Chapters A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Princess Twilight Sparkle alongside the human versions of Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie were standing in front of the Canterlot horse statue each them having pony features on their bodies. Countless students stood around the crater in front of them that had a girl with orange skin as well as yellow and red hair sobbing in the crater, everything she had was gone, all her plans, all her goals.
Before Princess Twilight could even speak a young girl with really light pink skin and long arctic blue hair that had streaks of light arctic blueish grey running through it walked down into the crater. Sunset turned around as she head the steps, her teary eyes were unable to recognise the scarred face of the girl that approached her. The girl simply wrapped her arms lightly around Sunset as she whispered “You’re not alone.”
Twilight soon stepped down into the crater, sling at the girl “Your are good girl, helping someone who needs it.” The girl frowned as she turned to her, Twilight gasped as she saw one moderate scarlet eye and a black hole where on an eye should be surrounded by slightly deformed visible bone “What happened to you!”
The girl frowned “It’s personal, and something I don’t want to discuss in front of all these eyes.”
Sunset looked at the girl weakly “W-what’s y-your n-name?”
The girl smiled “Cozy Glow and I’m here to help you. You have done nothing that can’t really be undone, you just need some friends. I’ll be happy to be yours.” Cozy then sighed as she put a hand under the girl’s shoulder “Come on, you need help getting out of this hole.” Twilight helped on the other side and they helped the former queen bee of the school out of the crater.
Cozy frowned at the glaring eyes “I believe I should take Sunset home. She doesn’t needs this so soon” she then turned to Twilight “I’ll call my father and stay with her until he arrives.”
Twilight smiled “You’re a good person, Cozy. Very few would help another like this.”
Cozy grimaced “You don’t me well enough to make that call, trust me don’t make statements about people based on a single encounter or you will be in for a rude awakening. There is more blood on these hands than you know, now go and hang out with your friends while I call my father.”
Cozy helped Sunset limp towards the school stairs and carefully sat her down as Twilight spent time with her friends. Cozy made a quick call, Sunset slumped “Why are you helping me? I deserve to suffer for everything I’ve done.”
Cozy shook her head “I saw the look in your eyes, one that I saw in the mirror for years. Besides at worst you were a teenager with delusions of grandeur, at the end of the day being a moody teen who treats everyone else like dirt is nothing new in this world. You lost control of yourself, took on too much power and it twisted your mind. I have done far worse.”
Sunset slumped “I don’t see how.”
Cozy let out a mirthless chuckle “My brother was a freedom fighter against a corrupt government. Their leader in fact, unfortunately for my family and I they found where we hiding. My parents were shot right in front of me when I was three and I was conscripted into their military.”
Sunset’s eyes widened “You are from the Tartarus peninsula. I heard they were wiped out by the brave efforts of the Elite Storm Forces.”
Cozy frowned “Yes, I was naturally gifted at fighting and was appointed to a Squad at the age of four. I was Captain of my own squad of seven at the age of five, it was supposed to be twenty but I killed the other thirteen as well as any replacements.”
Sunset looked at the freshmen with a terrified expression “You’re terrifying, you know that right.”
Cozy sighed “Yes I know that well, it’s why I don’t have any friends. I was put in was Field Marshal at the age of seven which in the Tartan military meant you were in charge of Field Operations. In the next month I had wiped out the resistance and executed my brother in front of everyone. From there we hunted any signs of resistance down until when I was ten.”
Sunset blinked “What happened then?”
A deep voice spoke “My squad lead the special forces to victory defeating the corrupt government. I took Cozy Glow home and pulled some strings to get her Citizenship here.”
Sunset turned to see a large, muscular red skinned man with white hair wearing a black tank top and long black pants as well as a pair of combat boots. Cozy Glow ran over to the man “Dad, your here.”
The man held out a hand to Sunset “I supposed I should introduce myself, I am Tirek former Captain of the Elite Centurion Forces and adopted father to Cozy Glow. Now we should take you home.”
Sunset looked away, Cozy put a hand on Sunset’s shoulder “I know it’s a lot to spring on you after what happened but we are here to help, you just have to let us.”
Sunset saw the honest smile that marked Cozy’s face, she sighed “I live in an abandoned, run down cabin. I have to catch an early bus to get to school on time.”
Tirek shook his head “I know where that is, it actually a woodcutting hut that has been out of use for centuries. I’m surprised it still is functional as a dwelling, still it is no place for someone to live. You’re coming to live with us Sunset, there are no ifs or buts.”
Tirek headed back to a plain black car, Cozy Glow grabbed Sunset by the arm and pulled her towards the car. Sunset bucked herself into the back besides Cozy. Tirek frowned as he started the car “Sunset, why do you live in the forest?”
Sunset sighed “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
Cozy smiled “He will believe you, trust in my father. We are all here to help you.”
Sunset took a deep breath “I was a unicorn born in the land of Equestria, and spent the majority of my life as the student of Princess Celestia. Under her tutelage I devoted myself to the study of magic until one day she kept telling to make friends and refused to teach me anything else. After I broke into her secret library, she caught me reading a book on dark magic. I demanded she make me an Alicorn, she refused arresting me for treason. I escaped and fled through the mirror portal, I found the hut as the best shelter I could find in this world.”
Tirek nodded “I believe you, no-one would lie to me about something like that. Still we should not spread that around.”
Cozy frowned “They may not be possible, someone likely knows something.”
Sunset slumped “I used a magical artefact and turned into a demon as I lost control of it.”
Tirek let out a deep hearty laugh “I’m going enjoy you having you around, keeps things interesting. Now let’s get your stuff.”
Sunset gave an odd look only for Cozy to look back with a grin nodding enthusiastically “Dad is a bit of an eccentric” she then whispered “I’m convinced he joined the Military because he likes the thrill of being shot at. He plays paint ball often.”
Sunset whispered “That is worrying.”
Cozy grinned “You’ll get used to it soon enough, Sunny.” The rest of the trip was quiet as they continued to wards the forest where Sunset’s shelter laid.
Author's Note
Cozy Glow has suffered a lot in this world, you will know why her face is damaged so badly next chapter.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Tirek got out of the car alongside Sunset and Cozy. Sunset frowned as she limped forward “Follow me, this place has a few guardians I set up to keep myself safe.”
Cozy frowned “Are you sure don’t need any help? You’re limping.”
Sunset shook her head “I’ll be fine, don’t worry.”
Cozy and Tirek exchanged worried looks before following Sunset. Tirek looked around the trees that menacingly towered over them, his eyes widened as a wolf made of wood leapt out of the trees “Sunset get back!”
Sunset shook her head as the wolf ran over to her, she sighed “Good work but I believe it’s time for you and your friends to rest.” They watched as several small balls of light flew into Sunset as the wolf turned into a pile of sticks. She frowned “I can use magic here, it just takes a really long time to recharge when the portal is closed. When it’s open I could access a lot more magic without worrying about burning out.”
Cozy smiled “Well you shouldn’t need to use it when staying with us. You can if you want but there will be no need, our home will be a lot safer than the forest.”
Tirek grinned flexing “Very few would try to fight me, I’m really strong.”
Sunset giggled for a moment then sighed “I don’t why you put so much trust in me, I’m a stranger and have done horrible things to others secrets’ before. Why trust me with so many of yours.”
Cozy shook her head “Trust needs to be earned, we wanted you to trust us and you have. You opened up to us because we opened up to you thus you opened up to us, people and I assume ponies as well bond by being honest with one another.”
Sunset slumped “I wasn’t very good at any of that, too focused on my own goals to bond with anyone.”
Tirek frowned “I’ll go and get Sunset’s things, I know where the hut is. Cozy stay with Sunset, she needs you right now.”
Cozy silently nodded her assent, she then gave Sunset another hug “Now is your chance to take hold of your life. I understand better than anyone else that making change isn’t easy, two months of counselling and support was required before I could live a normal life and some days I feel like I’m on the brink of falling back into bad habits.”
Sunset looked at her with worry “You think I can do it?”
Cozy snorted “It may not have been good but you entered another world that you had no knowledge of then gained a position of power to control others. You can do this, you just have to take it one day at a time.”
Sunset smiled “Thanks Cozy, I’m glad to have someone as strong as you in my corner.” She then sighed “I don’t mean to be rude but how did you get such damage to your face.”
Cozy snarled “I suffered fifth degree burns because another captain of a squad poured Napalm on my face!” She then sighed “I’m lucky to be alive all things considered, fifth degree burns are not that common and surviving them less so.”
Sunset eyes widened in shock, in her studying of history she had researched Napalm and was horrified. The idea that scum a weapon existed was shocking enough but the fact that someone else would use it someone else, especially someone who was on their side was beyond any horror she could have ever imagined. Cozy frowned “What’s wrong Sunset?”
Sunset shivered “The idea of that stuff is terrifying, the worst monsters back home wouldn’t dream of doing such a thing to anyone. The fact someone who is supposed to be on your side could do that is terrifying prospect.”
Cozy smiled “Your not a bad person Sunset, someone who could that is a truly bad person. I did things to him afterwards that made that pale in comparison, trust me you don’t want to know.”
Sunset shuddered “I definitely don’t, had you not told me about why this happened I would be giving you a wide berth. In fact you scared me quite a bit over the years, whatever caused the damage to your face had to be something that most people would die from. I thought you were some monster sent here from Equestria.”
Cozy frowned “I am both flattered and unnerved that I could be considered something so dangerous. Still I am here to help you regardless of what you think of me.”
Sunset gave her a weak smile “I see you as a friend, you have given me so much for nothing.” Sunset started to sob “Shown me so much kindness that I don’t really deserve.”
Cozy frowned “What did that Rainbow blast do to you? You are suffering way too much for what amounts to high school drama and an ego problem.”
Sunset looked up weakly “By pony standards what I did was wrong. I could be put into Tartarus for what I did here. Blackmailing others with their worst secrets to hold power over them. Trying to defame another for my own ends, trying to take over Equestria because of my ego. Not to mention the mind control.”
Cozy’s growled “They would put you in the equivalent of hell for that. The mind control was bad sure but you clearly lost control, the other things while bad are not above redemption and certainly don’t deserve such suffering. It’s okay to feel bad, that is a good thing it means you don’t want to be that way.”
Sunset slumped “How do I know this is me and not the element’s magic suppressing my darker urges?”
Cozy frowned “The elements seem to be powered on friendship, that means they would never cause you any permanent harm. Maybe they offering you some respite to start making changes when those emotions return you can handle them better, that is my guess.” She then shook her head “Now is not the time to focus on what ifs, instead focus on healing and growing.”
Sunset nodded weakly “I’ll try.”
Cozy smiled “That’s all anyone can ask of you, now come on I see my father carrying your stuff. We need to get home.”
Tirek smiled carrying several boxes full of books as well as some blankets and a few pairs of clothes “I’m glad to see you two bonding. Still we should take Sunset home, she deserves a proper bed for the night.” The rest of the trip to the their home was quiet as the sun slowly descended past the horizon.
Sunset’s eyes widened as she saw the wooden lodge style building, the green roof reminded her of brilliant green leaves. Sunset was escorted through the plain living room, a small tea table in front of couch, a reasonably sized TV set up laid against the wall.
The kitchen was made of fine marble and had a plenty of room for cooking as it lead it into a peaceful dining room with flowers adding to the serene atmosphere. Sunset was then taken to a nice dark blue corridor. Sunset smiled “This place is beautiful.”
Cozy grinned “Wait until you see your room.”
Sunset’s jaw dropped as she was escorted into a room that had a very clear jungle aesthetic as well as a nice polished writing desk and a warm looking bed covered with a warm tiger style blanket on top “This is amazing.”
Tirek smiled “This is the room my wife uses when she is home, she isn’t around often enough to have a dedicated room. She’ll just have to join me from now on.” Sunset simply laid in the bed and within seconds descended into slumber. Cozy and Tirek simply left the tired girl to enjoy her new bed.
Author's Note
Fifth degree burns are a real thing, had to do some digging. Bascially everyone has three layers of skin, each one corresponds to the first three burn degrees once you get past that it starts to burn muscle and eventually bone, also from I read they tend to be fatal which is why you don't hear about them often.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Sunset groaned as the sun shone onto her face, she opened her eyes and freaked out for a moment “Where am I?! How did I get here….” She slumped as the memories slowly flooded back in.
Cozy to burst the room with a grin “Come on Sunset, it’s time for breakfast.” Sunset blushed as her stomach loudly voiced it’s agreement, she hadn’t eaten anything since lunch the previous day. Cozy dragged her out of the room towards the kitchen.
Tirek smiled as he put some pancakes on the small wooden dinner table placing a knife and fork beside each one “How are you feeling Sunset?”
Sunset sighed “I don’t know. I’m grateful to have a roof over my head but on the other hand I feel like I’m intruding, like I’m taking that which I don’t deserve.”
Cozy nodded “I understand the feeling, when I first started living here I felt very much the same. Like I was an intruder taking what wasn’t mine but dad took care of me, reassuring me whenever I felt down. You need this Sunset, a safe environment not just to heal and grow. A place where you can be normal.”
Sunset smiled as she began to eat, tears forming in her eyes “Sho goosh.” Cozy and Tirek smiled as their new guest happily consumed her food. Sunset looked at them tears in her eyes “I haven't eaten more than scraps for years. Thank you so much.”
Tirek gave her a gentle hug “No-one should have to deal with that, no matter what they have done. Still you have to go to school as much as it pains me to say it.”
Cozy scowled as she saw Sunset’s fearful expression “I won’t allow anyone to harm you! No matter what happens!”
Tirek nodded “If something happens I will make a formal complaint, they will take that quite seriously. I don’t make complaints often.”
Sunset smiled weakly “Thanks, I better get ready.”
Cozy sighed “It’s not going to be easy for her is it. I doubt there will be many who would side with her, people can be quite nasty.”
Tirek frowned “Yes but they also can be quite kind, there are good and bad people out as well as every step in between. There are others who won’t go after her, don’t worry so much.”
Cozy frowned “I hope you’re right.” Twenty minutes later Sunset came downstairs with a bag in a seat of clean clothes, Cozy smiled to Sunset hiding her own misgivings “Come on, let’s get going.”
Tirek smiled “I’ll take you to school for the next few weeks, get you adjusted to living with us.” Sunset sat next Cozy who helped soothe her rampant nerves. Tirek smiled as they pulled in “Sunset, I wish you luck today.”
Sunset and Cozy headed out only to see see Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy standing there. Rainbow Dash walked over to the two of them with a frown, Cozy grimaced “Let me guess Princess Twilight wanted you to help Sunset.”
Rainbow frowned “Yes” she then turned to Sunset “I am going to honest with you, you hurt me a lot. I was alone for years because of you and that won’t go away in a day but I’m willing to try to put the past behind us. We may become friends one day.”
Sunset sighed “I understand, that is better than I expected.”
Rainbow sighed “My friends seem really eager to help you but I’m not sure why." She then muttered under her breath “I hope they aren’t doing it for other reasons.”
Sunset approached the group nervously with Cozy beside her, Rarity’s eyes narrowed at Cozy “What are doing hanging out with her? She is not the type of person you wish to associate with.”
Cozy was about to retort when Sunset snarled “You can say what you want about me, about what I’ve done in the past but Cozy is my friend! She offered me a hand when no-one else would, she had nothing to gain from helping me yet she did anyway!” Rainbow gave a slight smile as she watched Sunset stand up for someone other than herself.
Applejack frowned “Sunset, one does not earn injuries like that at her age without being involved in something bad.”
Rainbow watched as Sunset snapped “You have no right to say something like that about someone you don’t know! Besides the past is past, has she done anything bad at the entire time she has been at the school?”
Pinkie Pie rubbed the back of her head “No but she looks like scary, half her face is missing.”
Rainbow frowned stepping “I believe we all owe Cozy Glow an apology” she then turned to Cozy “I’m sorry that I let that go on so long, and to my shame I thought the same as they did. Sunset was willing to protect you, the Sunset I knew from before would never do that.” Rainbow turned to Sunset with a small smile “I believe you can change for the better, I can already see it happening.”
Cozy raised an eyebrow “You surprise Rainbow Dash, I always saw you as a dumb jock. I always took you as the ego driven type.”
Rainbow frowned “I turned on my friends over something stupid, I let my own ego blind me. I will not let that happen again. I have to discuss some things with the others.”
Sunset gave Rainbow a weak smile “Thanks Rainbow Dash.”
Rainbow smiled back “Call me Rainbow.” Sunset and Cozy headed into the school as Rainbow turned to her other friends, she growled “Okay can you explain to me what the fuck was that all about? Other than Fluttershy you all criticised Cozy as soon as you saw her!”
Rarity gasped “Rainbow, language.”
Rainbow snapped “Rarity, now is not the fucking time! We are supposed to be helping Sunset, I was not hundred percent sold on the idea at first but from that short exchange I can see she is trying to change! Yet you turn on the person who seems to be her first friend!”
Applejack growled “Rainbow, Ah don’t trust that girl! Sunset should not be at the point where she can shout us down so brazenly! She wronged us all!”
Rainbow punched Applejack in the gut brining the Apple farmer to her knees “Applejack! We are supposed to teach her value of friendship, not push our pent up anger on her! She has taken an important first step and that’s what matters, think on what I have said!” Rainbow stormed off to find Sunset and Cozy leaving her friends confused and stunned.
Author's Note
I felt like Rainbow would be the one to be initially a little cautious of Sunset but at the same time be mor eopne and honest about herself after reflecting on her past actions.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Sunset and Cozy were walking through the halls several people looking away in fear as Cozy’s hate filled glare struck at them. Sunset sighed as she saw certain individual from her past, she walked over to the blue haired guitarist “Flash, I’m sorry about everything. I was a real horror and…”
Flash growled “Save it Sunset, you made your stance clear to me before! Get lost!”
