Hearsay

by Nyhll

Rating: teen
Tags: Sunset Shimmer, Drama, Dazzlings, Alternate Universe, Shadowbolts (EqG), Equestria Girls, Main 7 (EqG), Profanity, Violence, Slice of Life, Human
Length: 23459

Sunset Shimmer just wanted to start over with her life after failing at the Fall Formal, but when new faces arrive at CHS as a result of the Fall Formal, Sunset Shimmer will end up dragged back to one of the last places she wanted to ever be again.

A story following Sunset Shimmer's life in Gaia, starting with an aftermath of the Fall Formal that doesn't go quite as smoothly, leaving Sunset to try and start a brand new life once again, with problems new and old as she tries make her life her own. She will have to navigate work, friends, enemies, and trying to decide where she really belongs, and who she really wants to be, as her actions at the Fall Formal are noticed by forces potentially more malevolent than her old self, forcing her to once again return to the halls of Canterlot High.

Published 2019-10-03 06:50:02 UTC
Last updated 2020-08-29 06:12:32 UTC

World Building

Canterlot City

Size: 619.84 km2
Population: 1000014
Mayor: Mayor Mare
Districts: 10

Cloudsdale Heights

Population Class

Lower Middle Class

Locations

Cloudsdale Coliseum

Barnyard Deals Mall

Residents

Rainbow Dash

Fluttershy

Scootaloo

Ponyville Commons

Population Class

Middle Class

Locations

Canterlot High School

Residents

Lyra Heartstrings

Appleloosa

Population Class

Farmland

Locations

Apple Family Farm

Pie Family Quarry

Residents

Apple Family

Pie Family

Saddle Ridge

Population Class

Upper Middle Class

Locations

Showtime Theater

Residents

Trixie Lulamoon

Bon Bon

Canterlot Proper

Population Class

Upper Class

Locations

Canterlot Boutique

Canterlot University

Residents

Rarity

Sweetie Belle

Crystal Empire

Population Class

Elite Class

Locations

Crystal Preparatory Academy

Crystal Empire Mall

Residents

Celestia

Luna

Sirens

Octavia Melody

Sci-Twi

Shadowbolts

Mayor Mare

San Palomino

Population Class

Lower Class

Locations

Palomino Diner

Residents

Little Haysia

Population Class

Middle Class

Locations

Great Imports

Residents

Griffonstone

Population Class

Lower Class

Locations

Rockhoof Gym

Residents

Gilda

Oldtown

Population Class

Industrial

Locations

Royal Sister’s Bar

Residents

Sunset Shimmer

Vinyl Scratch

Other Locations of Note

Canterlot River

Chapter 1: Distortion

Friday, October 3rd

7:06PM

Canterlot High School Front Entrance

Everything.

Was.

Pain.

Sunset Shimmer grit her teeth as she pushed tried to push herself up off the smoking ground, the tears welling in her eyes as she tried to take in where she was. The recollections of the last few minutes slowly came back to her, haphazard blotches stitching together in their proper sequences as she felt her limbs quake weakly beneath her.

She had been defeated.

Sunset hung her head as she looked down at the muddy earth she rested upon, lost about what to do now. The pain swimming through her body was nothing compared to the pain of defeat- of the shame that she had lost after all this time. All the years of planning- all for nothing.

"You will never rule in Equestria." a voice seemed to boom above her, surprising the former Equestrian as she felt an unfamiliar emotion wash over her and sending her tears streaming down her face.

"Any power you may have had in this world is gone, and tonight," Twilight Sparkle continued as her newfound friends appeared behind her, before motioning towards the student body that was starting to gather around the crater. "you've shown everyone who you really are. You've shown them what is in your heart…"

A ragged hiccup escaped from Sunset as she looked up at the Princess, the tears running down her amber cheeks stinging at the scrapes and cuts covering them. "I-I'm…"

Sunset paused as she felt a strange tremor run through her, her eyes blinking rapidly as the world seemed to shrink and then expand before seemingly returning to normal.

"You should know now that the Magic of Friendship doesn't exist only in Equestria." Sunset looked back at Twilight, her emotions raging in the back of her mind. "It's everywhere. You can seek it out!" The Princess turned to look at Sunset, pity flowing from her as she studied the dirty figure of the defeated Equestrian as she gave another ragged hiccup. "Or you can forever be alone… The choice is yours…"

"I-I'm-" Once again that tremor stopped her- the world blinking around her as Sunset tried to speak.

"Ah dunno, Princess…" Applejack said loudly as she squinted down at Sunset's shivering form. "Ah don' believe that Sunset there even is capable of friendship…"

"Agreed!" Rainbow Dash started flapping at the edge of the lip, slowly circling as she crossed her arms. "She's made everyone's life here terrible!"

Quiet mumbling and various nods of agreement ran through the gathered crowd as they looked down at Sunset, judging her as they scowled angrily. Years of emotional and verbal torment from her- and now they had her on the ground.

Sunset suddenly felt very small as she shifted back to sitting on the ground, fear starting to build as she heard whispering start to spread around the students. She was at their mercy, and there was no way she was going to be able to defend herself, let alone escape.

Princess Twilight's voice suddenly cried out, silencing the crowd. "Please!" She begged as she slowly turned to look at each of the students around her. "Can't you all find it in your hearts to forgive her? And the five of you- can’t you find it in your hearts to help her find the Magic of Friendship?"

"Well it's not like she has even apologized, darling." Rarity commented as she flipped her hair with her hand. "I doubt she even knows the word."

"And what are we supposed to do?" all eyes save Sunset's turned to look at the approaching principals of the school as Celestia continued to speak. "Look at all the damage she caused to happen to the school." the pale woman said as she pointed back at the front entrance as another small section crumbled to the ground. "Needless to say, this dance is cancelled, and we are going to have to find a way to explain what happened tonight- and I seriously doubt that anyone else would accept magic from another world to be the answer."

"Let us not forget all the things that have happened to the students these last few years." Luna interrupted Twilight as the lavender girl raised a hand. "Never mind the fact that she is still a threat to everyone here."

"Twilight…?" Spike asked softly, tilting his head up at the girl as a subtle shiver ran down her left leg.

"...Surely you all can find it in yourselves to give her a second chance?" The Equestrian asked- no, begged, as she looked at everyone around her. "Doesn't everyone deserve a second chance to prove they can be a better pon- person?"

"I'm sorry to say that it doesn't work like that here, Princess…" Sunset Shimmer grunted as she pulled herself out of the crater, wincing as she tried to put pressure on her left leg. "I'm lucky that they have no chance to get me into prison for what has happened to the school- like they said, no one would believe their evidence- but that doesn't mean they're gonna let me back anywhere near this school…"

"You sure are sounding rather humble all of a sudden." Rarity's eyes narrowed as she studied the unsteady form of Sunset as she slowly tried putting weight on her left leg.

A low chuckle escaped Sunset's lips. "Let's just say that… this has knocked some sense into me. Now, if you'll excuse me.."

"And where do you think you're going, Miss Shimmer?" Luna said loudly as she crossed her arms.

"What does it matter to yo- Gah!" There was a noticeable snapping sound as the heel on Sunset's left boot broke in two, causing the girl to fall to the ground. She gave a pained hiss as a chuckles arose from the crowd watching her, loud whispers intermingled with them.

"Serves her right."

"The least of what could happen to her."

"Good riddance…”

“Sunset!” Sunset grimaced as she heard Twilight Sparkle start to approach, instead focusing on grabbing the broken heel, her ankle burning as she pocketed the item. She was not looking forward to mending her boot tonight, especially cause now she had to change her plans. Shaking her head as the students started to snicker, Sunset slowly got up once again. “Sunset! Please, let’s go back to Equestria!”

“Yes, why don’t you take her back with you?” Celestia said loudly as she crossed her arms. “She’s done enough here.”

“I’d be sent to the pits of Hades if I went back there,” Sunset said slowly as she slowly tried to steady her stance. “So I think I’ll be staying here…”

“Hades? What do you mean?” Twilight’s brow furrowed in confusion as she looked at Sunset.

“Oh, let me guess- Princess Celestia never told you where the real threats to Equestria are sent. Anyways, I’m staying. I promise I’ll be leaving the school and the students alone- No reason to go after them now.” Sunset gave a sad chuckle as she smirked at the baffled girl. “Anyways, before I go, do you know if Celestia has a phoenix named Philomena?” Twilight nodded slowly as a sorrowful smile spread across Sunset’s face. “Then next time you see her can you tell her…”

Sunset leaned in close before whispering something quietly to the girl, Twilight looking sadly as Sunset pulled back and clapped a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “S-Sure, but… Are you-”

“Sure? Yeah.” Sunset shrugged as she took a few limping steps away, making sure to keep her back to everyone gathered. “See ya never, Princess.”

Princess Twilight’s wings drooped in defeat as she watched Sunset Shimmer slowly walk away from Canterlot High School, and the portal back to Equestria. Her heart dropped as cheers started to ring out from the students behind her, slowly turning to look at them as she tried to come to terms that she wasn’t able to help Sunset Shimmer reform- and now everyone was cheering. Twilight frowned, trying to understand why the students would be cheering. From what the Princess understood, Sunset had been the bully to end all bullies over the years she had been here, but it’s not like she had done anything drastic, right? Blackmail and lies, preferring not to resort to violence during her time here. It was like the Gabby Gum’s incident back home- nothing but words, so surely she could convince the students to give Sunset a second chance, right?

“Well Ah’d not be wrong sayin’ that everyone here is mighty glad fer everything ya’v done, Princess.” Applejack smiled as a pink blob came flying out of nowhere to wrap its limbs around Twilight.

“Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, Princess Twilight!” Pinkie Pie practically sang praise of Twilight Sparkle as she shook the limp lavender girl about. “Now no one will have to worry about Sunset Shimmer again!”

“But- But what about what I’ve taught you?” Twilight slipped free of Pinkie Pie’s hold. “Friendship, forgiveness, giving someone a second chance? Just like you all did with one another?”

“Twilight, darling, that dreaded Sunset Shimmer has tormented all of us for years!” Rarity said with a heavy sigh, shaking her head. “And besides- look at what she did to the poor school grounds! And not to mention the rest of the students.”

“Yeah!” Rainbow came to a stop above the rest of her friends. “Sunset Shimmer doesn’t deserve a second chance!”

Twilight couldn’t believe what she was hearing from her friends- even quiet Fluttershy was nodding with an angry glare. She had just helped them fix all their relationships, bringing them all back together- and they- “I-I-I-I can’t believe you!” Twilight nearly shouted in exasperation, surprising everyone around her. “Has nothing I taught you made any sense!?”

“T-Twili-” Fluttershy tried to speak up, only for Twilight to ignore her and continue on.

“Pon- People can change! Especially when given a chance to! Look at what’s happened since I came here! All your friendships have been mended- the school is no longer divided! All because you gave one another a chance! You apologized to each other, and look what came of it!”

“It can’t be helped, Twilight.” Luna spoke up, calming everyone down somewhat. “Even if we did give Sunset Shimmer a chance to redeem herself, it doesn’t change the fact that she is a massive threat to the students- and we cannot allow her to stay due to that.”

“I’m sorry, Twilight.” Celestia gave an apologetic look. “While we have no chance to pin the blame for what happened tonight on her, we cannot ever allow her back.”

“I… I…” Twilight seemed to shrink in on herself as her shoulders dropped, a hand coming up to her face to wipe away a tear building in the corner of her eye. “I think me and Spike are going to go now. I know… I know that I’m a total outsider here, but please…” Twilight looked up at everyone gathered, her eyes begging everyone even more than her tone. “If any of you see Sunset Shimmer… Please, help her. I’m sure given a chance she can prove that she can change for the better.”

Twilight reached down and picked up Spike as he waddled towards her, her crown in his mouth. The Dragon turned Dog gave a sad look to her friend as she looked up at the people she thought were her friends. “I’m gonna go now… I doubt any of you will see me again.”

***

Friday, October 3rd

7:44PM

Old Town District

Warm tears ran down Sunset’s face as she shut the door to her apartment and slid down it while bringing her hands up to her face to try and muffle her loud sobbing.

As soon as she had made it far enough away and was certain that no one from CHS was following her, Sunset broke down into tears. Her emotions had been raging ever since she regained consciousness in the crater- Emotions she hadn’t felt in years battered her around. She actually felt remorseful for what had happened, aghast at what she had become during her time on Gaia. Sunset had crossed over the mirror portal to try and prove to Princess Celestia that she had the ability to be a Princess, to lead those around her. But over time her actions and thoughts grew darker, more vicious- and her pride only seemed to blossom and driving her towards tormenting the students of the school.

But she still had issues with her pride back in Equestria, at least she was told so. She was Princess Celestia’s personal pupil for a reason- she had immense magical skills and talents. She put everyone at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns to shame- even the teachers! It wasn’t her fault that she was on a higher level than everyone else! They’d have to cut off her horn if they wanted-

Sunset sobbing froze as a thought came to her, her hands pulling away from her puffy eyes. Her mind pulled up a memory of something she had read from Celestia’s private library- a report on a male Unicorn from ancient times that had been captured by some race whose name she didn’t recognize. The Unicorn had had some sort of amulet put over his horn, preventing him from ever using his magic, and left in a gaol for study. Over the course of a month, the stallion had slowly grown more and more erratic- and when he had been “returned” to Equestria he had to be sent to Celestia’s care for study.

Magic Deprivation the Princess had called it. It seemed that if a unicorn was unable to use their magic it started to strain them mentally, eventually putting so much strain on them that they are driven into a furious state, eventually becoming physically violent to everything around them.

Surely it couldn’t be something as simple as that- could it? The weird aching throb in the back of her mind that had been building over the last few years seemed to have vanished since putting on that crown.

Sunset wiped the back of her hand across cheeks, the stinging from her many scrapes and cuts more or less numb by this point. Making sure she was steady on the ground, Sunset pushed herself up to her feet, favouring her left leg as she hobbled her way over to the sofa that sat in them middle of the main floor, sitting down once again as she started to slowly remove her well scuffed up boots. It was going to be a pain to reattach the broken heel to the boot- it was likely to not even work, but considering that she didn’t have the money to purchase anything new, so she had to try.

