had them slowly saunter into the large, packed cafeteria, singing and swaying. It had caught everyone’s attention, for one reason or another, and soon they found themselves bickering over the three of them. Sunset had been sitting with the five Human members of the group that had shown her the error of her ways, the six of them seemingly unaffected by what was manipulating the other students.

But it had affect them- the five human girls slowly started to voice their bitterness about being left with Sunset over the course of the rest of the week, just as the rest of the school started to lunge at each other’s throats. Sunset, in her desperation, retrieved one of the few items she had brought from Equestria, a magic journal, linked with another that was kept by the countries ruler, Princess Celestia. This world needed help, and surely she would know something.

Instead, Princess Twilight responded, and soon after, Sunset and the five grumbling Humans stood waiting at the portal statue, Princess Twilight soon stumbling out. All six were ecstatic to see her, certain that she could once again save them from the new Equestrian menace. Sunset stood back as she watched her saviour get dog-piled, not wanting to get in the girls’ way as they welcomed their own saviour.

However, things did not end up going as hoped. The five Humans invited Princess Twilight to join their band for the upcoming competition, one that the Sirens had managed to manipulate for their own cause. Sunset stayed on the sideline, not willing to speak up in her defence as the band started to squabble and the Princess floundered.

It all came to a head during the finals, with the Sirens manipulating a student into disposing of the Rainbooms, the girl’s only managing to get out thanks to the actions of Spike. However, the Sirens had gained too much power, and the Rainbooms were too disjointed to put up an actual fight. As the spectral projections of the Sirens flew overhead, with Princess Twilight and the other members of the Rainbooms laying defeated, Sunset Shimmer ran. Princess Twilight had tried to call out for her help earlier, but Sunset’s guilt about her past, and the actions of the school students, Human members of the Rainbooms included, prevented her from coming to their aid, claiming that she didn’t have the Magic of Friendship.

Sunset clenched the magic journal close as she ran away from the amphitheater, the haunting cackles of victory ringing in her ears as she fled towards into the school. There was only one choice left now- to try and prevent the Sirens from getting to Equestria. She forced her way into a supply closet, retrieving a familiar mallet before scribbling a hurried message in the magic journal, warning of what happened to this world, and to destroy the portal on the other side- lest the Sirens cross over.

She came to a pause in front of the horse statue, heavy hammer in one hand, journal in the other. She choked back a sob as she threw the journal through the front of the statue, the surface rippling momentarily before freezing in that state- the magic tied to it becoming discordant, before Sunset grabbed the hammer in both hands, and swung.

(\/):..:(\/)

The world had changed so much since that day. The brainwashed masses would tell you for the better, but the last remaining member of the only source of resistance would tell you otherwise as she slowly stood up, shaking her head before brushing a few of her sapphire hued locks out of her eyes. She was certain they were aware that she was here- how could they not be. Any moment now, some nameless Spec Ops agent would put a bullet through her head, and the greatest “enemy” the world has ever known would be no more.

The girl stood there, looking around lazily. She had achieved her last goal, to return here. Everything that her and all of the other members of the group had been posted online at a nearby library, though if it wasn’t instantly taken down, it would probably not even be believed anyways. Such was the extent of the Sirens power, thanks to devouring the Equestrian Magic of the Rainbooms.

A few minutes passed, the girl still standing alone as confusion began to sink in. Where were they? They were just toying with her now, right? She could almost get angry if she didn’t already accept she was a dead woman walking. The weight that had been piled on her shoulders from the last seven years on the run had been lifted when she finally returned to the city, and now it was slowly returning.

Eventually, a long limousine, coloured a regal, rich purple came to a stop in front of the school, the driver, and older man exiting and walking to one of the rearmost doors, before pausing and opening it, allowing the three familiar figures to exit out.

“Took you three long enough.” the girl half shouted, shifting her hands around in her bulky, out of season coat.

The lead figure seemed to chuckle as she shrugged, shaking her large mane of curly orange hair. “What can I say…” Adagio said back slowly. “We weren’t expecting to meet you here so suddenly.”