Sunset walked away dejected, Cozy kicked him in the balls. She walked as he collapsed to the ground only to see a tall girl in a brown leather jacket over a white shirt wearing a pair of long brown jeans and solid boots talking to Sunset “No one is bothering are they?”
Sunset slumped “Just glares, I deserve every one of them Gilda. I hurt so many with my actions.”
Gilda grimaced “They are cowards to weak to face you at strongest and now want to put you down. Ignore their pathetic glares and they will soon get the message that you are not so easily cowed.”
Sunset shook her head “I did horrible things to everyone, I deserve their scorn. I blackmailed so many to get my way, caused so much suffering.”
Cozy grimaced “That’s enough Sunset, the past is the past. Now is the time to focus on the future, to be a better person that who you were before.” A pale green girl with brown eyes was watching closely.
Gilda frowned “Come on, let’s get you to class before some bastard tries to do something to you.”
Rainbow arrived only to sigh as Gilda’s eyes narrowed at her “Hi Gilda, its been years since we last spoke. Still can we put our problems with one another aside for Sunset’s sake.”
Gilda grimaced “Fine but I hope you have toned down that relentless ego of yours.”
Sunset was about to say something when Rainbow shook her head “Sunset, me and Gilda had a falling out long ago.” She then took a breath “Sunset you know what bothered me about you, that you were so smart. You were able to do well in sports yet get straight A’s in every subject, save history and a bit of science you didn’t put in any real effort.”
Sunset smiled “I can help you with your studies if you wish. You have been really open with me despite everything.”
Rainbow frowned “Openness leads to trust and I have tried to pull off the cool girl approach for too long. I need to be more open with my emotions in order to have true friends.”
Cozy smiled “I said something similar, we have faith in you Sunset. All that you need is to have some faith in yourself, you can become a better person than what you were before.”
Rainbow nodded “You have made a lot of progress already, standing up for Cozy beside you despite everything was admirable.”
A soft murmured “Um, hello.” Sunset turned to see a pale with green hair and brown eyes looking at her “I’m Wallflower Blush, I saw you taking with Gilda earlier.”
Sunset sighed “Wallflower, I’m sorry if I have wronged you any way in the past. I have done a lot of horrible things and I’m not sure if I remember all of them.”
Wallflower smiled weakly “That’s okay, I don’t think you did anything to me. I was kind of too quiet for you to notice, I’m too quiet for a lot of people to notice actually.”
Rainbow smiled “I know someone who may be able to assist you with that, she is rather quiet herself. She loves animals and spends a lot of time at the local shelter.”
Wallflower slumped “I was hoping that someone come and visit the garden after school with me. I put a lot of work into maintaining it but no one seems to care.”
Sunset and Cozy walked over, Sunset smiled “Do you mind if we come over to have a look? I don’t much about flowers but I’m hoping you could tell us more.” Cozy nodded to Sunset with a smile as Wallflower’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree as tears formed in her eyes. The first two periods of the day, Science and Maths past quickly.
Sunset heads to the lunch room and took a seat at a table with Cozy only to be joined by Gilda and Rainbow as well as Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie. Sunset smiled as she Wallflower looking for a seat beckoning to her to join them. Rainbow scowled as her four old friend were casting wary glances at Cozy “Okay, what’s with those looks!”
Cozy frowned “Rainbow, let me handle this.” She then turned to the other girls “I’m not your enemy. We all want to help Sunset, isn't that enough for the four of you to stop worrying about my presence.”
Fluttershy sighed “She’s right, I’ve been too quiet on this matter. Maybe I’ve been too quiet in general, letting you stomp over me until something big happens and then I let it all out at once. She is helping Sunset and that should be more than enough for all of us.”
Applejack frowned “Fluttershy, you’ve heard the rumours that she has killed people before. That is enough reason to be doubt her.”
Cozy grimaced “Well it’s not as if they are wrong even if they are likely to be drastically out of context. I was raised in war, yet I was given a chance at a normal life and now I reaching out to another fallen soul helping her get back on her feet again.”
Rainbow and Gilda were slightly taken aback by this. Applejack and Pinkie were shocked as Rarity fainted in her seat. Sunset and Fluttershy however were unfazed by this, Fluttershy frowned “My Grandfather was a military man, told me the stories. I’ve considered taking on a career as a field medic.”
Wallflower who was quietly observing blinked “Um, your Fluttershy right?”
Fluttershy smiled“Yes, you are the one who runs that pretty garden with all the animals. I wanted to go there but I afraid of interacting with you, still I’d love to see if you want me to.”
Wallflower gave her a meek smile “Thanks.” The bell rang signalling classes were about to resume, Fluttershy woke Rarity and lead Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie away from the other four.
Author's Note
I wanted to give Fluttershy some lines in this chapter.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
The rest of the day passed relatively quietly, Sunset, Cozy, Rainbow Dash, Gilda and Fluttershy joined Wallflower in the garden she so tirelessly worked on. Wallflower smiled as she pruned a few branches “I’m glad your all here, very few people appreciate this place.”
Sunset looked around in awe “It’s beautiful, reminds me of the garden that I saw when I was foal. There animals running around every corner, I still miss it even after all these years.”
Gilda looked around tapping a plant every now and then “I must admit this is quite a sight, I have never been one for plants but you have done really good work here.” Fluttershy was busy feeding feeding a worm to a nest of baby birds while the mother watched on closely.
Cozy smiled “Fluttershy really has a way with animals doesn’t she?”
Rainbow nodded with her own smile “Fluttershy has a heart of gold.” she then sighed “Still that can make it easier for others to take advantage of her kindness, I’m hoping with that speech of hers she starts defending herself more.”
Wallflower looked over to Sunset “I’m curious, what was it like where you came from?”
Sunset smiled “Equestria was a beautiful place, Princess Celestia took me everywhere during my studies, to see the beautiful gardens of Frosthawk Peninsula or the fierceness of the Snowhound Forest. I also remember the grand city of Manehatten.”
Rainbow burst into laughter “Really, Manehatten. I mean what kind of name is that.”
Sunset deadpanned “Yes, I discovered quite quickly how many names were pony puns. Cloudsdale, Las Pegasus, Ponyville and Canterlot just to name a few.”
Fluttershy stood up “I would love to see Equestria, maybe there will be some exotic animals there. That is if it is okay with you.”
Sunset sighed “Maybe one day Fluttershy, I just am not ready to face my mentor. I betrayed her, demanding what I didn’t deserve and when she wouldn’t give it to me tried to find a way to do on my own without her assistance. I have a lot to answer for back home.”
Cozy smiled “I will go with you, no matter how bad things get I will stand by your side. Your my friend, I won’t abandon you no matter what you choose to do.”
Gilda grinned “I wonder what I will be be when I go there, probably something epic and powerful like a dragon.”
Rainbow nodded “I’m will go as well, just today I have seen clear signs you are on your way to being a better person. I believe you genuinely wish to change.”
A woman with a mix of dark and persian blue hair smiled “Sunset, I’m glad you have been taking this friendship business seriously.” She then turned to Cozy “I had my doubts about you when I first met you but you have since proven yourself a kind and loyal soul with wisdom to share”
Sunset slumped “Vice Principal Luna, what is my punishment for the events that occurred during the Fall Formal. There must be some ramifications for my actions surely?”
Luna shook her head “Princess Twilight passed her judgement on you did she not? She has put her faith in you and in a single day you have made astounding progress, look around you, five friends. Some saviours, some seeking companionship and even one who you has been a unknown friend long before this. She has brought something greater here.”
Sunset smiled tears flowing freely from her eyes “When I do see Twilight again I must thank her. She had every reason to bring the hammer of justice upon me, she helped me out of that ditch alongside my first friend.”
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy exchanged happy smiles, Cozy sighed “As much as I’d like to stay here it is starting to get late and dad will be here soon. Still I would be happy to return here after school.”
Wallflower Blush smiled “I’ll be glad to have all of you here with me.”
Cozy and Sunset waved goodbye to their friends with a smile on her face. They arrived at the car park only to see Tirek standing there with a woman whose skin was darker than the darkest night, her cerulean hair was covered by a plith helmet with a few holes in it. She was wearing a dark blue shirt and short red pants, Tirek smiled “This is my wife, Chrysalis.”
Chrysalis smiled weakly at Sunset “It’s nice to meet you Sunset but I would save proper introductions for tomorrow. A few days ago I jumped out of an exploding helicopter and had to throw a rope onto the the spinning blades in order to slow my descent only to crash land in front of the old temple I was searching for.”
Tirek frowned “I can’t believe that, I can believe in magic. I can believe in ancient temples with artefacts that have the power to consume the world but I can’t believe that you are that lucky. It’s as outlandish as you telling that you did a triple somersault of a cliff and then catching a tiny ledge.”
Cozy smiled “Well I believe it, Mum is really awesome. She has saved the world multiple times and wrote a successful book series based on her adventures except taking some of the more impossible bits.”
Sunset smiled as she got in the car“Go on, I would love to learn more about your mother. Have I read these books before?”
Chrysalis grinned as she sat next to Tirek “Well my pen name is AK Yearling so you must have heard about my books. The world knows me as Daring Doo, I picked up a little shape shifting magic from a shaman named Zecora. Allows me to keep my personal and professional life separate.”
Sunset’s eyes widened “Wait you mean you collected the Ancient Idol of Frostreaver the Great?!”
Chrysalis frowned “That was not pleasant, I only managed to escape because one of Caballeron’s goons fired a rocket launcher at my hiding spot that sent me flying out of the temple at high speeds.”
Sunset raised an eyebrow “You sound like you got really lucky.” Chrysalis nodded the rest of trip home was spent discussing the seemingly impossible adventures of Chrysalis much to the dismay of Tirek.
Author's Note
I built that Chrysalis rather than acting like Indiana Jones inspiration that Daring Doo in Equestria is. She more gets through with incredible luck like Nathan Drake from Uncharted does.
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A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Chapter 7: Clash of Wills Part 2 The Fashionista and The Animal Lover
Fluttershy sitting outside the school with Gilda and Wallflower, Rainbow had been released from the Hospital not long afterwards thanks to Sunset’s healing abilities. Still the fact that Applejack could act like that, were the other two the same. Rarity was the person that when she prior to Sunset’s intervention that she spent time with when Rainbow Dash was bus.
The fact that she could wasn’t keen on Cozy rubbed her the wrong way, Cozy had a scarred but kind heart. Fluttershy could sense it ever since they met, after the Fall Formal she has been able to feel the fury coming from others. She could feel the fury in Applejack and Rarity starting to form. Applejack’s was burning hot and would cool in time, Fluttershy was sure of that but Rarity’s felt different it was cold and hollow as if it was closer to hate.
Fluttershy shook her head as Rainbow arrived with Sunset and Cozy, Rainbow walked over to Gilda holding out a hand “I’m sorry for everything, I let my temper control me and pushed you away. It will be a long road but I’m hoping we can put the past behind us.”
Gilda stood up with a serious expression looking to the skies “Rainbow, I have been holding onto that moment for years. For years I’ve been waiting to hear that, to hear those words but I knew deep down I was rude and cold. I’m sorry not just to you Rainbow” she then turned to Fluttershy “I’m sorry to you as well. I mocked you for being soft and weak but that was wrong of me.”
Fluttershy shook her head “You were right, I was weak and soft. If I was stronger than my friendships wouldn’t have fallen apart, I was too weak to stand up to my friends when it mattered letting my emotions bottle up inside but no more. I will no longer be weak.”
Cozy smiled “I’m glad to hear that you are growing, we learn from the mistakes of our past and become better because of it.”
Sunset smiled “But no-one can’t do it alone, if you ever need us to support you just say the word. I’m only just learning but I feel like I have grown so much from your support. It may have been only a day since the Formal but you’ve stood by me, now I will stand by you.”
Wallflower nodded “I will as well, it’s good to have friends. Those who actually pay attention to me, at the same time I need to braver and bolder. If I want to be noticed then silence is not acceptable.”
Rainbow sighed “Now thought I need to speak with someone else before school starts.” The group nodded to her and they all entered the school. Fluttershy could tell behind her stoic façade that Applejack was nervous, Pinkie under her joyous exuberance was terrified but of what she was not sure. Rarity however was exuding malice hidden behind a incredibly convincing smile.
Fluttershy remained as silent as Applejack walked forward guilt clearly marring her features “Ah’m sorry Rainbow, Ah was just so angry and it took mah family to set met straight. Ah have said a lot of bad things, and you were right Ah was being dishonest.”
Rainbow sighed “I was angry too Applejack, I have always had the problem of being too blunt when I need to be more sensitive.” Rainbow then looked up at Applejack “I think our friendship will never be what it was all those years ago but maybe that is a good thing. After the Fall Formal I looked at myself for the first time, looked at myself truly instead of just how awesome I was.”
Fluttershy blinked for a moment as she saw a glow of orange light surrounded Rainbow for a second. Sunset was the only other one seemed to notice, Applejack turned to Sunset “Ah was so busy trying to find something to be angry at you for, to justify those feelings but Ah was wrong.” She then turned to Cozy Glow “Ah’m not sure about you to be honest but the others are right that you are helping Sunset and that should be enough for me.”
Fluttershy sighed as she Rarity’s malice building “Rarity can we talk, alone.”
Rarity nodded “Sure we can.” Fluttershy and Rarity headed to the design room where Rarity spent much of her time. Rarity’s sweet smile would have convinced almost anyone else as she spoke with such a convincingly kind tone “Fluttershy, what is it that you wish to discuss with me?”
Fluttershy’s eyes narrowed “I can feel your malice Rarity. I want to know why are you emitting such a negative emotion so strongly?”
Rarity grimaced “Fluttershy, look at what’s happening. That little girl is drawing on individuals of great power t her, she clearly has bad intentions. She has killed others before, you as one who care for animals must understand the importance of life.”
Fluttershy growled “You don’t truly understand me at all, I don’t live in an apartment like you! I own a small cottage and keep my friends with me, you may see some of the small animals that live with me but you have never seen the big ones! There is Harry and Fang, not just my friends but my family! I was five when I was found by my parents in the forest alongside a bear cub and a wolf cub, when they approached me the two stood in front of me defending me!”
Rarity’s eyes widened “You were raised by beasts!”
Fluttershy growled as her pink hair grew ragged as yellow fur formed over her as her teeth sharpened and her hands turned into fearsome claws “They are not beasts Rarity, the are animals! I was born of the forest, a Spirit of Nature likely conjured up by the magic in the area.”
Fluttershy then returned to normal only for Rarity to scream, seconds later Rainbow Dash burst in with the others behind her only to look over Fluttershy “That is a good look for you, real fearsome.”
Sunset frowned “Okay, what has been going on.”
Rarity growled pointing at Cozy “You know that she has killed others! Is that something we just ignore!”
Applejack sighed “Rarity we have all forgotten that we are trying to help Sunset and Cozy is helping Sunset. That should be enough for all of us.”
Rainbow nodded “Exactly, we all offered to help Sunset. What good is our word if we turn our back on it after a few days.”
Wallflower growled storming over to Rarity “Get over yourself, you stupid stuck up piece of shit! What makes you better than her, better than all of us!” Fluttershy felt a huge wave of terror, she turned around only to see Pinkie’s smile shattered as she let out a horrible screech running from the room in tears.
Author's Note
Applejack's family wouldn't let her get away with that kind of behaviour. As for that last bit about Wallflower you don't try to take everyone's memories for someone turning off a light on you and ignoring you one day without being a little bit of a raging asshole.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Chapter 8: Pinkie's Voice
Pinkie was sitting on her own in the library, everyone was concerned as the usual bouncy girl was quietly sobbing to herself (My friends are fighting, why are they fighting? Friends don’t fight, they laugh and smile. They enjoy parties.)
A voice spoke (Well then, do something about it. Nothing will happen if you sit here complaining about it so do something, think about it Sunset and that girl Cozy are the source of all your problems. Get rid of them and all return to normal.)
Pinkie shook her head (No, I’m not going to do that Pie. We don’t hurt others, that is not the way to make others happy. I won’t do it, they’ll come around I’m sure of it.)
Pie growled (Well that’s not really your choice to make. I’m sick of your soft hearted crap, I’m going to show what you should do!) Pinkie screamed as Pie forced herself to take control of the girl’s body and leapt off the upper balcony running out of the room.
Sunset, Cozy and Wallflower were searching for Pinkie only for Pie to run down the hall and jump towards Sunset pulling a knife out of her hair. Wallflower reacted as a small green glow emanated from her chest as she sent a green pulse knocking Pie away. Sunset’s eyes widened “You can do magic.”
Wallflower frowned as pulled out stone “Ever since I found this yes, it’s been getting easier the more I use it even when I don’t have the stone on me. It has the power to erase memories.”
Pie stood up only to grip her head as a Pinkie using the opportunity to take back control of her mind. Pinkie dropped the knife sobbing “I’m so sorry!”
Sunset walked over to Pinkie “What happened, you ran off crying and then you attacked me then started crying again? Please just tell us what happened.”
Pinkie slumped “I’m scared of you fighting, that you are all going to runaway for me. I have a second voice in my mind, she only wants the best for me and believes that you are as well as Cozy are responsible for me being miserable. She hates how I am too soft to defend myself.”
Cozy Glow sighed “I’m sorry, my existence has caused a lot of drama. Rarity hates me, Applejack is only just now giving me chance.”
Wallflower frowned “Now that is not fair on you, Rarity will have to figure out what her friendship is actually worth. If she is unwillingly to compromise with her friends than that is her choice to make but that attitude will end up leaving her alone.”
Rarity growled “You think I can’t compromise, I should…”
Sunset put a hand of Rarity’s mouth fire burning in her eyes “Pinkie is sick of us fighting, I am going to talk and you are going to listen. Got that.” Rarity nodded slowly, Sunset frowned “One of our friends is hurting and you don’t seem to understand that. You are too busy judging someone because of their past, the past can’t be changed. I’m not asking you and Cozy to be friends immediately but I’m asking you to give her a chance to prove herself. You are giving me one as well and I hope that I am doing well.”
