Subterranean Freedom

by ElementBrigade

Rating: mature
Tags: Violence, Crossover, Sex, Death, Sunset Shimmer, Anthro, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Sonata Dusk, Alternate Universe, Aria Blaze, Trixie, Mystery, Adagio Dazzle, Profanity, Adventure
Length: 17924

Sunset and her companions must find a way to escape the underground world of Equestria. We'll she be able to escape before the Regents or monsters try to take them down?

Many centuries ago, in the distant mists of ancient time, a disaster shook the planet called Equus. The skies were charred with fiery blasts, and poisonous rivers flowed throughout the land of Equestria. Ponies who once gazed upon glorious skies and breathed pure air, were forced to find a way to survive. They found that way under their feet..under the ground. Canterlot became the capital city of the underground world. In their subterranean existence, the era of the magic of friendship passed them by. Perhaps the ponies even forgot what the sky looked like. Sunset, a member of the Canterlot Rangers, witnessed a mysterious event while checking out a Bio-chem company facility during a routine patrol in Canterlot that would change the outcome of the underground world of Equestia and her life...Thus begins the story of deep Equus.

Crossover: (mlp x Breath of fire: Dragon Quarter )

Published 2019-05-18 00:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2021-05-04 16:25:40 UTC

Chapter 1: Chosen by Fate

Chapter 1

Chosen by Fate

(Ranger’s HQ, Locker Room)

CODE NAME REGISTRATION:
Sunset Shimmer 1/8192
REGISTRATION COMPLETE.

This is a tiny tale of time,

“What’s today’s schedule?” Sunset asked, as she pulled out her Standard Ranger issued coat. “Genic hunting again?”

“Nah, we’re on lift guard duty.” Trixie said as she closed her locker and walked over to Sunset.

Concerning war between friends.

“Guarding the lift. Work even a Low-D like you can do!” She said placing a hand onto the low ranked pony’s shoulder. “Right Sunset?”

Destiny decided to challenge us.

“See you there, partner.” With a pat on Sunset’s shoulder, Trixie made her way to the door as she exits the locker room.

And so we chose to end the world.

“Yeah….see you there....partner.” Sunset said as she slipped into her coat and closed her locker door.

In order to meet our mortality.
There was nothing to regret.
Nothing….

“Took you long enough partner.” Trixie said as she saw Sunset enter into the room. “What took you so long to get here?”

“I had to make sure I had everything I need for today’s mission.”

“Typical Sunset Shimmer. If you keep on not being prepared like Trixie, how are you ever going to rise up the ranks like me?” Trixie said which caused Sunset to glare at the bragging unicorn pony for a second before looking away. “Come on, Captain Vector Zero is waiting for us inside. You know how she can be when she has to wait.” With nothing else to say, Trixie pushed the door open as the two mares walked in.

“Trixie Lulamoon 1/64!” Trixie said, standing at attention.

“Sunset Shimmer 1/8192! R-Reporting for duty ma’am!” Sunset said.

“At eaze ladies.” Vector Zero said as she turned around to face the two mares in her office. “I’ve called you two in to review the details of the mission I’ve assigned you both with.” She said as she handed them both a copy of the mission. “Guard duty, Level E. You are to board the freight train and guard its contents. An easy task for you two. Any questions?”

“Where are we taking the train to?” Sunset asked.

“You’ll board the high-speed lift sent from the BioCorp Labs, and guard its contents. Be careful though, we have received intel that Trinity has been patrolling around the area. Any other questions?”

“No ma’am, but might Trixie speak with you before the mission?” Trixie asked.

“Of course. Sunset? Please wait outside.”

“Yes ma’am.” Sunset said before saluting and making her way out of Vector Zero’s office.

(Low Sector: Ponyville Borough)

Sunset stood leaning underneath the dim light of an electric lamp post as she watch the ponies of Low Sector continue with their daily lives. It was always the same down in the low sector. Old, run down, dirty, and lifeless. Sunset tried to look away from it all as she looked up at the ceiling. Only it didn’t really help her that much seeing how there was nothing but rusty old metal covering the surface of the metal ceiling. Staring at the metal ceiling, Sunset began to imagine the vast blue sky and lushest green plains of Equestria. Stories about the land filled her mind with wonder and excitement about someday being able to leave the underground and seeing it with her own eyes.

“Sunset!” yelled Trixie as she brought the unicorn from out of her fantasy making her way towards the her.

“Done talking with the Captain?” Sunset asked. “What did you talk about while I was away?”

“Trixie will tell you later. Come on, let’s head over to the Low Sector Lift Port.” Trixie said as they begun to walk down the street. Moments as they were about to leave, a older looking mare along with her child caught the attention of Sunset when the mare spoke.

“Excuse me, but are you the one that stopped that genic from coming into our town the other day?”

“Um, yes.” Sunset answered as the mare grabbed her hand.

“I wanted to say thank you for saving my son from that monster. Most ponies don’t like you rangers, but I thank you for what you did.”

“It’s no problem ma’am. Just doing my job.” Sunset said as she smiled at them warmly. Only for Trixie to clear her throat.

“Not to break up this little moment, but we gotta go Sunset.” Trixie said as the two began their walk out of the sector and onto the metal lift.

“Don’t get a bloated head Sunset. Stuff like that will get you killed if you think you’re better than anyone else.”

“You’re one to talk. You keep bragging on about how you’ll be regent soon.” Sunset muttered to herself as the lift brought them to the station.

“We’ll have to go to the lab on foot seeing how Trinity is scouting the area. And we don’t want them to hijack the train on the way there.” Trixie said as she unsheathed her rapier. “Don’t worry. If things get too rough for you, Trixie will hold your hand and deal with the Genic myself.”

“I’m not a baby you jerk.” Sunset said as she unsheathed her katana. “I can look after myself thank you.”

“If you say so Low-D.” Trixie said as she jumped onto the tracks taking the lead. “Just don’t come crying to me when you’re in a pickle.”

(Moments later}
[Genic Processor)

Sunset was standing on a walkway made of metal as she faced a large dragon like creature. From what she could tell it was obviously dead due to the giant spear running through its chest like a piece of hung meat, and the missing of it’s lower body. The yellow unicorn was a bit puzzled at the way the dragon looked. Her curiosity of the dragon was cut short as it begun to talk.

The long wait is over.

“Long wait?” Sunset said as she walked closer to the decaying dragon. “What do you mean by long wait?”

At last, you have awakened, my dying dream.

The dragon opened its mouth as a gust of air rushed past the unicorn. Sunset quickly covered her nose as she suspected the air from the dragon’s breath to be foul and decaying. But what surprised her was the fact that air from the dragon’s breath wasn’t foul or bad, it felt like pure magic was flowing out of it and into her.

Let us go, my little friend. Once again to the sky.

“Wait, the sky? The sky’s real?” Before Sunset could ask the dragon any more questions, the dragon began to fade away as the room she was in began to be engulfed in a bright light.

“Sunset? Sunset!?” Trixie yelled as she shook Sunset, trying to wake her up. Sunset moved her hand to her head as she slowly opened her eyes. As her vision began to appear, she notice that they were inside a white hall, full of clean tiles and steril lights. From what she could tell they were in the Canterlot Lab.

“W-What happen?” Sunset asked as she pulled herself off the floor.

“You tell Trixie. One minute we entered into the hallway, and the next you froze up and fell to the floor like a ton of bricks. You feeling okay?”

“I fell over?” She asked only for Trixie to roll her eyes.

“Get it together Sunset. Trixie doesn’t want you to screw this mission up for her.” Trixie said as she walked off ahead. “Let’s go, we got a cargo to get.”

“Was what I just saw just a dream?” Sunset said asking herself. “It felt real, but-.”

“Hey Low-D! Get in here! You gotta check out what Trixie found!” Trixie yelled, bringing Sunset out of her state of mind as she rushed over to the next room. As she entered into the room Trixie was in, her eyes widen in amazement at what she saw. Standing there pinned to the wall was the dragon that she saw in her dream. Only this one was dead and not moving.

“What in the name of Celestia is that!?”

“I don’t know. We don’t have records of Genics being this big.” Sunset said as she walked a bit closer to the railing. “It could be an experiment gone wrong. How the hell did they even get this thing in here?”

“Who cares. What? Are you scared or something?”

“No I’m not scared, just curious that’s all.”

“Sure you’re not.” Trixie said as she begun to walk off. “Come on, we got a job to do.”

“....Odjin….” Sunset said as she shook her head before following after Trixie

(Canterlot Lab Liftport)

“COME ON!!” yelled the ranger unicorn as Sunset and Trixie made their way down the steps of the liftport.

“The liftport is about to leave! Hurry up Sunset!” Trixie yelled as she and Sunset rush towards the train with their cargo in the last split second. “Man, thank Celestia that we made it on time. Next time don’t slow Trixie down like that.”

“S-Sorry.” Sunset said as she turned her attention at the cargo they were transporting. “Hey, do you know what’s inside the cargo that we’re transporting?”

“Don’t know. But whatever is inside here it must be something special.” Trixie answered as she leaned against the guard railing. “So relax, nopony would ever attack a lift guarded by Rangers.”

“If you say so.”

A few minutes of silence filled the atmosphere around as Trixie looked off at the railroad tracks, while Sunset was still fixating on the cargo they were carrying. The moment of silence was broken when Trixie decided to speak up.

“Sunset.”

“Yes?”

“Trixie want you to give me the credit for that Genic the other day.”

“What? But why?”

“Trixie has the potential. All she need is the reputation, and they’ll have to promote me. If things goes well, Trixie could even be regent. Trixie does have the qualification after all to be one.”

“A regent? Are you serious?”

“Trixie is serious.” The unicorn said as she walked up towards Sunset. “I, Trixie 1/64 will be regent. I must. Sunset, with your 1/8192 D-Ratio, you’ll never make it past grunt level. But once Trixie get to the top, she’ll be able to help you out.” She said as she placed a hand on Sunset’s shoulder. “Come on Sunset, what do you say?”

Sunset fell silent upon hearing Trixie’s offer. Running the calculations in her head. If she were to give Trixie all the credit that she herself has done, then her chances of promotion would be slim to none. It might even be nonexistent. Before she could give her answer, the alarm on the train started to go off as the lights began to flicker on and off.

“What’s going on? Are we being attacked?” Sunset asked as she looked off to the side. As she did, she notice a war genic sprinting on the other side of the track with a pony sitting on it’s back. The pony pulled out what appeared to be a handgun and start to shoot at the two ranger ponies, only to hit the cargo they were carrying.