Setting her boots down she moved to her coat, making a pitiful noise as she took a look at it once it had been removed. “Sasha…” Sunset muttered softly as she embraced the coat, a few of the seams torn apart, and there were holes in the back near where her shoulders were thanks to the wings she had sprouted. At least she would be able to sew her back together; Sasha was her oldest possession in this world, and she was the single most important thing that Sunset owned, and luckily the blood that had been seeping from the wounds across her shoulder blades and tailbone had only soaked into her shirt. Resting it on the edge of the sofa before giving it a gentle pet, Sunset stood up from the sofa and started making her way towards her kitchenette.

A gentle sigh filled the air as Sunset pulled open the fridge door. Sunset had always lived a rather spartan life in this world, and her fridge was a perfect example of that. A well used jug with built in water filter sat alone as the only thing available to drink, and various fruits and vegetables sat beside a half eaten loaf of bread for eating.

Sunset grabbed an apple, taking a bite of the crisp fruit as she shut the fridge, leaning heavily against the counter as she continued biting into the apple, her mind contemplating if her hypothesis was correct. It was true this world had no magic, but then why was she seemingly more cognate? What did the crown have to do with it? She had managed to sneak through the portal without getting caught, and managed to overhear the Princess talking with her friends about the Elements of Harmony. While Sunset soon learned that she was in the restored Crystal Empire, she also discovered that the Elements of Harmony had been recovered, and that Twilight Sparkle wore hers as a crown. Surely if she brought that back to Gaia, thus separating it from its owner, she would be able to use it herself! Its uses would be limitless! Or so she had thought- Instead her greed and descending mental state, combined with her theft of the crown caused it to painfully transform her into a daemon…

Her free hand shifted towards her back, gingerly touching the slowly growing sticky blots on her shirt as her wounds continued to ooze. The shirt was toast, both the shoulders and the lower hem were soaked in her blood- she was lucky it was only oozing slowly, or else she’d have to go to the hospital. Some gauze and bandages should be good after disinfecting them. She finished her apple as she turned towards her washroom. A warm shower would be a good start, cleaning her before she started to patch herself up. Maybe she would dip into her secret stash before bed. A hard drink- at least as the humans called it- would be the best way to help her get to sleep. Then tomorrow she could start focusing on trying to make a life in this world.

Sunset ignored the sirens blaring outside as she headed for her shower- it happened every night in this part of Canterlot. The Old Town was the hub for gangs and drug dealers- but it was the only place Sunset had been able to find a place to live. Sure, the place was abandoned- the utilities only worked because it was still technically owned by the city. It was a former historical hotel that Sunset had managed to carve out into a place for herself to live. And luckily it seemed like no one ever came to check up on it, most likely the place was buried under a pile of paperwork somewhere- if not entirely forgotten about.

For now, she’d have her shower and clean up, before enjoying a cold drink and trying to sleep. Hopefully tomorrow she’d feel better enough to start a new life for the third time.

***

Friday, October 3rd

7:44PM

Canterlot High School Front Entrance

“{Are you suuuure this is the place?}”

“{I dunno- looks pretty blown up!}”

“{Would you two please… Shut up?}”

Celestia and Luna both looked at each other in confusion as three voices started speaking in an unknown tongue. They had sent all the students home a little over half an hour ago, and were now waiting for the fire marshal and his men to finish looking over the damage that had been wrought by Sunset Shimmer. The pair of sisters turned around to ask who was behind them, only to pause momentarily when light reflected off of three red gems.

Chapter 2: A Not So Fresh Start

Author's Note

Just a heads up - there is some violence towards the end of the chapter.

Chapter 2: A Not So Fresh Start

Saturday, October 4th

9:33AM

Old Town District

Sunset gave an angry hiss as she padded the wound on left shoulder blade. The disinfectant has done its job, but it was making it hard to keep the gauze in place long enough to apply the bandages. She had made sure to wake up early to get cleaned up, given where she lived, it only made sense to sanitize before and after going to bed. She tossed the damp tissues into the nearby trashcan and glared at it angrily as she reached for her gauze. Sunset had learned all about first aid rather shortly after her arrival in this world, after all, it wasn’t likely that she would have a chance to visit the hospital without ending up in Children's Services or something- not having any official paperwork definitely made things harder in this world.

Such as getting a job.

Not many places would accept someone without a Social Insurance Number, and since Sunset was the definition of an Illegal Alien, the chances of her getting one of those was below zero. So instead she had to focus on odds and ends jobs in the papers that offered to pay in cash, vastly limiting her ability to procure any kind of funds. Most of everything she has was second-hand or donations from various homeless shelters in the city. Sunset scowled as she thought of the Bits she brought over from Equestria- a small fortunes worth of solid gold coin transformed into a bunch of useless chocolate! That mirror had to be some sort of sadistic entity!

Sunset gingerly pushed the adhesive parts of the bandages onto her painfully sensitive skin, her breath catching and holding until she was done. The two shoulder blades had been the most annoying of the gouges to bandage, thanks to being in spots hard to reach by one’s self. At least the tailbone wound was easier- and smaller.

Slowly she rose to her right foot, her left ankle swollen noticeably and quite painful to try and put any pressure on. As far as Sunset would guess, it was a sprain of some sort- no broken bones, thankfully, but it sure was making it hard to be mobile in any sort as she slowly put away her various medical supplies. She was probably going to have to buy more gauze, but her funds were stretched pretty tight. Maybe she’d be able to convince her boss to give her a slight advance?

A rather loud snort filled Sunset’s apartment. No, her miser of a boss would probably sell the business before giving anyone an advance of any sort. She was just going to have to stretch her supplies out for another few weeks unfortunately. Though maybe she could pick up some extra hours now- considering she was no longer a student and all? Sunset hissed as she set her foot down on the stairway leading up to her sleeping area. It was going to be an annoying ride to work today, and there was the potential it was all gonna be for nothing. She prayed that she wouldn’t need to try and find a second source of employment…

***

Saturday, October 4th

10:27AM

The Mare in the Moon

“Sunset! Perfect timing!” the raspy and gravelly voice of her boss boomed as the Equestrian entered the door to the bar and pulled down her hood, his portly face redder than Sunset’s mane as he threw down the rag he had been using to clean the mug her slammed onto the counter. “So- Whatever the bitch’s name is, she up and quit this morning, and I need you to cover for her!”

“Oh?” Sunset almost couldn’t believe her fortunes. “Well truth be told, I was actually coming to see if I could pick up some more hours.”

“Fine! Seeing as you always seem to bring in more idio- customers, you can pick up all her morning shifts.” the man said as she pulled a cigar out of his back pocket and started waddling through the swinging doors and towards the kitchen. Sunset sighed as she shifted slowly towards the bar, pulling off her coat and hoodie and stashing them under the counter.

The bar known as The Mare in the Moon- the name earning a chuckle from Sunset when she first saw it- was the worst place in all of Canterlot on Gaia. It played host to the scummiest of the scum that walked the roads of the Old Town District, and Sunset had been serving them for the last few years. She had managed to convince the owner to bring her on part time, and even though he paid her less than minimum wage, and half the dollar value of the tips she made went to him, it was just enough to keep her alive.

She had learned over time how to be quite the bartender, mixing and matching different liquors, spirits, and alcohols together to serve each scumbags order. She had gotten a bit of a reputation in the Old Town, and was glad that even though there was no honour among thieves, they at least kept the secret of the bartender at The Mare in the Moon quiet. She took a quick stock of where everything was at, doing her best to stay as stationary as possible as between the short skirt and high heels, her ankle was doing its best to keep Sunset from even thinking about moving.

The morning was surprisingly quiet as Sunset served the odd petty thief or hobo, leaving her plenty of time to clean the counter and figure out the meaning of life. Eventually her boss returned from the floor, tightening his belt as he started to waddle towards the small set of wooden pallets that he insisted was a stage for live music. Never mind the fact that there were holes in some of the pallets, it was still The Mare in the Moon- as long as Sunset had been working here, there had never been any sort of live music.

“Where’s the nearest outlet to here?” the man shouted, waking and causing the sleeping, and frankly wretched smelling man drooling on the counter in front of Sunset to fall to the ground with a strangled cry.

“Outlet? What for?” Sunset called over as she finished reorganizing the mugs for the seventh time today.

“Some broad wants to put on some kind of music show tonight- signed up a few weeks ago.” came the puffing response of the man as he practically rolled side to side in search of an outlet. “I don’t want to risk her stealin’ my extension cable.”

“Well, I think there was one behind the the right-most pallet?” Sunset said, feeling her eyes start to water as the man slowly got back up from the floor, gibbering something under his breath before slamming face first back onto the wooden counter. “But is someone really gonna do a show here?”

“No, I made it all up- OF COURSE someone signed up, you dimwit!” came the angry shout of the man as her shifted the pallet Sunset had mentioned aside.

“What’s he goin on about…?” Sunset wasn’t sure who smelled worse, the man at the counter, or the cook who just peeked her head out of the kitchen.

“Apparently someone is doing a show here finally, Treehugger.” Sunset responded as she glanced at the green skinned girl from the corner of her eye. Treehugger had been here longer than Sunset, the stoner a surprisingly amazing cook, even though she was more baked than anything she ever served.

“Woah… Far out…” the girl said, staring with glazed over eyes towards the noise of the bar owner cursing and grunting as he moved the pallet. “... Think he needs a hand?”

Sunset glanced back over quickly, then back to the cook before shaking her head. “Nah, I think Mr. Hardbuck can handle it.”

“GOD DAMN, FUCKING PIECE OF-” the two young women chuckled as their boss continued to curse fiercer than any navy ever had.

***

Saturday, October 4th

8:57PM

The Mare in the Moon

Sunset’s world was replaced by floodlight as she tried to turn away as she heard Mr. Hardbuck’s voice call out. “Oi, Sunset! Do the lights work?”

“Yes!” Sunset shouted back as she tried to rub the tears out of her eyes from the intensity of light that had pervaded her vision. “Now can you point them away from the bar so I can serve the customers!?” A crowd had started to gather once word got out that Sunset was on staff today, enough of one that Sunset was struggling to keep up with orders thanks to her ankle. “Hey, Boss! Isn’t Fire Bug on tonight?”

The light dimmed slightly as Mr. Hardbuck turned the lights towards the ground before looking up at Sunset. “She called in sick this morning! You’re it tonight.”

Of course… Sunset groaned internally at the thought of working another three hours. She was certain that it was against the law to have someone work fourteen consecutive hours in a single day with no breaks, but sadly she didn’t want to risk her only job at the moment. She had tired stuffing ice cubes wrapped in paper towel down her sock to try and alleviate whatever pain they could, but all that had left her with a soaked sock and a soggy high heel.

“Where is that girl? She’s supposed to be on in three minutes? If she’s late, she isn’t getting her deposit back.” Mr. Hardbuck, ever the example of understanding and generosity grumbled as she crossed his arms over his rolling gut while glaring daggers at the door. “I swear, if-”

The door slid open with a cool confidence as a girl on the shorter side of the spectrum swaggered her way into the establishment, the air around her vibrating as she held protectively onto the large backpack covering the front of her body.

“Well there you are! I thought you said you were a DJ or something!? Where’s your stand thing with the disks!?” Mr. Hardbuck grilled the pale skin girl standing in front of him as she pulled her hood down to reveal dual toned blue hair, done up in stylized spikes and unmistakable magenta shades covering her eyes.

Vinyl Scratch shrugged nonchalantly as she patted her backpack, before turning to walk towards the counter, freezing as soon as she met Sunset’s stare. “Welcome to The Mare in the Moon, Miss!” Sunset said loudly, feigning ignorance as she greeted one of her former classmates. “You must be the performer tonight! If you need a hand with anything, feel free to ask!”

Vinyl Scratch gave a slow nod as she walked up towards the counter, through the catcalling patrons. Even though her shades hid her eyes, Sunset could still see that Vinyl’s brow was furrowed, and her mouth was moving around, unsure of what expression to make.

“Would you like a drink, miss?” Sunset asked as Vinyl slid off her backpack before putting it down on the counter, Mr. Hardbuck following in, at least how someone who didn’t know him would, a diligent manner.

“Anything she wants is on the house- for the first five drinks at least.” he said with a greedy smile as she patted Vinyl on the back, the younger girl obviously trying not to squirm under his touch. “Just remember, Miss Starch, you’re on in…” the man paused as he checked his watch. “Two minutes!”

Vinyl never was one to really talk to anyone, in all the years Sunset had been at Canterlot High, she had heard Vinyl’s voice maybe a half dozen times at most. Instead, she let her actions and expressions do most of the talking, especially with strangers.

What are you doing here? Vinyl seemed to ask as Sunset pulled up a mug.

“We have Muleson on tap, if you’d like?” Sunset smiled as she ‘ignored’ the girl’s question. “Or would you prefer a Cooler?”

You know I’m not old enough to drink yet. the pale girl’s face read as she shifted around slightly, causing Sunset to put the mug down.

“Something later? Okay then, don’t be afraid to let me know! In the meantime, I think I need to help that gentleman there with a refill.” Sunset smiled with frigid warmth before she slowly started to walk towards yet another passed out man on the far end of the bar- only to stumble and fall with a pained hiss, her hands shooting to her ankle as her eyes clenched. A few seconds passed as the pain slowly bled back into a sheer agony, enough that she was able to slowly get herself up off the floor, brushing her short skirt off before pulling herself up by the bar. She couldn’t help but lock eyes with Vinyl Scratch, the girl’s visage for once unreadable as she looked at Sunset- causing the Equestrian to quickly turn her head away to try and hide the tears of her pain.

Sunset heard Vinyl get her backpack off the counter and slowly make her way to the pallets while the Equestrian steadied herself, returning towards the man at the end of the bar who was passed out. Of all the places to run into someone from CHS- why would any of them ever come to the Old Town District!? Even Gilda and her groupies shied away from the Old Town!

Sunset spent a minute refilling drinks and taking cash while she guessed that Vinyl set up, silently hoping the girl wasn’t going to reveal to anybody from the School that she had found Sunset Shimmer. Instead, the senseless yammering of the crowd paused as a steady beat started to fill the air, the air reverberating from the heavy bass that was coming from the other side of the bar. Sunset turned with everyone else to look at Vinyl as she stood behind her laptop sitting on top of a stack of wooden crates that Mr. Hardbuck had obviously set up for her, a set of speakers set up around her.