Rarity sighed as Sunset removed her hand “Just the diet of someone who could kill so many others rubs me the wrong way. I’m not sure I wanted to interact with someone like that.”
Sunset grimaced “Rarity, that’s how I felt about you entire species. I researched your history, Guns, Bombs, Napalm and don’t get get started on anything atomic. I thought your species were terrifying monsters, in my early years I considered after returning to Equestria having Celestia purge the planet of humans.”
Rainbow having just come around the corner with Gilda and Fluttershy frowned “Did you really that of humans?”
Gilda frowned “I mean it makes sense, do you really think a world of magically ponies would be very conducive to violence? Even someone as jaded as Sunset seemed to be would not be capable of comprehending the cruelty of humans.”
Pinkie stood up drying her tears “I’m sorry for being a burden on all of you, I just wanted every to get along and be happy. Friends shouldn’t fight amongst themselves.”
Cozy sighed “Pinkie, friends fight all the time. I don’t know what Twilight has said about friendship but we aren’t magical ponies. We are humans, and we are easily upset. We get upset at each other for the stupidest things but if we can work through them we become stronger on the other side.” She then gave Pinkie a weak smile “It makes those times with the smiling, laughing and parties worth it. Whenever you have a problem, whenever you are upset tell us. We can work through it so we can smile, laugh and party again.”
Pinkie gave Cozy a soft hug “I’m not sure I can, I’m so used to be the super fun party girl who throws parties for everyone. I hide my sadness and problems away but then it will make others sad.”
Cozy smiled holding “We can work on that, it will come slowly if you work on it. Want to be friends?”
Pinkie smiled grabbing Cozy’s hand giving it a firm “Friends, now I have to got a party to plan for all of us. It will be a great one I promise.”
As Pinkie walked away with a warm smile on her face, Rarity walked over to Cozy with a frown “I don’t know if we can be friends but I will try to town down the animosity.”
Cozy nodded as she held out her hand “That is understandable. Not everyone can be friends but that’s okay, we will do our best.” Rarity shook the hand in agreement that would try to accept the girl in front of her.
Author's Note
What I am tyring to do with this story is make sure that all of them are growing from the experience that was the first Equestria Girls movie.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Chapter 9: Friends on the Farm
Applejack was standing at the gates, countless trees being worked by countless members of her family as she awaited her friends. Sunset and Cozy where the first to arrive, Sunset took a deep breath “This smells like home, the air is so clean and fresh here.”
Applejack grinned “We work this farm very cleanly, what little pollution created by the tractors gets soaked up by the trees. We do our best to keep the air clean and fresh.”
Cozy looked around eyes wide “This place is beautiful, I’ve never seen anything like it. So much of the land I grew in up was barren.”
Applejack chuckled “Well Ah’m glad you like the farm, the others will be here soon enough. Ah’ll show our home in the meantime.” Applejack lead the pair towards the farmhouse, they arrived to see Big Mac exiting the farmhouse with a knowing smile. One eeyup later and he was already on his way.
Cozy looked at the boy “He seems like the quiet type, a positive trait. Too many people talk a lot and listen very little.”
Sunset smiled as she smelt food “I t seems your bother has prepared food for us, I suggest we eat it before it gets cold.” As they soon as they entered Apple Bloom cast a withering glare at Cozy Glow then cast a weaker glare at Sunset before leaving for her room.
Applejack blinked “What was that all about?”
Cozy grimaced “When I first entered the school, she was boasted how she was the strongest freshmen in the school. She had beat everyone in an arm wrestle except for me, I humbled her that day and scared quite a few kids. Still before you get mad at her it is likely she was nervous on her first day, nervousness can masquerade as overconfidence.”
Sunset smiled “Can we eat?” Applejack nodded with a smile, the group sat down at the table where several plates of Apple Fritters were set. Sunset started to tear up as she took a bite “This is amazing!”
Cozy took a bite herself and smiled “Sunset is right, your brother is quite good in the kitchen. Had I swung that way I would consider pursuing him.”
Applejack and Sunset’s jaw dropped as a voice came from the door “I’m afraid I misheard, did someone mention pursuing Big Mac.” Cozy turned to see Rainbow at the door and nodded with a grin.
Applejack shook her head before looking at Cozy “Your not exactly subtle about that, most kids your age would not much about that topic.”
Cozy frowned “I was in a military that employed child soldiers, I have had quite a bit of first hand experience. Still any one who I had sex with was beholden to me, the first time one made that mistake he lost something important and no-one else dared.”
Rainbow looked around “This place really is impressive, I must admit. I really wish I was invited here sooner.” She then sighed “Applejack, we have to stop ribbing each other.”
Applejack blinked “What do you mean by that Rainbow?”
Rainbow grimaced “Those little jabs when we compete, that has to stop. Some of those things had been hurtful for both of us and it escalated. You wouldn’t invite me home because I doubt any of your family would have accepted what I had said to you.”
Sunset blinked in confusion “Um confused quests here, what is going on between you two.”
Rainbow sighed “When me and Applejack were competing over something once. I was angry and wasn’t thinking straight, I called her a filthy swine. I was horrified about what I said but my pride wouldn’t allow me to apologise. She then called me a lazy slug, that grinded my gears and I call her a Country Hick. It escalated to blow from there.”
Applejack sighed “Ah understand where Rainbow is coming from, we brought out the worst in each other for a long time. Our friendship was already strained by the time Sunset came along, it was last piece of the puzzle that caused our friendship to shatter and with it weakened our group. Fluttershy couldn’t hang out with me, and neither did Rarity as she was better friends with Fluttershy. Yet we too divided and Sunset picked us apart.”
Sunset slumped “I’m sorry about that, I just was so obsessed with my goal. I was also jealous of what you had, you all seemed look good friends, it furthered my resolve to never makes friends after you fell apart so easily.”
Rainbow grimaced “Fluttershy was so upset that I had just abandoned Applejack and bottled that up which lead her being angry Rarity often. Pinkie was just sad all the time and drifted away, she suffered from psychological problems during that time. I believe I should leave the rest of it to her.”
Applejack raised an eyebrow “How do you know all of this stuff? We weren’t extra close at that time, so how did you find out?”
Sunset grimaced “Snips and Snails posted it on Mystable trying to please me, even then there were lines that I wouldn’t cross. If you were in a relationship with someone of the same sex, if you had family issues and other personal stuff. I focused on embarrassing things that happened at school but very little of it was world ending.”
Cozy nodded “Nothing you did was really that bad, I know there was so much you could do with the power you had at your disposal.” Just at that moment Gilda, Wallflower, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie entered the farmhouse.
Gilda frowned “Okay what did we miss?”
Sunset frowned “I’m a little worried about that object that Wallflower has, I don’t what it is but it allows one to use Equestrian magic. It makes me wonder if anything else from Equestria is here.”
Fluttershy shook her head “Let’s not think about that, we are here to enjoy the company of friends are we not.”
Rarity nodded “I agree, let’s put that magic business behind us shall we.”
It was at that moment that Granny Smith entered with a smile “I’m glad you have stuck with Applejack after her recent foolishness. I gave her a stern talking too.” Applejack rubbed her behind mumbling about a stick.
Granny Smith then walked over to Cozy Glow, and looked over her with serious expression that Cozy Glow mirrored. The older woman’s gaze softened as she hugged Cozy “Poor girl, you have been through such hardship.”
Granny Smith then let go “I believe you should tell everyone about it all.” Cozy began telling the whole story of her life, pausing to answer questions as necessary.
Author's Note
A large part of this story is fleshing out the Rainbooms, making them more complete characters. I wanted them to learn something from all of this, by resolbing these problems now it will heavily impact what happens next.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Wallflower frowned at Sunset as they walked through the corridors of the school with the rest of their group alongside them “Why was Rainbow Dash so eager for us to meet her in the music room? Is there some important school event that we have missed.”
Sunset frowned as she thought about it for a moment before replying “Well I’d assume it has something to do with music. Why else would be going to the music room?”
Cozy smiled “I can play a Cello, probably not as well as Octavia Melody but I have spent the last year practising. I wonder what other instruments the rest of us could play.”
Rarity smiled “Well I have played a piano for years, my favourite instrument considering everything. She then frowned “It is a bit big to carry around, maybe I need to learn another instrument.”
Fluttershy was about comment when the group arrived and entered the music room only to see Rainbow with a guitar. A drum set behind her with a tambourine and keytar laying there, Rainbow grinned “The reason why I called you here was that the musical showcase is coming up and I was hoping for us to form a band together.”
Gilda raised an eyebrow “There is nine of us here, that makes for quite a large band. We are on our way to making a rock symphony here.”
Sunset smiled “I’m sure we can make it work, Flash taught me how to play a guitar. Probably the only hobby I ever had to be honest, I am a decent player.”
Gilda shrugged “Well if you are really serious about this I can play a violin and fiddle. They are technically the same instrument but I know both styles of playing.”
Wallflower smiled “I’m a flute player, I just hope it’s not too quiet for all of you.”
Rainbow looked at all of them with a smile “I came with a name of the band, I was thinking Unity. Do you think it is a good name?” Everyone nodded with a smile, Rainbow smiled as she put her hand down “We are more than just a band, we are a family.We may be damaged, we may be scarred but we are coming together as one and no matter what happens we stand together.”
Gilda put a hand over Rainbow’s “To reigniting old bonds.”
Sunset put her hand on Gilda’s “To finding one’s place.”
Cozy joined next “To overcoming one’s past and moving into the future.”
Wallflower smiled “To being accepted and loved.”
Fluttershy smiled as she placed her hand “To standing up for yourself.”
Pinkie Pie smiled as placed a hand down “To sharing one’s pain with those who you hold close.”
Rarity smiled as looked to Cozy “To not judge another by first impressions.”
Applejack placed her hand on top “To be honest with those around you.” The group shouted “To family!”
Rainbow grinned “Now let’s rock these halls, everyone grab your instruments.” It took a while but everyone found their instruments save Applejack.
Sunset smiled “I can take you to your home and get what you need, just close your eyes.” One flash away as both Sunset and Applejack were gone, they returned with Sunset’s guitar and Applejack’s banjo. Soon they began to play the instruments slowly melding together as Rainbow began to sing.
I let my go blind me to the truth, I left my friends behind
Alone I wandered as I let my anger fester
My old wounds eating away at me
I was falling apart at the seems
Then a light came shining on, restoring what I lost
I thought I could continue on undaunted
That all would return to what was
That we could all be good friends
Then as thought about my actions
I realised that we weren’t as close
That I had hurt my friends with my arrogance and pride
I knew I had to fix this somehow
Sunset joined in with a smile gesturing at their friends.
Your are not alone my friend and we will fix this together
Scars of the past tear at us but together we are strong
We have grown stronger for our hardships
Become better people and better friends
Rainbow smiled “I believe I’d say that this first band meeting as been a success, I was at little unsure about this idea but it seems to be working really well.”
Gilda grinned “If I knew we could play music like this together I would put more effort back then to get know everyone here.”
Cozy smiled holding the school Cello in place “I needed bring my Cello here for the next Band meeting. I’m honestly glad to be apart of a group, no-one ever including me in anything before.”
Sunset hugged the girl with a smile “Well that’s not the case anymore, you are surrounded by friends. We will not leave you behind no matter what happens.”
Wallflower smiled “I’m glad to be here as well, it’s nice to do something with others for a change. Still I will need to take time to take care of the garden as well.”
Rarity smiled “I’ll come over and help you with that some time. It sounds like beautiful place to visit, maybe I can even come with some floral designs for you if you wish. She then grinned “We need band outfits, I need to get ready right away.”
Rainbow laughed “I’m glad we’re all back together again, and with new friends amongst the old. I’d say we can overcome all the challenges in front of us.”
Fluttershy smiled “I’d like to w rite some songs for the band, I have always enjoyed making up lyrics. So do you want go again, we will need some more practice if we want to perform in front of a live audience.”
Pinkie grinned as bounced up and down “Let’s do it, I would love to play more.” The group laughed at Pinkie’s excitement before getting ready for another run through not knowing that three girls carrying red gems had just entered the school.
Author's Note
Well I'm sure you know who they are. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Chapter 11: Transformations
The whole band was together for another practice, Rainbow grinned “Let’s give our new song a run through shall we.”
Gilda grinned her violin resting against her neck, Sunset, Applejack and Rarity had their banjo, guitar and keytar ready. Fluttershy was holding her tambourine as Wallflower was holding her flute, Pinkie was shaking eagerly on her drums. Rainbow began strumming with a smile a faint sky blue glow forming around her, as Pinkie’s drum started up the pink surrounded by a faint dark pink glow.
I can feel the wind, rain and sky
My heart beating in my chest
My wings flapping behind me
As I feel the freedom within
Sunset smiled as she took the lead a faint dark red glow shining around her while Rainbow’s guitar fell into the background
I can feel the fire within me
My friends fanning the flames
Of friendship within me
I can feel them within me
The rest group slowly joined in, a faint green glow forming around Wallflower, a faint black glow forming around Cozy while a light brown glow formed around Gilda. A faint yellow formed around Fluttershy, while a faint blueish glow formed around Rarity, a faint orange formed around Applejack.
We rely on each other to move forward
We stand by each other in the darkest days
We fight together when the world pushes us down
We stand united against all odds
The glowing grew stronger around them but they were all too caught up in the music to notice.
Hatred may brew a darker day
But love will shield us
Harmony will protect us
And Friendship will Unite us
Rainbow’s eyes widened realised that she was glowing brightly, a pony ears formed on her head as blue wings formed behind her while Fluttershy also gained Pony ears and wings. Pinkie, Wallflower, Applejack and Rarity also gained pony like ears. Rarity’s hands glowed with blue light, Gilda had grown massive eagle wings as her hands had turned to eagle talons as feathers covered her face her mouth turning into a beak.
Rainbow was first to recover from the stunning change and turned to ask Sunset a question only to see a female red skinned devil with demonic wings and two long thick horns sticking out from her head standing next to a skeletal creature shrouded in a black cloak floating with a scythe in each hand.
Gilda recovered next and squawked “What happened to us, why do I have a beak and feathers!”
Sunset rubbed her forehead “It seems we transform in response to music, although theoretically we would be able to transform should we choose with some practice. Still we need to revert back...” The magic fades just as quickly as it came fro everyone except Sunset and Wallflower.
Wallflower frowned “It seems we have enough control to revert normally.” The two focused returning to normal.
Rarity frowned “So our music allows to use the harmony magic that we got form Twilight’s crown, is that correct Sunset?”
Sunset nodded “Yes, and I assume using those forms will make it easier for us to do magic.” She then turned to Gilda “Well you turned into a Griffon, Fluttershy and Rainbow turned into Pegasi. Applejack, Pinkie, and Wallflower turned into Earth Ponies, Rarity as judging from the glowing became a unicorn.”
Applejack raised an eyebrow “What about you and Cozy, those forms seem outside of the nor?.”
Sunset sighed “Well mine should pretty obvious, I turned into a demon before and it doesn't surprise me that I turn into something similar. Such darkness doesn't go away, it becomes part of you and you have to accept it. I did those bad things but I will become a better person.”
Cozy frowned “I told you I killed people, becoming an embodiment of death isn’t that far out of my reach. Still I am trying to become a better person but those impulses are always there, I have just learned to reign them in.”
Gilda frowned “So we need to practice these forms do we? That sounds like work that I would rather avoid if I can help it.”
Applejack shook her head “Ah’m willing to try and learn how to control it. It saved us once and it may do so again.”
Sunset frowned “It also would be wise to learn so we don’t do it every time we play music. That would draw a lot of unnecessary attention that could put us all in harm’s way.”
Wallflower grimaced “Well I’m not going to put my friend in danger, I will put the work in. I hope you will all do the same.”
Gilda nodded “I agreed to be part of this, I may not like to put in too much extra effort but I will work with all of you. We are a family after all, that’s what we agreed upon.”
Fluttershy growled “I will not let my friends be put in danger, I’m ready for this!”
Rainbow smiled “Love the fire in your heart Fluttershy, let’s do this thing. We will become master’s of magic.”
Rarity smiled “Maybe I could find a way to use these talents, being able to lift objects with magic will make things much easier for me. Maybe I’ll be able to make clothes much easier.”
Wallflower warned “Just be careful, it is quite mentally draining. It took me a few weeks before I could use it without burning out. So we shouldn’t overdo it too soon,we should do it on Saturday so everyone gets one day to rest before the week starts. It’s what I did and this time we have someone actually trained with us.”
Sunset nodded “This isn’t too be taken lightly, also be careful. It is easy to fall into the trap of using dark magic, as someone who was trained in dark magic that to do it properly you need to keep your mind focused. Even a trained dark mage can fall to if they are not prepared for it as you saw with the crown. You need a strong will to control dark magic effectively.”
Pinkie bounced over with a smile “Enough of the doom and gloom, sleepover at my place tonight.” Everyone else smiled, Pinkie really knew how to alleviate the tension in the room.
Author's Note
I'm going to do more fluffy chapters after this, less serious ones until the first training day.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Pinkie was smiling eagerly as she was setting up sleeping bags in her room, she had been planning to have a sleepover with her friends since the Fall Formal. Then she heard a knock on the door, she bounced down a plain flight of stairs with a grin. She opened the door to see Applejack, Gilda, Rainbow and Fluttershy standing outside.
Gilda looked around “I was expecting this place to be more bouncy and full of streamers.”
Rainbow chuckled “That’s probably because of her sister, she is quite a stoic one and very quiet.”
Before Gilda could respond, a greyish hand waved behind her as monotone voice came from behind her “Hi, I’m Maud.” Gilda turned around and jumped backwards defensively.
Applejack smiled at Gilda “You’ll get used to it with time, Maud can really sneak up on you.”
Rarity entered alongside Wallflower, Wallflower waved nervously at Maud “Hi.” Maud calmly waved back before heading upstairs. Wallflower nervously looked at Rarity and Fluttershy “Who was that?”