“A war genic? It’s Trinity!” Trixie yelled as Sunset quick fired a barrage of magical beams at the pony riding the war genic. The pony ducked her head at a beam that flew past her head. In retaliation the pony shot back trying to take out Sunset with her gun. After the barrage of magical beams flew or bound off the war genic, both the pony and the war genic ran past the train as the duo decided to hop onto the track the train was on.

“Did it give up?” Sunset asked.

“Damn! Looks like they’ll do anything to stop the lift!” Trixie yelled as she pointed over to there they had landed

As the pony hopped off of the war genic, the mare pulled out large cylinder like weapon from her back. Kneeling on one knee she carefully took aim at the lift as she prepared herself to fire at it. Trixie’s eyes widen as she saw the mare fired upon them. The rocket that was launched out of the tube made contact with the lift as it cause it to explode into pieces. As the smoke started to clear up, Trixie survive the explosion as she was hanging from a broken train track. As she looked up she saw Sunset hanging on the other side of the broken track by her jacket.

“Sunset?” Trixie said as he vision became more clear. Trying to figure out a way to save her partner, Trixie tried use her magic to try and pull Sunset over to her. But before she could get a good grip onto Sunset’s jacket, the track that was holding Sunset Shimmer up broke as the unicorn ranger fell into the dark abyss. “SUNSET!!!”

Chapter 2: The Mysterious Siren

Chapter 2

The Mysterious Siren

(Flashback)
(Trinity HQ)

“Sonata Dusk and Aria Blaze, I called you both here for a mission that I need you to do.” The male stallion said from behind the table that was between them. “Your target is a lift leaving the Canterlot BioCrop’s Labs in the low sector.”

“A retrieval mission? What is it?” Aria asked.

“Oh! Are we getting another shipment of food? I do hope it has tacos in it like last time.” Sonata said as she was smacked upside her head by Aria.

“No it’s not that.” The stallion said with a slight chuckle. “Your target is a female siren. About the same age as you two.”

“Wait...a siren? But I thought that-” Aria paused as she notice the stallion shaking his head as a melancholy expression appeared on his.

“It should shed some light on how dirty this world has become. I wouldn’t get your hopes up to think that it’s her. Retrieve the target at all cost. Understand?” The stallion asked as Aria and Sonata both nodded and gave off a salute. “Good, now go.”

“Oh man.” Aria said, wincing at the fact that the lift fell into the abyss of darkness. “I didn’t expect for that to happen.” Looking down at the wreckage, the mare jumped off of the war genic and faced it. “Go down there and get the cargo. If you see any of the rangers down there, kill them so they don’t get whatever it is that was in that thing.” The genic climbed onto the wooden part of the track shimming it’s way down lower until it disappeared into the darkness below.

“Dammit, the boss is so going to be disappointed with us if the cargo is damaged or worse.”

Darkness. Nothing but an endless sea of darkness as Sunset Shimmer pushed herself to keep moving forward through it. Limping with each step as she tried to ignore the pain from her right arm and left leg. As she continues to limp for a bit, visions of a the dead dragon, a glyph, and a live dragon flowed through her mind as she pauses and looks up.

“I’ve chosen you.”

Looking up Sunset could see the glyph that went through her mind as mist of light flew from out of it and enveloped around. As the light enveloped around herself, flames begins to appear on her body while she was covering her eyes from the blinding light. As she lowered her arms, she saw a shadowy figure standing in front of her.

“It is the power given to you…The Dragon’s power...You are the chosen one.”The figure said as it vanish for a split second before appearing in front of Sunset, causing her to jump back a bit and fall onto her bottom. “The one-thousand year world destroyer…find your fate…before it finds you!” The figure said as it slowly turned around. “What you do will change...everything.”

(Old Waste Shaft)

“Hey, She’s waking up.” said a youthful voice as Sunset’s eyes shot open. As she pulled herself up, she notice that she was resting inside a house made of a mix of scrap metal and cardboard.

“W-Where am I?”

“You’re in the old waste shaft kid.” said a rugged male voice. Sunset turned her head to the left to see a old stallion entering the room with a cane to help support his weight. “Glad to see you’re still alive after that fall you just had.”

“W-Who are you two?”

“Oh, where are my manners.” The Stallion said as he took a seat next to Sunset. “My name’s Iron Head, and the girl beside you is my niece Lily Flower.”

“Hi!’ The filly said as she waved at the ranger pony.

“Care to tell us who you are kid?”

“Sunset Shimmer 1/8192. How long have I been out?”

“A few hours maybe.” Iron Head answered. “We found you falling from above along with the wreckage from the lift you were on. I’m actually impressed that you survived the fall.”

“I-I fell…?” Sunset’s eyes widen as memories of what happened moments ago suddenly rushed into her head. “Oh no, the cargo!” She yelled as she tried to get up, only to wince as she felt pain coursing through her body.

“Easy there kid, your body hasn’t recovered from the fall. I recommend you wait for a while before trying anything else.” He said as the stallion leaned back in his chair. “No sense in trying to push yourself if you’re still hurt.”

“B-But, I gotta get the-”

“No buts kid. You need to rest up before you could do anything else. Celestia knows if you went outside right now, you’ll be prey to the monsters outside of this place.” Sunset was about to argue with the stallion, only for her to notice the room starting to spin.

“I guess maybe a few minutes of sleep wouldn't hurt anypony.” She said before laying back onto the bed. “This is just not my day.”

“Could be worse. You could’ve been dead or eaten by the monsters outside.” Iron Head said before walking over to the window and sat beside it to keep watch. “Get some sleep kid. You’ll need it if you want to get out of here.”

(Ranger HQ)

“And that's what happened to us ma’am.” Trixie said, finishing up her report of the incident that happened on her mission.

“I see, and the cargo? What happen to it?” Vector said, pressing her fingers together while looking at Trixie.

“Excuse me?”

“What happen to the cargo? Were you able to secure it?”

“Trinity was still there within the area. Trixie barely got out of there alive, but she believes that the cargo was destroyed when it fell into the abyss.”

“As likely as that sounds, we can’t take any chance. Find the cargo, and secure it. Failing to do that, make sure it is destroyed. No matter what it looks like.”

“Y-Yes ma’am.”

“You sure you don’t want to rest for a bit more before leaving? I mean you did pretty much fell from all the way up there, so I wouldn’t be surprised if you needed it.” Iron Head said as Sunset flex her arm muscles.

“I appreciate your concern sir, but I really need to get going. HQ will be wondering where I am and what happened to the cargo.”

“Do you even know what that cargo thing you keep talking about?”

“No, but whatever is inside it I need to secure it.” The mare said as she placed her weapon on her hip.

“Well I hope you find whatever it is you’re looking for Sunset. If you can’t make it back to HQ, feel free to stop here at anytime when you’re not busy.”

“I’ll take that into consideration.” Sunset said as she waved good-bye to Iron Head and Lily Flower, and began to walk off to where the old colt found her at.

“You think that mare will be okay?” Lily Flower asked.

“Possibly, she is one of those Rangers after all.” Iron Head said as he walked back inside. “Come along, we have work to do Lily.” The stallion said as he and the little filly walked back inside the poorly made house.

“I’m a little bit surprised that there would be ponies living down here then back up in Ponyville Borough. Then again, not everypony can afford to live up there what with not having any bits to do so.” Sunset said to herself as she begins to make her way through the old waste shaft. Moment after making her way through the trash and the door that leads to the next room, Sunset paused for a moment upon hearing the sounds of heavy footsteps. Look through the mountain of trash, Sunset could see the war genic from before when she was with Trixie transporting the cargo on the train. What got her attention the most was what the war genic was carrying. In its arm it was carrying what appears to be a pale yellow colored unicorn with a orange & yellow highlight colored mane, and was wearing a white colored dress, a fish like tail sticking out from it, and weird markings around her arms, feet, and neck.

“I-I gotta do something….b-but.” Sunset’s body begins to shake due to the fear of facing the war genic by herself. Most high level rangers wouldn’t have a problem dealing with a war genic solo, but given how low her rank is it would be crazy to fight one. Maybe suicidal. The mare closed her eyes as to try to calm herself down while thinking of a plan to rescue the pony. Upon doing so, she soon felt a surge of power flowing through her body as if she was driven to do something. Opening her eyes her eye color changed from aqua green to bloody red as a orange-red colored aura surrounded her body. Without thinking, Sunset began to rush over to the war genic as she jump over the mountain of trash, jumped into the air as she unsheathed her katana, and embedded it into the war genic’s back upon landing.

The war genic let out a loud roar upon being stabbed in the back by Sunset’s katana as it tries to shake the mare off of it. It was successful as Sunset was soon sent flying backwards into the mountain of trash. Shaking her head from getting thrown, she looked up to see the war genic in front of her as it was about to slam its fist into her face. In a blink of the war genic’s eye Sunset quickly vanish from its sight as she would appear a few steps away from the monster on its left. With her katana placed in her sheath, Sunset charged at the war genic as a mach cone appeared around her body. Once she was close, she quickly unsheath her blade as she cut off the genic’s arm that was holding the pegasus. Once the unicorn hybrid was freed, Sunset quickly grabbed her in her free arm and landed a few inches away from the war genic. The war genic let out a mighty roar as it grabbed its arm due to the pain from having its left arm cut off.

Without looking back at the war genic, Sunset placed the mare safely onto the ground as she looked over her body to make sure she wasn’t hurt or injured in anyway. After looking over her body, the ranger sigh with relief that the mare wasn’t hurt. A smile appeared on Sunset’s face for a moment before it disappeared upon hearing the war genic’s heavy footsteps coming over to her. Turning around, the war genic body began to glow as it tried to punch at Sunset again only for her to quickly dodge out of the way of the war genic’s fist. Sliding to the genic’s right, she quickly thrust her sword into the war genic’s rib cage. The war genic roared in pain as it slammed its fist into the ground, causing the ground to sake as it took Sunset off guard causing her to lose her footing a bit as she stumbles backwards.

This gave the war genic the opportunity to backhand Sunset in the face as she was sent flying into a pile of trash. The genic was about to charge after the ranger until it fell to one knee and began to cough a bit. Looking down it notice its own blood leaking out from the wounds that Sunset inflicted unto it. As it tries to pull itself up from the ground, Sunset burst from out of the trash pile and into the air. The war genic saw her coming as it tried to knock her out of the air by throwing a metal plate at her. Only for Sunset to cut it in two and slammed her katana into the war genic’s head. There was a moment of silence when her katana embedded into the genic’s head as it soon fell to the ground dead. As the war genic laid dead onto the ground, Sunset eyes changed back to normal as the aura quickly vanished from off her body. Blinking at what just happened, she pulled her katana out of it’s head as she placed it back into her sheath, she soon walked over to the knocked out mare on the ground. As Sunset kneeled down to lift the unconscious mare up a bit, she notice that the mare had weird markings on her body.