“Finally thrown in the towel, huh?” the ever antagonistic smirk of Aria glinted in the early afternoon light as the stocky Siren came to a stop a few feet away, resting her firm hands on her hips. “All those years of running and living off of scraps, and it all leads up to this.”

The girl scowled as she watched the third Siren, Sonata Dusk slowly peak her head over her other two sisters as they continued to play into their villainous role. Her expression was mixed, unreadable as her magenta eyes slowly studied the girl.

“Ya, well…” the girl snickered slightly after turning back to the main two Sirens, her hand slowly pulling out of her pocket, firmly grasping the worn grip of the most important part of her return. The instant she pulled out and revealed her concealed weapon she was covered in innumerable red dots from all around her. She smirked as thought about all the time these agents have probably wasted. “What can I say, I wanted this to be special.”

“Surely you don’t expect to be able to do anything to us, Sunset.” Adagio scoffed as she raised a hand, the dots vanishing while Aria stood cackling like a hyena. “We rule this world, and I intend to reward you for your little stunt seven years ago. So go ahead, try and shoot one of us. I promise it won’t work.”

Sunset Shimmer gave an emotionless chuckle, nodding her head before she looked up at Adagio. The Siren still looked exactly the same as that day, not a second of age added to her as Sunset felt the years build up under her eyes as she waved the pistol around slightly.

“Who said it was for you?” Sunset smiled, the looks on the faces of the three Sirens being the happiest thing she had ever experienced as the pistol was suddenly brought up to the side of her head.

The air echoed the sound of a single shot for a city block.

Aftermath

“You know,” Rainbow Dash quipped as she set her tray down firmly on the large table the rest of her friends sat around, shaking it and causing each of them looking up at her in slight annoyance. “I’m glad Sunset vanished- could you imagine all the shit she’d cause around here?”

“True, I do dread to comprehend what sort of contest of ego’s would arise between her and- Ugh!- Starlight.” Rarity shuddered in disgust, though it was unknown for which of the two people she had just named.

Applejack chortled as watched Rarity. “You and me both, sugarcube. Sunset ran that school with an iron fist for the whole time she was there, and Starlight isn’t much better, but at least she isn’t a bully.”

“Well they’re both big meanies in my book!” Pinkie Pie grumbled, brushing a few straight strands of hair out of her eyes. “And I’d rather not deal with either of them!”

Fluttershy remained mute, though nodded intently with the rest of the group in agreeance with Pinkie Pie’s statement. The five girls resumed eating as another group walked by, Fluttershy giving a scared shriek as something cold touched the back of her neck.

“Aww, what’s the matter, Buttershy?” came the antagonistic tone of Indigo Zap, her four companions joining her in snickering mischievously.

“Would you five grow up already!?” Rarity chastised the five former Shadowbolts. Even after High School ended, the five members of the Friendship Games winning team continued to harass the former Wondercolts.

“Oh, I’m sorry…” Sour Sweet’s voice was nauseatingly fake as they girl clasped her hands near her cheek before an evil grin spread across her face. “...That you’re all such easy targets.”

Sunny Flare tilted her head up, only to look down her nose at the five friends. “Maybe someday you five will finally learn your places.”

“Hey, I heard CHS is gonna offer remedial classes this summer! Maybe you five should sign up!” Lemon Zest near shouted as the Shadowbolts started to leave.

“Knowing them, I doubt it would help…” Sugarcoat’s voice could be heard saying before fresh laughter could be heard erupting from the departing Shadowbolts.

“...Still better than Sunset.” Rainbow muttered, the four other girls nodding and scowling in agreement as three new girls approached.

“What did those jerks want?” Scootaloo asked as she glared in disgust at the retreating group before sitting down beside Rainbow Dash.

“Just going after Fluttershy again, the cowards.” the athlete replied before smirking and ruffling the orange skinned girl’s head playfully, earning an annoyed cry from Scootaloo and a chuckle from everyone else. “But nothing you need to worry about, squirt. How was your morning?”