Fluttershy smiled “That’s Pinkie’s sister, Maud. A stern person to be sure but incredibly reliable. The reliability is one of the few traits she shared with Pinkie.”
Rarity smiled “She does make for a fantastic model, capable of being perfectly still and doesn’t complain even the slightest bit.” She then glanced towards Rainbow and Applejack whispering “I wish some others would do the same.”
Before any more words could be spoken Sunset and Cozy arrived. Cozy looked around “Well it looks like we are the last here.”
Pinkie shouted to the group with a massive grin “Follow me!” Everyone shrugged and followed the bouncing girl to her room, a pink bed was in the centre as several sleeping bags were on the floor neatly laid out while a shooter video game was set up on the TV.
Rainbow and Applejack nodded to each other before taking up the controllers, Gilda following them waiting for a chance to tag in. Fluttershy sat down with a hair brush. She smiled “Cozy, your hair is a bit of a mess. I can help with that.”
Cozy smiled back “Okay.”
Sunset sat next to Cozy as Fluttershy began brushing her hair, she winced slightly as brush tore through a knot. Wallflower apologised “Sorry.”
Sunset smiled as Rarity sat next to Wallflower “I’ll help you, this type of things takes some practice. I’ll show you how to brush.”
Pinkie bounced over grinning and gave her a cupcake “Enjoy.” Sunset slowly ate the cupcake as Cozy was humming beside her as their hair was being brushed.
They turned as Rainbow slumped “Good much AJ” she then turned to Gilda “You want to have a go.” Gilda nodded as Pinkie bounced over with two cupcakes, joining Rainbow watching the intense match between Applejack and Gilda.
Gilda’s character wore a black jacket over a dark blue vest with a pair of jeans and pair of black boots, an assault rifle in her hands. Applejack's character was wearing a dark blue Stetson, a white shirt and black shorts, as well as a pair of cowgirl boots with two revolvers on either side.
Applejack’s character ran towards Gilda’s character dodging out of the way of bullets, as she closed the distance. Only for a flash bang to go off in her face before a barrage of rounds took her down, Applejack sighed “Who wants to have a go?”
Cozy Glow raised her hand “I’ll have go, just let me create a character.”
Pinkie giggled “That’s silly, you can’t beat Gilda with a new character. You will only have a pistol and a knife, she has a huge kit of weapons.”
Cozy Glow gave her challenging look “Watch me.” Fluttershy stop brushing her hair as Sunset moved to watch. Cozy’s character started to appear very similar to herself, just older. Cozy’s character had the same shade of arctic blue hair as well as the light pink skin, she was wearing a dark blue tank top with red shorts, a pair of combat boots. Sunset blushed slightly as she imagined a grown up Cozy Glow standing by her in that outfit, she shook her head only to see the match start. Cozy was so focused on the game, Cozy Glow’s character was hiding behind a wall as Gilda’s was closing in, Gilda threw a flash bang. Then aimed for the direction where the wall wasn’t only for Cozy’s character to run through the flash bang and clip Gilda in the head with a stray bullet.
Gilda’s eyes widened as she realised her character was dead, a single hole resting right between her character’s eyes. Gilda turned to Cozy trying to rationalise what she had seen“You are really good at this.”
Cozy frowned “I was raised in war Gilda, I know more than anyone else in this room about how a real battle is waged. I also know how to survive when pushed against a wall, still I want to play something less violent. I don’t want to be that person anymore.”
Pinkie walked over and removed the disk, the title Proud Guns plastered across the disk. She returned it to it’s case and brought out a racing game with the title Madness Racing, Pinkie smiled “This game can have up to twenty players, so we can all play together.”
It was not long before all twenty players were in their own carts, Sunset was playing a red haired mechanic girl. Fluttershy was playing a songstress who drove a gem covered go kart, Wallflower was playing a ghost who drove a ghost unicycle. Rainbow was playing a speed loving racer who drove a rocket kart, while Applejack was playing a retired kart racer who used an old worn go kart. Gilda was playing a biker girl who loved competition and had a pitch black bike. Rarity had picked the same character as Fluttershy, Pinkie was playing a clown who drove a balloon car. Cozy was playing as a dark king on a supernatural horse. Several other computer controlled AI players joined in to fill up the remaining spots
Rainbow got to an early lead and she started bragging, only for a barrage of different power ups to send to the last spot. Fluttershy and Wallflower cautiously stayed around the middle afraid to push too far ahead. Applejack was pushing Gilda eager to get some payback, Rarity had third place with Pinkie watching from behind her as Sunset and Cozy were competing for first.
Sunset managed to edge the victory with a tricky explosive combo, Cozy laughed “That was pretty impressive.”
Rainbow pouted “I can’t believe you all ganged up on me, I went from first to last and every time I got anywhere near the group you knocked me off again.”
Fluttershy flicked Rainbow in the nose “You were bragging about how good you were, everyone jumped on you.”
Gilda blinked in confusion “Where was this Fluttershy when we first met.”
Fluttershy smiled “Hiding but no longer, I won’t hide myself away anymore. I have to stand up for my friends.”
Cozy exclaimed “I wish to have rematch with Sunset, so let’s get back into it!” Everyone turned to her , and soon they were back in the whole group playing the game for the rest of the day.
Author's Note
I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Apple Bloom was sitting next to Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle in the Cafeteria. Apple Bloom glared at Sunset and Cozy “Ah can’t believe mah sister is spending time with those two. We used to spend so much time together and now she hangs out with those two.”
Scootaloo frowned at her friend “First off she is also hanging out with her other friends that she hasn't spent time with years. Also aren’t you letting your jealousy get the better of you?”
Sweetie Belle frowned “Yes that is true but they shouldn’t be spending time with them Sunset and that other girl. You know what those two have done! Those things don’t simply disappear overnight!”
Scootaloo shook her head “No they don’t but people change. Everyone deserves a second chance, before we make any rash judgements we should wait. If you really feel that way then be open with your sister Apple Bloom, hiding from your family won’t fix things.”
Apple Bloom shook her head “I’ll wait Scootaloo but if this continues I will act. I want to know if you’re with me.”
Scootaloo grimaced as she stood up “That depends if you do something stupid or not. I won’t do something that will cause harm to others no matter how much you believe it is necessary.” Scootaloo walked away towards the table where Rainbow was sitting as Sweetie Belle’s looked frantically between her two friends.
Scootaloo frowned as she sat next to Rainbow Dash, Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow “Sis is something wrong? You can be open with me no matter happens you’ll always be my little sis.”
Scootaloo whispered “Don’t tell anyone else but I had just a little argument with Apple Bloom. I’m worried she is going to do something stupid.”
Rainbow whispered back “Don’t worry sis, she’ll come around I’m sure of it. If she’s as stubborn as her sister it will take some time, just make sure to keep her out of trouble.”
Scootaloo giggled, Applejack blinked “What is she laughing about? Did something happen?”
Rainbow turned to Applejack “We were just talking about how stubborn you can be sometimes. You have a strong will, it’s both your greatest strength and your greatest weakness.”
Applejack nodded with a sigh “Ah know Rainbow, it’s a hard habit to break. It’s just Ah need to be steadfast for mah family.”
Sunset smiled at Applejack “That’s not a bad thing, being stubborn to a fault is not a bad thing. Every flaw can be turned into a strength with the right guidance. We are all here for you.”
Fluttershy smiled “Sunset’s right, we are all here for each other. We made a promise that day we became a band, we stand together no matter how bad things get.”
Rainbow smiled at Scootaloo “Speaking of which, do you want join me this afternoon so I can teach some soccer tricks if you’d like?”
Scootaloo rubbed the back of head “Well actually I was hoping to join the track team, I am quite a fast runner. With some practice I think I can do well, is it okay if you help me with that?”
Rainbow frowned “I can try my best but I’m not a member of the track team. It clashes with my soccer practice.”
Sunset smiled “I can help, I am part of the track team. It helped me a lot when learning how to use legs” she then flexed her right arm her biceps bulging “between that and the weight training it’s also how I kept myself in such good shape. I still keep it up when I’m in my own room”
Cozy grinned as she looked over Sunset “I never noticed before but you are very attractive. Any man or woman love to have someone with your physique to share their bed.”
As Sunset blushed, Rarity raised an eyebrow “Aren’t you a bit young to be talking about that kind of thing?”
Cozy laughed “I did enjoy roll in the hay, I made it quite clear that I was on top. I also preferred girls to boys, I had no interest having a child at that age.” She then tapped her hips with a grin “If any of you girls are interested just say something to me later.”
Everyone at the table was blushing save Scootaloo who had her eyes covered by Rainbow, Sunset especially. She had been called attractive and then one of her new friends suggested that right in front of her, Gilda recovered first “You are really forward aren’t you.”
Cozy gave them all flirtatious look “To me it’s just a bit of fun unless you want me to take it further, because I’m happy to do either.”
Applejack coughed “Maybe should talk about something else, Ah’m not exactly comfortable with this topic.”
Cozy Glow shrugged “Suit yourself, this is quite an adult topic. Even after four years I haven’t really adapted to being a young person, mature topics were more normal during my younger years.”
Wallflower blushed “I was not ready for that to come up.”
Pinkie who was unusually quiet “Me neither, my parents didn’t tell me about that until a year ago and made it clear that I wasn’t to do that until I was eighteen or was engaged.It is strange for a freshmen to be talking about that.”
Cozy shook her head “Well I’m fourteen, I won’t be a freshmen for too much longer.” Everyone’s eyes widened save Sunset who did figure out but didn’t really mention it. Cozy raised an eyebrow “I’m surprised you didn’t know that I was in my last freshmen year.”
Fluttershy sighed “We thought you were younger, it has been a little hard to tell your age with how you act.”
Cozy shrugged “Well that’s fine. We have to…” The ringing of the bell signalled them heading to their next classes. Apple Bloom was glaring at Cozy with fire in her eyes.
The rest of the day was pretty quiet, Sunset was laying on her bed looking at the ceiling. Her cheeks were glowing slightly as Cozy’s words were repeating in her mind (I never noticed before but you are very attractive. Any man or woman love to have someone with your physique to share their bed.) Sunset was trying to joke with her friends a bit but that wasn’t expected.
Cozy entered the room with a frown “You haven’t left this room in half an hour, are you moping again?”
Sunset shook her head failing to remove the slight blush from her face “I was just thinking about what you said today, it was supposed to be a little joke.”
Cozy smiled “I do find you attractive, so if your willing to have some fun.”
Sunset blushed “Sure, just be gentle. I don’t have much experience in this kind of thing.”
Cozy smiled “Just say Glowbulb if you wish to stop” she then grinned “Now let’s have some real fun.” Tirek had to put a pair of headphones to drown out the noise that was being made.
Author's Note
Orginally there was going to be a sex scene here but I checked the rules and there would be a breach so I didn't write one.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Chapter 14: Sunset's Past
Sunset was in the back of a car with Gilda and Wallflower while Cozy was sitting next to Tirek. They were heading out to their first magic practice, Tirek frowned “Are you sure this is a good idea? This magic has already caused one disaster already?”
Sunset frowned “All the more reason to learn how to control it, we don’t want untrained magic users running around do we?”
Cozy nodded “We need to learn how to control this power of ours or else we may hurt someone. Especially me and Sunset, our powers need to be reined in.”
They had arrived at forest that Sunset used to live in, Tirek frowned “I’m going back to get the others. I expect you four of you to be outside the place Sunset used to stay in.”
Sunset nodded “We will.”
Gilda looked around with a frown “You sued to live out here? It is no wonder you treated everyone like dirt, you needs the influence in order to get things.”
Sunset let out a mirthless chuckle “I had some gems that would have been enough to get me by for the next three years but I wanted more so I blackmailed people. Most of all the reason I did it was because it made me feel good about myself just like all bullies do. I was on the path to becoming a demon in a humans skin.”
Wallflower grimaced “Don’t beat yourself of what you have done and focus on what you can do. It is so easy to tell yourself that everything about yourself is bad, I became a recluse who erased everyone’s memory so I didn’t feel embarrassed. It was a really foolish thing to do.”
Cozy shook her head “Enough about depressing topics, we are here to learn about to how to use our magic.”
Sunset nodded as she guided them to her former home, she sat down as she closed her eyes and within second her devil form resurfaced. She stood up and looked at all of them “You need to centre your mind in order to draw out the state. In time you will be able to draw it out at will but for now you must meditate touching on your magic.”
Wallflower nodded as she drew out her transformed state while she stood there “I have plenty of experience Sunset, maybe not as much as you but I’m no stranger to magic.”
Gilda and Cozy were struggling, Gilda was struggling to maintain the calm state. Cozy Glow on the other hand was sobbing, Sunset walked over and gave Cozy a hug “What is wrong?”
Cozy looked at Sunset “I don’t want to go there, I don’t want to be that person anymore. I don’t want to be a killer again!”
Sunset gave her a slight kiss on the cheek as she smiled “Cozy, your not a killer. You are beautiful girl with a kind heart, very few people would have pulled me out of that crater that day.”
Cozy smiled weakly “Thanks Sunset.”
Wallflower blinked “Um I don’t mean to be rude but did something happen between you two? I mean you two are being very intimate right now and how did that happen.”
Cozy’s eyes widened as she realised what happened “Um…, Sunset I know we had fun that night but was there supposed to be something more to it then that?”
Sunset’s blush only grew “Your quite pretty, I always admired those with scars. I always liked those with fierce personalties, it made them appear strong to me.” Sunset then pressed her lips against Cozy’s with a smile, Gilda was grinning as Wallflower blushed.
The moment was ruined as Rainbow Dash grinned “So you two had some fun when we weren’t looking didn’t you?!”
Applejack, Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy all backed away as Sunset and Cozy glared at Rainbow Dash. Sunset growled “We were having a moment and you ruined it! Look just go and meditate over there, that’s what you need to do unlock your powers!”
Fluttershy pulled Rainbow away “I understand the basics of meditation, follow and I’ll explain it. Sunset needs some time with Cozy.”
Cozy was concerned as Sunset was looking down sadly “Is there something wrong?”
Sunset slumped “I shouldn’t have shouted at her, I was just angry about it. What if I turn back into that.”
Cozy shook her head with a smile “I know you won’t, you have shown that you don’t want to be that way anymore but you need to tell all of us the truth.”
Sunset nodded with sigh “I need to tell you all the truth.” Sunset stood up and called out “there is something I need to tell all of you!” The whole group clustered around her.
Applejack frowned as she looked at the girl “Is there something wrong, Sunset?”
Sunset frowned “I’m going to tell you about who I am, Sunset wasn’t my first name. This body of mine was constructed by Princess Celestia but before that I existed as a part of her.”
All of them except Cozy gasped, Cozy on the other hand frowned “Please continue, I need to know who you were before all of this.”
Sunset grimaced “Back then I was known as Daybreaker, all of the negative emotions that Celestia bottled up became me. I had access to all of her memories and even after our bodies separated we were linked, in a way I was her if she was a total raging asshole.”
Rainbow blinked “Wait are you a clone of her then?”
Sunset gave them a weak smile “I must thank all of you in away being blasted by the Elements was the best thing that ever happened to me. It separated me from her mind, I could at last be my own person.”
Pinkie grinned “I’m glad your happier now, things will get better for you now. I promise you that.”
Rarity frowned “This does explain a lot about your past, Twilight didn’t act like she knew you personally. If you were both students at the same time she would know you but she didn’t.”
Sunset shook her head “Let’s not get bogged down in that, we have magic practice to get to.” The group spent the next couple of hours practising magic and all them could draw on their transformed states through meditation.
Author's Note
I wrote this as her backstory because it fits, why she seems to have no parents. How she knew what Twilight's crown was and how to replace it. It helps clear a lot of the plotholes in the first movie.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
It had been a month since the Fall Formal, Sunset and Cozy were entering the school ignoring the glares from everyone. Cozy frowned “Why haven't contacted Princess Celestia yet.”
Sunset sighed “Trying to talk to her had always been difficult for me. I’ll get around to it soon enough but it’s not easy for me to do this. We always had a rocky relationship, trying to deal with the pony who is essentially is the positive side of you isn’t easy.”
Cozy frowned “The showcase is starting today, are sure your up for performing in front of so many.”
Sunset smiled “It will be fine don’t worry.” After they separated the rest of the day was pretty simple until the period were everyone was setting up for the showcase. Sunset approached Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle as they were painting one of the banners “Do you mind if I help?”
Apple Bloom scowled “Go away, we’ve got a handle on this. Go and cause misery to someone else!” Scootaloo saw Sunset’s forlorn look and turned to Apple Bloom fire burning in her eyes, Apple Bloom frowned at Scootaloo “Did something happen?!”
Scootaloo snarled “Are you kidding me?! You know what you bloody did, don’t deny it! That is the worst way to react to someone trying to help, you just politely tell the no!”
Meanwhile Sunset was sitting next to Cozy who had an arm wrapped around the slightly older girl “I don’t understand. why did she act like that towards me. Did I do something wrong?”
Applejack growled her arms shaking with fury “Ah’m going to have some serious words with her when we get home!”
Rainbow walked over to Applejack and placed a hand on her shoulder “Yes you should but not when your angry like this. It is too easy to say the wrong things when your angry.”
Wallflower smiled “I’m sure she’ll come around with time, it did take more time for some us as well but we’re all friends now. We will stick together no matter what.”
Gilda grinned “If anyone tries to mess with you, we’ve got your back isn’t that right Fluttershy.” Fluttershy nodded with a smile.
Sunset smiled sadly “Well after this I will have introduce some new girls around, they enrolled a few weeks ago but needed some time before they could come. Maybe they can learn a bit about how who I am now before they learn about what I did.”
Pinkie grinned “Maybe I can throw a party for them afterwards, they might just fun to hang around with.”