“What in the name of Equestria is this mare? I’ve never seen markings like this before. Not even in the Ranger’s records or archives.” She thought as she notice the mare slowly opening her eyes. Once the mare was fully awake, Sunset gave her a small smile as she chuckled a bit. “Thank Celestia you’re awake, I thought that war genic might’ve hurt you or some-.” Before Sunset could finish her sentence, the mare quickly hugged her which took the ranger off by surprise. “Thing?” Feeling the mare shaking in fear as to what happen to her, the ranger placed a hand on the pegasus head in a means to try to calm her down. “Hey, it’s okay. I got him.” She said as she jerks a thumb over at the dead body of the war genic. “Can you stand?” The mare nodded to Sunset’s question as she begins to pull herself up from the floor. Once fully standing she brushed away some of the dust covering herself a bit as Sunset pulled herself up from the floor as well.

“I’m Sunset Shimmer, what’s your name?”

“A-Adagio…Adagio...Dazzle.” The siren said as she tried to talk to Sunset, but it sounded like she was having trouble speaking.

“Adagio? Your voice? You can’t talk can you?” Sunset asked as Adagio waved her hand a bit as sign of maybe she can, but not right now. ‘Hm, maybe the medical ponies back at HQ can help her with her problem of talking.’ She thought before shaking her head and looking back at Adagio who was looking at her suspiciously. “Anyway, we need to get out of here Adagio. It’s not safe here and I prefer not to stay here any longer then we have to.” The ranger said as she begins to walk off for a moment before looking back at the scared siren. “Here, let’s go.” Sunset said as she offered Adagio her hand. The siren was hesitant at first, but looked up at Sunset as she noticed her nodding with a smile on her face. She nods back as she in turn walks over and takes her hand.

Chapter 3: Journey Through Darkness

Chapter 3

Journey Through Darkness

Holding the hand of the mysterious pony with aquatic like features named Adagio, Sunset continued on their journey through the old waste shaft of the end sector. As they continued walking, Sunset began to ponder the events that took place before all this. What was that mysterious voice talking to her in her head, who was that shadowy figure in that dream she had, and more importantly who was this mare that was being taken away by that war genic? All this just because of a low rank mission of transporting an important cargo back to HQ. Not one of the best days to have for this low-D huh?

“All this is just so damn confusing. Getting attack by Trinity while transporting the cargo, ending up down here in a old waste shaft, and I lost the cargo within the wreckage. How in Equestria am I going to level up rank from low-D to something else?” Sunset said as she placed a hand to her forehead as she stopped to look back at Adagio who raised an eyebrow at her in confusion. “And to top it all off, I found this mare with weird looking aquatic features on her body. Dammit, I really wish that they gave us more about what was inside that thing-.” Before Sunset could finish her rant, her left ear twitch as she heard the sound of somepony taking the safety trigger off their gun and placing a hand on it. Placing a hand to her katana, Sunset stood in front of Adagio as she waited to see who it was that made the sound.

“Stay behind me, okay?” The ranger said as she looked back at Adagio as she nodded. Turning her attention back to the direction she was looking, Sunset’s ears twitched again as she heard the sounds of hoof steps heading towards her and Adagio. Unsheathing her sword, the ranger took up a fighting stance as she heard two gunshots go off. Seeing the bullets coming at them, Sunset quickly deflected the oncoming shots in different directions before seeing the pony that shot at them heading towards them.

“Dammit. Of all the times for somepony from trinity to attack us.” Hearing the gun fired off again, Sunset quickly barreled to the left as she soon charges after the pony that shot at them. Once close enough she tried to bring her sword up to slash at the gun mare’s head. Only for the mare to quickly duck and uppercut Sunset from below causing the ranger to fall backwards. Rubbing her chin from the surprise attack, she quickly looked up to see the mare in front of her aiming her gun at her face.

“Figures someone from trinity would be following us.” Sunset said glaring at the pony while the gun mare looked over at Adagio with widen eyes before looking back at Sunset.

“Ranger, you can’t help her. Go and leave her with me.”

“.....I’m sorry but….what?”

“We need that mare. She is the only hope that we have of saving this rotten world.”

“Listen mare.” Sunset said as she glare at her.“I don’t care what you want. I don’t deal with criminals.”

“Admirable for a ranger like yourself. Too bad you don’t realize there’s more to this world than what you can see with your eyes, also my name is Aria, Aria Blaze not ‘Mare’.” Aria said as she cocked her gun. “Listen idiot. There are some things you’d be happier not knowing. Now why don’t you forget that you met me and forget that you met that mare.” Aria soon turned her attention at Adagio and extend a hand towards her. “Come with me. You’ll be much safer with me then with this ranger.”

Adagio notice Aria motioning her to take her hand as she quickly rushed over to Sunset’s side and held on to her arm. Feeling Adagio touching her arm, Sunset eyes widen as she turned her head a bit to look over at the siren who was glaring at Aria while attempting to try and protect Sunset.

“.....Seriously? She can’t help you. Trust me on this.”

“Kinda hard to trust somepony when you have a gun pointed at the one that saved her.” Sunset said as she heard a snort coming from Aria. “Get angry all you want, you know it’s true.” There was a moment of silence, before Aria gave out an annoying sigh and lowered her gun away from Sunset’s face.

“Alright Ranger. Let’s work together then.”

“....You can’t be serious about that? You expect me to work together with you after shooting at me twice?”

“We’ll work together until we get out of the End Sector. Look it’s not like you can protect the mare while fending off the monsters down here by yourself, and I’m pretty sure after knocking you off your feet you’re not that skilled in a fight. So why not join together to get out of here together?”

“Again, you expect me to trust you?” Sunset said as she notice the mare take her mask off along with the cloth covering her tail. Once she saw her face & tail, she was taken by surprise from seeing her having aquatic like features as she looked over at her and Adagio

“We both want to protect her right? So it would seem fair that we work together for the same goal.” Aria said as she placed her gun back in her holster on her side as she extends a hand towards Sunset to help her up. “What’s your name?”

“Sunset Shimmer.” The Ranger said as she reached for Aria’s hand and pulled herself up from the ground. “Mind explaining why you look just like Adagio?”

“That’s because...That mare is my sister.”

(Old Waste Shaft: Floor 1)

While Sunset was busy making her way through the old waste shaft along with Adagio and the newly acquired teammate Aria. Trixie and her small team of ponies begin their investigation at the crash site from where the lift crashed while carrying the cargo to HQ. As they begin their investigation, Trixie ordered her squad to search around for any clues on to where the cargo is or if Sunset was still alive.

“See anything on your end Bon-Bon?” Trixie asked as she looked over the wreckage of the crashed train site.

“No, nothing on my end. I wouldn’t be surprised if Trinity got here before we did.” Bon-Bon said as she hopped off a piece of metal from the lift Trixie and Sunset were on.

“Keep looking around along with the others. We have to find the cargo and get rid of it no matter what it looks like.” She said as she looked over and notice Lyra heading her way. “Any luck on your end Lyra?”

“I don’t see the cargo or anything else in this area, but I do see a trail of hoof steps heading over to the doorway to the other room here.”

“You think somepony from Trinity got here before we did?”

“I don’t think so.” Lyra reached into her pocket as she pulls out a strain of red & yellow color hair. Trixie’s eyes widen as she snatched the piece of hair from out of Lyra’s hand as she looks it over. “You could’ve asked you know?”

“....You said you found this near the doorway right?” The unicorn asked as Lyra nodded her head. “Show me.” She ordered as Lyra began to lead the way to door that lead towards the End Sector. Pushing the door to the other room, Trixie, Lyra, and Bon-Bon entered into the room and began to examine the area inside. “Spread out and look around for clues. If this hair belong to Sunset, then that means she’s around here somewhere either passed out and injured.”

“I don’t think that could be the case.”

“What makes you say that?” Trixie asked as she looked over at Lyra who was motioning her to come over.

“Didn’t you say that Sunset took down a Genic once back at HQ?”

“Yeah, but I don’t think that-.” Before the blue unicorn could finish her sentence, she soon notice the dead war genic on the ground. “Oh….”

“There’s a pair of footsteps leading towards the exit. One belongs to Sunset seeing how she’s a size nine medium. The other happens to be that of a mare. About the same age, maybe older?” Bon-Bon said as Trixie continued to look down at the bloody hoof trail before sighing.

“Y-You don’t think that it’s the cargo that Vector Zero wants us to get rid of….is it?” Lyra asked.

“...We have a job to do ladies.”

“But isn’t she your part-.”

“We have a job to do. Get rid of the cargo...no matter what it looks like, nor whoever gets in the way. Unless anypony wants to go against Vector Zero’s orders?” Trixie asked as Lyra and Bon-Bon both looked away in annoyance. “Thought so, now where does this sector lead to?”

“It leads to the train shaft. Why did you ask?”

“Inform the others about this and have them move to the train shaft.” Trixie ordered as she turned around towards the doorway she and the others came from. “Five bits says that they’ll end up going there seeing how that’s the only trail that leads to the train shaft.”

“And what about Sunset?”

“...If she gets in the way, we’ll have to kill her. No matter the excuse.”

(Old waste shaft: Floor 5)

With the new member of this small group of ponies, Sunset, Aria, and Adagio continue to make their way through the old abandoned waste shaft. Sunset for the most part be either lost in thought to the point where she would be taken by surprise by most of the monsters that lived in the waste shaft. Had it not been for Aria’s quick draw skill, the Ranger would have bitten the dust long before they’ve met.

“Seriously, that’s like the fifth time you were lost in your thoughts Ranger.” Aria said as she place her gun back into her holster. “If you’re the best that the Rangers have to offer, then I would be surprise that you guys made it this far in this shit hole of a world.

“S-Shut up, i have a lot on my mind in case you haven’t notice?”

“Doesn’t mean you still can’t let your guard down while in here. Especially when you’re protecting my sister.” Aria said as she points over to the siren. Sunset looked over at Adagio who in turned smiled back at her while holding on to her hand. Smiling back, Sunset let out a sigh as she turned her attention back at Aria.

“Y-You’re right...sorry. I’ll try not to think about other things while we’re down here.”

“Good, because I would hate to have to drag your dead body around or have Adagio hate me for letting you get killed.” Aria said as she soon notice a room across from them that had a bunk bed in it. “Why don’t we take a little break before we continue. I need to have a little talk with you about something.”