Music soon flooded the bar, the likes that no one there save Sunset had ever heard before- Sunset already knew Vinyl had been posting her mixes online under the name DJ PON-3, though for some reason they never seemed to pick up any attention. Sunset paused as she felt something scrape against her leg, causing her to look down and notice Sasha sticking out, the edge of her phone glinting from the light shining above Sunset. She stood there, contemplating shortly before bending down and digging it out before turning it on and activating its record function. She looked at the mugs hanging above her, pulling down one of the smaller ones and jamming her phone inside of it before hanging it back up, the camera pointing towards Vinyl. She hoped this would work…

***

Sunday, October 5th

12:29PM

The Mare in the Moon

Sunset gave a tired sigh as she finally sat down. The last of the stragglers and homeless had been kicked out as soon as the clock hit midnight, leaving the only occupants of the bar as Treehugger, Mr. Harbuck, Vinyl Scratch, and Sunset, and while Treehugger cleaned the kitchen, Sunset cleaned the bar, while Vinyl loitered in the front of the bar, messing around with her phone while she waited for Mr. Hardbuck to count the days cash before paying her. Eventually the man waddled out, Sunset certain that he had hoped Vinyl would leave without being paid due him taking so long. But given how many people ended up pilling into the bar for the show, combined with the ‘Three Drink Minimum’ Mr. Hardbuck enforced, the Equestrian was certain that he probably had his most profitable night in… well at least as long as Sunset had been working here.

“Hey, Mr. Hardbuck?” Sunset said as she noticed her boss, motioning for him to come over as she held out a slip. “Here’s the tally of where we are left off; you’re probably gonna have to order in more Muleson ASAP.”

“I see… I think we can last another weak if we add a bit more water to it…” the man grumbled as he ran down the stock list of the alcohol.

“Hey, uh… Seeing as I helped cover for this morning and run the bar solo tonight, would I be able to get a bit of an advance on my pay?” Sunset gave an uneasy smirk as she watched the man freeze, his eyes narrowing as her looked up at her towering over him. “Ya see, I kinda messed up my ankle yesterday, and-”

“Not happenin’.” Mr. Hardbuck responded bluntly before turning towards Vinyl Scratch, waving a stubby arm at the girl as he shifted around the cigar in his mouth. “Oi, Scratch. Come get your pay.”

Sunset couldn’t help but let her shoulders slump as she squeezed past the man, grabbing her phone out of the mug and stashing it in her coat pocket and she slipped it on. “Kitchen’s clean and stock list is on the fridge, Boss.” Treehugger said before lighting the paper wrapped object in her mouth before turning to Sunset. “See ya… Whenever, Sunshine.”

“See ya, Treehugger.” Sunset smirked as she waved at the girl.

“Woah… I don’t think you’ve ever smiled at me before, Condiments.” Sunset was caught surprised by the girl’s comment. True, in the past Sunset had found her stench annoying, but tonight just seemed… fine?

“Huh… Weird.” Sunset shrugged before turning towards Mr. Hardbuck as he finished counting cash out for Vinyl. “See ya-”

“Listen- I’d love to get you here full time! You drew in quite the crowd tonight! I could offer you Seventy Five bucks a night!” Sunset almost felt uneasy with how much raw sleaziness was oozing off of the man as Vinyl double counted the cash before stuffing it in her backpack and shaking her head. “Really? Well fine- this was your last show here, Miss Starch! Now get out!”

Sunset opened her mouth to speak out, only to see Vinyl shrug, seemingly without a care in the world as she walked towards the front door, however much money richer than when she walked in. Good thing she never got anything to drink, instead using a water bottle she had brought herself. Sunset glared at Mr. Hardbuck as he pulled out his phone and started mumbling to himself under his breath as he waddled towards his office, calling out as he noticed Sunset slowly limping towards the door. “Oi- Make sure to lock up this time, dimwit!”

I don’t even have keys, asshole… Sunset bit her lip as she ignored the man and made her way out of the bar, the starry night greeting her.

“Wah!”

Along with Vinyl Scratch.

“O-Oh, y-you scared me, miss.” Sunset gave a fake smile as she brought her hand up to her chest, trying to calm her heart as it raced like a hare in her chest. “Are you waiting to be picked up?” Vinyl remained silent as she studied Sunset, her brow peaking as she was obviously well past even faking to buy Sunset’s attempts to lie.

“Haaaa… Fine.” Sunset relented, slumping as she brought a hand up to the back of her head. “Yes, you found me. Now what? Gonna tell the entire school that I’m a bartender at the single seediest place in the entire city?”

Vinyl shook her head.

“Oh.” Sunset said simply, unsure of what to do now. “Er… So are you heading home?” another shake of the head from Vinyl, the girl jerking her thumb over her shoulder. “Cool, well uh… I’m heading that way myself, so why don’t I walk with you? Given this is the Old Town, people would probably jump all over you in an instant.”

Vinyl actually smiled at Sunset’s suggestion, turning around and actually slowing her pace to keep up with Sunset as they walked down the street towards the bus stop, even pausing when Sunset had to stop to take pressure off her ankle. “It’s not as bad as it looks.” Sunset tried to sound confident and smirk as she noticed Vinyl looking at her ankle with furrowed brows. “Besides, it’s the least I deserve after everything I did at CHS.”

“You never went after me.” Make that now seven times Sunset heard the voice of Vinyl Scratch. It sounded almost aristocratic as she addressed the former head bitch of Canterlot High. “Or Octavia, Lyra, Bon Bon. A few others even.”

“So I skipped over a handful of students in my reign of destruction.” Sunset sighed wearily as she let her shoulders slump.

“Special Needs kids, those from poorer family- unless they tried to oppose you like some of the goons did, you left them be.” Vinyl continued, resting her hands on her hips. “Why.”

It wasn’t so much a question from the shorter DJ, more like a demand that Sunset tell the truth. The Equestrian gave yet another sigh as she brought her hand up to her face. “Cause I have standards. I didn’t have the best life starting off back in Equestria, so I wasn’t about to go after others that had the same sort of issues.”

“The only fights you ever got into was-”

“When some knuckleheads decided to start something, yes.” Sunset shook her head. “I didn’t want to physically harm anyone- it’d be easy to trace back to me. Besides, secrets and rumours were a lot more useful- teenagers are surprisingly susceptible to blackmail and peer pressure.”

“Well my friends aren’t poor- quite the opposite. None of them are special needs- okay, maybe Lyra is in her own special way, but ya know what I mean.” the pair shared a small laugh at the DJ’s comment. “So why not us?”

“... It’s because I know your history, Vinyl…” it was the pale girl’s turn to slump her shoulders. “I didn’t go after you and your friends because I know what you’ve gone through in your life.”

It was silent for a few moments as Vinyl looked utterly baffled, bringing her hands up to scrub her face and removing her glasses momentarily to wipe her eyes, before returning the shades to their rightful place and look once more at Sunset. “Well… Thanks. I, uh… Guess you had some good in you while you ruined everyone’s lives.”

“Heh… Thanks for the vote of confidence. I think I'm good to go, how about you?" the corner of Sunset's mouth pulled up as Vinyl nodded her head, the pair continuing on down the street and around the corner.

"That was a hell of a show you put on tonight Vinyl! I think I heard a few of your newer mixes in there- Melodious Quarter Bark I think it said online?" Sunset chuckled as she watched Vinyl freeze for a second mid step. "Yea, I know the name DJ PON3. Glad to have caught a show live like that." Vinyl silently shook her head as the duo continued on, failing to hide her proud smile from Sunset.

A few minutes passed and they turned onto the next block. If Sunset remembered right, there was a bus stop about two thirds of the between where they were now and home. Thankfully she would be able to walk Vinyl to her bus stop and get her out of the dangerous part of town and back home to safety.

"Heeeeeey..!" a voice called out from above them, the pair looking up to see someone high as a kite leaning awkwardly out of a smashed up window. "You girls want some-"

"No, we're good!" Sunset shouted back before turning to Vinyl. "Just ignore them. Tons of druggies in this part of town. Don't you worry, though. I'll keep you safe." Sunset cocky smirk combined with the flexing of her arm earned a suppressed giggle from Vinyl Scratch as the two continued on.

Sunset pulled out her phone as the duo eventually neared the bus stop, powering it up to check the time. "Okay, buses should still be running for another hour- Mayor Mare made a smart choice having buses run til One AM on weekends, even if they have to pay for two armed guards on every bus. I'll wait with you at the stop until the bus comes."

"What do you mean?" Vinyl asked as they checked to make sure no vehicles were coming before crossing the road.

"The bus that brought you here. It should be here in about twenty minutes." Sunset responded, raising a brow as she looked at Vinyl.

“I walked here.”

“...What?”

“Yeah, I live like a block from here." Vinyl smirked as she watched Sunset's expression.

"B-But there aren't any apartments anywhere near this part of Old Town I thought?" Sunset stammered as she paused for a moment, worry starting to build in the back of her mind.

"Correct! However, there is the old Buffalo Hotel that the city owns. All the utilities still work, but no one comes to check up on the place." Sunset's worry turned into a cold sweat on the back of her neck as Vinyl posed proudly with her hands on her hips. Sunset was about to respond, but froze when she saw a trio of shadowy figures creep out of an alley between the duo and the bus stop.

"Uh, Vinyl? Get behind me.' Sunset said, pulling the girl away from the approaching figures.

"Awful late to be out for a walk." The lead man said. He was tall, but thinner than a twig as he approached Sunset and Vinyl. He wore a toque, gloves of some sort, and a long trench coat, the same as his two cronies, a man easily wider than he is tall, and a man small enough to look like his trench coat was swallowing him.

Sunset shrugged before responding, glancing over the other two figures. "You know how it is; weekend and all that."

The three men chuckled at Sunset's comment before the leader gave the two girls a dark smirk. "Why don't you hand over the backpack and we'll let you on your way. I'd hate to see something happen to those pretty faces of yours."

"I'm afraid that isn't gonna be happening." Sunset said as her brow furrowed. Normally she wouldn't be worried too much about thugs trying to jump her, but between her ankle preventing her from moving and needing to protect Vinyl, she wasn't so sure of her odds.

The leader's face darkened while cruel looks appeared on the other men's faces as Sunset whispered over her shoulder to the smaller girl. "Vinyl, you said your place was nearby, right? I'll keep them tied up so you can make a break for it."

Sunset didn't have a chance to hear Vinyl's response as the three men charged towards the pair, leaving the Equestrian to grit her teeth as she tried to take as stable of a fighting pose as her ankle would allow.

The tiny man arrived first, swinging his arm wide in an attempt to connect with a haymaker. Knowing she couldn't move out of the way, she instead brought her left knee up as she grabbed his arm, using his momentum to connect with the middle of his chest and causing the man to fall to the ground in a heaving mess, earning a cheer from Vinyl, only to hear her instantly shout out a warning.

Sunset gave a confused look as she heard the coat of the obese man jingle as he dived at her, qnd between his mass and Sunset's unsteady stance, the pair fell to the ground, stars bursting into Sunset's vision as her head bounced off the pavement. An evil chortle brought Sunset back to reality as she felt the fat man mount her, her sight clearing enough to see the man rolling up his sleeves. With mamba like speed, Sunset grabbed the attacker's coat, pulling him down as she brought herself up, viciously connecting her forehead with what used to be his rather bulbous nose, his blood coating Sunset's face as he fell to the side clutching his now shattered nose.

"I will beat you with this backpack if you don't screw off." Sunset heard Vinyl try to sound threatening. The Equestrian slowly pushed herself up while glancing towards her charge as the lead man approached her menacingly. Pain caused her vision to swim as Sunset forced herself to her feet before charging the man, leaping on him from behind.

"Leave her alone, asshole!" Sunset shouted as she dug her fingers into the man's eyes, earning a pained bellow as he shook her off before stumbling aimlessly away.

"Vinyl, you need to run- now!" Sunset hissed quietly as she steadied herself. The three men were slowly starting to recover, and Sunset doubted she'd be able to protect Vinyl from all three of them as her vision slowly started to duplicate itself.

"I can't just-" the musician started, a scared look on her face before getting interrupted by their assailants.

"Fucking whore!" the leader bellowed as tears ran down his face. "You're dead for that! Get her, boys!"

Sunset watched as the obese man slowly got up, pulling a long iron chain out of his coat, followed by the other two pulling out switchblades. "Vinyl, I'll distract them, but you need to get away. Here, take Sasha," Sunset said rapidly as she shed her precious leather jacket and handed it to Vinyl. "Keep her safe for me. Now go!"

Sunset didn't notice if Vinyl fled or not, instead focusing on the obese man as he charged at her, winging his chain haphazardly. Obviously the man only used it to look menacing as he didn't appear to know how to use it properly. He swung his arm from the side and lashed the chain towards Sunset who raised her left arm, allowing the chain to wrap around it as she pulled powerfully towards her, causing both the man to stumble and fall to the ground, and to be disarmed.

And just in time, as the leader swung his blade towards Sunset, who dodged to the side as best she could, stumbling slightly while unwrapping the chain around her arm in time to use it to deflect the man's next swing while bringing her left knee up to crush his solar plexus and drop him momentarily, his weapon clattering to the ground beside his knees..

Sunset noticed the big man start to get to his feet while back-stepping away awkwardly from the wild swings of the tiny man as he tried to connect with his switchblade. She noticed him change his footing just in time for him to lunge towards her to try and skewer her, letting her spin to the side and catch his arm before savagely snapping his forearm with a loud and sickening noise that drowned out his wail of pain as he fell to the ground and rolled around, cradling his broken limb.

Now hoping to only have to face two opponents, Sunset slowly started to sidestep away from the downed man as cursed loudly. She didn't want to risk him getting a sneaky blow on her while she was preoccupied with the other two. Now standing on the street, the two men started to circle around her, snarling like beasts as they tried to get into her blind spots. The wind howled through the narrow gaps between buildings as the two man yelled before charging her.

Thankfully the obese man was slower, letting Sunset instead focus on the leader as he lunged towards her. Using his own momentum against him, Sunset sidestepped at the last possible second, turning around and shoving his back and causing him to run blade first into the fat man, embedding the blade into his upper abdomen, a look of horror on his face as he looked at his friend before falling to the ground and writhing in agony.