“Yes, do tell, Sweetie.” Rarity turned and started to fawn over her younger sister, pulling a makeup case seemingly out of nowhere before getting to work tidying up the younger girl.

The younger pale girl sat there diligently as she was groomed and powdered. “The test went about as expected.” she said softly as Rarity switched makeup cases. “I’m just glad it’s over and we could get to eat.”

“Speaking of eating…” Applebloom perked up momentarily before starting to root around in her backpack, pulling out two brown bags and handing one towards her sister. “Big Mac gave me this- It’s the fifth time in two weeks you’ve left home without it.”

The older Apple chuckled as she accepted her lunch from her younger sibling. “Yeah… Sorry for making you bring it so often, Bloom, but morning classes can’t be missed.”

“I don’t know why you just didn’t do all afternoon slots like me and Dash!” Scootaloo smirked playfully as she kicked her boots up onto the table, leaning her chair back. “Sleeping in every day is so awesome!”

Everyone chuckled as Rainbow Dash jabbed her fangirl in the ribs, motioning with her head to take her feet off the table. “Yeah, it’s nice and all, but it’d be nice if we could all hang out more often, like in High School…”

“Yes, clubs, employment, and homework are indeed eating into our socializing hours.” Rarity mused as she finished pampering Sweetie Belle, causing the younger girl to speak up.

“Oh! You could all join me and the rest of the band in the mornings!” she offered with a warm smile. “We could always use more regular members!”

“Hard pass.” Rainbow scoffed, turning her head and holding up a hand. “I ain’t about to slice up my fingers trying to play a guitar- and don’t get me started on something like the drums… Who knew they were so complicated!?”

“We appreciate the offer, dear,” Rarity coughed, turning from Rainbow to the slightly downtrodden looking Sweetie Belle. “But trying to cram in more activities would not work well, I’m afraid… Plus, I don’t think any of us are cut out to be in a band.”

As the topic shifted once more, a lone, lavender skinned girl sat watching the group as they laughed and shared stories.

(\/):.:(\/)

“Mmmmmm… It pays to be Queen, doesn’t it?” Chrysalis wore a smug grin as she gazed down at the mare resting in chains, a large set of rings resting around her horn. Princess Cadence scowled as she remained silent, refusing to answer. “I sure am lucky Alicorns are immortal and require no sustenance to survive, or how else would my species thrive as they now do?”

Chrysalis got up off her throne with uncanny fluidity, the sound of her chitinous hooves clacking against tile echoed through the massive room as she paused to examine the windows. Where once had rested stained glass murals of some of Equestria’s greatest triumphs, now stood semi-translucent sheets of the changelings making, regulating the amount of light getting into the room.

“A shame for the world that they’ve been stuck with daylight ever since your precious Princess’ fell, I imagine trying to sleep with the sun beating down from overhead would be quite hard…” the purr of the Changeling monarch’s voice floated lightly through the air as Cadence grimaced and looked away.

It had been over a decade since Queen Chrysalis and the Changlings took over Equestria- the Ponies never stood a chance as countless Changeling infiltrators rose up suddenly one day, with multitudes more invading out from the Badlands to the southeast of Canterlot. The Royal Sisters fell that first day, and though Cadence and Shining Armour had managed to survive the initial attack, the Crystal Empire fell a day later, taken from the inside by insurgents led by one name Thorax, who had posed as Sunburst, the royal chronicler.

The sun had sat high above Equestria ever since, with Queen Chrysalis taking Canterlot as her own capital, with which to oversee the conquest of the rest of the neighboring countries. Cadence never learned what happened to them, though judging by just how perfectly the take over of Equestria had been masterminded, she doubted there was anywhere that now stood free. Even other threats that tried to rise had been defeated by the Changelings; Tirek, Discord… They had all fallen to the power that Chrysalis now held...