“That...would be a good idea. We have been walking for a good three hours or so. Plus I think Adagio needs it as well.”

“Good, then let’s get moving.” Aria said as she, Sunset, and Adagio made their way to the bunk bed. Once there, Adagio released her grip on Sunset’s as she begins to explore the room they were in. “I’m still a bit shock that she’s your sister. How long since she’s been missing?”

“About a year or two, maybe. It’s kinda hard to keep track of time down here without a means to tell time. It was during a solo mission that are leader gave to the three of us. At first we thought it was easy, It was just a simple gathering mission...But what turned out to be a gathering mission, turned out to be an ambush as Rangers surrounded us. We were planning on going down fighting, but Adagio teleported us back to HQ. By the time we had gotten enough soldiers to return for her, it was too late...she was gone. At least I thought she was until today”

“I...I’m sorry.” Sunset said as she looked down at her hooves in shame.

“Don’t be. It’s not like it’s your fault that it happen. This is the underground. You need to be prepare for losing friends or loved ones.” Aria said as she pulled herself up and looked at Sunset. “So…Ranger. Aren’t you curious? Don’t you want to know what happen to my sister seeing how you were the ones transporting her?” she asked as the siren leaned against the bed frame.

“I am curious…but would you even tell me even if I asked a criminal like you?” Sunset asked as she took a seat on the military style bunk bed and looked down at the ground. "You seem to know a lot more then I do about the cargo I was carrying. So why not tell me what you know, if you are willing to that is?"

“Truth is…I don’t even know myself. Wasn’t told jack about what was inside it other then it was another siren. Just grab it from you guys and return back to Trinity is what the boss said...I'll have to have a personal talk with Sigma when I return to Trinity HQ if he knew Adagio was the Ranger's test subject.”

“Heh, guess we’re both in the dark about our missions to receive the cargo...Though I have my doubts that Adagio was inside that container I was transporting.”

“Ranger...This world you’re trying to protect...I don’t think it’s worth it.” Aria said as she looked over at Adagio who was busy looking around for a moment before looking at Sunset. “Especially if this world is willing to use us sirens like this...what the hell did they do to her?”

“I honestly don't know. But...m-maybe...I think I might be on the same boat with you on that...but there is so much stuff going on that I still need answers to.”

“I take it they’re the same as mine?”

“Along the lines of that, yes. I’m curious as to what they want her for?”

“Who knows. Maybe it has something to do with the markings on her body?” Aria said as she pointed at the circuit lines on Adagio's body. “You don’t see a pony with markings like that now do you?”

“No...that's something I want to know when I get to HQ.”

“And you think they’ll be okay with you asking something like that? If anything, they would possibly kill you on the spot for something that they didn’t tell you about.”

“Well then what would you suggest we do?”

“Sneak in while no one is looking and search for the answers that I’m looking for. But as it stands we can’t do much at the moment seeing how we’re stuck here. For now we better get moving before more of those monsters down here come and find us.”

“Agreed.” Sunset said as she pulled herself up from the bed and called out for Adagio to come over to her. “Where does this trail lead us too?”

“It leads to the abandoned train shaft. Once we’re there we’ll figure out where to go from there. But I would suggest we go to Trinity seeing how they’re more reasonable than you rangers.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Sunset said as she felt Adagio grab her hand. Once she felt it, she begins to walk back outside of the room as they begin to make their way back on the trail they were on.

Chapter 4: Restocking For The Coming Disaster

Chapter 4

Restocking For The Coming Disaster

(Regent HQ)

Regent HQ. Home to the Regents and leaders of The Rangers HQ down in Canterlot. They uphold the law and protect the citizens of Equestria from both monsters and agents of Trinity. Inside the iron stone clad building were seven mares sitting at a round table looking over the security camera that caught the fight between Sunset Shimmer and the War Genic that took place not to long ago in the low sector.

“Fluttershy, what was it that the prophecy said about pony kind again?” Applejack asked, looking over at the cream color pegasus wearing a pure white dress with pieces of metal armor on it, golden gloves, and a bowstaff folded onto the holster on her back.

“Ponies will gain wings and the sky will return to the world as it was during the olden days of time forgotten. It was a clear vision, but I do not think it’s time for ponykind to gain their wings.” Fluttershy answered, which caused Rainbow Dash to snort in amusement.

“For once I’m in agreement with you Fluttershy. I don’t see ponykind growing wings any time soon. Fools, doomed to their fate.” The cyan pegasus said as Rarity shook her head.

“Looking down upon others is a grave mistake Rainbow Dash. You of all ponies should know that.”

“What do we do? Should we take care of the problem ourselves?” Pinkie Pie asked as everyone turned their attention to the white alicorn pony.

“We shall see what the pony in question will do. Right now I sent the order to eliminate the cargo that the pony has. If she is who I think she is, then we will take action into our own hands.” Celestia said as she folded her arms. “For now, we wait and see where this may go.”

“Agreed, we can’t rush into something without getting the facts beforehand.” Twilight said as the others agreed with her statement.

(EndSector: Junk City)

As the door to the next sector slid up, the trio made their way to a small little sector filled with a couple of ponies of different ages spanning from little fillies & colts to mares & stallions that were either in between the ages of twenty or thirty depending.

“Thank Faust. A place to rest.” Aria said sighing in relief as she walked through the doorway.

“This is good. Not only can we stock up on supplies, but we’re almost to where we need to be.” Sunset said as she and Adagio followed after Aria through the mining site.

“Eager to turn me in to the Ranger’s huh?” Aria said with a raised eyebrow.

“It’s not that. I-It’s just that maybe I can get some answers into what happen your sister. Plus you said that we should work together until we make it out of this place. Or did you forget that?”

“Relax, I haven’t forgotten. Geez, you can’t take a joke can you?” The siren said as she continues to make her way around the mining site. “But it really is a good thing that we found this place. Because if we were to keep on going like this, then we would possibly be weak from hunger or faust knows what.”

“Do we even have enough bits to get what we need?”

“How much do you have on you?” Aria asked as Sunset began to reach into both her jacket and pants pockets. To her misfortune as she pulled her pockets out, the only thing she had in them was just a button that she found on the ground that looked pretty neat to her. “You don’t have any bits on you? Aren’t you supposed to be like an elite ranger or something?”

“Not everyone gets paid the same price as most rangers do….I’m kind of a low rank ranger….been one for the past few years or so.”

“.....Your life must have been horrible if that’s the case.” Aria said as the ranger deadpans at her comment. “I’ll take care of the funds seeing how this will be the last time we work together.” She said as she motions them to follow her. As they began to head towards Junk City, a gray colored pegasus mare greets them with a simple smile and wave.

“Welcome to Junk City mares and little filly. Home to scraps and Low-Ds alike.” The mare said before looking over at Sunset. “Oh, hi Sunset!”

“Hey Derpy.” Sunset said before Aria turned her attention to the bacon haired pony.

“You two know each other?”

“We've done some missions a few times before Captain Vector Zero stationed her here in Junk City. Most Low-Ds that can’t afford a place to live in Ponyville or can’t do their duties for Ranger HQ, are sent here to Junk City.”

“....That’s just not right.”

“It’s not so bad really. I mean I don’t have to fight so much of the monsters outside of Junk City. And I can keep an eye on Dinky, so it’s a win in my book.” Derpy said, still smiling as cheerful as ever.

“...I’m still saying that it’s not right. But if you’re okay with it, then who am I to say what you Rangers do or not.”

“So what brings you two here to our….cramped little home of ours?”

“We’re just here to stock up on some food supplies and stuff before heading over to HQ.” Sunset answered.

“Um...I don’t want to be rude or anything. But why go to HQ with somepony that’s with Trinity? Unless you were able to convince her to join. Which might be a bad idea, because low-ds don’t get paid much nowadays.”

“She’s not joining us. She’s just with me to help us get back to HQ.”

“Us?” Derpy looked over at Adagio with a surprised look on her face. “Oh my. I-I didn’t know you two were in that kind of a relationship.”

“What!? N-No we’re not dat-”

“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me~” The pegasus said as she place a finger to her own lips meaning she would keep it a secret.

“Come along honey, we got some shopping to do~” Aria said in a teasing tone as she walks off into the small city with Sunset and Adagio who deadpan at her from behind. “Um...where do we go to get what we need?”

“Aloe and Lotus Blossom. The Blossom sisters. They’re usually found here or someplace else in the lower parts of Equestria.”

“And what do they look like?”

“Aloe is the earth pony with pink fur and blue mane. Her sister, Lotus. Who is also a earth pony with blue fur and pink mane. They also have matching clothes but they’re the opposite color from each other.”

“.....And I thought Sonata was weird when she tried to do the whole clone sister thing with me. Please tell me that they don’t finish each other sentences?”

“Not that I know of. I rarely stay long enough or seen them do that. But that’s besides the point. Let’s just get what we need and head out of here.” She said before she and Adagio continuing to follow Aria through Junk City. As the trio make their way through, Adagio took notice to some of the ponies looking at her. Mainly her markings. She then looked at some of the ponies then back to hers, then back to them. This went on for a while before she decided to get Sunset’s attention by tugging at her arm. “Something wrong Adagio?”

The mare nodded as she pointed over at the nearby ponies furs before pointing over to her own fur..

“Oh, I take it you’re wondering why your fur is different than how theirs look?” Adagio simply nodded as Sunset scratched the back of her head awkwardly. “Well, that’s a bit of a complicated question really. It’s not that I don’t want to answer your question. It’s just that I have no idea on why you look different. Hence the reason why we’re going to the Ranger HQ to see if they might know something about you.”

“Which I’m still saying is a bad idea.” Aria said as the duo looked over at the siren. “Rangers with secrets like this don’t take kindly to their own trying to get to the bottom of this. It’s not too late to turn back the way we came from and head back with me to Trinity HQ.”

“Look I know you mean well, but you can’t expect me to trust somepony right off the bat. Especially when they’re part of Trinity of all ponies. If things don’t work out with the Rangers, then I’ll consider heading over to seek assistance from Trinity. Sounds fair?”

“Fine...but I will hold my “I told you so” when the time comes when the rangers turn on you the moment they see you with Adagio.”

“I’ll take my chances when that happens.” Sunset said as she continues to follow after Aria for a while before noticing Aloe and Lotus at the top of the platform above them. “For now let’s head over to Aloe and Lotus to get what we need.” She said as the three of them make their way upstairs to where the blossom sisters were located. Upon looking at them, each were wearing the same style of clothes only the color of it would match the opposite of each other.