Sunset nodded with a smile only for Principal Celestia to call out “I’m glad you’re all working for this occasion, in fact this may be the most exciting event we’ve had at this school since the Fall Formal.” To Sunset’s surprise only a few eyes turned her way before looking away just as quickly.
After the assembly Sunset was waiting at the front of the school only to see three girls walk in. One a pale yellowy colour with outrageous orange hair, another a light purple colour with two dark purple pigtails that had a streak of teal and the final girl was a light blue with dark blue and light blue hair in a ponytail. Sunset smiled “I’m Sunset Shimmer, it’s pleasure to meet you. May inquire about what brought you here to the school?”
The pale yellow girl smiled “I’m Adagio Dazzle, the purple one is Aria and other one is Sonata. We found that there was something magical about this place and we decided to come here.”
Sunset laughed “Well this is quite a magical place, follow me and I can show you around. You may also want to join our musical showcase, it is something that has been set up recently.”
Sonata whined “I’m hungry Adagio, can’t we get some Tacos from somewhere.”
Aria rolled her eyes “You are such a child Sonata, we came here for a reason and it was not so you could stuff your face with Tacos! Your seriously the worst.”
Adagio was not having this today and shouted “You two be quiet, I’m trying to talk to Miss Shimmer here!” She then smiled at Sunset “sorry about but you know how sisters can be.”
Sunset shook her head “I can’t” she then noticed the necklace with a red gem around Adagio’s neck “That is a really pretty gem that you have around your neck, do you mind if I have a look at it?”
Adagio frowned “It’s quite precious to us you see, we all have one and it is something we don’t want to lose. So I’m sorry but no.” Sunset nodded with a smile as she continued to escort them around the school.
Pinkie smiled “So what were they like?”
Sunset shrugged “They were a little strange but nothing too out there. The two younger ones seemed like the argued a lot while their older sister kept them in line.”
Before any more questions could be asked the three girls walked in and began singing. The group of nine girls were quick to notice as students began fighting only for Wallflower to shout “Okay I’m not having any of that!” With a single pulse from her gem everyone in the room who fighting stopped, the group of nine magical girl summoned their magical forms approached and frowned “Explain why you were doing that?”
Adagio looked at them and sighed “Well we’re Sirens from Equestria and we feed off negative energy using our gems. We have barely been able to sustain ourselves for last one thousand years on what little magic is here.”
Sunset tapped the gems and they changed turning to a purple colour. Sunset smiled as the three girls gasped “What did you do? The hunger is gone!”
Wallflower blinked as she looked at the gems “They now run on the same type of harmonic magic that we do.” The group of nine began bringing the new students to their table with a smiles on their faces.
Author's Note
My reasoning is that the Memory stone is more powerful than the Dazzlings' magic, it was able to overpower the mental protection of the Geodes while the Dazzlings even at full power couldn't mind control the Rainbooms.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Adagio, Sonata and Aria were sitting across from the Unity band, Adagio was first to speak “Why would you help us? We tried to mind control the entire school.”
Sunset frowned “So, you didn’t go very far. You just managed to influence their actions, besides I did far worse. I turned into a demon and almost murdered five of the girls behind me, I’ve been forgiven and now their my friends, besides how can I expect to forgiven if I don’t show a little forgiveness.”
Aria crossed her arms with a frown “How did you even do that anyway? We came here because there was magic here but we know that magic can’t fix our hunger so easily.”
Cozy frowned “I assume that is because harmony magic is rare and that magic works differently in this world. We have been getting some practice because untrained magic is dangerous.”
Sonata was buzzing “This is so great, we no longer have cause so much misery!” She jump on Aria “Isn’t that right Ari Dari?”
Aria tried to shaker her off as she growled “Get off me you crazy Taco lover!”
Pinkie grinned as she pulled a taco out of her hair, Sonata eyes widened as she leapt towards it “TACO!!” Pinkie stepped to the side catching the blue siren and stuffed the taco in her mouth in one swift movement.
Adagio and Aria blinked “How.”
Rainbow grinned “Pinkie is a very special girl, she will always surprise you with something. We’ve just learned not to question her actions.”
Sunset meanwhile had put a book with a ying yang sun on the table “I believe it is time to speak to my former mentor. It would be best if we get some help from Equestria on this matter.”
As Sunset began writing her message to Celestia, Rarity smiled “So Adagio I was wondering if your group could drop in. I may make some clothes for you in the future and I would need measurements.”
Adagio smirked “I’d love to come, I haven’t much luck securing clothes of late. I’m sure my sisters wouldn’t mind getting some measurements taken.”
Aria shrugged “I might come over at some point, Sonata will surely come over through.” Aria pointed to Sonata who was happily munching on Tacos as Pinkie pulled them out of her hair somehow.
Applejack smiled “Ah was hoping you would come and visit the farm at some point, maybe you could even help us with some farm work.”
Aria grinned “I’m game, I enjoy a bit of hard work every now and then. Besides I must admit I have always enjoyed the smell of a farm.”
Sonata looked sadly at Sunset “Could we maybe return home for a bit? I miss my old body and the old world.”
Sunset sighed “I’ll talk to Twilight but if she said not that is it. Also it will be all three of you, I will be going with you two. I have some business there and I’d rather sort that out back home.”
Cozy smiled “I will be going with her, she is going to need some support through this.” she then frowned “She has quite a touchy relationship with her former mentor, I will support her through it.”
It was at that point the bell rang and classes resumed, Sunset helped guide the sirens around the school. At the end of the day the whole group was there alongside Tirek and Chrysalis, Tirek frowned “I’m not letting you two go somewhere without me.”
Before they could say another word Twilight flew out of the portal only to be caught by Sunset “Princess, are you okay?”
Twilight looked up “Sunset, I’m glad that everything is going alright. Where are the sirens anyway?” Before Sunset could reply Twilight tensed as she saw two familiar faces “Tirek, Chrysalis what are you doing here?!”
Cozy ran over with a scowl “What are you being so defensive around my parents! They haven't done anything to you!”
Sunset frowned “Let me guess their counterparts were some really evil bastards weren't they. Still what did they do to you personally.”
Twilight grimaced as she looked at the two “Tirek recently went on a magic stealing rampage and destroying the library called my home. The Changeling Queen Chrysalis captured Cadence just as she was about get married to my brother.”
Adagio’s eyes widened “Wait he existed, I thought he was just a legend told to young sirens so they didn’t misbehave.” She shuddered “He’s real.”
Twilight shook her head “He’s locked in Tartarus, he won’t be going anywhere any time soon.”
Sunset gave Twilight a smile “I was wondering if I could take the Sirens to Equestria for a bit, nobody remembers who they are so would it be okay.”
Twilight sighed “Well considering Celestia gave me your journal amongst a random set of books I assume she is leaving all affairs of this world to me. It’s not that I don’t want to help but it’s like she doesn’t care about this.”
Sunset frowned with a pause “That worries me” she then turned to Twilight “I was more or less a dummy body for her in case she has to sacrifice her current one. Still she tried to care for me after that point, not that she cared for me beforehand.”
Twilight frowned “What could she possibly need a spare body…” her eyes then widened “In case Nightmare Moon was able to kill her original body, she would need a new one.”
Sunset frowned “She placed part of herself within it to link the body, but she decided to put the separate pool of power that she couldn’t access within her. Little did she realise what that power really was.”
Twilight raised an eyebrow “What do you mean by that?”
Sunset sighed “You have seen something similar to this before, I’m sure you know what it represents.”
Her eyes slitted a bright orange as she looked at Twilight, Twilight looked at the eyes before it clicked “Nightmare Moon but her were teal…” Her eyes then widened in horror “No, that means you are Celestia’s….”
Sunset nodded “I am the embodiment of all of Celestia’s darkest emotions or at least I was until we were separated by the elements power. I am now my own individual, that may have affected Celestia negatively. I must see her.”
Twilight looked between them, the to the other girls who were them who all nodded with a smile. She frowned “Very well, you five may come but no-one else may follow.”
Sunset smiled as she placed the book in Tirek’s hands “If something goes wrong I’ll contact you, I promise.” Everyone else watched as Sunset, Cozy and the Sirens entered the portal.
Author's Note
I know the Unity band didn't say much but this was a more focused chapter. They will say more when they return to Canterlot High.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Chapter 18: The Light and the Fire
Sunset two devil horns sticking out of her head as devilish wings flared out behind her, two slitted orange eyes staring forward as she galloped away from the portal her claws scrapping against the crystal floor. Twilight leapt out only to pause in shock as she witnessed Sunset’s devilish form.
Sunset turned around her two horns glowing as he caught the three sirens before their massive bulk crush the princess. Before Twilight could comment a skeletal pegasi filly in a pitch black cloak flew over her landing between Twilight and Sunset.
Twilight looked at the two of them “What happened to you to you two?”
Sunset frowned “Well our magic has no reason to hide here, I turned into a demon so my magic changes me into a devil a angel who fell from grace becoming a demon. Since I have full access to my magic here there is no reason for me not to assume this form.”
Cozy looked down in shame “I was trained to kill at the age most were struggling to walk, I became an death itself. Anyone who opposed me were put down quickly and without remorse.”
Twilight gasped backing away form Cozy “You have killed before!”
Adagio grimaced “So did ponies back in the day, the war with the Griffons was brutal. Many died that day.”
Sunset closed her eyes “The Solar Massacre ten years after Nightmare Moon’s defeat, may chalk that up to Celestia’s might but they were wrong. She wasn’t very good at holding me in back then, armies of Dragons, Griffons and Minotaurs were marching on Equestria. I unleashed the flames of the Sun upon them, the badlands were what remained.”
Twilight began rubbing her forehead with a hoof “I have a hard time believing that you two are one in the same.”
Sunset frowned at the Sirens “If I am going to Canterlot I need you to assume a more discreet form than a giant sea dragon.”
Sonata giggled “Oh you mean like this.” Sonata‘s gem glowed and she was now a blue pegasus with an arctic blue mane her gem resting around her neck.
Aria flew over in shock with Adagio behind her “How did you do that?!”
Sonata rubbed the back of her head with a hoof “I had inkling that we might have new powers. It thought I should test something, to see if it worked. I just simply focused on what I wanted to look like.”
Adagio and Aria did the same, Adagio turned into a unicorn with a wild orange mane while Aria turned into a purple Earth Pony with a darker purple mane. Each of the sirens had a different music note on their flanks.
Twilight frowned “What about you two, how are we going to hide your forms?”
Sunset shrugged “I’m not really concerned, keeping an illusion up is difficult. The sirens shifted forms and won’t change unless they choose to.”
Cozy frowned as stood up“We need to discuss this all with the Princess Celestia, so shall we get going.”
Before Twilight could respond, the Equestrian Rainbow Dash burst in “Twilight what are you doing in…” Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Sunset “How did a monster like you get into the castle!” Sunset frowned catching the pegasus in her magic before she got rushed.
Twilight growled “Rainbow Dash, this is Sunset Shimmer, Cozy Glow and the Sirens! They are here with my permission so could you not attack them?!”
Sunset released Rainbow Dash who rubbed the back of her head with an embarrassed chuckle “I’m sorry about that… um, what’s your name?”
Sunset deadpanned “My name is Sunset Shimmer and I assume you are this world’s Rainbow Dash?”
Rainbow grinned “So you know me, the fastest flier in Equestria. It won’t be long before I become one of the Wonderbolts, the greatest fliers in Equestria.”
Cozy frowned “Um non-native here. What are the Wonderbolts exactly?”
Before Rainbow could start gushing Twilight clamped her muzzle with her magic “Our train is coming in ten minutes so we got to hurry or else we won’t make it.” Twilight galloping out as Sunset nodded as she levitated Cozy onto her back, Cozy quickly wrapped her hooves around Sunset’s neck as the devilish mare galloped after the Princess followed by the Sirens turned ponies.
A few ponies gave the devil and undead pony an odd look before shrugging, Ponyville had just dealt with a massive magic stealing centaur that was defeated by a giant rainbow laser form six ponies powered by a strange chest that turned into a crystal tree castle. A devil pony carrying a undead pony chasing after the newest Princess wasn’t anything major.
The Ponyville train conductor shrugged as she purchased the tickets “You've made some strange friends Princess, Canterlot won’t be as accepting as here.”
Sunset frowned “I know Canterlot well enough, a glare tends to get them to go away.” The stallion nodded as they boarded the train with a minute to spare.
Adagio frowned “Sunset, you and Cozy are drawing a lot of attention. Maybe we should do something about this?”
Sunset frowned “Well unless you want me to teleport us into the castle and…” she grinned “On second brace for teleport.” Sunset closed focused and the group reappeared in a room with old school coltbands on the wall.
Cozy after shaking the teleport off grinned “It seems someone was really obsessed with coltbands.”
Sunset pouted “I wanted to enjoy being a normal teen for a bit, is that wrong?”
Cozy flew up and gave her a peck on the cheek “I was just joking Sunset, friends poke a bit of fun at each other sometimes. Beside maybe we can have some fun in this room later.”
Twilight blinked “What type of fun do you mean?”
Adagio placed a sympathetic hoof on her wither as Aria and Sonata laughed “Oh you poor innocent soul, you need to get out there and have some fun.”
Before another word could be spoken Celestia burst into the room with several armed guards, she growled as she looked “Guards, they must be the source of…”
Twilight stepped forward “Princess, I brought them here. This is Sunset Shimmer and her friend Cozy Glow.”
Sunset grinned “Well marefriend actually” she then shook her head “But that’s not why we are here. You see I believe you have been having some emotional issues lately.”
Celestia grimaced “Guards, leave us! I need to have a personal talk with those in front of me and we can’t be disturbed.” The guards nodded leaving the room rapidly, Celestia then put up a soundproofing spell over the room. She then sighed “I haven’t been able to feel joy, sorrow or anger anymore. I started about a month ago.”
Sunset sighed as her magic began to glow, one orange strand and white strand floated in the air, one connected to a flaming orange soul while another connected to a white half soul both frayed. Celestia’s eyes widened in fear “Daybreaker, how are you here?!”
Sunset frowned “You put the power you weren’t using into a puppet alongside half of your soul, what did you think that power was? It was just some random power you didn’t use, it was me the solar flame within you.”
Celestia blinked “Wait you mean I taught you for years but you were my evil side.”
Sunset frowned “I wanted a chance to be somepony else, to be more than just a part of your mind but as you grew angrier with me I could feel all of your resentment. Our souls were linked but weakly, this time they will be linked so that we can talk to one another and you can get your emotions back.”
Celestia nodded calmly “Very well, do it.” The two strands connected and there was a massive flash of light that filled the room.
Author's Note
I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Twilight opened her eyes to see Sunset and Celestia staring each other down, Sunset smirked “So still eating too much cake. Seriously you need tone down your cake consumption.”
Celestia growled “Are you trying to push my buttons Sunset!”
Sunset giggled “Of course not, at least not right now. I was just checking if it worked and mentioning your cake was easiest way to do that. Loosen up a little Celestia, take a day off perhaps.”
A voice shouted “Sister, we heard that a demon was in the castle! I seek…die foul beast!” Sunset rolled the eyes as she caught Luna in her magic. Luna roared as she struggled “Let go of me foul cur!”
Cozy’s eyes narrowed “Are you calling my girlfriend a cur because that isn’t a very smart decision.”
Celestia frowned “Sunset put my sister down.” she then turned to her sister with a slight growl “Don’t just jump into a fight without least asking what is going on.”
Luna pouted as she was lowered to the ground, Twilight coughed “Um this is Sunset Shimmer. She was the one who took my crown in the Crystal Empire” she quickly added at Luna’s glare “She’s better now, she even reformed the sirens.”
Celestia and Luna’s eyes narrowed “Sirens.”
Sunset turned to Twilight unimpressed “Smooth Twilight” she then beckoned Adagio, Aria and Sonata who had been quiet “These are Sonata, Aria and Adagio, the sirens from ages past.” Her eyes narrowed as Celestia and Luna tensed “They are reformed now, they are here to see a bit of Equestria. They have been gone for over one thousand years. They deserved to see their home world for a bit.”
Luna growled “They caused ponies to fight one another, do you know how many lives were lost that day?”
Sunset’s eyes slitted changing to orange “Ten thousand and five Earth Ponies, twelve thousand and twenty two Pegasi, eleven thousand and one Unicorns, eleven thousand five hundred Thestrals. I well aware Nightmare Moon but you committed similar atrocities one thousand years ago because of petty jealously. Sixty thousand ponies died because of that, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters all lost.”
Luna flinched from Sunset’s verbal tirade fear in her voice “How do you now that!”
Sunset grimaced “While Celestia is Shining Sun , I am Daybreaker the Unconquered Sun. The product of all Celestia’s pent up emotions, pride and passion put into a dummy body that your sister made for her confrontation with you.”
Luna’s eyes turned to her sister “Why didn’t you tell about this, about your darker side!”
Celestia turned away in shame “I thought it was gone, thought I was free from it’s gasp.”
Sunset rolled her eyes “You can’t run from yourself Princess, you could easily become me. One bad day and you could become just another demon. Now if you’d excuse me I’d like to return home.”
Cozy Glow frowned at the Sirens “Do you wish to stay here a bit longer?”
Adagio shook her head “We are not really safe here, we more wanted to return for the magic. We came here to get one last look at the world we came from, we are more than willing to leave.”
Just as Sunset was about to teleport them Cozy Glow shook her head “I want to try something, please?”
Sunset smiled as she gave Cozy a peck on her body cheeks “Sure just be careful.” Cozy Glow focused her own magic, the power of death enclosed them in it’s power before blinking out of existence leaving Twilight behind in the room with her fellow Princesses. Twilight rubbed the back of her head “I better catch up with them, say my goodbyes.” Twilight soon dissapeared in a flash of light.
She arrived to see Sunset putting the book into the portal, Twilight galloped over “I see your returning, please if you have any other magical issues tell me.”
Sunset smiled “I’m sure between me and my friends we’ll probably be sending a message over about how we handled it. Still thanks for this Twilight.”