Cadence had been the ultimate prize for Chrysalis, with being the Princess of Love, the Changelings didn’t need any other source of food. She spent every hour chained up at the Changeling Queen’s side, before being magically drained of her Alicorn magic every “evening”. She knew her husband still lived, imprisoned in some kind of Changeling cocoon, just like Celestia and Luna, as well as the five remaining Elements of Harmony.

With Princess Twilight having failed in the world through the mirror portal, there was no unifying source for the Elements, and with the mirror destroyed at the request of Sunset Shimmer, there was likely no way to get her back. Now there were two worlds ruined by Equestria’s enemies…

“Come. I’d like some fresh air.” Cadence felt herself yanked to her feet by Chrysalis, scowling as she was forced to follow behind like misbehaving child. She would have cried for Equestria, if her tears hadn’t dried out years ago…

(\/):..:(\/)

Countless miles away, at the foot of the Crystal Mountains, a pony rushed along a rocky path, carrying a packed set of saddlebags. She paused under the shadows as she saw a shadow flash across the ground, waiting with bated breath before deciding it was all cleared. She scrambled up a rocky hillside, coming to a rest in front of a fallen tree. The pale blue mare cleared her throat before declaring, “Clumsy draconequus.”

The air seemed to still for a moment before the fallen trunk of the tree lifted itself up off the ground, the rock face shimmering as an opening appeared, allowing the Pony to hurry through, before the trunk fell back down as a voice announced the arrival of the mare.

“The scavenger has returned!” it called out as hoofsteps rang through the long opening, trailing the mare as she rushed through the maze like tunnels, seemingly desperate to reach somewhere, or someone.

“Out of the way!” she shouted, barreling through a small crowd of ponies, before hurdling over a small gap, coming to a stop before banging hurriedly on the door that stood shut in front of her. A tired grumble could be heard on the other side as the clacking of hooves made their way towards the door.

“I’m coming, I’m coming…” the door slowly opened, revealing a pale purple mare whose face lit up upon seeing who was banging at her door. “Trixie! Come in! What did you find?”

“You are not going to believe this!” Trixie stammered, hurrying through the door before removing her saddlebags with her magic, setting them on the ground between them before starting to rummage through them. “We are lucky, Manehattan seems pretty well stocked- all things considered- but that’s not what I want to show you! Aha!”

The second mare watched slowly as Trixie pulled a wrapped up ball of cloth out of her bag, gingerly unwrapping whatever was held inside, until what looked like a necklace was revealed. It had a triangular shape for it’s mane body, with a large red gem sitting in the middle, though what seemed strange to her was the pair of wings and unicorn head sticking out of the top.

“The Alicorn Amulet!” Trixie exclaimed excitedly as she held it forward. “Now, this thing is cursed, Trixie should know because she, uh… Kinda used it before. But! If this is the real thing, we may be able to use this to do something against the Changelings! We could maybe even track down the Princess’, Starlight!”

Starlight Glimmer gave a tired sigh as she sat down beside Trixie, resting her head on the other mare’s shoulder. “Trixie, we’ve been barely surviving for the last, what? Decade and a bit? If the Changelings were able to defeat the Royal Sisters, what chance would we have- even with that thing?”

“Are you kidding me, Starlight!?” Trixie shot to her feet, looking adamantly at the sitting Starlight. “I’ve seen the crazy magic you’ve been able to do! You’re even better than Twilight Sparkle was before she became a Princess! Trixie is nothing but a two-bit show pony, and even She was able to best Twilight while using this!”

“Besides…” Trixie lowered her voice as she slowly crept over to the mare. “You’ve been out leader all this time. As Equestria was falling down around us, you took us all into your village, and when the Changelings came, it was you who saved us all. If it wasn’t for you, Trixie would be dead for all she knows… And that isn’t the only reason Trixie loves you so much.”

Starlight chuckled as she felt Trixie lay a quick smooch on the side of her muzzle. It was true that Starlight had been leading what was certainly left of the free ponies of Equestria. But that wasn’t what she had intended. She had hoped to use her magic to strip everypony of their Cutie Marks, so that she could rule over them all- but when the Changelings invaded she had no other choice but to return everyone’s Cutie Marks, before evacuating them. She had inadvertently become the leader after that, and while she hated it at first, she realized that there wasn’t anyone else left to lead them.