Left for the moment with only one opponent, Sunset started to wrap the chain around her wrist-

Only to stumble and fall on her left knee, panting heavily as her vision darkened around the edges. The adrenaline was wearing off, and the abuse of the last few days was crashing down on her all at once. She managed to look up as she swayed unsteadily, the chain falling limply from her hand as the last thief's face split into a malicious smile before Sunset collapsed to her side and blacked out.

Chapter 3: Conscription

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 4: Coincidence

Sunday, October 5th

10:27AM

The Mare in the Moon

"Come again?" Sunset gave Chrysalis an incredulous look and couldn't help but snicker. Even though she was putting up a face, she was worried about the fact that this woman knew where she lived- who knows what could happen from that.

"My Changling's tell me about everything that goes on- why are you laughing?" Chrysalis grimaced in annoyance as Sunset started to laugh quietly.

"S-Sorry! Just- heh- just heard this line before. Carry on." Sunset wiped a tear from her eye as she tried to stop laughing. From one of the biggest threats to Equestria to being a mob boss- how the mighty fall in Gaia.

Chrysalis narrowed her eyes. "I know about what happened the other night at your school- they may be labelling it as a water line blowing, but no water line is that powerful."

"Oh? Then what happened?" Sunset asked with faux innocence, hoping to gleam if this woman really did know.

"Don't play dumb with me, Shimmer." Chrysalis sounded like she was done playing around. "Where did you get those explosives?"

Sunset froze, before doubling over in laughter that was causing her belly to ache. "Really? Explosives!?" she asked between humoured bellows. "Where could I- a highschool student- possibly get explosives? Let- Let alone plant them in the school!"

"That's what I want to find out." Chrysalis stood up, the top of her head coming up to Sunset's chin as she leaned over the bar. "And you will tell if you wish to keep living in my town."

"Your town. Right." Sunset rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Look, tell ya what- I'm willing to play your game, so why don't you check my place out? While I'm there preferably- you tend to value the small things when you don't have much."

Chrysalis continued to glare at Sunset as the amber girl continued cleaning glasses. Eventually she stood up fully with an annoyed sigh. "Grab your things." she said, pointing a finger at Sunset while turning to the door of the bar. "We're going right now."

"..." Sunset cocked an eyebrow as she set down the mug she was cleaning."I'm kinda working here, Chrysi."

Chrysalis spun on the spot, an expression of unfiltered rage greeting Sunset as a clatter arose from the kitchen. "Woah-Woah-Woah now!" Treehugger yelled as she slid out of the kitchen, fear and concern on her face as she split looking between the two. "She meant no harm!"

"No harm?" Sunset was unmoved by the anger on Chrysalis' features.

"Noone calls me that." a bestial growl radiated from Chrysalis as Treehugger hurried to her side.

"Calm down! She didn't know!" Treehugger seemed to plead before looking to Sunset. "Just apologize, girl!"

"Whatever. Sorry for insulting you by saying your name." Sunset shrugged as Chrysalis composed herself.

"Make me another Old Fashioned before we go." she spat venomously as she sat back down at the bar. "Same as before."

"...Didn't you say-"

"Yes- I lied." Chrysalis interjected. "Considering the lack of quality… anything you have here, it was actually pretty good."

Sunset narrowed her eyes as she slowly and painfully got to mixing the woman another drink. Hopefully she didn't break another glass- Sunset was certain her boss was going to take it out of whatever pay she got.

"I still can't just drop everything and take you to look over my place." Sunset said as she started pouring and mixing. "Like I've said- I'm working."

"And I'm telling you I own that fat sack of shit you seem unreasonably loyal to- and if I told him to give you the bar, he would."

Sunset groaned as she slid the freshly finished drink as she wondered if Equestria's Chrysalis was anywhere near this… eccentric.

Sunday, October 5th

10:49AM

Old Town District

"Well, here we are." Sunset winced as Chrysalis pushed past her, causing the Equestrian to have to hobble around to try and not put any pressure on her left ankle.

"..." Chrysalis remained silent as she looked over Sunset's loft, chewing absentmindedly on her lip as she studied the girl's home.

"So? Have you realized that you were lied to?" Sunset grunted as she leaned against the wall to try and alleviate the pain.

"I haven't even started looking yet." Chrysalis snarled back, before trying to whisper under her breath. "Cocky bitch."

"There's a difference between cockiness and selfasuredness." Sunset snapped back, earning a quick glare over the shoulder from Chrysalis before she started to properly investigate Sunset's room.

Sunset glanced to her side as she heard another set of footsteps start to follow dutifully behind Chrysalis. He was a tall boy, gaunt and bony and looking like he was being swallowed by his clothes. His name was… Thorax? Sunset just remembered being surprised by the sportscar sitting out in front of the bar when she exited, the boy holding open a door for Sunset with barely a trace of emotion on his face, but his eyes…

"Could you at least put everything back in its place?" Sunset grumbled loudly as Chrysalis threw her couch cushions around without a regard. "I'm kinda limited in what I can do right now."

Chrysalis didn't respond, instead continuing her rampaging search of the girl's home. A few minutes passed, with the woman growing more and more annoyed as she found nothing, until she finally stood in front of Sunset with her arms crossed. "Well you're safe, for now." Chrysalis growled. "But if anything happens, I'm coming for your head- And I doubt anyone would miss you."

Sunset narrowed her eyes as she watched Chrysalis strole lazily out of the meager place the Equestrian called home, finally leaving her alone. The tears she had been holding back finally breaking through as she hobbled to the door and shut it- leaning against it. She wasn't sure what hurt more- her ankles, or the unintentional truth of Chrysalis' statement.

Nobody would miss Sunset Shimmer, not here and not in Equestria. All the drive to be the best after what happened to her sister- to become equal given their mother, all it had done is driven them apart, leading to Sunset to running away to this world and…

Sunset slowly turned, her vision blurry as she half-hopped-half-hobbled towards her stash. It was going to be an early night…

?????

?????

?????

"What would EVER lead you to think to come back here!?" the voice boomed from in the blinding light, Sunset's fur threatening to combust from the heat raging around her.

"B-But Twilight-" Sunset stammered as she desperately tried to pierce the light, only to cower down as she was overspoken.

"To think I ever considered you a Sister!" came the second voice as the crystal under her shattered, sending Sunset plummeting helplessly-

Only to give a cry of agony as she landed on the floor as she heard someone familiar shout. "You idiot! Now you woke her up!"

Adrenalin kicked in as Sunset heard a slamming from way below her. She looked around, seeing that her window had been broken, glass laying all over the floor. The goons from the other night! They-

Chrysalis.

Fear started to take over as Sunset started to crawl desperately across the floor towards the "sofa" where Sasha lay. She was still dressed in her clothes from yesterday thankfully, and as she donned her coat she looked around to try and figure out what to do. She could hear the storming of feet up the stairs as she looked around desperately, and that was the only exit out of her room-

The window. This place was half a century old at least, so maybe-

"The next floor!" Sunset looked to the door as she heard the voice then quickly back at the already shattered window, and the lamp post sitting just outside it. Sunset was promised a painful death if Chrysalis or her goons got to her, so what did she have to lose? She grit her teeth as she put weight down on her injured foot, before grimacing at the window. One last thought passed through her mind before she started to try and run.

Mother… Sister… I'm so sorry… For everything…

She braced herself as she neared the glass, lowering her shoulder as she charged at it, and promptly through it. The glass sliced and stabbed her as she hung perilously in the for what seemed like eternity before she collided with the sturdy metal pole, arms and legs wrapping around it as she tried to slow her descent.

She felt blood start to run down her chin as she hit the ground, her teeth sinking into her lip as she tried to quiet her agonizing scream. The world swam in and out of focus as she stumbled around, stars flashing as she fought to keep her body from going into shock. She had to get out of here! She turned and started to run, ducking into the nearest alley to try and disappear as she heard the men call out from behind her. She hissed as the bottom of her good foot stung- she guessed it had been cut up since she hadn't had the time to grab any kind of footwear. At least her bloody trail should be somewhat hidden in the dark of night.

She fought back her tears as she continued to try and put distance between herself and her pursuers, not paying any attention to where she was going.

Saturday, October 6th

1:01AM

Old Town District

The man paused as he dug the flashlight off of his belt, flicking it on towards the figure on the ground. A girl with long, mussy red hair with streaks of yellow lay on the ground in the puddle of light, right where dispatch said she would be. He didn't recognize her- maybe she was new?

"Excuse me, miss?" he asked.

No response.

"Miss, can you hear me?"

Again no response.

The man walked over and crouched down in front of her, reaching out towards her. "Miss, I'm-" He froze as he tilted her over. Her face was swollen and bloody from a multitude of criss crossed cuts, and he barely felt her breathing. His hand shot to his radio as he shone the light along her and realized just how bruised and bloody she was.

"Dispatch, this is Officer Armour. I need an ambulance- NOW!" He turned back towards the girl. "Hold on, Miss, help is on the way!"

?????

?????

?????

The world felt fuzzy as Sunset looked around. It was a half lit room, faint beeping echoing off the walls as a fan lazily spun above her. She felt like she was trying to swim through frozen molasses in her attempts to comprehend the world around her. She blinked her eyes, one lid slowly closing and reopening before the other did the same. When both eyes were open the room was suddenly extremely bright, and shadowy blurs loomed over her, swirling like mist.

"Miss? Can you hear me?" A slow, steady voice floated through Sunset's ear like butterflies flitting between flowers. Sunset made an unintelligible noise in response.

"Okay, so she can at least hear us." The world shifted again as Sunset felt her body sink slightly towards the left. "I don't know if you can understand me, but I'm Officer Shining Armour. I found you a few days ago in Old Town, quite injured."

Another burbling gurgle from Sunset.

"That's the morphine talking. You have a grade three sprain in your left ankle, so you won't be walking for at least a month- if not longer."

If Sunset were more cognizant she would be extremely embarrassed at the sound she made in response.

“I think she should be left to herself, Officer.” another voice said.

“Alright. Keep me informed of her condition.” Sunset’s world reset itself as the weight to her side vanished as she felt her eyelids close.

Wednesday, October 10th

11:47AM

Crystal Heart General Hospital

Sunset gave a heavy groan as she rubbed her head, a dull throbbing in the front of her skull as she tried to push herself up. Slowly her eyes unclenched, light flooding and blinding her before they adjusted and revealed a room. It was somewhat familiar, she had been here for awhile, but she was struggling to remember exactly. Quiet beeping drew her attention, and when she turned to the side she saw the many tubes and wires running from her to a collection of machines displaying data on her.

It finally dawned on her that she was in a hospital. How did she get here? The last she remembered was fleeing from her home- former home- when Chrysalis' goons came after her. Things got blurry after she slid down the lamp post; she had fled into the alleyways to try and hide in the shadows, but that didn't explain how she got here.

The slow beeping continued as Sunset returned to examining the room. A large window, hidden behind blinds filled one of the walls, while a few chairs and tables loitered around on the floor. The whole room was immaculately spotless- even by hospital standards- so much so that Sunset felt safer to eat off the floor then off any plate she used to own.

Right, she was homeless now. She slumped as she thought about it- she wasn't a stranger to living off the streets, but at least back in Equestria she had her magic, making it a lot easier to pickpocket and shelter herself. Here on Gaia, she had nothing. Sure, Canterlot had soup kitchens and homeless shelters, but they were all exclusively in, or bordering, the Old Town, and Sunset was certain Chrysalis' would be on the lookout for her.

Her concern then shifted to Vinyl, worrying about what would happen to her. Sunset doubted that Chrysalis didn't know about the girl, and seeing as those goons were under Chrysalis, then certainly Vinyl would be in trouble. Sunset cursed under her breath; if only she still had the Element of Magic! She could fix everything! She could put Chrysalis in her place and-

"You're awake, good." A smiling woman entered Sunset's room, surprising the Equestrian. "You've been in and out of lucidity since you arrived."

"Arrived? Where am I?" Sunset furrowed her brow, feigning concern and confusion. "What's going on?"

"Relax, Miss, everything is okay. You're in Crystal Heart General Hospital, and today is Wednesday, October 10th." the woman, obviously a nurse, explained slowly and calmly, obviously trying to calm Sunset down. "Someone found you unconscious and severely injured in Old Town and called the police."

"The police? Not an ambulance?" Sunset asked, even though she was more focused on who would call the police in Old Town? It was one of the unspoken rules down there.

"Yes, it was quite strange. Perhaps they thought a crime had taken place?" The nurse brought a delicate finger up to her chin tapping it as she obviously contemplated the situation. "Regardless, Saint Hoovesworth General was unable to do anything about your ankle, so they shipped you to us."

Sunset looked down at what looked like a human foot, were it not strangled in bandages. “We had to do surgery to repair the ligament tears. You’re probably going to be staying off that foot for at least six months.”

“Six months?” Ice ran through her veins as Sunset looked up at the nurse. “I can’t be stuck like this for six months!”

“I’m sorry, miss, but the amount of trauma suffered by your ankle there is not something that can heal overnight.” Sunset slumped as she tried to think about what to do. What could she do? She was going to be stuck unable to walk for half a year- At least!

“Now, I feel silly asking this, but who are you?” Sunset’s eyes remained glued on her ankle. “We didn’t find a wallet or anything on you, and we haven’t had any calls from family or friends looking for you.”

“...I don’t have any here.” Sunset whispered, eyes clenching as she felt tears start to well. “And I… I don’t matter to anyone.”

“Don’t say that, Miss.” the Equestrian hid her grimace at the pity filled tone of the nurse. “I’m sure someone-”

“Please… Just stop.” Sunset said, hands balling up her sheets.

“Well, can you at least tell me your name?”

“Sunset Shimmer.” she replied. She was focusing now on how long she could stay in the hospital, because the instant she had to leave it was likely she was just going to have to go back to Old Town.

“Thank you, Miss. Now why don’t you relax? Lunch should be arriving shortly.” As if on cue, there was a knock at the door, and another nurse rolled in a cart with a tray.

“Hi there! I have lunch for you!” the new woman smiled, pulling the lid off the tray.

“Oh…” Just Sunset’s luck. “I’m, uh… I’m a vegetarian.” she responded sheepishly as the lavish steak steamed on the plate.