“...Wow….You weren’t kidding about the whole matching clothes thing.” Aria said before the two sisters took notice to them walking up to them.

“Welcome!” They said in union. “How can we help you three today?”

“We need to stock up on some supplies. You have anything food wise and ammunition?” Aria asked as the duo nodded.

“Yep, we have almost everything that you folks need.” Aloe said as she reaches into the giant book bag that they were sitting on as she pulls out what looks to be silver colored bags as she hands a few of them over to them.

“What the hell is this stuff?” The Siren asked as Abagio sniffed the bag that was given to her and begins to bite it, only for Sunset to gently pull it from out of her mouth causing her to pout.

“Dehydrated rations. We stole….I mean borrowed them from the Rangers when they were throwing them out in the trash cans in Ponyville Borough.” Lotus said with smile on her face as if trying to pass it off like it was nothing.

“....You do know that stealing from the rangers will get you put in jail, or worse right?” Sunset said with a deadpan expression.

“It’s not stealing if you don’t get caught doing it~” Aloe said as she looks over at Aria. “Would you like to have some more of it along with some water to rehydrate it?”

“Might as well seeing how this will come in handy for us. Also add in a few clips of ammunition if you could.” Lotus nodded as she along with Aloe pulled out a bag and began to fill it up with food, water, and other stuff that they might need.

“You sure you have enough to cover this? It looks like it could cost too much.” Sunset asked as the siren rolled her eyes.

“Oh, and you have enough to cover the cost? I told you I can cover whatever it is that they’re asking for. So quit your bitching and be grateful that I’m doing this out of the kindness of my heart.” She said before looking over at Aloe and Lotus. “So how much is this going to be?”

“Ten thousand bits please.” Both mare said as Aria’s eyes widen with a dumbfounded expression on her face.

“Ten thousand bits just for that stuff!?”

“Well originally it was going to be five hundred. But seeing how you don’t have anything to carry your supplies in, we gave you a bag that allows you to carry them in without the worry of added weight to your travel.” Aloe said as she extends a hand towards them to show them said carrying backpack.

“Wait, isn’t that another thing from Ponyville Borough?” Sunset asked as the sisters shrug in union.

“One pony’s trash, is another pony’s treasure. Now that will be ten thousand bits please if you would?” Aloe said as she and Lotus extended their hands towards Aria. The siren grumbled in annoyance upon hearing the asking price as she reaches behind herself to pull out a sack which was about the size of a pony’s head. She paused for a moment before looking over at Sunset and Adagio.

“You two owe me big time for this.” She said before handing the bits over to the Blossom sister and in turn they give her the backpack full of supplies.

“Pleasure doing business with you all! Feel free to stop by anytime for your quality needs!”

“Yeah whatever. Come on you two. Let’s get the hell out of here before I change my mind about this.” Both Adagio and Sunset quickly followed after Aria, only for the siren to pause and look back at the sisters. “Hey, you two know how to get out of this place?”

“The lift to the End Sector Liftport is to your right. Just take the lift up and you’ll be out of here in no time.” Lotus said before Aria began to walk again towards the lift as the unicorn and siren’s sister following after her.

Chapter 5: Awakening Of The Destroyer

Chapter 5

Awakening Of The Destroyer

(EndSector Liftport)

After restocking on some supplies, the traveling trio make their way to the lift and headed up the elevator from Junk City to The End Sector Liftport. Once the lift stopped at the top of where they needed to go, they began to make their way out of the lift and head towards the stairs that lead to the liftport.

“The train will lead to Ranger HQ. It’s about a fifteen to thirty minute ride from here, so it shouldn’t be a problem.” Sunset said as she looks over at Adagio who was busy looking around at the lift they’re in.

“Then I guess once we get to the entrance of your base, I’ll be heading off back to Trinity.” Aria said as she leans against the metal wall of the lift they’re in.

“Seems like it...you know you could always join-.” Before she could finish her sentence, Aria raised a hand in front of Sunset causing her to stop talking.

“Not happening. You already know that they’re hiding something after seeing Adagio. What makes you think that I would join them, if they have something to do with this?”

“T-There must be a reason for this. Maybe I was suppose to take her to HQ and then to Canterlot Lab to get her looked at. Or maybe….”

“Still trying to convince yourself that your fellow Rangers aren’t the cause of this huh?” Aria said as she shakes her head in disappointment. “What do you need to be convinced that something fishy is going on with them?”

“I’m not saying that something isn’t fishy. I’m just saying that maybe they’re working on something that...maybe to help ponykind?” Sunset said with a awkward smile on her face as Aria deadpan to her statement.

“...Forget it. Get yourself killed for all I care. But just so you know. When you do get killed, I will take Adagio with me if and when I return for her.”

“I...doubt that would be possible given how the security is back at HQ. But I would recommend to not do that unless you want to get killed that is.”

“Trust me on this one Ranger. I have ways on getting inside that so called protective base of yours.” Sunset paused for a moment before shaking her head at the thought of what Aria meant by that. As she was about to ask her what she meant by that, they all felt the lift stop as the doors to the lift open up. “Come on. Let’s get this over with before I decide to change my mind.” She said as Sunset and Adagio followed after the siren to the landing platform. Just as they were making their first steps onto it, the sounds of a train could be heard coming from their left as they looked over to see a light blinding their vision. Once the light started to settle down, it revealed that it was a train that caused it.

“Didn’t think Trixie would find you here Sunset.” said a familiar voice as Sunset saw Trixie and two other rangers exiting from the train. “Glad to see you survived the attack from one of Trinity’s soldiers.”

“Trixie! You made it too!” Sunset said as she was about to run up to her and hug her. Only for Trixie to raise a hand up towards her to stop her from doing that.

“So Trinity is with you?” She asked, looking over at Aria and Adagio. Upon seeing Adagio, Trixie glared down at the siren before ordering Lyra and Bon-Bon to restrain Aria. “Sunset, move aside so I can get rid of the cargo.”

“Trixie?” Sunset walked over to the blue unicorn with a concern look on her face. “What do you mean by get rid of the cargo…..you don’t mean?” Trixie closed her eyes for a moment before taking a deep breath and opening her eyes to stare at Sunset.

“The...orders are to get rid of the cargo. That’s all you need to know partner. Now I suggest you get onto the train and forget this ever happen.” Trixie was about to walk pass Sunset as she unsheath her rapier. Just as she was about to walk over to Adagio, Sunset stepped into Trixie’s path as she stopped. “Out of my way Sunset.”

“You seriously mean to kill her!? You can’t just do that!?” Sunset said as she glared at her partner. “Can you at least tell me what’s going on? You’re my partner right!? What cargo are you talking about? Get rid of it how? What does Adagio have to do with all this? Please tell me Trixie. We are partners right!?”

“Sunset…I’m...” There was a moment of silence between the two mares as Trixie once again closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Once she was finish doing that, the sound of something getting stabbed echoed through the area they were in as Sunset lets out a loud grunt. Looking down she saw Trixie’s weapon pierced her through her leg as she kneeled down on one leg.

“Trixie…..W-Why?” Sunset asked, staring in shock at the weapon Trixie thrust into her leg then up at her partner. The only answer that she got from her partner was a twist from her weapon as it went deeper into her leg. Sunset lets out another grunt of pain as she bit her lower lip.

“I can’t afford to be wasting time with something like this.” She said before quickly pulling her rapier out of Sunset’s leg. “Now step aside before I do more then just injure your leg partner.” Adagio took notice to Sunset holding her leg in pain as she quickly rushed over to the downed ranger to see if she could be of some assistance to her. “She’s awfully fond of you. Almost makes Trixie sad that I have to kill her.” Trixie took her attention off of Sunset and pointed the tip of her weapon at Adagio’s neck

Adagio gasped upon seeing the tip of Trixie’s weapon pointed towards her neck as she began to shake in fear from it. Sunset batted the tip of her partner’s weapon away from Adagio’s neck as she glared at Trixie.

“T-Trixie….S-Stop this!” Sunset yelled, wincing from the pain in her right leg. Aria was about to pull out her gun, only to be stopped by Lyra and Bon-Bon with a sword at her neck by Bon-Bon.

“How can you two live with yourselves like this?” Aria asked as the unicorn and earth pony looked away. “Are you Rangers that low that you would allow something like this to happen? Has this world really made you all into monsters?”

“It’s not like we have much of a choice in the matter.” Lyra said, looking over at Trixie and the others. “We have to do this or else we could lose our jobs and be forced to live on our own.”

“We can’t go back to that life.” Bon-Bon said, gritting her teeth in frustration. “Do you know what it’s like to live in this world. Constantly trying to to find food, water, a place to call home where you don’t get attacked by monsters during the day and night?”

“Having to watch your friends and family die in front of you while you’re powerless to do anything about it due to being tired and starving?” Lyra added as a tear rolled down her face. “I’m sorry, but we can’t go back to living like that. Ever again.”

“Please, I’m begging you Trixie. Don’t do this.” Sunset said, pleading to her partner to stop this madness. Trixie slowly lowered her rapier for a moment as Sunset sighs in relief thinking that she finally was able to get her partner to stop. However, that relief was soon replace with pain as she felt Trixie’s rapier thrust through her neck as her eyes widen in both shock and fear of what happen.

“Sunset, you...should’ve stayed out of my way.” Trixie said as Aria looked away in frustration while Adagio covered her mouth in horror as tears began to flow down her face upon seeing Sunset getting killed.

While this was happening, Sunset felt herself slowly slipping away into unconsciousness as her vision began to become blurry and dark. She tried to say something to Trixie and tried to move a hand to reach out to her, but that wasn’t the case. There was nothing that she could do due to the rapier going through her throat and spinal cord. All she could do is watch her as her vision fades into darkness.

“A...Am I...going to...die here? Is this how it ends….please...Faust….anypony….I...I don’t want to die….help me!” She thought before feeling something burning in her chest. Upon feeling that, she noticed that the darkness surrounding her was starting to light up. She quickly looked down at her chest to see that it was glowing.

“I’ll choose you!” said the familiar voice, as her body began to slowly cover itself in fire. Sunset bagan to scream in fear upon seeing herself lite up on fire as she tried to put out the fire that was on her body. To no avail the fire continued to spread around her before her vision was soon engulfed in flames as she fades into unconsciousness within her body.

“What the hell?” Trixie said as she notices Sunset’s right arm moving as she grabbed onto the shaft of her rapier. Aria along with Lyra, Bon-Bon, and Adagio were taken by surprise by this as they all stared in shock as to what was going on. Trixie felt her weapon being pulled out from Sunset’s throat. Everyone flinched upon her doing that as the bacon haired unicorn lowered her head as she begins to pant heavily.