“I know, I love you too, dear.” Starlight smiled as she kissed her lover back, the pair sitting next to each other and snuggling close. “But we should talk about this tomorrow. Marble Pie should be back soon, and we should hear how many more of the bugs she’s brought down.”

“She’s changed quite a bit from what Trixie remembers…” the former show pony muttered.

Starlight sighed heavily. “We all have.”

(\/):...:(\/)

“Well today didn’t go how I had hoped…” Adagio grumbled as she set down her tea cup, the delicate china clinking against its plate. “Here I flew all the way across the ocean- and for this?”

Aria chuckled as she kicked her feet up onto the other edge of the vintage looking sofa. “Heh, I told you to leave it to me.”

“You know, it’s been awhile since the three of us have been here together, we should eat something.” Sonata gave a weak smile as she looked at the other two as they started to bicker once more, ignoring her as usual. Upon receiving no interest from either of them, she slowly stood up and left the room. They were at each other’s throats again like usual. Ever since the three of them succeeded in more or less taking control of the world, Adagio and Aria kept fighting with one another, leading to the splitting up of the planet into three parts, with each of the Sirens taking their own portion to feed from. Of course, it was Adagio and Aria taking what they wanted, leaving Sonata to try and maintain from the rest.

She gave a tired sigh as she came to the landing of the massive staircase leading down. She hadn’t lied, it had been years since the three Sirens had last been together here in the mansion they owned in Canterlot. They had left it in charge of a small group of caretakers and other servants to maintain while the three of them resided in their own estates elsewhere. The door to her side opened up, revealing a pale blue woman in a maid outfit.

“Welcome home, Mistress Sonata.” came the cheery voice of Trixie Lulamoon, the haunting tone as devoid of emotion as the girl’s eyes. The Sirens had accidentally gone to far in the girl’s magical reconditioning, leaving her in an almost fugue like state. “Octavia Melody and Vinyl Scratch await in Mistress’ Adagio and Aria rooms respectively, shall I call-”

“No, thank you.” Sonata said, refusing to look at the girl as she hurried down the stairs, the maid seeming to instantly forget that Sonata was there as she returned to dusting. Sonata came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs, sighing as she sat down, hiding her face in her hands.

Sunset had trapped the three of them on this world when she destroyed the statue portal, and while they had reached their goals of getting everyone on this world to adore them, it only caused further animosity amongst them. The world was theirs to control, but was it worth it?

“Ahem.” a rather stern voice coughed, causing Sonata’s head to shoot up and look at the girl standing above her, resting a hand on her hip as she held onto a large pile of paperwork.

“A-Ah, T-Twilight, hello.” Sonata chuckled uneasily as she stood up, brushing the back of her skirt as she addressed the former Equestrian Princess. Just like her sisters, the girl paid her little heed.

“Mistress Adagio asked for a report on where things sit around the globe, and I notice that you haven’t submitted yours for the last few months.” the girl said, a hint of annoyance playing at the edge of her voice as she flipped through the papers.

“R-Right, sorry. Things have been good. I’ve just been focused on our other issue.” an awkward smile flashed across the blue Siren’s face.

“What about the invasion of-” Twilight started, only to have Sonata raise her voice angrily and cut her off.

“That was Aria’s doing!” she shouted, flinging out an arm. “And if you don’t want to take my word for it why don’t I-”

“I apologize, Mistress Sonata.” Twilight Sparkle bowed at the waist, holding it for a few seconds before righting herself and standing aside, glancing at a watch on her wrist. “I will leave you to whatever you were doing. Mistress Adagio wants these reports in twenty seven seconds, and I mustn’t be late.”

Sonata closed her eyes and sighed as she listened to Twilight hurry up the stairs. Had this really all been worth it? She looked out through the window at the setting sun, before resuming her walk towards the kitchen.