Thursday, October 11th

4:10PM

Crystal Heart General Hospital

Well, at least she could get around in a motorized wheelchair. She looked around at the various staff and patients wandering the halls of the hospital. Crystal Heart- yet another name in this world that generated a chuckle from Sunset- was situated in the opulent district of Canterlot that was Crystal Empire. The richest of the filthy rich lived here in decadent mansions, seeming more like a city unto its own rather than a district of Canterlot. Of the entire city, Sunset knew the least about this area.

“Excuse me.” a woman in hospital scrubs said as she hurried past Sunset. The staff truly had gone above and beyond as they helped Sunset since she awoke. The police had come by yesterday afternoon and questioned her about what had happened to her, to which Sunset said that she couldn’t remember. They had left shortly after, leaving Sunset alone in her room for the rest of the day, save for when a few nurses stopped in to check on her from time to time. The morphine she was plugged into helped dull the world away from her, letting her relax without a care in the world.

Occasionally her concern would turn Vinyl Scratch, wondering if the girl was safe from Chrysalis and her goons. If only she had some way to check! But she didn’t have a phone, and she couldn’t ask one of the nurses, given what she had said earlier.

“Bye, dearie.” But perhaps one of the other patients would be willing to let her borrow their phone.

Sunset rolled around the corner, just in time to see an elderly woman fiddle with the smart phone in her frail hands.”U-Um, excuse me.” Sunset spoke up softly as she came to a pause. “Would I be able to borrow your phone for a minute? Mine died and I want to call and get my charging cable brought here.”

“Of course, sweetie.” the woman’s kind smile threatened to blind Sunset with just how pure it was as she handed her phone over with a heavily trembling hand. “What happened to you?”

“O-Oh, I uh… I hurt my ankle pretty bad.” Sunset gave an uneasy smile as she took the phone and started to fiddle with it. Thankfully it was still on, so all she had to do was-

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry to hear that." the woman slowly rest her hand on Sunset's leg. "To be hurt so bad at such a young age."

Sunset chuckled on the inside. "Thank you, maam." She quickly punched in Vinyl Scratch's phone number, hit call, and brought it up to her ear. She was almost deafened by the volume as she tore it from her ear. "I'm just going to turn it down slightly."

The elderly woman merely smiled and nodded as Sunset brought the now quieter phone up to her ear, just in time to catch a robotic voice. "The voice mailbox of this user is full. Please try again."

"They probably didn't recognize the number…" Sunset chuckled uneasily as she instead punched in the number of Octavia Melody- she praised whatever force out there that gave her such an impressive memory.

"Hello?" A dignified voice with a confused tone answered after a few rings.

"Uh… Hi, Octavia." Sunset stuttered and stumbled over her words as she tried to respond. "I-It's me… S-Sunset Shimmer."

"Oh thank heavens you are okay!" Octavia sounded like she was trying to jump through the phone. "After the Buffalo collapsed and you went missing-"

"Collapsed?" Sunset furrowed her brow as her breath stuck in her lungs. "Is Vinyl safe?"

"Yes, she is. The daft sod was trying to dig through the rubble herself when I arrived. She will be so glad to hear from you." Maybe she did have people in this world that cared for her…

"Hey, look, I'm gonna have to cut this short; I'm kinda borrowing this phone to call you. What's the chances that you could stop by Crystal Heart General Hospital?"

"That's where you are!?" Octavia's surprised voice mixed with her high-class accent brought a smile to Sunset's face. "Why, I shall gather up Vinyl from Lyra's and be right there!"

"You really don't-" Sunset started to interject, only to be stopped by a huff from the cellist.

"That's utter tosh, Sunset Shimmer. Now tell me what room you are in and I shall be there forthright."

Sunset Shimmer gave a heavy sigh. "Room One-One-Four." She responded.

"Right. We shall be seeing you shortly." Octavia hung up before Sunset could respond, instead leaving the Equestrian to sigh and laugh as she handed the phone back to the woman.

"Thank you so much, maam." the woman smiled as Sunset turned around and started back to her room. It didn't sound like she would be waiting very long…

"Sunset!" Hardly half an hour had passed before the door to her room flew open, and four figures entered the room.

"Why didn't you call us sooner!?" Vinyl Scratch demanded as she approached Sunset's bed. "I was starting to think you were dead!"

"I'm pretty sure angels would sing if she died…" Lyra Heartstrings grumbled, crossing her arms while glaring at Sunset.

"Lyra!" Bon Bon scolded the girl. "That is completely unnecessary!"

A shit eating grin spread across the mint lyrist's face as she looked down at the creme coloured confectioner. "Yet you don't deny it, Bon."

"I do apologize, Sunset." Octavia smiled uneasily as she brought up the rear. "Our dear Lyra here over heard me and Vinyl talking about you and insisted on coming to make sure you weren't brainwashing or blackmailing either of us."

"Not entirely unwarranted given my past." Sunset frowned as she looked back to Vinyl. Her shades had a large crack in one of the lenses, and a large bandage covered a cheek. "Glad to see you're safe, Vinyl. I was worried that Chrysalis' goons were gonna go after you next when they didn't get me."

"Chrysalis' goons? Who's Chrysalis?" Vinyl asked with a raised brow.

"You remember the bastards that tried to jump you the other night?"

Bon Bon's face paled as she jumped at Sunset's statement, looking to Vinyl. "What!? You were jumped!?"

"Yeah, but relax, Bonfire- Sunset here fought off all three of them at once!" Vinyl boasted on Sunset's behalf.

"And I would hazard a guess that that is why Sunset is in here right now?" Octavia tilted her head as she chastised her sister, causing Vinyl to slump sheepishly and pick at the bandage on her cheek.

"...Are you really telling me that Sunset Shimmer, the demon that mind controlled the students after years of torturing us, hurt herself to save Vinyl?" Lyra held up a finger to stop Bon Bon from interrupting her as she stalked towards Sunset. "The same Sunset who would rather stay in this world where she's going to be reviled for the rest of her life instead of returning home to whatever would happen back where she came from?"

“...” Sunset glared at the wall out of the corner of her eye. She was suddenly regretting ever calling Octavia.

“Well I’ll believe it. Thanks, Sunset.” Lyra sighed as she apologized. “Sorry for tearing into you, I just didn’t want to risk something happening to my friends, no offence.”

“None taken.” a small smile played across Sunset’s lips as she looked up at the lyrist. “Like I said, I deserve worse for everything I’ve done. I just want to live out whatever life I have here.”

“Considering where you work, I think you should try for something better.” Vinyl spoke up. “That place… I wouldn’t even put the past you there, okay? Now, what did you mean by Chrysalis?”

Sunset grimaced, worried what Octavia was going to say. She took a deep breath before starting, “Okay, so you remember those goons? Well they’re under the employ of a gang boss- one who just so happened to know where I lived, and where you lived. She even heard something about what happened at… Y’know.”

“A gang was after you?” Octavia questioned Vinyl, staring the girl down. “Why, you’re lucky to just be suffering from scratches you daft sod!”

“So maybe that’s why the Buffalo collapsed?” Vinyl tried to sidestep the taller girl’s gaze. “Did something similar happen to where you live?”

“Lived, and yes.” Sunset replied. “I escaped just as her goons stormed my place.”

“So… You don’t have a home anymore?”

The room fell silent at Bon Bon’s question, the four Wondercolts turning their eyes on Sunset, who sat still in the bed.

“Yeah, I guess I’m homeless again.” she shrugged with a bored expression, running a hand through her hair, wincing as she ran into countless knots. “I mean, I started life on the streets, so I’m used to it. Look, enough about me; you four should head home- I bet you all have a lot of homework to do.”

“Actually we don’t.” Octavia said, all four sharing a weird look. “The school… Well, we have some new transfer students, see?”

“There’s something funny about them.” Bon Bon said. “People keep fighting whenever they’re around.”

“Yeah, just showed up all of a sudden at the start of the week. Even convinced the Principal’s to hold… What is it called again?” Lyra looked around. “I was kinda asleep during that assembly.”

“Shocker.” Sunset couldn’t help but chuckle as she practically heard Vinyl roll her eyes. “The Battle of the Bands, they call it.”

“And they give the strangest answers in class.” Octavia said, brushing a strand of hair out of her eye. “Almost like you used to.”

“Hey now, no laughing at the cripple.” Sunset said as everyone shared a laugh. “I’ll have you know that everything I said was true back in Equestria. But they do sound weird, what are their names?”

“Adagio, Aria, and Sonata.” Bon Bon said, bringing her finger up to her chin. “I wonder if they’re sisters? They all have these giant ruby necklaces.”

“Yeah, the gems are like… this big?” Vinyl clenched a fist. “Musta cost them a fortune! Anyways, we should leave ya be, we’ll make sure to check in on you again over the weekend.”

Sunset smiled as she waved farewell to the four girls. Looks like she did have people in this world.

Chapter 4.5: Equestrian Girls

Author's Note

The reason I'm calling this chapter 4.5 is because it's important content for the end of chapter 4, but it didn't feel right to add it due to what happens in it.

Chapter 4.5: Equestrian Girls

Friday, October 12th

4:01PM

Crystal Heart General Hospital

A cool breeze blew through the open window as Sunset watched the clouds drift lazily across the sky. To say she was already suffering from stir-craze would be an understatement- she felt ready to run twenty kilometers, to hell with her ankle!

She was happy that she didn't have to rely on the morphine to deal with the pain in her ankle, even if she probably should. Just knowing what they had to do to try and repair her ankle made her more conscious of the necessary intruders in her body. Instead she just grinned and bore the pain- she couldn't risk relying on any kind of medication once she got out of the hospital.

The door to her room suddenly flew open, surprising Sunset and almost causing her to fall out of her wheelchair as she spun around to see who had just barged in. "Oh, hey, Vinyl." Sunset gave a small smile that quickly turned into a confused frown.

The DJ was without her trademark glasses, something that Sunset had maybe seen only once in her entire life, and thus allowed the Equestrian to see the massive bruising that swelled shut one of her eyes. Her hair, usually spiked and messy in a stylish way, was merely just ragged and wild, like her clothes.

"Sunset…" the girl panted as she bent over, hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath. "We need your help…"

"What? We? Help?" Sunset wheeled herself towards Vinyl as she slid to the ground. "What happened to you, Vinyl? Did Chrysalis find you? Where's Octavia? And Bon Bon and Lyra? Are they safe?"

Vinyl took a deep breath, shuddering as she brought a hand up to wipe her cheek. Leaning back against the wall she looked up at Sunset, her single visible crimson orb awash in emotion. "They… Oh, god, where do I start?"

"Here, let me help you up. You can sit on my bed." Sunset said as she reached out a hand, her mind flashing back to when she was at the bottom of the crater back at the school.

"Thanks…" the snow white girl said as she took Sunset's hand and rose to her feet, before wobbling and waddling her way to Sunset's bed. "Okay, so… So do you remember those three new girls we mentioned?"

Sunset nodded. "Yeah… Adagio, Aria, and…" she paused as she tried to remember the third name. "So… Sonata?"

"Mhm. Well, it looks like they're also from where you come from." Vinyl coughed lightly as she rubbed her side, while Sunset froze in place.

"What? What are you talking about?" Sunset's voice dropped to a frantic whisper as she leaned in closer to Vinyl. "Why do you think that?"

"Cause they mind controlled everyone at school or something!" Vinyl jumped to her feet, fear washing across her face. "Just like when you did! Er… no offense."

"Again, none taken- but are you serious?" Sunset felt fear worming its way through her, tinting her thoughts.

"I wish I wasn't, Sunset. It's become total chaos at the school!"

"Then why haven't you been affected?" Sunset's eyes narrowed as she studied the girl.

"'Cause of my tunes." Vinyl puffed her chest out in pride. "I always have my headphones on, right?" Sunset nodded. "Well these three do their mumbo-jumbo through sound- singing to be precise- and my music blocks that out."

Something pinged in the back of Sunset's mind, causing her already cold blood to freeze in her veins further. It couldn't possibly be… "What about the other three?"

Sunset almost regretted asking as Vinyl deflated like a balloon, a fresh tear coming to her eye as she brought her hands to cover her face. She gave a few soft sobs before looking up. "They're gone… Those three got to them."

"No…" Sunset's stomach plummeted.

"Bon and Lyra broke up pretty viciously… and Oct… O-Octavia… She..." Sunset sat there awkwardly as Vinyl began to sob quietly into her hands, pausing to take a breath before continuing. "A-A-And the worst part!? Th-Th-Those three bitches just sit there and smile! Grinning like they just got their brains fucked out!"

The final puzzle piece slid into place, causing Sunset to slump down into her seat, wide eyes staring at nothing as she slipped into despair. "Vinyl… Those three… I think they're the Sirens…" Vinyl sat up slightly, looking at Sunset as if she were insane. "They're monsters from Equestria- banished long ago when they tried to take over the country. They used the magic of their voices to make ponies fight, which only further fueled their power… And if they're really here…"

"We need Twilight…" Vinyl said, gritting her teeth and wiping her tears away. "Which means you have to go through the portal in the statue."

"It's not quite that easy…"

"Figures." Vinyl groaned as she leaned back on her hands. "Try to explain it so that a silly Human like me can understand, babe."

Sunset chuckled as she shifted back to sitting up fully. "Basically, the portal only opens up under certain circumstances, which won't be happening for a while."

"...So we're fucked then?" Vinyl, looked at Sunset in confusion.

"Maybe not… You see, when I fled her from Equestria, I brought a few things with me." Sunset explained. "Most of them became useless knick-knacks, but there is one in particular that still had some magical power."

Vinyl raised her brow. "Then why did you never use it on anyone?" she questioned, crossing her arms.

Sunset fell quiet, her eyes descending to her lap as she fought back a tear. "Because it was a journal…"

"A book… How does that help?" Sunset's head shot up as she snarled at Vinyl, causing the girl to freeze in panic.

"{That book is the only good memory I have left of my family!}" Sunset spat venomously, before freezing as she noticed the terror on Vinyl's face. "S-Sorry, Vinyl… It's, uh… It's quite personal."

"A-Alright, S-Sunset!" Vinyl chuckled uneasily as she loosened up. "Just don't speak in tongues like that again please."