Twilight smiled back “I’m proud of you.” She watched as the four of them leapt through the portal, glad that things were working out for the better.
The four of them landed only to see their friends hanging around the mirror portal, Rainbow and Applejack stood up “Is everything alright!”
Sunset nodded “It turns out Princess Celestia was having some issues, the truth is I was created from her soul as a container for all of her emotions. As such I had to deal with an immortal lifetime of negative emotions that built up but the elements served that connection. Since then my soul became it’s own but I had to link us up again as unlike mine her soul didn’t heal from our separation, don’t worry I won’t got back to being that person.”
Fluttershy smiled “Well I’m glad your back safe and sound, all of you. Now join us, we were having a picnic hoping that you would return soon.”
Cozy Glow sat down pulling Sonata over to a plate of Tacos that were set up, Sonata’s eyes glistened as she took a bite. Sunset grinned sitting down “Whoever made those Tacos had the right idea.”
Adagio laughed “I agree” she then turned to Sunset “How did you turn into a demon anyway? Equestrian magic is no supposed to do that last time I checked.”
Sunset grimaced “Well I was the school bully here for a while, no-one dared oppose me. I broke into the Crystal Empire castle and brought it to this world. When I got my hands on it, it’s power turned me into a powerful demon. Princess Twilight, Applejack, Pinkie, Rainbow Fluttershy and Rarity blasted me with a huge rainbow friendship laser before I could destroy anything. I also mind controlled almost the whole school.”
Aria turned to her “And they forgave you.”
Sunset nodded with a smile “It took some time but with the help of Cozy I was accepted into the group.”
Aria then frowned before her eyes widened in shock as she looked at Cozy “You were that super soldier kid that became the most feared Field Marshal ever to grace the battlefield! You were known by those who saw you actions as the Grim Reaper!”
Cozy grimaced “I don’t want to remember that Aria, how did you even know that anyway!”
Aria frowned “I keep tabs on historical events because they may end up helping me two centuries or so down the line. I prefer to be prepared.” The group’s picnic continued until they needed to return home..
Meanwhile in Canterlot Twilight sighed “Sorry I really should have said something about all of this, maybe some thing would have come out better.”
Celestia shook her head “What happened there needed to be said, it wasn’t pleasant but it was necessary right Luna.”
Luna nodded “I’m not exactly happy that my sister was keeping secrets but we will leave that in the past free to move to the future. I do expect my sister to tell me everything from now on.” The three Alicorns change topics to something more suitable for normal conversation. Even as Sunset leaves the odd crass comment in Celestia’s head.
Author's Note
I will have a few more side chapters before going into the Chiristmas Special.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Chapter 20: Life Continues On
Sunset was humming to herself, she had just left her math class. Apple Bloom was watching her closely as Sunset walked through the corridors, she managed to get ahead of Sunset and hid in another hallway. She pulled out a bag of dark blue marbles and rolled them into the corridor, she giggled as she heard Sunset scream. She then turned the corner to see Sunset in her devil form rubbing the back of her head “I’m so lucky to have magic.”
She then frowned as she levitated the marbles off the floor and into her hands “Don’t want someone else to slip and hit their head, most people aren’t devils like me.” Apple Bloom scowled quietly as she had to come up with another plan.
Sunset frowned as most students were still glaring at her, still most students would do little more than glare. They all knew what Sunset and her group of friends were capable of, also they all didn’t want to anger Cozy Glow.
Sunset entered the Cafeteria, she joined her friends at their table. Cozy blinked “Where did you get those marbles?”
Sunset grimaced “Someone spread the on the floor for me to trip on, if it was not for my demon form I might be in hospital. Someone is still holding a serious grudge on me.”
Gilda growled “When I get my talons on them...”
Fluttershy raised her hand “Let’s not jump to violence, words can be just as devastating. Sometimes even more so, a scar on the spirit is worth one thousand scars on the body.” Her voice darkened “When I’m done there will be naught left but ash!”
Cozy frowned “Be careful, Vengeance is a very dark path to tread. You don’t want to tread that path lightly.”
Wallflower nodded with a sigh “There were so many times I was so tempted to use the power of the stone to do something utterly horrible. I had considered removing all of the positive memories of someone from the lives of multiple people but the one things that stopped was the fact I would one day be unable to look myself in the mirror.”
Rainbow nodded “I spent years alone because of that, I hurt my friends because of my stupid pride. I won’t allow such a thing to happen again.”
Applejack frowned “That’s behind us now, we will never let that happen again.”
Rarity frowned “Enough of the doom and gloom” she then smiled “Anyone have any major plans for the afternoon?”
Sonata cheered “We’ve got a baking club outside of school if anyone wants to come?”
Pinkie grinned “I’d love to come, baking is a lot of fun.”
Gilda nodded with a smile “Pinkie has been teaching me how to bake, it appears I have quite a knack for it. I’d like to come too.”
Aria chuckled “Well I’m glad I’ll have someone somewhat serious in the car with me, Sonata is very silly.”
Meanwhile Apple Bloom was sitting next to a nervous Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom was glaring at Sunset and Cozy Glow. Scootaloo meanwhile was sitting on her own, watching Apple Bloom from a distance.
Rainbow noticed Scootaloo was sitting on her own, she stood up and walked over to her “Is there something wrong? You are usually sitting with your friends.”
Scootaloo grimaced with fire in her eyes “Apple Bloom is holding the mother of all grudges right now and I can’t stand it. Her eyes are focused on both Sunset and Cozy Glow, I’m worried that soon she will do something incredibly stupid.”
Rainbow looked at her “Scootaloo, if she does do something stupid you need to support through the repercussions of her actions. I am proud of you for standing up to your friend when you believe she is wrong, it’s not an easy thing to do.” Rainbow smiled “Join us, you shouldn’t be sitting alone like this.”
Scootaloo smiled “I’d like that Rainbow, thanks.”
Rainbow and Scootaloo took a seat at the table, Scootaloo frowned as she saw the dark blue marbles in Sunset’s claws “Where did you get those?”
Sunset raised an eyebrow “Someone spread the hallways and I slipped on them hitting my head, thankfully in this state I’m pretty tough. Why do you ask?”
Scootaloo grimaced “Let me have a look at them, I may know who it owns them.”
Sunset nodded “If you can find who has it out for me that would great, I don’t want have to look over my shoulder every day.”
Scootaloo grimaced as she looked over each individual marble, she eyes narrowed as she saw a stripe of orange, white and yellow. She began shake fury filling her veins “I know who this belongs to, these were the marbles I gave Apple Bloom on her birthday! She would never let anyone touch them!”
Applejack turned to Scootaloo horrified “You don’t mean…” she then looked down morosely “Ah can’t lie to mahself, mah sister did this.” She turns to everyone “What should Ah do?”
Rarity placed a hand on Applejack’s shoulder “You need to talk to her at home and in private. Whenever Sweetie Belle struggles with something we sit down and talk it out, I will need to speak to her about this as well. We haven’t talked in a while.”
The rest of the day was relatively calm, on the way back home Rarity frowned as she looked at her sister “Sweetie Belle. How has school been?”
Sweetie Belle looked down “Why do you care, you spend more time with your friends than you do with me? I miss the days we spent together.”
Rarity sighed “I’m sorry Sweetie Belle, it’s just there has been years since we talked. There is a lot two work through and with new friends being added to our group it means we need a lot of time.” She then smiled “How about this weekend be just us and when I do go out with the girls I’ll try to bring you along if possible.”
Sweetie Belle smiled weakly “I would like that but Apple Bloom would get angry at me. She despises Sunset and Cozy Glow with a passion, I’m worried she will hate me.”
Rarity looked at her “If someone is trying to keep you away from other people because of a petty grudge then they aren’t a very good friend. This is something that you need to think about for yourself.”
Meanwhile Applejack and Apple Bloom had returned home, Applejack frowned at her sister as he pulled out a bag of marbles “Apple Bloom, we both know what these are. Ah would like for you to explain why you tried to hurt Sunset in the hallway.”
Apple Bloom growled “Ah don’t get how you forgive her and don’t tell me it’s because of Princess Twilight either. You knew her for what, a day or two! Are you going to be so easily manipulated!”
Applejack’s eyes narrowed “Apple Bloom, everyone deserves a second chance. To let rage and anger consume you, Ah was lost my friends for years because of that. This is a dangerous road to walk, Ah'm begging you don’t go down that path.”
Apple Bloom scowled “So be it!” Applejack watched as her sister stormed upstairs filled with fury.
Author's Note
Anon-A-Miss is on it's way.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Chapter 21: Setting the Stage
Apple Bloom was on her phone, she had just sent a text to Sweetie Belle I need your help with something. I have a plan to bring down Sunset Shimmer once and for all.
Sweetie Belle sent a message back but her words were less than civil I have no interest in joining on the quest for vengeance, I am giving you one warning from one friend to another leave these behind you before you do something you can’t take back.
Apple Bloom frowned “So it seems my friends have abandoned me. It seems Ah will need to find others who have reason to strike at Sunset Shimmer.” She frowned as she listed out names of those that may help her. Lightning Dust, Trixie Lulamoon, Fido, Spot, Rover, Flash Sentry and Garble.
She spent the rest of the day in her room until dinner, Apple Bloom and Applejack simply quietly ate their food not even bothering to look at each other. Big Mac and Granny Smith looked between the two unwilling to break the tension between the two girls.
Apple Bloom finished her food and smiled at Granny Smith “May Ah be excused?”
Granny Smith nodded “Yes you can.” She then turned to Applejack as Apple Bloom headed to her room “Did something happen between you two today?”
Applejack grimaced “Apple Bloom tried to hurt Sunset using a set of marbles Scootaloo got her. She is heading down a very dark path and Ah’m worried she will do something that can’t be taken back.”
Big Mac frowned “She is our family Applejack, we may not be able to stop but we must be there to pick up the pieces. I just hope that she doesn’t do anything foolish.”
Granny Smith nodded “Ah agree, still Ah will punish her accordingly if acts out of line.” Meanwhile Apple Bloom was laying in her bed sleeping with thoughts on her mind of how she was going to pull this off.
The next morning Apple Bloom arrived at the school with her sister, she glared at Sweetie Belle who was spending time with Scootaloo. She shook her head and went to find the first person on her list, Lightning Dust was out in the fields out the back of the school.
Apple Bloom approached the girl “Lightning Dust, Ah was hoping for you to help me with something?”
Lightning Dust frowned “You’re the little sister of Applejack, aren’t you? What do you want my help for anyway?”
Apple Bloom smiled “Simple, Ah want to take Sunset Shimmer down. Ah was hoping for you to assist me in this endeavour, Ah know she blackmailed you during her dark days.”
Lighting Dust growled “Little Miss Apple, do you take me for a fool?! I know your game, you want to bring her down through any means possible! I am not interested in vengeance! I cut my losses and moved on, now scram before things get messy!”
Apple Bloom left crossing off Lightning Dust from her list, surely Trixie would be interested. Trixie was in the auditorium practising her magic tricks when Apple Bloom approached “Ah have a proposition for you…”
Trixie frowned “You mean the same one you gave my girlfriend, no thanks. I may mock Sunset a little with a few words but that’s as far as I’ll go, long term revenge plans are not my thing.”
Apple Bloom had to get to classes as the bell rang, she grumbled to herself how the smarter people on the list didn’t join her. Still after classes she found Fido, Rover and Spot also known as the Diamond Dogs. Rover was gray skinned with blueish gray hair, Rover had dark blue skin and reddish hair, Spot had greyish gamboge skin with black hair.
Rover frowned “What does the youngest of Apple siblings want with Diamond Dogs?”
Apple Bloom grinned “Ah want to bring Sunset down, to get everyone to hate her but IAh need your help. Ah need to dig up secrets of people and blame it on her.”
Spot grinned “Well I like the sound of that.”
Apple Bloom frowned “Can you get Flash Sentry and Garble over here,Ah have feeling both of them will also join us. Also we can’t meet in school otherwise they will but we can exchange numbers and contact each other that way.”
Fido chuckled “This will be perfect, we will bring down the demon forever.”
It was not long before the Diamond Dogs had gathered Flash Sentry and a red skinned fearsome figure that everyone recognised as Garble. Garble growled “Okay why the fuck are we here exactly?!”
Apple Bloom grinned “To take down Sunset Shimmer, Ah’m sure she had something on you before. Well now we are going to make her pay but first we need a ton of secrets to post.”
Flash grinned “I’m game, I could use some payback that doesn’t get Cozy Glow targeting my balls.”
Garble laughed “I’m impressed, for one so young you have a good plan. Destroy her reputation with secrets and get the school to turn against her, this is going to be a lot of fun.” Apple Bloom giggled to herself, everything was going to plan and soon she would have Sunset hated by all.
Author's Note
Apple Bloom is moving her pieces into place.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Chapter 22: Sunset's Date Night
Sunset and her friends were at the mall, Rarity frowned “Sunset what are you looking for?”
Sunset whispered “Don’t tell anyone but I made a reservation for me and Cozy at the Glowing Guests restaurant, I don’t have anything nice to wear while Cozy Glow does. She has plenty of nice dresses.”
Rarity whispered “Don’t worry, I made something for just an occasion like this as soon as I knew you two were an item. I’ll give to you before tonight.”
Sunset nodded with a smile “Thanks Rarity but how did you know my size? I don’t think I ever gave it to you.”
Rarity gasped “Oh dear, I may actually have take you to my place to get you fitted.” Sunset was about to speak when Rarity grabbed by the arm and rushed out with her “I need Sunset to help me model some dresses so we are going to head out.”
Cozy Glow frowned “I expect her to be home by six, she said she had plans with me."
Rarity smiled “Of course.”
Sunset frowned as the two left the building “I can’t believe you lied to everyone, I have a feeling Applejack suspects something though. We will have to tell her at some point.”
Rarity giggled “She will know tommorow don’t worry but right now you need to prepare for your date.” The pair headed to Rarity’s home, it was a small apartment with very little fanfare. Inside however the interior was clearly designed for Sweetie Belle, not Rarity. There was a plain looking lounge room with a wide screen TV on a table, the Kitchen was plain and had a padlock on the door oddly enough.
Rarity guided Sunset up to her room, now this was much more suited to her friends tastes. Pieces of fabric was lined up neatly on the plush purple bed, Rarity smiled as she pulled out a measuring tape “Now hold still, I need to get some measurements.” Sunset watched as the Rarity measured her waist, and much to her surprise her bottom and breasts.
Sunset frowned her face glowing red “Why did you measure those places?!”
Rarity gave her a coy grin “Your lucky I didn’t ask you to strip, it would have made them more accurate.” She then shook her head “Seriously though I can work with these but if you want proper measurements you will need to be unclothed.”
Sunset sighed “I’m sorry Rarity but I don’t think I could ever do that.”
Rarity giggled “It’s not a bother Sunset, no one likes being nude in front of others. Your no different than anyone else, you are much more cooperative than Rainbow or Applejack. Applejack doesn’t see the point and Rainbow Dash hates being still.” She then shook her head “Never mind that, I’ll be right back just let me make a few slight adjustments to the dress.”
Sunset waited for ten minutes before Rarity came out with a shimmering royal purple dress. She smiled “Come on Sunset try it on, please!”
Sunset reluctantly took off her clothes as Rarity turned away politely, Sunset slowly put the dress on. The royal purple dress caressed her fit form perfectly, it was rather elegant dress reaching down to her just a little bit over her feet. What got Sunset was that it showed a quite a bit of cleavage. Sunset blushed “Um, Rarity isn’t the chest area a little exposed compared to the rest of the dress?”
Rarity giggled “That is the point dear, relationships early on are all about the passion, you have spent more time doing friend things than hitting that mark. I do believe this will ignite that passion once more.”
Sunset frowned “I hope your right Rarity because this is our first date and I want it to go well.”
Rarity grinned “Well since I have you here for a while, do you mind being a model for me?”
Sunset shrugged “Sure.” Sunset took off the dress and soon it was put in a bag by Rarity.
Rarity smiled as she put a deep blue dress on Sunset and smiled as he began sowing “I must say you have quite an athletic form, in truth for someone so devoted to her studies and being the top in almost all of her classes I expected you to be more nerdy.”
Sunset smiled “Well the unique thing about magic is largely affected by fitness, all other features being equal magic is enhanced by fitness. Twilight and I even without the magic that makes my demon form about even. Twilight is an Alicorn but I am only a Unicorn, the reason for that is I devoted a lot of time to fitness while she spends more time with books.”
Rarity frowned “Does that mean that Applejack, Gilda, Rainbow Dash and Cozy are better at magic than I am?”
Sunset frowned “Cozy Glow probably is because of multiple factors. As for the others they have a lot of raw power but lack the study required to really work out the spell casting part.”
Rarity nodded with a smile “Thank you for telling a little more about magic, I must admit I don’t understand much about magic.”
Sunset smiled “You know more than most people do, besides you if you want to know more you can always ask me.”
The next couple of hours past quickly, Rarity passed Sunset a pair of heels that matched her dress “You may want to wear these, boots don’t suit your dress.”
Sunset smiled “Thanks Rarity, I have to head home.”
Rarity smiled back “Your welcome Sunset,. I wish you luck on your date tonight.” Sunset nodded back before taking off.
As soon as Sunset arrived home Cozy frowned “Did you get something from Rarity?”
Sunset grinned “I’ll show you soon, we’ll be leaving soon. Get dressed in your finest clothes.” Cozy blinked as Sunset ran to her room eagerly, Cozy frowned she had never seen Sunset so giddy for something before.
Cozy went up stairs, she grabbed a modest dark blue dress and a pair of dark blue heels. She frowned as she put them on, she didn’t like wearing these clothes but Sunset told her to wear her finest clothes. She returned only to gasp as she saw Sunset, the royal purple dress caressed Sunset’s muscular hips and toned stomach while covering her legs completely.