“B-Bon-Bon?” Lyra asked as the earth pony looked over at her friend in fear. “What just happen?”

“I don’t know, but something tells me that we’re in trouble.” Bon-Bon said as the two began to lower their weapons upon sensing the sudden change in the atmosphere around them. The silence in the atmosphere continued to linger for awhile before Sunset’s body burst into flames. Everyone were once again taken by surprise by this as Sunset looked up at Trixie as her lifeless eyes were now filled with life and malice. Trixie quickly pulled away from Sunset as she takes up a fencing stance while motioning to Lyra and Bon-Bon to quickly make their way over to her. Both mares were hesitant at first, but they quickly ran over to her.

“Sis! Get behind me!” Aria yelled as Adagio was snapped out of her trance and quickly runs over to the Trinity soldier.

Sunset slowly looked over Trixie, Lyra, and Bon-Bon as she pulled herself up.The hole in her leg and throat quickly healed themselves as the unicorn staggered over to them but soon kneels down onto one knee. Red circuit lines appeared on her body and clothes as the flames soon engulfed Sunset in a matter of seconds. The squad of rangers backed away a bit from this before the flames quickly died to reveal a unicorn with draconic features. Mainly around her arms, legs, back, and head. Sunset slowly stood up as she lets out a primal roar as flames erupted from her hands and feet before glaring at the squad of rangers

“D-Don’t let her appearance scare you. She’s still a low-D!” Trixie yelled as she glared at the draconic unicorn and quickly gets into a fighting stance. “Trixie doesn’t know what happen to you, but don’t think she’ll be intimidated by your appearance.” She said as her rapier starts to glow a sickly purple. Once it was purple, she quickly charges at Sunset with a barrage of jabs and thrust as each one lets out a small explosion upon impact.

“That’s gonna hurt in the morning.” Lyra said as she created a barrier around herself and Bon-Bon to protect them from the poison gas. “Wasn’t expecting her to use that move on her.”

“You think that killed her, or it?” Bon-Bon asked as she noticed the cloud of poison started to clear up. Bon-Bon’s eyes widen in surprise upon seeing Sunset still standing and unphased by the poison attack that Trixie used on her.

“M-My Beast fang strike. H-How can you survive from that!?” The blue unicorn asked as she took a step back. Sunset glared at Trixie before letting out a loud roar and tries to attack the mare, only for Trixie to quickly move to the right as Sunset’s fist collided with Lyra’s barrier in front of her face. The sound of glass shattering could be heard as the barrier that Lyra cast shattered as her head was knocked clean off from her body and was soon sent flying off down the platform and into a metal pole.

“LYRA!!!” Bon-Bon screamed in horror as her friend fell to the ground. The earth pony turned her attention to Sunset as she raised her weapon to try and cut off her head. “YOU BITCH! You’ll pay for doing-” As she brought her sword down upon Sunset’s head, it shattered into pieces causing her to be stunned. “W-What are you-” Bon-Bon couldn’t finish as she soon felt something sharp stab her. Looking down she sees Sunset’s dragon like claw impaling themself through her stomach as Bon-Bon coughed up blood from the impact.

Sunset soon lets out a primal roar as she placed her other hand into Bon-Bon’s body and began to pull at her spine. With great force she soon pulled the unfortunate earth pony in half before sending both pieces off her body to the side of the platform and train tracks. Blood and organs covered a small amount of the floor she was on as she soon turned her attention to Trixie, who was shaking in fear from this monster that used to be her partner.

“Dear Celestia.” Aria said as she stared at the bloody scene in front of her. She could feel her stomach beginning to turn as felt herself on the verge of throwing up as she covered her mouth. As she was watching, she soon felt Adagio release her grip around Aria as she tries to run up to Sunset. Only for Aria to stop her by quickly grabbing her by the arm. “No way Dagi. I’m not going to let you get yourself killed by that thing or Trixie.”

“Dammit. No one told me that the cargo could do this to ponies if they got near it.” Trixie thought as she turned her attention to Aria and Adagio. “I’ll have to end this fast before she turns that other siren into what Sunset is.” Trixie quickly charged at Sunset as her rapier glowed a sickly purple again. Once she was within striking range she quickly assaulted her with a barrage of quick jabs and thrusts from her rapier as it let off small explosions from the impact. As a cloud of poison formed around them, Trixie quickly moved past Sunset as she lepted out of the cloud and prepared to thrust her weapon into Adagio’s heart.

“Oh shit!” Aria quickly pulled Adagio close to her as she was prepared to protect the older siren by using her own body to block Trixie’s attack. Though to her luck, Sunset quickly appeared in front of them in a red blur to block the on coming attack and quickly counters with a kick to the blue unicorn’s stomach. The force behind the kick sent the mare flying off backwards a good distance before using her feet to come to a halt. Trixie lets out a gasp of air before going into a violent coughing fit from getting the wind knocked out of her as she staggers to look up at Sunset as her vision begins to blur.

Sunset looked over at Aria and Adagio for a moment before rushing off towards Trixie on all fours. As she was running, her mouth opens up as she begins to fire off volleys of fire balls at the blue unicorn. Trixie’s eyes widen as she quickly lunges herself off to the side to avoid the balls of fire as she quickly launches herself at Sunset and performed the same attack as before. Only this time, she aims for her head and chest.

“Why won’t you die already!?” Trixie yelled as she continues to assault the unicorn with her beast fang strike attack. “You’re nothing but a low-D! How can you have this kind of power where you were nothing but a weak and useless mare the moment we met!?” She asked only for her to feel herself stop. Trixie began to pull her weapon away, but she couldn’t due to Sunset grabbing it by the shaft of the blade. “Let go of my sword you monster! Trixie will kill you!”

Sunset simply snapped the rapier into two as Trixie quickly stumbles backwards. She looked down at her weapon for a moment before looking up at the unicorn in anger. Just as she looked up, her face soon collided with Sunset’s fist as she was soon sent flying into the side of the train that she along with Lyra and Bon-Bon came on, and fall onto the platform with a sickly thud.

“D….Damn...it.” Trixie said as she soon felt her vision fading and fell into unconsciousness. Sunset took notice to this as she walked up to the unconscious pony.

Once she was close, she lifted up her foot and was about to smash her foot down onto her head. Only for Sunset to feel a sharp pain in her chest as she began to transform back to her normal self. As she was transforming back to normal, she looked over at Aria and Adagio who was trying to say something to her. Sunset couldn’t make out what it was. But judging by the facial expression and Aria holding Adagio back, It would seem that she was trying to rush over to her. Before she could even move a finger, she soon felt her body getting heavy as she fell to the ground. Once on the ground her vision began to fade as the world around her once again faded into darkness.

“Who....am I?”

Chapter 6: The fire of Hope

Chapter 6

The Fire of Hope

Sunset slowly opened her eyes to a blurry vision of someone kneeling over her. As her vision began to become clearer, she noticed Adagio hanging over her with a worried expression on her face while holding on to her shirt. Upon seeing Sunset awake, she carefully pulled herself away from the unicorn as she made a raspy grunt sound and slowly pulled herself up from the floor she was laying on. Once she was up, she soon noticed Aria walking up to her and placed a firm grip on her shoulder.

“Alright you. Just what in the name of Equestria are you!?” The siren asked as she glared at the unicorn. “I’ve never seen a ranger that can transform like that. That is something not normal!” She said before feeling Sunset slap her hand away from her shoulder and glare back.

“You have some bucking nerve asking me questions. What did Trixie mean by getting rid of the cargo?” Sunset said as Aria looked off to the side. “Answer me dammit! What does Trinity know about this!? What the hell are you hiding! Was what you said about not knowing any of this even true or a lie!?”

“Even if you knew...what could you do?” Aria looked back at Sunset and placed a hand on her shoulder again. “Use that power again? And what would that accomplish?”

“Anything that might be better than what you have going on!” She yelled as she smacked Aria’s hand away from her again.

“You stupid bitch of a ranger! If it wasn’t for me dragging your sorry ass out of there, your former partner would’ve killed you then and there!” The two continued to argue with each other as their heads were inches away from each other. The moment Sunset was about to deliver a swift punch to Aria’s face, the two of them heard Adagio speak up as they turned their attention towards her.

“Uhhill...Nnnll.” She said while shaking her head, trying to tell them to stop fighting with each other. The two glared at each other for a moment before turning their heads away from each other. Adagio chuckled from their reaction as she smiled at them for stopping.

“Leave it to Adagio to make us stop fighting.” Aria said as she pulled herself away from Sunset. “We’re going to have to make a stop at the BioCorp Lab in Canterlot.”

“I thought you said-”

“We’re going to sneak our way into the place. You and I both want answers as to what happened to Adagio and what’s going on with you. Now you can go back to your friends, but I’m not letting what happened to Adagio happen again. I know what I’m going to do, but I don’t know what you’re going to do. Unless you can explain?” Aria said as Sunset let’s out a sigh of annoyance.

“I’ll join. Mainly so I can get some answers. Especially as to what happened to me at the train station.”

“So that whole turning into a demon from hell was something you couldn’t control?” Aria asked as the ranger shook her head.

“I really don’t know where that power came from, or why. But...I heard a voice...A voice in my head.” Sunset said as she raised her hand to see it shaking. “It was scary...like somehow I was losing myself.” Before she could say anything else, the ranger felt Adagio place her hand into the ranger’s hand. Sunset looked up at Adagio who gave her a small smile. As if telling her that everything is going to be alright.

“Alright, we have a change in plan. Instead of going to Ranger HQ, we’re going to BioCorp.” Aria said before tossing the carrying bag over to Sunset as she caught it. “We should leave this place soon. We may have lost the rangers for now, but they’re rangers. As much as I like to bash them on how stupid they are, they’re good at tracking ponies down like dogs.”

“Then we’ll need to go through the LowSector to get to BioCorp.” Sunset said before placing the carrying bag on her back. “It’s much faster and the rangers will have a hard time looking for us due to the increase in monsters near the entrance of the place.”

“Wouldn’t that mean it would be hard for us to get through as well?”

“Not if you know the place like the back of your hand. There’s a lift that should take us to the halfway point of the path that leads to BioCorp.” She said before noticing the sirens staring at her with raised eyebrows. “What? So I have a lot of free time on my hands to study the layout of certain places in the underground...Don’t judge me.”

“I’m pretty sure we have the right to judge...You must not be very good at making friends.” Aria said as Sunset glared at the siren before marching off down the hallway.