"Tongues? What- Oh, my apologies. I guess I slipped back into Equestrian." Sunset took a deep breath before returning to the subject at hand. "That book may be our only hope to reach Princess Twilight. You see, I enchanted it and another book to be linked, so that whatever was written in one book would show up in the other."

"Like a written text message?" Sunset nodded in response to Vinyl's question. "Why don't you all just use cell phones?"

"They don't exist in Equestria- in fact pretty much all of Gaia's technology doesn't exist." Sunset explained. "Anyways, if I can get my hands on that book, I can try writing a message in it and seeing if the connection still works, and maybe Princess Twilight can figure something out in Equestria."

"That's cool and all, but how are you going to do that?" Vinyl asked the expected question. "You're kinda public enemy one at CHS still."

"Do you think you can grab it?" Sunset fought the urge to cross her legs. "I can give you my locker number and combination."

"Every Wondercolt knows which locker is yours, Sunset." Vinyl half-chuckled-half-sighed. "But I can't go back there right now… Not with…"

"It's fine, Vinyl. I'm sure I can get there somehow." Sunset smiled as she wheeled closer to the girl.

"I'm sure you will. I'd offer to drive you, but my car got into an 'accident', supposedly." Vinyl's fingers went into overdrive with the quotation marks. "I'm stuck taking buses around since I got kicked out by Lyra."

"Kicked out?"

"Yeah, the whole mind control thing- but don't worry, I got a place to stay for a couple days to hang low."

"Somewhere safe?" Sunset asked, getting a nod back. "Good. Well, why don't you head out then? I have some plotting to do to get to the school. I'll try and leave a visible mark on my locker door if I get to it, okay?"

Vinyl nodded as she stood up. "I'll keep an eye out if I go back to that hellhole. Here, let me write down the number for the place I'm staying- but only call it in case of an emergency, kapish?" Sunset nodded as she took the scrap paper from Vinyl. "Good luck, er… Sunset."

Sunday, October 14th

10:33AM

Canterlot High School

Sunset paused awkwardly on her crutches as she looked around the school grounds. Everything seemed back to normal; no damage nor even hints of what happened that night. Sunset was actually impressed, whoever the Principals hired to fix the place up did an immaculate job. She continued on her way, still unused to how she was supposed to move with these things.

Slowly she made her way to the front doors, pausing as she reached her hand out towards the handle. Sunset wasn’t sure what made her pause, the fear of something happening, or that barely noticeable tingling in the back of her head that was growing more pronounced the closer to the main building for-

Sunset hissed, clenching her eyes as the tingling suddenly became a sharp jab, causing her to subconsciously shuffle away from the doors. What was going on? She hadn’t felt like this since-

“What are you doing here, Sunset Shimmer?” Of course it had to be the more militaristic one…

“My apologies, Vice-Principal Luna,” Sunset tried her best to stand up straight as she addressed the midnight hued woman. “But I came to gather my belongings from my locker. I forgot until just recently, you see.”

The shorter woman eyed Sunset wearily, obviously not trusting the Equestrian in the slightest. Sunset remained still, trying to smile even as the buzzing in the back of her head continued its relentless pounding.

“I see…” Vice-Principal Luna crossed her arms as she addressed Sunset. “Well unfortunately we already cut your lock, we’ve had your… things in the main office should you decide to show your face around here.”

“Oh good, then can I-”

“No.” the Vice-Principal interjected abruptly. “You shall wait out here while we bring you your belongings.”

“That’s fair.” Sunset paused studying the woman as something strange caught her eye. The air around Vice-Principal Luna seemed to shimmer, as if the woman were a fire. That must be the aura of the Sirens’ magic, Sunset guessed. “I’ll just wait-”

“At the statue.” Vice-Principal Luna turned around and returned inside the school, audibly locking the doors without a single glance back at Sunset. Well, things seemed to be progressing better than expected, though Sunset was now worrying that perhaps the cops were going to be called.

Minutes passed, causing Sunset to worry that perhaps her concerns about the police were going to be correct while the Principals reneged on their offer. Sunset rested a hand against the flat face of the statue’s pedestal, the pleasant pulsing running down her arms calming her. Even though she was unable to access her Equestrian Magic in Gaia, and the portal was currently shut, she still relished in the feeling of her home-world.

More time passed and Sunset was starting to get upset. What was the hold up? Between the pain in her ankle and the blaring pressure in the back of her head, Sunset’s once understanding attitude was rapidly being replaced with anger. It was about to boil over when she suddenly heard a door open and shut behind her. Sunset’s body chilled, a sweat building on her brow as a familiar language echoed through the air. It was Equestrian, of that there was no doubt, but it was still unfamiliar.

“Here you are, Shimmer.” The front doors to the school opened up, revealing Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna, each carrying a small cardboard box filled with her belongings.

“So this is the supposedly infamous Sunset Shimmer?” The voice, one of those that had been speaking Equestrian, suddenly spoke in Sunset’s ear, causing Sunset’s fight-or-flight instinct to go into overdrive.

“Y-Yup, that’s me.” Sunset chuckled uneasily as she turned to face the owner of the voice. Three girls stood in front of her, each looking at her with different expressions. “Just here to grab my things.”

“{I’m sure you are, my little pony.}” the short one said, her voluminous hair waving behind her as she started to saunter around Sunset, inspecting her.

“Hm? What did you say?” Sunset tried her best to sound confused, even though her eyes couldn’t help but dart between everyone present.

The purple one groaned in annoyance as she stomped forward. “Oh stop playing stupid, idiot. You know exactly what she said.”

“I’m sorry, miss, but-”

“Wow, I guess she isn’t as smart as everyone said she was.” the tall, blue hued one said, snickering into her hand.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t even know the three of you.” Sunset fought back the urge to growl at them as the pain in the back of her head grew to an excruciating climax. “I’m just here to get my stuff and then go back to the hospital.”

A tired sigh escaped from the lips of the golden skinned girl.”Whatever. Why don’t you come with us, we’ll drive you back to the hospital.”

“I don’t-”

“We insist.” the purple one said, crossing her arms with a scowl.

Sunset gave a heavy sigh, slumping in defeat. “Fine.”

Chapter 5: Induction

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 6: Sisters

Tuesday, October 16th

3:21PM

The Sirens Den

"{My name is Sunset Shimmer. I'm a… daemon… made by… Discord… from Equestria.}" Sunset awkwardly fumbled over the words coming out of her mouth, but still received a sitting ovation from the girl sitting across from her.

"Yay! Good job, Sunset! You learn real quick!" Sonata cheered and Sunset couldn't help but smile at the genuine compliment she had received.

A few days had now passed since Sunset started staying with the Sirens, and true to their words they were treating her like a sister. They were teaching her their ancient dialect of Equestrian, and she was surprising them with how quickly she was picking it up. Thankfully the modern Equestrian language was incredibly easy to reverse engineer back to her new hosts' native tongue.

Sonata had been by Sunset for both the days, staying behind to take care of Sunset while Adagio and Aria went off to CHS. Sunset wished she could do something for Octavia and the others, and was on edge wanting to reach out to Vinyl, but she couldn't without a private phone of some sort. But those were minor compared to her biggest fear.

"So… Do you think they might bring my journal home tonight?" Sunset asked, causing Sonata to freeze up as usual and leaving Sunset to sigh in defeat. "I thought I was supposed to be a sister of you three?"

"...Adagio and Aria…" Sonata started, stopping to face Sunset. "All three of us really want to go home- as I'm sure you do too."

"Well, yeah." Sunset nodded, her heart clenching at the sorrowful expression Sonata wore. "But what does my journal have to do with that?"

"Well… It radiates Equestrian Magic." Sunset's blood froze. "And it seems to be connected to the statue in the middle of the school grounds."

"What? It's just a random journal I picked up in this world when I first arrived." Sunset had to make sure to speak calmly, so as to not potentially alert Sonata to something being up. "I've had it my whole life, so maybe that's why it radiates Magic."

Sonata smiled sadly resting a hand on Sunset's good leg and looking deep into her eyes. "I'm sure they're just trying to make certain… That's all."

"...Why are you so different from the other two, Sonata?"

"Huh?"

Sunset motioned at the blue girl. "You're different from Adagio and Aria. You're always the first to jump in to help me, you stay here taking care of me while those two go to the school. How come?"

"I'm not thaaat different." Sonata chuckled awkwardly. "I mean- I'm the one who broke up that green and cream girl, and when the white and grey one's stepped in I made them fight too."

"You what!?" Sunset sprung to her feet in anger before reality kicked in and she screamed in agony and fell to the ground, her head bouncing painfully off of something before she came to rest gritting her teeth and grasping at her ankle as stars swam in front of her eyes.

"Sunset! What are you doing!?" Sonata's voice sounded as if Sunset was ten feet underwater, but the concern was crystal clear.

"Why did you do it to them!?" Sunset mumbled as she heard a door open, her vision starting to darken. "They're… my only... friends!"

"Friends?" Sonata's voice wavered as the sound of racing footsteps and confused shouting guided Sunset into painless unconsciousness.

Tuesday, October 16th

11:21PM

The Sirens Den

The side of Sunset's head was freezing. It was so cold it was almost burning! She muttered to herself as she pathetically flailed around to try and grab the object that was giving her noggin such a chill.

"Careful now." came a steady tone as something delicately wrapped around her wrists. "You need to keep the ice there to deal with the swelling."

"It's too cold…" Sunset tried to blink, but all she saw was a slow swirling of colours.

"I'm sure it is, my dear little Sunbeam."

Sunset pushed herself up on her elbows, desperately looking around now. "Mom!?" She cried desperately, unable to make anything out of the intermingling colours. "Mom, where are you!?"

"I'm where I've always been…" the sorrowful voice said as Sunset felt a gentle brushing against her cheek. "Waiting for you to come home."

"I can't…" Sunset's vision blurred further as tears started to flow freely down her cheeks, her hands reaching out feebly all around her. "Not after what I did…"

"What did you do?"

Sunset snapped back to reality, cursing and hissing as pain echoed all over her body. "Huh? Who's there?"

"It's me." Sunset's vision started to sharpen enough that she could see the sad looking frown of Sonata watching over her. The Siren had let her hair out of it's ponytail, and was dressed in a comically oversized pink shirt with a massive cartoony taco sitting front and center on it. "What did you do?"

A short expletive escaped Sunset's lips as she slowly lowered herself back to laying down, realizing that the left side of her face was bandaged up. "...It's… It's personal…" she muttered halfheartedly as she looked around the darkened room.

A shuffling sound radiated from where Sonata sat before Sunset's bed shifted under new weight. "You asked me why I was different." Sonata whispered softly. "Compared to my Sisters…" Sunset remained silent as she felt Sonata crawl over and lay down beside her. A couple minutes passed as the pair laid there in silence before Sonata started speaking again.

"I've always felt wrong with what we've done over the centuries…" it was honest remorse that Sonata spoke quietly with. "That something just wasn't right- but every time I feel the pang of hunger… the relief and joy I feel for quieting it…"

Sonata shifted around slightly.

"So… What did you do?" Sonata whispered into Sunset's ear.

Sunset blindly searched the darkness, fact and fiction interweaving and becoming indistinguishable as she laid there in bed, in the home of monsters that supposedly threatened her home a world away. "I…" she paused to swallow and try to compose herself. "I seem to ruin everything I come in contact with…" She wasn't lying to Sonata, but she wasn't telling her the whole truth either.

"What do you mean?" Sunset felt a hand slowly running up and down her arm.

"I guess it's because I don't know what my purpose in life is…" a knowing, self-loathing chuckle escaped from Sunset. She had received her Cutie Mark at a young age, a near mirror image of her adoptive mother's, but with Sunset's own unique colours personalizing it. But she never learned what it was for- she had her guesses, but that is what led her to fleeing to Gaia. She had gotten so distraught after her sister ascended that she assumed her destiny was to be the next ruler of Equestria- after all, why were their Cutie Marks the same?

"Discord never told you?" Sonata asked.

"No one ever told me what I'm supposed to do." Sunset dodged once again.

"Well what if we were why Discord made you?"

Sunset was happy it was dark, and desperately prayed that Sonata didn't have night vision as she raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"

"What if Discord made you to rescue us and return us to Equestria?" Sunset dreaded the thought of her being the reason the Sirens returned to Equestria. She would sooner destroy the statue and trap all of them here than allow any of them to go home.

"Maybe?" Sunset shrugged. "Like I said- I don't know anything."

A minute passed, the silence falling over the room was almost enough to make Sunset think she was alone again, at least until Sonata gave a nervous chuckle. "...Well I know Ari and Dagi haven't been coming off as the most welcoming, b-b-but I promise you they are really happy to see another face from Equestria! And besides, you're one of us; we'll always have your back! Plus, it's been nice to have someone around to just… unwind to, ya know? I'll always be here for ya, Sunbeam!"

Tears welled in Sunset's eyes as her body started to shake, surprising both of them as Sonata shifted around to lay a hand on Sunset.

"Hey? Are you okay?"

Sunset could only lie.

Sunday, October 21st

5:23PM

The Sirens Den

"So, Sunset, how do you feel about returning to your old stomping grounds tomorrow?" Sunset's fork froze in front of her mouth, her eyes widening as she glanced over at Adagio.

A few days had passed, thankfully without anymore injuries or straining of her ankle. Sonata had been at home playing babysitter and teacher the whole time, slowly teaching Sunset the ancient forme of Equestrian the Sirens sometimes used. Adagio and Aria had both been going to the school everyday, and it was getting to the point that Sunset could almost see the power radiating off of them. Either the school and student body had leftover energy from the Fall Formal, or five girls in particular had fallen into the Sirens' grasp.

Sunset shoved the crisp lettuce into her mouth, chewing it over as she tried to think of how to respond. "Are you sure that's a good idea?" she asked as she set down her fork. "I mean, everyone there knows my face, and the Principals-"

"Are firmly in our palms." Adagio's smirk grew into a confident sneer. "We tell them to jump and they ask how high."

"I see." Sunset scrunched her face. She knew that Adagio wasn't asking- the leader of the Sirens was a confident and intelligent leader, knowing more than she ever let on. Potentially she had found out Sunset was lying this whole time and was planning to take her to the school to let the students take care of her. "Well, seeing as I'll have you three at my back, sure, why not?" Sunset flashed a warm, naive smile at Adagio, studying the Siren's reaction.