What shocked her most was Sunset’s large bust was peaking out of the dress quite a bit. Sunset grinned at her girlfriend’s stunned expression “Like what you see?”
Cozy gulped as she stuttered “Y-yes?”
Sunset gave a peck on her burnt face as he grabbed her shoulder bag “Good, you look amazing. Come on, I booked us a reservation at the Glowing Guests restaurant.”
Cozy Glow quietly followed Sunset to the door, Tirek smirked “You’re taking my daughter out on her first date. Your better make her happy or else there will be trouble.”
Sunset saluted “Yes sir!” Tirek let out a hearty laugh once they left, the restaurant was within walking distance for boots but for heels it was quite difficult for Cozy. Sunset was walking with them as if she had walked with them her whole life, Cozy grimaced “How do you walk so easily with them?”
Sunset laughed “They are just like hooves, just two of them instead of four.” She then lifted Cozy Glow in her arms with a seductive smirk “I’ll carry you the rest of the way.”
Cozy Glow blushed “I’ve never seen this side of you before, your so confident.”
Sunset smiled as she walked through the quiet moonlit streets “I want tonight to be something special for both of us, our first proper date.” They arrived at the door, a man in a fancy suit raised an eyebrow at the two school students “Do you two have a reservation?”
Sunset nodded “Sunset Shimmer, a table for two. My girlfriend and I were hoping for a nice romantic dinner.”
The man looked over his book and nodded “There is nice seat outside on the balcony if you don’t mind the cold.”
Cozy smiled as she was lowered to the floor “That sounds nice, the cold won’t bother us.”
The two were guided through the restaurant, tables covered in velvet tablecloths with plush looking chairs were littered around the room. The Restaurant was fairly empty save one table with one pompous looking man giving a big speech about a potential job proposition. His wife grimaced, she had no interest in this business nonsense and remembered the days on the farm milking cows.
They two finally arrived outside, Sunset gave Cozy a peck on the cheek before taking her seat. Cozy smiled as she saw the stars twinkling in the sky “I never really got to see the stars like this, always was too busy.”
Sunset smiled as she lightly placed her hand on the table “I can understand that, I never had time to understand the beauty of the world during my studies. Too busy trying to be the best.”
Cozy turned to her placing her hand on hers “Maybe after school is over we can travel the world, studying and learning as we go.”
Sunset let out a sad chuckle “Maybe when we’re much older, we’re still young Cozy. I am a demon and you are an embodiment of death, we are not mortal anymore. I would like to spend sometime with our friends while we have the time.”
Cozy softly caressed Sunset’s hand “How do you know that?”
Sunset sighed “I can feel it in their magic, the ebbs and flows of mortality. Magic in living beings deteriorates slowly in mortals. In immortals it says the same, unchanged and unaffected by the years. I felt that in you and I as well as the Dazzlings but the rest of our friends will leave us one day.”
Cozy spoke with confidence “Then we must make these moments count Sunset, make memories that will last for an eternity.”
Sunset smiled “Agreed.” Her stomach growled, she blushed “I’d say we need to make our orders.” Sunset decided on a spicy curry while Cozy requested a simple lasagne.
Cozy smiled as she looked up at the stars “Tonight has been a good night.”
Sunset was about to reply when a greyish amber man with dark grey shouted “What are you two doing here?! I booked out this entire place a week ago!”
Sunset frowned “I booked this three weeks ago, it wasn’t going to be outside but because you booked everything they thought it would be fine if we were out here.”
Before her could retort a pale pinkish woman grabbed him by the arm “Filthy Rich, what are you doing messing with these two girls?! They are clearly on a nice peaceful date!”
Filthy snarled “You mean these two girls are dating, they are practising such an abhorrent…”
The woman punched him in the gut, she shook her head before smiling as she held her hand out “Forgive my husband. I’m Spoiled Rich.”
Sunset smiled as she shook her hand “Sunset Shimmer and this is my girlfriend Cozy Glow.”
Spoiled waved as she hefted her husband over her shoulder with little effort “I have to take my idiot husband home, I hope to see you two again.” The rest of the night for Sunset and Cozy went smoothly. The two founds themselves enjoying each other’s company that night.
Author's Note
I wanetd to do a date chapter before digging into Anon-a-Miss proper.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Chapter 23: Anon-A-Miss Begins
Cozy Glow and Sunset were snuggling in a single bed as snow fell outside, Sunset smiled “This is perfect.”
Cozy Glow whispered tiredly as she snuggled up against Sunset “I wish we could spend all day like this.”
Sunset giggled “I can understand that but we have school today. We can’t miss school because we are comfy.” Sunset got out of bed and had a quick shower as her girlfriend dragged herself out of bed. Cozy looked wearily at Sunset “I’ll be in the shower now.”
Sunset nodded “I’ll be dressed when you come out.”
Sunset put on a blue shirt and her black leather jacket as well as a pair of dark blue jeans. She began doing some stretches, only for Cozy Glow to tiredly put on dark blue undergarments. Sunset helped her tired girlfriend put a black shirt and black jeans as well as pair of black boots.
Sunset escorted the tired Cozy down the stairs, Tirek was sitting down with a cup of tea “Up late last night?”
Sunset smiled “Cozy did, I feel asleep as we snuggled. Cozy didn’t it seems.”
Tirek smiled “You two are perfect for one another, I didn’t bother to give the usual dad speech. I can see you two are thick as thieves, seeing you makes think back to how I first met Chrysalis. A black market dealer in exotic goods had just stolen a priceless artefact from a museum we set up to meet our contact, it was a massive shock when we met Chrysalis. All of us knew her as the author of these stories but it shocked us to hear the seemingly innocent writer was actually the real life inspiration for her own stories.”
Sunset began making cereal for Cozy and herself as Cozy laid her head upon the table. Meanwhile inside the hall of Canterlot High Garble, Flash Sentry and Diamond Dogs were all in group outside the school “Tonight is when it starts, any rumours you have bring them to me. As a freshmen nobody would suspect me.”
Garble grinned “Today we set the plan into motion, let’s break down the She-Demon!”
Flash Sentry growled “She will pay for all she has done!”
The three Diamond Dogs grinned “Time to show everyone who is truly in charge!”
Apple Bloom frowned “Anything on Lightning and Trixie, they might figure it out if we don’t bring them quickly after today.”
Garble grinned “Lighting Dust’s parents are horribly homophobic, we will bring her down that way. Get both of them out of hair in one fell swoop.”
Soon Sunset and Cozy had arrived at the school, Cozy yawned “Remind never to spend so long up at night again. I should have gone to sleep instead of fiddling with my phone.”
Sunset grinned “I’ll make sure you get some good sleep tonight.”
Cozy blushed “Not in public Sunset, please. We’re about to enter the school and we don’t want to be seen as being inappropriate do we?”
Sunset laughed “That’s true, come on our friends are likely awaiting us.” Their eyes widened in shock as they what was happening. Gilda and Fluttershy were sitting down their arms resting on a rock. Gilda gritted her teeth as Fluttershy smirked as pushed down Gilda’s arm hard.
Cozy blinked “What?”
Fluttershy shrugged “I’m a lot tougher than I look.”
Rainbow frowned “What are you all doing for Christmas?”
Sunset rubbed the back of her head “Um, what does one do for Christmas exactly?’
Pinkie’s jaw dropped “What, how do you know nothing about Christmas!”
Sunset deadpanned “I lived in a cottage in the middle of the forest, the closest thing I had to friends were the Timberwolves guarding my home. Who was I supposed to celebrate the occasion with.”
Applejack smiled “Well Ah suggest we do a series of Christmas parties, one at each our places before Christmas. I’m sure Cozy Glow and Tirek have their own plans for Christmas.”
Pinkie cheered “Tonight, slumber party at my place!” The rest of the school day passed normally and soon the slumber party began. Gilda, Fluttershy, Rainbow and Applejack arrived first. Rainbow smiled eagerly “Let’s get this party started.”
Gilda pulled her back “Slow down Rainbow. Wallflower, Cozy, Rarity and Sunset aren’t here yet.”
Wallflower smiled as she walked in with the other six “You were saying?”
Sunset grinned “So what does everyone want to do first, I’d be happy to have an arm wrestle with any challenger.”
Cozy giggled “Come on Sunset, not all of are physical juggernauts. I’m sure Rarity, Wallflower, Pinkie and Adagio have their own ideas of fun. I for one would like to do some girly things tonight, paint nails and put on make-up. Be a normal girl for once.”
Adagio smirked “Quite right, I could do that for you. Let’s go upstairs.” Soon the whole group was in Pinkie’s room, Cozy smiled as Adagio was painting her nails.
Applejack was sitting next to Cozy as Rarity was doing the same to her “How did Ah let ya talk me into this?”
Wallflower grinned as she was playing a racing game with Rainbow Dash “Come on slowpoke, speed it up.”
Rainbow Dash grimaced “How are you so good at this?”
Wallflower giggled “Rainbow, I have been a Wallflower for years. I played video games on my own for years when I was home, I have years of experience.”
Sonata and Pinkie were having a cupcake eating contest with Fluttershy and Aria cheering for their respective side. Gilda was playing a game of chess with Sunset, she was actually doing pretty well having the same number of pieces. Gilda frowned “Are you going easy on me or something?”
Sunset laughed she looked at her pieces “You are quite good at this, I’ve never had this type of challenge in a long while. The only person who was ever a challenge was Princess Celestia, the fact you rate with a one thousand year old chess master says a lot about you. You are smarter than you think, you can predict my moves multiple steps ahead. You have quite a bit of foresight.”
Applejack got a call on her phone, she looked at her phone and soon it was levitating over to her to see that it was Apple Bloom as she answered it putting it on loudspeaker “Apple Bloom, did something happen?”
Apple Bloom frowned “I thought you were coming home tonight?”
Applejack sighed “Well we all got the idea that Sunset never had a Christmas before so we wanted to make this special.”
Apple Bloom shrugged on the other side of the phone as she had own plans to set into motion “Well I’ll see you tommorow at school, Piggly Wiggly.”
Sunset rubbed her forehead as Apple Bloom hung up “You know Applejack, I’ve heard that expression used to refer to you before but I have no idea what it meant. Even in my darkest days I didn’t pry into family secrets, you don’t mess with someone’s family.”
Applejack sighed “It’s a family nickname, when Ah was a toddler Ah was found playing in the pig pen. They called me Piggly Wiggly and it stuck.”
Sunset frowned “I overheard Big Mac mention while he was working, I believe it was family business and never followed up on it.”
Cozy rolled her eyes “We’re here to have fun, not to get upset.” The rest of the party was fun unaware that something dark was lurking in the shadows watching as it awaited the stirring of hatred.
Author's Note
This incident will not end cleanly, that I promise you.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Sunset and her group of friends entered the school, Sunset growled and Applejack froze as they heard two words “Piggly Wiggly.”
Cozy looked around angrily “Okay who said that? That was supposed to be a secret.” Everyone around them was silent as a statue.
Gilda growled as brought up a page with a red and yellow silhouette of Sunset on it “It seems someone is trying to frame Sunset, look at this!”
Fluttershy and Rainbow’s eyes narrowed as they saw the picture of Sunset’s silhouette with the title Anon-A-Miss “We not going to let whoever this is frame a member of our family know are we girls!”
Applejack slumped “There can only be so many people who know that nickname, all of them are family. Which member of mah family could have done this?”
Wallflower placed a hand on Applejack’s shoulder “We’ll find out who did this and no mater what happens we’ll all be with you, we are a family and we stand together.”
Rarity nodded “I’ll do some digging around the rumour mill and…”
Pinkie grimaced “They made another post, look at this.” All of them grimaced as they saw a picture of Lightning Dust and Trixie, Pinkie growled “You don’t out someone like that, not everyone is so accepting of same sex relationships!”
Meanwhile in another hallway Lightning Dust was shaking tears in her eyes, Trixie standing beside her. Lightning Dust growled “Who could do such a thing! Why would they!”
Trixie hugged Lightning Dust “I don’t know but we will stand together.”
Just then over the intercom Principal Celestia spoke over the intercom “Lightning Dust, your father is awaiting you outside the front of the school.”
Lightning Dust and Trixie headed to the front of the school, her father a tall man with dark green skin and greying yellow hair was standing there. His eyes “So Lightning Dust, it’s true then. You are one of those freaks, I’ll give you one chance to give up on that nonsense!”
Lightning Dust snarled “Never!”
Her father growled “So be it but you are no longer welcome in my house! You can stay with that washed up magician of yours!” Lightning Dust bitterly stormed into the school.
At the same time Sunset was waiting for her maths teacher to arrive, she watched as Gilda had to break up a fight between Lyra and Octavia over something stupid. Gilda grimaced “This is just getting worse and worse.”
Sunset frowned “This is only one day and there have been ten fights as well as one person disowned by her family and the first period hasn’t started yet. This makes what I did in my darker days look like nothing. Seriously blackmail is one thing but this person is haphazardly posting secrets like no tommorow.”
Gilda frowned “We will find out who is doing this, let’s just hope we stop before someone is hurt beyond repair.”
Sunset grimaced “We need to keep an eye on Lightning Dust getting disowned can’t be easy.”
Gilda nodded “I’ll tell the girls, we’ll catch them I promise.”
The classes for the day were quiet until lunch, Apple Bloom was sitting on her own growling in the cafeteria. They hadn’t been able to separate Sunset Shimmer from her sister and her friends yet. A dark shadow was watching with glee (This is perfect, it’s been a long time since I’ve found such a hateful soul.)
Apple Bloom was internally fuming all had Anon-A-Miss had drawn the group closer to Sunset, she needed to destroy her. She left the room with anger in her eyes, she heard a voice as the shadow approached “I hear you are angry at Sunset Shimmer, if this little blog of your fails I can help you. I have a personal interest in seeing the destruction of Sunset Shimmer.”
Apple Bloom grinned at the shadow “Join me then and we’ll tear her apart one way or the other.”
Sunset was looking around the cafeteria, everyone was silently glaring at each other. Sunset stood up and shouted “Enough!” Everyone turned to her, Sunset growled “I am well aware of what I did to all of you but look at yourselves! You are tearing yourselves apart over some stupid rumours!”
Cozy stood beside her “Princess Twilight came here and restored friendship to this school. Are you willing to let this break everything apart she built.”
Gilda joined them “We are going to find this Anon-A-Miss and bring them down!”
Rarity stood up “We are all different but when united we can do anything!”
Rainbow closed her eyes“It hurt when I lost all my friends, I know many of you are angry and bitter. Some of you have been sending in secrets, you need to listen to your friends and make it up to them.”
Applejack stood up beside Rainbow “And to those who have been hurt that is not an excuse to abuse a remorseful friend. Forgiveness is a hard road as both sides need to put in a genuine effort to make it work but you will come out stronger friends because of it.”
Several groups cheered but some groups were not happy about it, there was still a great amount of anger and fury in the air. It would take the true identity of Anon-a-Miss to bring the hatred down, everyone remained blissfully unaware that the act of even one day of simple rumours could bring two people’s lives crumbling down.
Author's Note
Actions will have consequences.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Chapter 25: Anon-A-Miss Conflict
Lightning Dust was trudging through the hallway, Trixie by her side. Lightning growled “Why did Anon-A-Miss do this?”
Trixie paused as her mind began to tick over, one person came to mind “I think I know who is behind all this? I will need to speak to the Sunset and her group.”
Lightning Dust frowned “Why, who could it be that would warrant us meeting with them?’
Trixie frowned “Considering they are trying to frame Sunset but they targeted us next. Because we know who it is, remember who came to us ‘bring Sunset Shimmer down.’”
Lightning Dust growled “It’s Apple Bloom. You’re right, we need to speak to them, maybe they can fix this mess. It’s time to bring Anon-A-Miss down!” Trixie nodded, the two girls walked through the halls now driven with purpose. The two entered the cafeteria and marched over to Sunset’s table.
Rainbow frowned “Why are you two here?”
Trixie grimaced “We have good reason to suspect that Apple Bloom is Anon-A-Miss, she came to us both to and I quote ‘Take down Sunset Shimmer.’ She targeted us because we could have told you about her. We finally made the connection.”
Gilda growled “We need to confront her about this, she is going to hurt someone at this rate. She’s already hurt someone deeply and that number will only grow with time!”
Adagio frowned “Agreed, we know all too well as anyone that will only get worse from here.”
Aria snarled “We need to find her now!”
Sonata sighed “Calm down, Aria please. We will find her one way or the other.”
Applejack clenched her fists “Ah must speak with her, Ah hope you will all support through this.”
Fluttershy nodded “Of course we will! We promised that we were a family, we are right beside you!”
Cozy grimaced “We need to settle this now, we’ll follow you into depths of hell if we need to.”
Sunset took a deep breath “Is everyone here ready for this, I have a feeling this will not go smoothly. I can feel something dark lurking around Apple Bloom.”
Rainbow frowned “We should get moving before she catches on that we are on to her.”
Wallflower pointed to the door “Let’s move, we can‘t let this continue.”
Pinkie nodded as she walked to the door “It’s time to bring this to an end.” Everyone paused to watch the large band leave the cafeteria, they were searching for Apple Bloom unaware that Flash Sentry had seen everything and had left shortly afterwards.
Pinkie frowned as she looked around the near empty hallways of the school “Where do you think Apple Bloom is hiding?”
Applejack slumped “Ah don’t know, we don’t spend too much time together. It’s something Ah need to rectify but Ah’m not sure how, she seems to have no interest patching things up.”
Cozy Glow sighed “That’s my fault, she hates me and by extension Sunset as well. It has been deep rooted for years and she has told no one about it, Anon-A-Miss is a creation based off the brewing of great hatred.”
Sunset frowned “We will do our best to help her, I know what it’s like to be filled with hatred and anger.”
Gilda ducked as fist swung at her head, she snarled “Garble!”
Garble grinned “Hello Gilda, it’s been years.”