“Lets just go before I say something I’m going to regret.”

(Regent HQ)

“Care to explain why we’re all called here again?” Rainbow Dash asked as she leaned in her seat in annoyance. “I mean didn’t we have a meeting with all of us together here?”

“It’s a bit too soon to have another assembly of us Regents so soon. Something must have happened.” Twilight said before looking over at Fluttershy petting Angel.

“The day was foreseen. But not the date.” Fluttershy said before she and the other regents noticed a flash of light appeared from the side of the room. The flash of light soon disappeared as Celestia stood in front of the table the regents were sitting at.

“It would appear that the dragon has appeared.” Celestia said which took everyone by surprise.

“You mean, he finally chose his champion?” Applejack asked as the white alicorn nodded.

“Yes. One of the great weapons of old. Our nemesis. The destroyers of worlds.” Celestia said before taking a seat at the table. “BioCorp reports that the one that activated is one which cycle has already ended.”

“Reactivation? But the hosts...the Chosen are supposed to be extinct...right?” Twilight said as Celestia shook her head.

“A ranger grunt, the girl we saw on the video screen. Sunset Shimmer may have been linked with the dragon.”

“A grunt?” Rarity said before standing up. “No one with such low potential could be a Chosen!” she said as her horn began to glow. “I will create a rift in space and seal this Chosen away before she sends the world into turmoil.”

“It is not yet time for us to act. Let the mortals deal with mortals. I have ordered all high-ranking rangers to find the girl. We feud in life and struggle towards death. It is sometimes the history not found in books that is truest.” Celestia said before looking at the flag above them. “Here, now. It begins.”

(Ranger HQ, Vector Zero’s Office)

“Dammit!” Trixie yelled as she slammed her fist into her hand repeatedly in anger. “How the hell can Trixie lose to a low-D like her!? I’m better than Sunset, both in skill and determination! What kind of magic gave that boost in strength and power!?”

“Trixie, calm down. D-ratios measure potential future ability profiles. Your loss to her is within acceptable error margins.”

“Aberrations!? That was no aberration! Trixie knows what she saw! That was...she’s a monster!”

“Anyway, as for you. You’re being relieved of further duty-”

“No! Trixie followed my orders, didn’t she!? Didn’t she!? Trixie can’t let this incident spoil her reputation!” Trixie yelled before punching the wall next to her. “Trixie has come too far to let something like this get in the way of her becoming Regent!”

(Low Sector: Borough Ponyville)

“Never thought I would return back home so soon.” Sunset said as the lift they were on appeared at their destination. “Nice to see this place hasn’t changed...for the most part.”

“Right into the heart of enemy territory. And they don’t even notice us? Talk about having crappy security.” Aria said as she, Sunset, and Adagio moved from off the lift and began to make their way through Ponyville Borough. “Can’t believe you live in a place like this...is that a painted picture of the sky up on the roof of this place?”

“Yeah, don’t know whose idea it was to put that up on the ceiling. But from what Vector Zero told me, it was used as a means to help keep hope and morale up in this broken world. But personally I don’t think it’s much help seeing how it doesn’t look like the sky.”

“is it because the paint is pretty much worn out over time?” Aria asked as the ranger nodded. “You guys don’t have anypony to repaint it?”

“If we did, then it would look much better than this. Come on, we better get going before somepony notices us.” Sunset said before taking the lead as the sirens followed after her. As they make their way through the slums of ponyville, the sirens notice some of the ponies were looking tired, weary, and old looking stallions or mares, fellow rangers carrying packages, or little foals running round playing with each other or in trash.

“Besides the fact that this place looks like a dump. This place makes Trinity HQ look like crap in comparison.”

“It can’t be that bad...can it?”

“We basically live in a sewer and are constantly on watch for monsters. I’m pretty sure it’s as bad as you think it is. I mean I'm sure this place has some monster attacks from time to time, but this place seems much better to live in...if only they can clean the place up a bit more.”

“It’s kinda hard to clean the place when a lot of rangers are off doing things under Vector Zero’s orders. I help out as well, but there’s very little I can do all by myself. And the ponies here can’t keep doing this all by themselves. But this is all we can do seeing how we’re in the low sector of Equestria.”

“I guess that makes sense.” She said before glancing over at Adagio who was holding onto Sunset’s arm. “Weird, Adagio is never that close to anypony other than Sonata and I.”

“She isn’t this close to other ponies?”

“She tends to be cold, bitchy, and a hard ass. Now...she’s kinda like a little filly...only stuck in an adult mare’s body...and clingy towards you….what did you do before I met you?” Aria asked as Sunset stopped walking to look over at the siren.

“What do you mean by that?”

“You heard me. Did you do something to her to make her be so clingy? Like kiss her while she was asleep?” She said which caused the ranger to blush.

“W-What is wrong with you!? I didn’t do anything like that! All I did was save her from your war genic that you possibly sent.”

“....Oh buck, I totally forgot about that thing...wait you killed that genic...by yourself!?”

“Um, yes?”

“....You sure you’re a low-D?”

“Yes, I’m a low-D. Is it that hard to believe that?”

“Well given the whole turning into a fiery dragon demon and going to town on your former partner and fellow rangers. I’m inclined to not believe you’re a low-D.” Before Sunset could give out a reply to Aria’s statement, she felt Adagio.

“Something wrong Adagio?” Sunset asked as she noticed the siren covering her nose. Taking notice to this, Sunset sniffed the air before quickly covering her mouth and nose. “Oh horse feathers. Did another gas pipe burst?”

“It’s gas. Nerve gas to be accurate.” Aria said before pulling out her handgun and began to scan the area they’re in. “But who’s the pony that’s making it.”

“It’s her!” said a voice coming off to the side of the group as they all looked over at a group of earth ponies gathered together wearing gas masks and ranger uniforms. “Hey, grunt. You’re Sunset Shimmer, right?”

“Rangers huh? So we’ve become wanted criminals...well you’ve found Sunset.” The siren said as the group of rangers chuckled in amusement.

“No, not yet. But we heard Trixie tell the boss about you, and we figured Bringing you in would give our reputation a nice boost~” said the earth pony as she placed a foot on the gas container.

“So we got this ready and waited for you to come through here.”

[AERIAL POLLUTION WARNING LEVEL! SEALING OFF AFFECTED AREAS!]

“Greedy scumbags. Are you idiots that stupid to let lose a nerve gas in an area filled with innocent bystanders?” Aria asked before noticing Adagio coughing from the fumes of the poison gas.

“It’s nerve gas we use against genics. Perfect for low-Ds, too.” The pegasus of the group said before aiming her sword at Sunset. “We heard you’re pretty strong for a low-D. Just being cautious, you know? Ironhide, Silver Wind. Get ready for a beat down on this low-D grunt.”

“On it Chrono.” Ironhide said as he pulled out a sword along with Silver Wind, who pulled out a whip.

“Aria, get Adagio someplace safe and give me some cover fire.” Sunset said as she unsheathed her katana.

“You can’t be serious? The air is filled with nerve gas. You can’t fight them and the gas at the same time.”

“Not like I have much of a choice. Now get going while I deal with them.” The unicorn said before pushing Aria out of the way of Silver Wind’s whip. “Please?” Aria nodded as she pulled Adagio by the arm and dragged her to a safe location away from the gas and the fight.

“Hey now, don’t think you can ignore us like that princess.” She said before trying to hit Aria again, only for Sunset to use the sheath of her katana to block the oncoming attack and have part of the whip wrapped around it. “Hey, give me back my weapon you-” Before she could finish, Sunset fired a magical beam of magic at Silver Wind as she was sent staggering backwards.

“Seems like this low-D has some fight in her.” Ironhide said before charging at Sunset in an attempt to thrust his sword into her. Sunset quickly moved out of the way as she felt the blade nicked her on the side of her arm and counters with the sheath of her weapon to his face. Before he had time to react, Sunset released her hold on her sheath and punched him in the nose. “Gah! You bitch!”

“How is she still standing? She should be knocked out or a least limping from the gas we’re pouring out into the air.” Silver Wind said before pulling her whip back over to her before trying again to hit Sunset again. Sunset quickly moved out of the way of the whip and counters by tossing her sword high into the air. While Silver Wind was distracted, Sunset quickly threw the sheath of her weapon at the mare’s face. Silver Wind lets out a yelp of pain as the katana that Sunset threw into the air impaled itself into her head and fell to the ground with a loud thud.

“Silver Wind!” Ironhide yelled before glaring at Sunset. “You’re going to pay for that you fucking bitch of a low-D-” Before he could finish his sentence, the sound of a gun could be heard echoing throughout the area. Blood could be seen dripping down the stallion’s face as he raised a hand up towards his head and felt a hole in his forehead. “D-Dammit…” He said before falling to the ground.

“Glad to know Aria is helping me. Though given the smoke from the nerve gas, it might be giving her problems seeing me.” Sunset said before starting to feel her body getting stiff and heavy.

“Gotta say, you’re impressive for a low-D. Most ponies would hit the floor with the amount of nerve gas you’re breathing in.” Chrono said as he pulled himself off of the canister of nerve gas and reached for a metal pipe sticking out of the ground. “But I think this should be enough time that your body is succumbing to it by now. Which means you’ll be easy to knock out.”

“Don’t think I-I’ll go down that easily.” Sunset said as she got into a boxing like stance. “I have to end this before the gas fully takes effect on my body.” The mare took notice at the stallion charging at her and tried to swing at her with the metal pipe he found. Sunset quickly ducked under the swing and counters with an uppercut to his chin. Chrono staggered backwards from the uppercut as he soon felt his nose break from the punch Sunset delivered as he fell backward onto the ground.

“Mother fucker!” Chrono yelled as he noticed Sunset charging at him in an attempt to kick him, only for him to pick up a handful of dirt and toss it at Sunset’s eyes. The mare let out a grunt as she stopped her charge and began to try and wipe the dirt out of her eyes. While she was doing this, she felt the metal pipe he was holding hit her across her face causing her to fall face first into the ground. “How'd you like that bitch? Payback for killing my friends.” He yelled before walking over to her and kicking her in the stomach. “You got a lot of nerve trying to pick a fight with us. You’re a fucking low-D. You should’ve just surrendered, and it would’ve made my job easy!”

“Well sucks to be in your hooves huh?” Sunset said with a smirk as she lets out a loud grunt from the pain she felt from him hitting her in the stomach again.

“Quiet low-D. If it wasn’t for the fact that you got a bounty on your head, I would’ve killed you by now.” He said before kneeling down and pulled her head up by her mane. “But that doesn’t mean i can’t rough you up a bit. I’ll just say that you were being uncooperative.”