"Wonderful! You can get some closure before the big show on Friday." Adagio smiled dangerously. There was a glint in her eye that made Sunset's insides squirm.

She knew something.

Monday, October 22nd

8:54AM

The Sirens Den

monday

"How's my driving?" Sonata asked cheerfully as she pushed Sunset's wheelchair towards the school. Seeing as the amber Equestrian was still recovering from her injuries Adagio had recommended Sunset ride in a wheelchair. If Adagio was wanting to trap Sunset at the school, then the wheelchair was more of a boon for Sunset than a hindrance.

"Doing fine, Sonata." Sunset chuckled uneasily, clenching and unclenching her hands as they approached the front doors. She was amazed at just how well the restoration went, there was no hint that the structure took a mild breeze, let alone being magically assaulted.

That's when the whispering started.

All around Sunset students started whispering with one another, countless eyes on the crippled Equestrian as she was wheeled into the school. She couldn't help but shiver, fear and panic threatening to overwhelm her. She truly was at the mercy of the Sirens here…

"What is she doing here?" Sunset's shivering quickened as she heard the angry voice of Principal Celestia.

The hairs on the back of Sunset's neck stood up as a familiar throbbing built in the back of her head as Adagio spoke up. "She's our guest of honour." the lead Siren explained. "And she is to be treated as such."

"That doesn't explain why she is here."

"I wanted to grab my things from my locker." Sunset spoke up, failing to look up at the woman. "If that is alright, that is."

"...I suppose you at least should be allowed to collect your belongings. Fine, but hurry up! I want you gone- I have enough on my plate at the moment thanks to my idiot sister!"

Darkness overtook Sunset as she clenched her eyes shut. Her biggest fear was shouting at her and she had nowhere to run and even less places to hide. And that didn't even begin to cover what she was going to do here! She had to find a way to stop the Sirens from making their ways back to Equestria! But how!?

"You two head along to the office, we'll be along shortly." Adagio's voice wrapped around Sunset like a web, suffocating her as her brain screamed this was a trap. She felt Sonata start to push the wheelchair down one of the hallways, but Sunset's focus was elsewhere.

She was thinking about one of Adagio's comments from when they first met, a softly voiced thought of the portal being activated by Equestrian Magic. When Sunset had crossed over it had been because the portal had activated, just as her years of notes had predicted- but it wouldn't open for another few weeks, well after the Sirens' plans would come to fruition. No, if there was any hope, Sunset would have to get word to Equestria.

She needed her journal.

"Hey Sonata, my journal is in the office, isn't it?" Sunset asked as she finally raised her head. Regret washed over her as she thought about what she would have to do to Sonata to get away. She was obviously sent by Adagio to keep Sunset from getting away, but hopefully they didn't know about Sunset being a Unicorn.

One who just so happened to have read from an ancient magical tome written by King Sombra…

"Yeah, I think so at least." Sonata said as the pair entered the reception area of the office. "Er, which office is Celery Sticks again?"

"That one." Sunset motioned with her head. This was it. If her journal was in the office, she had the slimmest of chances to save Equestria. She watched as Sonata opened the door, and instead of waiting Sunset rolled herself inside the room.

As soon as she entered the room her eyes started glancing around at a frenzied pace, doubling back when she found her journal sitting on a chair near the window. She raced over, joy overtaking her as she finally picked up her journal. Her single Equestrian possession, and single memory of her old life. Her whole body started to buzz slightly as she picked it up, a single hand roaming over the front cover.

But then everything was replaced with sorrow. "Hey, Sonata?" Sunset spoke up as she slowly turned herself around to face the door, the blue Siren resting against it.

"Hm? What's, uh… What's up, Sunset?" Sonata smiled awkwardly.

"What's Adagio's plan?"

"Well we're gonna use the school to-" Sonata pushed herself off of the door and started walking towards Sunset, only to freeze when Sunset held out a hand.

Sunset frowned as she locked eyes with Sonata. "For me, Sonata."

The Siren seemed to deflate, tears welling in her eyes as the two stood there in silence. "I tried to tell her…" Sonata babbled over hiccups and sobs. "Both of them, but..."

Sunset glanced down at the book. This was it. Either she was going to die at the hands of the Sirens, or from what she was about to do.

"Sonata…" Sunset said before taking a deep breath, resting her hand on her journal and sending her focus inwards.

"Yes?"

Pain raced through Sunset as she looked back up at the girl, moisture trickling down her upper lip. "I'm sorry, but… Sleep."

Sonata cocked her head in confusion and worry as she looked at Sunset, before a moment later her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she collapsed.

The moment Sonata's unconscious body hit the ground, Sunset doubled over in her wheelchair, hand covering her mouth as she gave heaving, gurgling coughs into her hand, heavy fluid splattering against her palm. As the coughing subsided her vision cleared up, revealing the half coagulated globs of blood coating her hand. She grimaced as she put both hands on the wheels of her chair, pain similar to the fall formal stabbing through her in agonizing bolts as she slowly started to leave the office.

She desperately wanted to pause at Sonata's side, to apologize for what she had to do, but if she didn't hurry up then she likely wouldn't have a second chance.

"I see Sonata failed." Adagio smirked as she looked at Sunset from a little ways down the hall, Aria grinning madly, the light seeming to glint off her incisors as she punched her open palm.

"No big surprise there." Aria chortled. "Now listen, Sunbabe. Ya come quietly and I won't beat you as bad. Resist, and, well…"

"Hey, Adagio?"

"Yes?" came the self confident chuckle, watching Sunset as she placed a palm upon her journal once more.

"About how much do you weigh?"

Adagio's brow furrowed as she looked at Sunset. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Was just gonna make this part easier on both of you." Sunset bit her lip to try and distract from the pain, hard enough to draw blood before she looked up at the two, both nostrils running streams of blood as Sunset smiled.

Fearful expressions appeared on the faces of both Sirens before they cried out in confusion and terror as they suddenly found themselves hoisted up into the air, Sunset's outstretched hand clenching before being thrown behind her. The pair of Equestrians grunted in pain as they came crashing together, before yelling as they found themselves flung down the hall over Sunset's head.

"!!!" Sunset screamed silently in agony as she felt every bone in her left leg break, the shock threatening to make her black out as the myriad of pieces that used to be her left shin pierced through her flesh and jeans alike.

Everything swam, her eyelids grew heavy and her pulse felt faint. A familiar heat washed over Sunset as waves of blue, green, and pink flowed through the air.

"You are so close, Sunset." came a soft, caring voice. "You just need to make it a little further."

"...M-Mo…" Sunset doubled over, coughing into her hand. Fleshy chunks saturated blood fell onto her journal. She couldn't make it. The dark magics that the damnable King Sombra inscribed in that tome had been too taxing on her body- Sunset deliriously doubted even as a Unicorn that she could have handled the strain.

"We believe in you, Sister. Both of us do." reassured a second voice, the three colours shifting slightly as it spoke. Maybe they were right. She felt the agony dull, just enough to allow Sunset to start wheeling herself forward, following the tricoloured ribbons as they slowly beckoned towards her.

She rounded the corner to the front doors as she heard angry voices yelling from behind her. She pushed herself through the doors, one eye clenching as blood started to flood it. She was almost there, she just needed to-

An earthshaking crash stopped Sunset just in front of the portal. "Stop right there, you lying pony bitch!" Adagio screamed. Sunset did her best to ignore the Siren, focusing on one last spell- one to hopefully transfer enough Equestrian Magic to the portal to allow her- and only her- through.

There was a crash of energy, like thunder and lightning, as Sunset watched the surface of the stature warp and bend unnaturally. She turned around, facing as the statue continued to fluctuate. Sonata stood with the other two, covered in building debris as she looked at Sunset with an unreadable expression.

"My name…" Sunset paused as she coughed up more blood before returning to glare at Adagio. "Is Sunset… Shimmer. Dau… Daughter of Princ… ess Celestia… and sister… to… Mi Amore… Cadenza."

Sunset felt the energy peak behind her, and she turned her wheelchair and flung herself towards it, holding tightly onto her journal as she crossed through the threshold, and into the portal's chaotic embrace.

???

???

Equestria

"Princess Cadence! Your presence is needed at once!"

The Alicorn looked up at the guard that just burst into her throne room, panic etched on his features. "What's going on?" Cadence asked as she rose to her feet and made her way down the steps to the crystal floor.

"Somepony emerged from the mirror! And she's in critical condition!" Cadence paused before nodding and starting to gallop, the guard following close behind. The portal mirror had remained in Cadence's castle since Twilight returned through it, so for a being to emerge from it…

"Let me through!" Cadence shouted as she rounded the corner and into the room. The gathered guards parted for her as she neared, allowing her to see the figure laid out on the floor.

"Sunset!" Cadence rushed and knelt down beside the body of the mare she hadn't seen in years. She gasped in horror as she saw just how broken of a state Sunset's body was in.

"We need a healer! Now!"

Chapter 7: Betrayal

???

???

Equestria

Sunset awoke for the second time in as many weeks, unaware of where she was. A heady buzz slowed the world around her as she tried to push herself up, only to realize that her hands felt incredibly stiff and bulky. She groaned as she brought her hoof in front of her face.

Her hoof.

Her.

Hoof.

She gave a startled cry as reality dawned on her. She had made it back to Equestria! She was home!

And home meant Princess Celestia.

Terror overtook Sunset as she tried to flee, only to find her left hind leg motionless as a magical alarum started sounding and a pair of guards in ornate crystalline armour rushed into the room, spears held pointed at Sunset as she flopped back onto the bed.

This was it. It was over. Princess Celestia planned to have Sunset executed, if she were feeling merciful, or to send her to Hades, which seemed the most likely option. Sunset suddenly started coughing, her lungs in agony as if she had just sprinted for ten kilometers. A forehoof instinctually covered her muzzle as best it could, and when the fit finally ended and she pulled it away she noticed it covered in large splotches of blood. It seemed the magic she used to get back home had really done damage to her body. Maybe she would pass away before Celestia could do anything to her?

"Stand aside." a familiar voice commanded,"And lower your spears for Celestia's sake! She's my sister, not a monster!"

Sunset gave a dark chortle, her back to the newcomer as crystal shod hooves clacked against the floor. "Hello, Princess Cadance. Long time no see. Here to get one last look at me before I'm drawn and quartered?"

Sunset's bed shifted behind her, sinking slightly under new weight as a feathery wing draped itself over her. "What happened to you, Sunset?"

Memories from her life growing up flashed across her eyes as Princess Cadance carefully snuggled in close against her. Sunset gave her head a light shake. This all had to be a ploy. "The Sirens. Turns out Starswirl sent them to Gaia and they are trying to get back home, so you may want to get your mother."

"You mean our mother, Sister." Sunset remained silent as Princess Cadence rested her muzzle against her crest, a minute passing silently before the alicorn spoke again. "She spent an entire month in her room when you ran away from us."

"I ran away, did I!?" Sunset yelled, rolling awkwardly on her other side to lock eyes with the Alicorn Princess. "Tell me, Princess Cadance-" she spat venomously- "What other lies has your mother spread about me, huh!? Did she perhaps say that I stole Philomena from the wilds!? Or maybe that I ran away to save my life because I had assaulted her!? The truth is that if I stayed I was Hades bound!"

Princess Cadance looked at Sunset with pity in her eyes and sorrow on her face. "The truth? The truth is that you've always been her favourite, Sunset."

"Says the Princess." Sunset growled.

"If you really want the truth, then why don't you ask her yourself?" Princess Cadence said, motioning to the door as a shadowy figure stood there, halting Sunset's pulse and freezing her blood, before the amber Equestrian snarled in defiance.

"If you have any concept of mercy you'll kill me now instead of sending me to Hades." Sunset narrowed her eyes as she watched the tall form of Princess Celestia slowly walk towards the bed. "But regardless of that, you should know that the Sirens are trying to make their way back using the mirror portal."

"That can wait…" Princess Celestia said slowly as she came to a stop in front of the bed, magic flaring around her horn as light flickered into the room, illuminating the leader of Equestria and the tears running down her regal features. "Everything can wait, my little Sunbeam."

Princess Celestia sat down at the edge of the bed, her expression stony but her body subtly shaking as she studied Sunset, yet never met the unicorn's fiery glare. "You know she's lying." Sunset said, standing beside the snow white Alicorn and smirking before glancing at Sunset.

Sunset jolted in bed at the sight of the figure that suddenly appeared in the room. A pinkish-red coat covered the mare, while a familiar crimson and gold mane flowed around her face, drawing attention to her sclera- a deep black devoid of everything. She had a Unicorn's horn, but she also had wings as if she were an Alicorn, but they looked… wrong. They were devoid of feathers, just patchy strands of skin spotted with holes.

"Ah, good. You decided to pay attention finally." the mare snickered in Sunset's voice as a dark purple mist flowed from her eyes and horn, the edges curling in on themselves as they shifted to a sickly green. What Sunset could only describe as a throne made out of the same smoke grew behind the other mare as she lazily took a seat upon it. "Now I'm sure you have many questions, but I suggest saving them for a time with less plebeians."

"-Sunset?" The amber mare blinked rapidly as her focus was brought back to the two alicorns.

"Do you really not see her!?" Sunset shouted, waving a hoof towards the redish mare as she sat in her throne with a bemused expression as she shook her head.

Cadance sounded unsure as she shifted around, trying to see who Sunset was pointing at. "See who?"

"It's just the three of us, Sunset…" Princess Celestia wore a desperate smile as she reached out with both her front hooves and grabbed hold of Sunset's with an unrelenting grip. "As it always should have been."

"The three of-" Sunset started, desperately trying to free herself from Princess Celestia's hold, but being an Alicorn meant the Princess had magic from all three Pony races, and the strength granted by the Earth Ponies was being put to good use.

"Sunset." Princess Celestia said softly, quieting the protesting mare. "We may not be bound by blood, but you are my daughter- my first child. I had spent so many years refraining from becoming a mother, but when I saw you on the streets of Vanhoover... I knew I had to rescue you. And when you decided to stay with me, you made me the happiest I had ever been.