“That might be a problem in your case.” Sunset said as the stallion pressed the metal pipe against her face.

“Oh, and why is-” Before he could finish, a gunshot echoed throughout the area as it was followed up with a loud thud. Sunset looked up to see a bullet hole in the stallion's head as he released his hold on her mane and fell over.

“Thank you Aria…” Sunset staggered to her feet before limping over to where the nerve gas was coming out of. Once she was there, she began to look for the switch to turn it off. When she found where the switch was, she noticed that it was broken off.

“L-Looking for something?” Chrono said as Sunset looked over at him. “You think I would...let you leave this...place alive if you beat us? Nice try….you stupid...low-D.” he said before going silent.

“You have got...to be kidding..m-me.” Sunset said before collapsing over to the side. As the gas began to fill up more and more of the area, Adagio took notice of Sunset passing out onto the ground as she was about to head downstairs from where she and Aria were watching and helping. Aria took notice of the older siren heading downstairs as she quickly stood in front of her to stop her.

“Are you crazy Adagio? You’re not going down there. Especially without a means to breathe through that stuff.” Aria said as the older siren glared at her for a moment before smirking at her. “Wait what are you-” before she could finish, Adagio quickly jumped over the side of the steps and entered into the gas filled area. “Dammit Adagio!” She yelled before trying to run after her, only for her to pull herself back away from the gas.

Once Adagio made her way over to the passed out unicorn, she soon kneeled down and tried to wake her up by shaking her. The only response that she got from her was a muffled groan and a cough. The siren gasped in surprise upon knowing that she was alive, but soon began to cough due to the gas filling the area more and more by the second. Adagio looked around the area to see that Aria was up where she was before coming here as she smiled at her. The siren soon closed her eyes and placed her hands on Sunset’s body. Upon doing this, Aria noticed that the dragon-like wings on Adagio’s back began to glow as a burst of light from around them.

“What the hell?” Aria said as she soon noticed the nerve gas quickly gathering towards the light emitting from Adagio as she stared in both shock and surprise by this. Once the gas was gathered around Adagio and Sunset, the beam of light erupted as the entire area was engulfed in a warm light. Once the light vanished, Aria slowly opened her eyes as she saw that the nerve gas was completely gone. “Wow…” She said before noticing Adagio collapsing onto Sunset. “Ah hell, Adagio, Sunset!” Aria said before quickly rushing over to the two passed out ponies.

Chapter 7: The Truth

Chapter 7

The Truth

(Canterlot Corplab 10F)

It’s been two hours since the trio made their way into the Canterlot Corplab. Compared to Ranger HQ and other sectors of the underground Equestria, The Canterlot Corp was the second cleanest place in the underground. Regent HQ was at the top of the list of clean sterilized places to live in...but also the hardest place to live in given the requirements to become a Regent. As Sunset and Adagio were resting against the wall of the floor they were on, the door that led to the next room opened as Aria walked out.

“You find anything?” Sunset asked as she noticed an uncomfortable expression on the siren’s face. “Something wrong?”

“Huh? Oh, it’s um...nothing.” She said before clearing her throat. “Found the colt in charge of this place. His room is at the end of the hallway. What luck huh?”

“You think we’ll find out what we need to know from the pony in charge?”

“We should...at least I hope we do.” Aria said as she motions for them to follow her. “Come on. We don’t want to stay here for too long. Less we have to fight more Rangers or who knows what.” Sunset and Adagio nodded as they both stood up and began to follow Aria down the hallway.

“You seem a bit...saken. Is something the matter Aria?” Sunset asked as Aria simply said nothing as she was lost in her own thoughts. “Hey, Aria. You okay?” she asked only for silence to be her only reply. It was when Adagio placed a hand on her sister’s shoulder that she was snapped out of her own thoughts and looked over at Sunset and Adagio.

“What? Something you want to talk about Adagio?” Aria asked as Adagio shook her head and pointed at Sunset.

“Are you okay? You seem...off. Like you’ve seen something that you weren’t supposed to look at?” Sunset said as Aria let out a sigh of annoyance.

“I...May have accidentally walked into the lab where the guy works...let’s just from what I saw in there...it’s something I wasn’t expecting the rangers to do.”

“What do you mean by that? What did you see?”

“....Body parts.” Aria answered as Sunset stared at her in confusion. “And I don’t mean just arms and legs from ponies. It’s like a bucking museum of different animals.”

“...What are you saying?” Sunset asked as she tried to put the pieces together in her head.

“It’s...best for you all to see for yourselves.” Aria said as she turned her attention forwards and continued to lead them to the lab. Sunset and Adagio looked at each other for a moment before continuing to follow after the siren to the lab. The trio soon stopped in front of a large red door as Aria turned her attention towards the unicorn and older siren.

“Let me be clear. What you’re about to see will not be that pleasant...I am so sorry for what you’re about to see.” She said before taking a step forward as the door opens. Aria entered the dark room after motioning for Adagio and Sunset to enter. Once they entered into the room and their eyes adjusted to the dim light in the room, they were taken by surprise by what was inside the room. Body parts of different ponies that are being preserved in a strange liquid substance in a jar, ranging from organ, feets, hands, arms, torsos, eyeballs, brains, the list goes on.

Sunset’s face turned green upon seeing the content of the room, while Adagio simply stared in uncertainty for a while before seeing a small room with a blood covered medical bed in it. This caused the older siren to shiver in fear as she slowly backed away from the window that was showing the room.

“Mother of Celestia…” Sunset said as she was about to walk up to one of the jared limbs, only to stop upon hearing the door off to the side open. The group turned their attention towards their right to see a blue unicorn colt entering the room with a somewhat shocked expression on his face.

“Can I help you?” he asked as he walked over to Sunset and was about to say something to her, only to notice Adagio as he turned his focus to her. “The experimental genic! Didn’t we ship that out already? Was there a malfunction?”

“Genic…Shipped?” Sunset asked as the colt walked over to Adagio who was shivering in fear upon seeing the stallion walking towards her. Once close, his eyes widen upon seeing Adagio’s wings colored black and purple instead of their usual vermillion red color.

“Oh! No, no! The ventilator’s filthy!” He said before turning his attention onto Sunset while adjusting his glasses. “You’ve got to take better care of these.”

“What are you talking about?”

“What am I talking about? You have to understand.” The stallion stretched a hand onto Adagio’s head as it somewhat caused her to settle down a bit, but not a lot. “I spent a lot of time making this one. I cloned lung cells, grew the filter organs. This is a top of the line anti pollutant model.” He said with a confident smile on his face. “My best work so far, I might add. Entirely designed to suit your needs. Was there a problem?” Sunset stared at the stallion for a good few seconds as she felt unbridled rage building up inside her.

“What?” She said as a flaming red aura developed around her body as her calm demeanor was slowly breaking.

“But I must tell you.” The stallion said as he turned his attention onto Adagio. “The lungs are at a terminal stage. We can’t replace them either-” Before the stallion could finish, he was sent falling backwards onto the floor by Sunset punching him in the face.

“What are you talking about!? Adagio isn’t a thing you can treat like she’s an animal! Adagio is a pony like you and me!”

“Siren to be accurate.” Aria said which caused her to flinch back from seeing Sunset glaring at her. “Just correcting you on that. Not agreeing what this asshole did to my sister.” She said as Sunset turned her attention back onto the stallion.

“What the hell have you done to her!?” The Ranger asked as the scientist simply said nothing but stared at Sunset due to the aura around her body. Sunset gritted her teeth as she walked to the stallion with her katana unsheathed and pointed at the scientist’s throat. “Answer me!” As she did this, Aria decided to chime in on the conversation as she walked over to the scientist to ask him something.

“Care to explain what’s going to happen to Adagio?”

“T-The prototype wasn’t designed for durability. It’s only a matter of time before the filters fail.”

“What if I took her someplace where the air is clean?” Sunset asked as she stallion scoffed at her question.

“Good luck trying to find a place with clean air in this place. The air gets worse and worse everyday. If it stays any longer in this environment, she’s a goner I’m afraid.” He said as he flinched back from seeing her sword getting closer to him.

“You...you ponies are sick! How the hell can you do something like this!?” Sunset yelled as the aura around her body flared up even more and caused the room to shake from the force building up within the ranger’s body. The sword in her hand began to shake due to how visibly angry Sunset was getting and was about to thrust it into the stallion’s throat, but was soon stopped due to feeling Adagio latching onto her as a means to stop her from doing something she might regret doing. The aura that was around Sunset vanished as she turned her attention onto Adagio who was looking at her with a melancholy expression on her face.

“....We should go.” Aria said as she walked over to Sunset and Adagio. “We got what we came here for. Now we know what to do.”

“Yeah…” Sunset said as she turned her attention onto the stallion. “Does this place have a changing room?”

“Y-Yes...though the door I came out of...w-why?” He asked as Sunset ignored his question. The Ranger turned her attention towards Adagio as she patted her on the head and walked through the doorway that leads to the changing room.

“Hard to believe pony kind would go this far just to survive.” Aria said as the stallion turned her attention onto her. “Not that I blame you for doing something like this. But it’s sad to see how far they’ll go just to survive.”

“...We didn’t have much of a choice. With how this system is set up, we needed something to lessen the suffering of the ponies in the lower sectors. We knew what we were doing was wrong. But in times like this where there’s little to no hope in this underground hell, I wanted to give the citizens some kind of light in the darkness.”

“Aren’t we all.” Aria said before hearing the door open up. The group turned their attention onto Sunset as she was wearing a black shoulderless long sleeve shirt, baggy grey colored pants, her Ranger coat tied around her waist, Her katana placed on her back with the holster strap around her chest, and shoes that covered most of her feet but left her hooves visible. “Are you ready to go?”

“Almost.” Sunset said before tossing her ID card over to the scientist as he catches it. “You can tell the folks at Ranger HQ that I quit. I’m leaving this Celestia forsaken place and going to the surface.”

“....You girls really are going to the surface aren’t you?” he asked as Aria nodded. “You do know that they’ll come after you if you do that?”

“Yeah, I know. I kinda figured that much when I had to fight off some ponies that were after me. But I don’t really have much of a choice in the matter. If we’re going to save Adagio, then we need to get out of the underground and reach for the sky.”

“Is there even anything up on the surface? How do you know that it’ll be safe?”

“I don’t know...but there’s only one way to find out.” Sunset said as she walked past the scientist. “I’m going to save her, even if it kills me.” She said as Adagio and Aria quickly followed after Sunset as they left the lab, leaving the scientist alone with his thoughts and his research.