"But I wasn't prepared. I have seen countless generations of ponies pass under my rule. I resented growing personally attached to anypony, as I knew I would outlive them and all their kin. And that led me to abandoning you. I treated you as yet another pony- yet another student at my school. I forgot who you were, my little Sunbeam… And I fear I will never be able to make amends."

Princess Celestia lowered her head in shame, tears pouring through her tightly clenched eyes as her body shook with her heaving sobs. Time passed without care, but finally she had composed herself enough to speak again. "I know this all means nothing to you, Sunset… My daughter… But… But I promise you… Upon my life and all those who reside in Equestria… I vow to make right my neglect of you. I vow to make your life as full of love and attention as anypony elses." The alicorn shuddered as she raised her head, bloodshot eyes locking with Sunset's as countless millennia of sorrow and loneliness flowed freely forth. "I love you, Sunset. And I'm sorry for failing you and driving you away from us. From me."

Sunset remained quiet as she locked eyes with Princess Celestia. "It's nothing but lies, and you know it." She heard herself say, the doppelganger chuckling as she watched with amusement. "Cadance always was her favourite- after all, who's the princess now?"

Sunset tried her best to block out the sound of her own voice as she continued to watch Princess Celestia in silence. The Alicorn slowly lowered her head, looking pitiful as she resigned herself to losing her daughter forever. Her body started to quake as she tried to hide her sobbing, hooves struggling to find purchase to pick herself up off the floor.

"...I'm sorry, Mom…"

Celestia froze- her body, her sobbing, everything as if she had instantly been petrified. One could almost hear her bones creak as she cautiously raised her head back up to meet Sunset's gaze. Tears were streaming down the unicorn's face as she finally met Celestia's look.

"I'm so sorry…" Sunset hiccupped as she started to sob uncontrollably, years of pent up emotions bursting through to the surface. "Everything you did for me… All the lessons in Friendship, I just… I threw them right back in your face! And when Cadance became an Alicorn I-I-I snapped! I was the best student your school ever saw, and all I saw was you favouring her! You kept calling me your daughter and her your niece, yet you managed to tear yourself away from ruling Equestria to help her! I felt more abandoned than when I lived on the streets! That's why I set fire to your school- and when you punished me, more leniently than I deserved, I ran away, rather than facing my mistakes… I tried to hurt you as much as you hurt me…"

Celestia remained silent as she watched Sunset try to rub the tears off of her face, failing as more streamed down her muzzle. "You really should stop lying, you know that, right?" Sunset's voice echoed back at her. "It felt amazing to burn that pathetic preschool to its foundations. Our magical ability is second to none- hell, we could likely rival Princess Sun Cheeks!"

"...I shouldn't be here…" Sunset said as she finally stemmed her tears. She realized why she was hearing her own voice, and if she wanted to prevent a tragedy she would have to go back to Gaia.

"What do you mean?" Celestia asked, obviously trying to hide her fear. "Your leg needs to heal!"

"It can heal back-" Sunset started to object, only for Cadance to intervene.

"Sunset, you can't go back there- your leg… I don't know if you'll ever walk on that leg again here, and we have magic to try and aid the healing process. From what I heard, that world is barren of magic."

"Regardless, the Sirens are loose there, and were about to cross through the portal. I'm the only one who can stop them." Sunset said, shifting around awkwardly. "Besides, I-"

"Oh no you don't." Sunset's voice sneered as the unicorn froze mid sentence. "I think you need to take a break and relax. All this magic- Doesn't it feel amazing!?"

"Twilight Sparkle will be able to handle them." Celestia wore a wide smile as she attempted to reassure Sunset. "With her crown-"

???

???

Equestrian

Sunset's eyes flew open, a cold and panicked sweat dripping down her as she struggled. She was bound by something- had the reunion all been a dream? No, she recognized the feeling of her unicorn body, but everything was so dark she couldn't see anything, and she could feel the magic being halted- inhibited by a ring around her horn.

"I can't believe we have to keep her here! What if she went after the Crystal Heart again?" A gruff voice grumbled.

"I don't get it either, but Princess Celestia said we need to protect her." Replied a second voice in a stern manner. "Now go check on her, make sure she's still breathing. I don't want to see the Princess angry again."

Muttering mixed with the creaking of a door as light flooded Sunset's eyes, temporarily blinding her. "Looks like she's awake." the first voice called back. "Weird, she was red when we subdued her, and now she's yellow."

"I prefer amber." Sunset spoke up as she tried to squint her eyes in an attempt to see anything. "You mind telling me where I am?"

"You're in the holding cells." the voice responded as Sunset's vision cleared enough to see the recognizable armour of one of Celestia's personal guards.

"...Mind telling me why?" Sunset continued, both to get more information of her situation as well as to try and see where she was.

The guard, a pegasus Sunset now saw, gave her a quizzical look as he responded. "You tried to attack the Crystal Heart, and Princess' Celestia and Cadance both said to spare you and keep you restrained down here until Princess Twilight returns from her journey."

Years of experience kept Sunset from reacting visibly, but a cold terror ran through her veins at the fear of Princess Twilight losing to the Sirens. She didn't know that the Sirens had the entire school under their thumb- she would cross over and probably expect her 'friends' to still be such. No one knew what they were dealing with here.

Except Sunset.

Sunset coughed, looking at the distance between her rear hooves and the ground. A short drop, easy to manage. "Sorry, but could I get a glass of water?" She asked as she returned her gaze back to the Pegasus. The guard looked unsure, glancing back at the open door.

"Captain?"

"Give her a drink, Lieutenant. I don't want to hear anything from the Princess'." The pegasus sighed and rolled his eyes as he cantered over to a clay jug and filled a small cup.

"Always the Princess' with him…" the guard muttered to himself as he wrapped a wing around the cup and returned to Sunset, holding it up. "Here."

Sunset looked at the cup and then back to the guard. "Uh… I'm a little tied up here."

The stallion groaned as he maneuvered the cup to Sunset's mouth and started to pour, only for her to spit it all back at him and start coughing.

"I asked for a drink, not to be drowned!" Sunset wheezed out as she tried to catch her breath.

"Just use your hoof, nimrod." The captain's voice ordered from the other side of the door. "She's all shackled up and has a magic inhibitor, so she can't hurt you."

Sunset smirked as she finished freeing herself from her chains, a reddish magic aura dissipating from around them as the pegasus guard lay unconscious on the ground, the cup he held being deposited gently on the floor beside the magic inhibitor and the chunk of his helmet that she 'borrowed' to remove it. Now for the captain and then she could get to the mirror and to Princess Twilight's side.

She didn't notice that her shadow smiled as she neared the door.

???

???

Equestria

"Stand down, Sunset." The amber unicorn froze in place as magic bound itself around her three functioning legs, effectively freezing her in place just a few steps away from the portal mirror. "At least, I hope you're really her."

"You know, Caddy, one of the guards told me I was red." Sunset said as she kept looking forward. "Is that why I woke up in the dungeon?"

"After you tried to attack the Crystal Heart, me and Mother decided that you needed to be protected until we could figure out what was wrong with you."

"Now ya see… I don't remember any of that." Sunset said, her mind focused instead on how to get through the portal. "Last thing I remember was Mom-"

"Stop trying to buy time, Sunset. Mother will be here shortly and this time we'll keep you personally under watch until Twilight returns with the Element of Magic. Then we can use them to…"

Sunset's mind tuned out her sister. Twilight took her crown? If the Sirens got a hold of it, who knows-

"Thank you, Cadance." Sunset smirked as a thought hit her. "You just helped save Equestria."

"What?"

Sunset's horn lit up, her magic seeming to wrap around Cadance's and shattering it, causing the Alicorn to give a shocked cry.

"How did-" Sunset wished she could see the look on her sister's face as she watched Sunset blink from existence and reappear next to the mirror, her horn still aglow.

"You may be an Alicorn, Cadance, but you were born a pegasus, and it seems like you've still been shirking your magic studies." Sunset touched her horn against the mirror, the surface warping and shifting like liquid. A tingle caused Sunset to take a step back as Cadance's magic appeared around her again.

"I'm not letting you go and hurt yourself again!" The Alicorn yelled, jumping and taking flight towards Sunset. The unicorn chuckled as Cadance neared.

"I'll see ya again shortly, Sis." Sunset magic seemed to explode out of her, knocking Cadance to the ground and shattering her magic, allowing Sunset to grit her teeth and jump into the mirror.

She had a world to save.

Friday, October 26th

6:21PM

Canterlot High School

Sunset gave an excruciating cry of pain as she arrived once more in Gaia, crumbling as her left leg fell from beneath her. Her hands caught her and prevented her head from ricocheting off of the pavement, but the mind-numbing agony from her left leg threatened to cause her to black out. She managed to unclench one eye enough to look around, taking in the dark night sky as the sound of music floated through the air, and the back of her head started to tingle.

Sunset prayed she wasn't too late as she forced herself slowly up to her one good foot, muffling a scream as she leaned against the statue. She caught her breath as she wiped the tears off of her cheeks and took a moment to check herself over. "Sasha…" she muttered happily as she ran a finger along her leather jacket, but her brow furrowed when her eyes glanced over her jeans. The right leg was perfectly normal, but the left leg was a torn mess and looked like it was fused with a cast.

One meant for a pony.

The portal had obviously not known what to do when she stepped through, and now she was left with only one pant leg and her left leg open to the air. Sunset fought back the urge to wretch as she saw the state her leg was in. The magic that had been trying to help her heal obviously had no effect on Gaia, leaving her leg a misshapen mess of scars and cuts, with small slivers of bone protruding awkwardly through her flesh that seemed to be fused around it.

How was she going to walk? She couldn't prevent the Sirens from winning with only one leg! She looked around in desperation, but there were no trees nearby to take a branch from to use as an impromptu crutch. The tingling grew as Sunset started to hear the Sirens' voices. She didn't have her journal here to act as a conduit to draw Equestrian Magic from this time.

Not having any more time to waste, Sunset grit her teeth and slowly lay down, before starting to pull and drag herself towards the music, apologizing under her breath to Sasha the entire time.

The closer she got to the sound and the sound of the Sirens singing, the more her head started to tingle.

Then the tingle started to turn into an ache.

Then the ache turned into pain.

And as Sunset finally reached the top of the edge looking down into the amphitheater that had been turned into a musical stage, she saw them. All three Sirens stood on stage, singing gloriously about their victory. The entire student body and school faculty stood in front of the stage, swaying slowly back and forth in a zombie-like manner as their heads were glued to the three singing Equestrians.

A fourth Equestrian knelt behind them, the five girls that had been her allies before standing behind her and watching her, and from what Sunset could see, Princess Twilight didn't have her crown…

"No…" Sunset whispered to herself, her body deflating as her head fell into the grass.

She was too late.

The Sirens had won…

"Ptoie!" Sunset looked up in a panic at the sound of someone spitting something out and it landing heavily on the grass. "Sunset! Thank Celestia you're here!" Sunset met with the gaze of Spike the Dog, overwhelming happiness in his eyes. "Twilight needs your help!"

"What can I do?" Sunset responded in defeat, looking away and closing her eyes. "I can't walk and the Sirens have the whole student body at their beck and call- Plus they have the Element of Magic!"

"What? No! It's right here!" Spike grabbed the crown and passed it towards Sunset, her aquamarine orbs widening at the familiar sight. "Twilight gave it to me before she was captured by our friends, and I was just about to try the portal again to see if I could get back to Equestria and get help!"

The crown. The single greatest source of Magic in this entire world, and it could be hers- "Wait! How did the Sirens not catch you?" Sunset asked, suddenly weary. "They could tell my journal was Magic, so wouldn't they instantly detect the Element of Magic?"

"I don't know- they've been gloating and really vain the entire time we've been here." Spike responded before shaking his head. "Look! You gotta do something, Sunset! They said they're gonna use Twilight to open the portal to Equestria! You're the only other Pony here that can use the Element!"

Sunset glanced back over at the crown. Memories of the pains and agony flashed across the back of her eyes as she clenched her lids shut in pain, her head feeling like it was about to shatter from within. "But what about before? When I-"

"The fact that you're trying to not use it shows that either you're playing the long game and are on the Siren's side, or that you've changed for the better, and for the sake of Equestria I hope that's what it is…" Spike spread his four paws as he levelled a determined look at the human Equestrian. "So show me, Sunset. Show Twilight that you've been trying to change and be a better pony!"

Sunset looked between the crown and Spike, her hand hovering in uncertainty. She slowly tried reaching out towards the Element, small motes of magical energy floating lazily out of it and tracing slowly around her. Everything was different from last time. She had to force it before, but now it was reaching out to Sunset, willing to offer it's powers, so that she could finally prove to-

"Ow!" Sunset hissed in pain as she retracted her hand, angry reddish welts appearing on her skin. The pain was now exactly the same as at the Fall Formal.

"Sunset!? What's wrong!?" Spike bounced around worriedly, eying Sunset in concern.

"It remembers me…" Sunset said, hiding her hand and arm as best she could as the burning started to spread along her arm. "I-I-I… I can't use it… Not unless…"

"...Like the Fall Formal…" Spike muttered under his breath, before pausing and giving an excited cry. "Wait! We can still pull through this!"

Sunset glanced at Spike as he seemed to chase his own tail in excitement. "Pardon my bluntness, but what the fuck are you talking about, Spike?"

"Twilight and her friends! Once you beat the Sirens you'll free the Rainbooms from the Sirens spell!" Spike's tail sounded like a lawnmower as it wagged back and forth. "Then if you go all power crazy they can beat you again!"

Sunset wasn't sure if she should be more insulted that she would be easily beaten by a bunch of teenagers again, or that Spike believed she would go power crazy again, as he said. "What guarantee do we have that… whatever I become won't join the Sirens?"

Spike's expression voiced the groan his lips did not as he stared blankly at Sunset. "Do you really think they'd share? Look, either we go back and see if the mirror is working, or-"

"I'll do it…" Sunset said, terrified of what she may end up doing, but it was her fault all of this happened in the first place. If she had never come to this world, the Sirens would still be stuck without magic. "But promise me you'll hide, Spike. I don't want to risk hurting you."

The dog nodded his head before scampering off into bushes overlooking the event. Sunset grit her teeth as she looked back at the crown, her uncertainty freezing her hand halfway there. She took a deep breath to try and steady her nerves. "It's now or never..."

"And for you it's going to be never."