Flash Sentry, the Diamond Dogs, Rover, Spot and Fido. What surprised them was most when Apple Bloom stepped forward with a malicious grin on her face “So you discovered it was me. Too bad there is nothing you can do to stop us now, come forth Calamity.”
Dark energy surged through Apple Bloom as she closed her eyes, she began to grow as her teeth sharpened, as her hands turned to claws, her skin began to darken and two massive raven wings extended outward. Apple Bloom opened her eyes revealing crimson slitted pupils “Ah am no longer Apple Bloom, I am Calamity!”
Flash, Garble and the Diamond Dogs let out screams as she twisted them with her power. Flash transformed into a demonic pegasus, Garble transformed in a furious dragon while the Diamond Dogs were now wolves growling angrily.
Sunset closed her eyes “Girls, you know what to do.” All the girls put their hand together and a huge rainbow wave of power towards the six newly transformed monsters.
Adagio smiled as the energy subsided “I must admit that felt amazing, who knew Harmony would be so fulfilling.”
Aria frowned “I surprised we can do it to be honest, we spent years feeding off hatred and now we have become part of your little group in such a short time.”
Sonata whisper “I think we have a problem.”
Calamity giggled “You don’t get it, we all want this deep down. Your elements can’t purify or destroy us.”
Applejack focused as she transformed, pony ears forming on her head. Applejack frowned “Ah will face down Calamity, you girls handle the others.” The other girls transformed as Applejack kicked Calamity away, Applejack shouted “Apple Bloom why are you doing this?!”
Calamity laughed “Applejack, you don’t get it do you. Ah hated Cozy Glow with all of my being and Sunset is part of that. Now you are too, Ah bring you all burning down.” She threw an explosive ball of energy sending Applejack hurling backwards crashing into the wall she was interrupted when Gilda threw an unconscious Garble at her, she kicked the dragon off only to see Cozy Glow standing in front of thee unconscious werewolves while Flash Sentry was lying on the ground in front of Sunset.
Calamity kicked Garble away and drained the magic away from them “I was hoping they would be better help but it seems I need to do this alone.” Sunset and Cozy Glow rushed at her, Calamity giggled as she blocked the scythe and claws with two fingers “You two are powerful but I am the Ender of Worlds! None of you stand a chance against me!”
She kicked the two away, Applejack was about to stand only to see two familiar faces. Big Mac and Granny Smith pulled her out of the wall, Granny Smith’s eyes narrowed before she slumped “She’s too far gone Applejack. I’ve seen this hatred once before in your grandfather, there is no saving her at this point.”
Applejack growled “You can’t mean that, she is my sister dammit!”
Granny Smith looked at her “I’m sorry Applejack but your second family will all die. I made a choice to save you three from your grandfather, now you have a choice to make as well.”
Applejack stood up with tear in her eyes “Your right Granny, Ah’m sorry.”
Granny looked at her sadly “No, I’m sorry. She told about her hatred and told me to keep it a secret from you. I now see that was a mistake, this is my fault not yours.”
Applejack was about to rush in when Cozy looked at Sunset “Any ideas to beat her.”
Sunset smiled “We can merge our power temporarily, we may be able to stand against her.”
Cozy nodded “Well it seems there is no other option, let’s do it.” The pair summoned energy into there hands and pressed them together, a huge flash of light filled the room. A skeletal devil stood there carrying a scythe, with insane blur of speed she knocked Calamity over “We are Suzy Sunglow, the Devil of Death!”
Calamity was incapable of blocking the punches and cuts of Suzy, Calamity was soon laying on the ground covered in cuts. Applejack limped over and looked at the fusion “I need to do this myself, I owe her that much.”
Suzy nodded as Applejack looked into Calamity’s eyes “Ah’m sorry Apple Bloom but you have gone too far. You are willing to harm so many to get what you want and Ah so wanted you to be part of both my new family and my old but you threw that away. It has to be me, Ah ow you that much.”
Before Calamity could answer, Applejack stuck her hand into her sister’s chest and ripped out her still beating heart. Suzy saw shadow escape the girl’s body, they grabbed it between them. Suzy growled “So you are the one behind this!’
The being growled “I am the Herald of the End Times, I am the cause of all…” Szuy vaporised the shadowy creature and joined Applejack who was sobbing over her sister’s body, the once bating heart now laying on the floor.
Suzy defused as they arrived, Sunset held the sobbing farmer in a hug “I’m so sorry Applejack. We should have done more.”
Applejack sobbed “Granny new, she knew what was wrong and didn’t tell me. Apple Bloom was keeping for me, she didn’t trust me. Now she’s gone.”
Rainbow joined in “Applejack, I know this hard but we are all with you. We are your family too.”
Gilda joined the hug “We are with Applejack, no matter what.”
Cozy and Rarity joined as well “Let it all out.” No more words needed to be said as the whole group of friends, no family were all joined for a hug.
Author's Note
Thisis where the death tag came from.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Chapter 26: Supportive Friends
Granny Smith had taken the body of her granddaughter and with a bit of magic from Sunset the mess made was minimal. The school was closed early for the year to discuss how to frame this for the school board.
Applejack was sitting at the small private grave tears flowing from her eyes, Fluttershy was right beside her. Applejack shouted “If Ah was only a little more attentive she would still be here with me!”
Wallflower walked up to the grave and placed a hand down a huge tree with glowing pink flowers spurted out of the ground. She smiled “This is an Apple Blossom in full bloom, it will eternally watch over this grave.”
Applejack smiled weakly as tears flowed from her eyes “Thank you Wallflower.”
Sunset placed her own charm on the grave, a small glowing rainbow stone “May harmony guide you to the next world. I wish you peace and prosperity as I will never step past the veil to see your smile again.”
Rainbow and Pinkie sat there quietly as Adagio, Sonata and Aria stood together mournfully
An apple has fallen from the tree
Left before their time
We hold our hands to remember them
They live on in our hearts
Everyone held out their right hand while placing their other hand over their hearts. Cozy Glow joined in the song
I’m sorry for all the harm I caused you
For causing hatred to grow in your heart
For every wound I caused
I’m sorry
Sunset stood beside Cozy with a sorrowful smile
Harmony guide this fallen apple
May her spirit bloom in your grace
May your light shine on her path
Into the next world
Wallflower’s voice echoed as the green stone around her neck glowed
May this fallen apple never be forgotten
May her darkest deeds never mar her memory
As we remember the fallen apple
The apple we lost
Applejack was visibly crying, Gilda embraced the Apple farmer with a sincere smile “Your never alone, we will stand by you through the darkest days.”
Rainbow nodded “We’ll stand by you Applejack till the end of our days.”
Pinkie was silent, she did have words for such an event. She usually liked to talk but calmness was clearly needed here and her voice was anything but. Pinkie knew that silence would be the best form of respect she could muster under these circumstances.
Rarity sat next to Applejack solemnly “We should have done more to help her.”
Applejack sighed “Don’t blame yourself Rarity, none of you are at fault here. The fact that you all sit with me is proof of that, Ah just hope she finds what she is looking for in the other world.” All of her friends sat by her as they mourned the lost apple.
Meanwhile in a realm a deep blue mare with a golden mane was watching over the Harmonic Fields as the souls of the deceased rested. She felt a strange presence, she saw a young human by herself. She approached the human who looked around in shock “Where am Ah?”
The mare smiled “Allow me to introduce myself, I am Harmonic Skies and this is the Harmonic Fields. A place for where the good to go when they die.”
The girl looked around in shock “Ah don’t deserve to be here, Ah did some horrible things.”
Harmonic Skies shook her head “You have been blessed by those who knew you, that blessing allowed your soul to come here young Apple Bloom. Your living family will meet you here one day but there are two people who need to speak to you.”
Two humans were standing there, both had a very pale skin tone. The man was wearing a farmer’s uniform with a Stetson atop his brilliant red hair, the woman was in a similar uniform to the man her brilliant curly orange hair wrapped around her head. Harmonic Skies smiled “These are you parents, Pear Butter and Bright Macintosh.”
Bright picked her up with tears in his eyes “You shouldn’t have joined us yet, you so young.”
Apple Bloom sobbed “Ah did some horrible things,Ah shouldn’t even be here. Ah tried to tear apart my sister’s second family, I should be burning in the depths of Hell for what Ah’ve done.”
Pear Butter hugged her tears forming as she tried to comfort her daughter “Don’t say that, you made mistake. It happens to everyone.”
Apple Bloom shouted “You don’t understand, Ah was willing to destroy mah family! How can anyone possible hope to recover from that?!”
An older voice answered “Make up for as best you can” she turned to see an older man similar to her father but with deep green hair. He was carrying an axe and a hammer.
Apple Bloom frowned “Who are you?”
The older voice chuckled solemnly “Autumn Apple, I was angry and cruel Apple Bloom. Summer Smith or as you know her Granny Smith put a bullet in my chest to save your parents. She wished for me to pass on peacefully and I was brought here, at first I felt the same way, like I deserved punishment but I made a choice to make it up to my family. I built a house for our family every member of family to spend their afterlife at. Allow me to show you your new home”
The group arrived only to see a huge barn like house in the middle of an empty field, Autumn smiled “I built this from scratch. A home for our family to live in after they pass.”
Apple Bloom looked around and then closed her eyes “It’s missing something, there are no trees.” She then declared “I will grow an orchid for our family, to bring the apples with us to this world.” Everyone smiled at the young girl who was eager to make up for her mistakes.
Author's Note
Anon-A-Mss is over, I might have a few chapters before the Friendship Games starts up.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were standing at Apple Bloom’s grave. Scootaloo slumped “This is our fault, we left her all alone. Maybe if we joined her she would still be with us.”
Rainbow placed a hand on Scootaloo’s shoulder “Don’t weigh yourself down with the past. Move forward with her in your heart, one day you will see her again.”
Sweetie Belle looked at her sister with tear in her eyes “How can you stand so strong? She was our friend and it may have been our fault she’s gone.”
Rarity didn’t know how to answer that question, Sunset stepped forward “It’s never good to dwell on what if’s, Princess Celestia is an emotional bag of problems bottled up like a volcano. She has one thousand years of deaths on her withers and blames herself for every single one. If it hurts tell someone, just vent it all out. Bottling it up is never the answer, trust in your friends.”
Applejack placed a small set of flowers on the grave “Sister, rest well. Ah hope you are at peace wherever you are.”
The group returned to the barn like home that the Apple family had built, Granny Smith was sitting at the table with Big Mac. Applejack, Rarity, Sunset, Sweetie Belle, Rainbow and Scootaloo took seats at the table, Applejack raised an eyebrow “Who’s cooking in the kitchen?”
Big Mac smirked “Guess?”
Rarity frowned “Pinkie Pie, she loves baking. Sonata maybe.”
Sunset raised an eyebrow “Sonata went with Pinkie to visit her family back home remember. Gilda maybe.”
Cozy, Gilda and Fluttershy walked down the stairs wearing a fresh set of clothes and took seats at the table. Scootaloo blinked “There are no spare seats, who is cooking?”
Everyone’s eyes widened as Rainbow walked out of the kitchen wearing an apron that read carrying an apple pie ‘Taste the Rainbow.’ The Rainbow at the table stood up and walked over to the other Rainbow. As soon as they made contact, the Rainbow Dash that exited the kitchen was still there as the other one dissapeared from sight, Rainbow smiled “I wanted to prepare some food for everyone but I also needed to comfort Scootaloo. I simply decided to do both and sent a version of me alone with her. I could see everything that happened in both places.”
Gilda blinked “I didn’t know you could bake?”
Rainbow rubbed the back of her head “I kind of kept it hidden, I was trying to keep that tough girl image up. I don’t see any real reason to do that anymore, it was really stupid of me to do that.”
Sunset shrugged “I can understand the power of image, many people say that what people think do you doesn’t matter but really does. You can’t avoid it unless you live under a rock.”
Rainbow shrugged “I’m sick of the whole bravado thing, it cost me my friends once.” She grimaced “Never again will my ego blind me.”
Rainbow then put the pie down “Enough dreary talk, I’ll bring the rest of the bakes goods in.” It wasn’t long before a large assortment of pies, cakes and other baked goods covered the table.
Gilda’s took a bite of an apple pie and tears began to flow down her face “This is best thing I have ever eaten in my life.”
Applejack took a bite and she began crying as well, Sunset took a bite and blinked “Rainbow, how did you get this good! You could be a chef in Canterlot serving Princess Celestia with this level of talent!”
Rainbow blushed “I’m not that good, I just cooked at lot at home. My father and mother aren’t very good cooks so I had to take up the slack from a young age, turns out I had a knack for cooking.”
Sunset smirked “You would make found that the legendary chef, Kitchen Nightmare would put in his restaurant.”
Cozy Glow blinked “Who is Kitchen Nightmare?’
Sunset laughed “He is a Unicorn Chef in Canterlot with a fury so great that he had Celestia whimpering like a foal. She burnt some toast that was put in front of him and he swore up a storm. A stallion worthy of great respect.”
Applejack frowned “He sounds like that Gordon Ramsay guy, Ah have seen his show which was called Kitchen Nightmares. He is rude and filled with fury.”
Gilda smiled “I like him, a no nonsense kid of guy. A man with such passion and love for food. A man who holds the potential for such destruction and yet is capable of making such amazing food.”
Fluttershy took a bite and soon tears flowed from her eyes, soon everyone other than Sunset was sobbing as they dug into Rainbow’s food. The rainbow haired teen was as red as tomato as Sunset looked at her “I do believe you have future in cooking should ever decide to pursue that as a career.”
Rainbow Dash took a bite and shrugged “I put a little too much cinnamon in and it’s too sweet, needs something sour to balance it out.”
Applejack paused “Wait if you are this good a cook why didn’t you say anything about our food. I hate to admit but this is the best food I have ever eaten. How have you not seen all other food as inferior.”
Sunset smirked “The mark of a true master chef in the making, seeking perfection and in doing so catches excellence. You should open your own restaurant in Canterlot, it would be a huge success. There must some joy that derive from this.”
Rainbow nodded “I don’t know, I just get this feeling when I cook. It’s like this is what I should be doing but I have kept it hidden for so long under the tough girl persona. I have put so much time into being an athlete that I have never thought of doing anything else, I believed that it was my future.”
Sunset frowned “Is that want you want to do for the rest of your life?”
Rainbow frowned and shook her head “Not really, it just was what was expected of me.”
Sunset smiled “Then cook, you seem to enjoy it. Maybe there is a future I it for you.”
Rainbow commented “Maybe, I still enjoy sports but more as a hobby.” They soon dug into the food eager to leave the serious conversation for another day.
Author's Note
Rainbows is good at cooking in this universe.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Rainbow was humming to herself, in the kitchen. The winter break had come and gone, Rainbow had dove into her cooking with a passion over that time. She had Home Economics this morning and was rather eager to get started.
Rainbow entered the Home Economics room with a smile on her face, large tables were scattered around the room. Solid steel benches with draws full of cooking utensils with baking ingredients on them were next to each table. The Home Economics teacher Chocolate Delight was a tall woman with light blue skin and bright crimson red hair “Rainbow Dash, you seem unusually eager today.”
Rainbow laughed “I have no need to carry that tough girl image any longer, I am the cook at home so I’m sure I can make something decent.”
Chocolate Delight smiled “Well I’m eager to see what you could be do when you actual put serious effort in.” As soon as Rainbow took a seat next to the smiling Pinkie Pie Chocolate Delight smiled “Today will be a simply baking challenge, to see what you can come up with. You may start now.”
Rainbow checked the large oven and smiled, Pinkie was slightly stunned as Rainbow was measuring out flour with absolute precision. Every move she made was one with pinpoint accuracy, bowls of cake batter were carefully formulated and soon each cake layer was put in the oven at the exact right temperature, Rainbow began carefully pouring icing into piping bags. By the end of the session everyone was looking in awe at the tremendous multi-layered cake covered in various types of icing.
Chocolate Delight took a photo and Rainbow was soon blushing as the entire Home Economics class was crying with joy at the food they had been served.
Sunset in the cafeteria eating her food when Rainbow was getting strange looks from everyone, Rainbow sat down at the table “Everyone is looking at me weird since Home Ec, does anyone know why?”
Pinkie shouted “Are you kidding me, everyone in Home Ec has been talking about you. I thought I was the Queen of Baking but wow, you are truly gifted. You are the Queen of Baking now.”
Rainbow frowned “I can do a lot more than bake you know.” She then closed her eyes “I think I know what I want to do in the future, I have missed the smell of food that I cooked myself. I want to open a restaurant after school, something small to start with but hopefully with time it will grow.”
Gilda grinned “I never thought I’d see the day you would ever be something other than an athlete.”
Fluttershy slapped Gilda on the back of the head before smiling at Rainbow “We’re all happy for you. Finding one’s path in life is quite difficult, you have our support all the way.”
Adagio smirked “You have a talent that only emerges once every millennia or so, in fact it’s something I find attractive. It’s rare I meet someone like you.”
Rainbow blushed “Um, thank you.”
Aria groaned “Enough, your are clearly making her feel uncomfortable.” She then looked at the group “you have all changed a lot from what you used to be like. Everyone in the school has commented about how you have all changed, Sunset is much kinder person and Cozy is a lot happier. Fluttershy and Wallflower are much braver, Applejack and Rainbow are not as competitive, Rarity is much less dramatic, Pinkie is a lot more serious and Gilda is less prone to anger.”
Rainbow frowned “We had problems deep within ourselves and that cost us all a lot, I lost my friends because I was too proud.”
Applejack grimaced “It was a similar case for me as well, Ah didn’t listen to my friends.”
Rarity sighed “I should have said something but it was so easy just to blame everyone.”
Pinkie grimaced “I was too busy trying to make others happy I didn’t see the real underlying problems.”
Fluttershy grimaced “I was too timid, too afraid of everything and that meant I was unable to stand up for my friends when the moment came.”
Wallflower grimaced “I was just bad with people, shortly after Sunset’s reformation she held out a hand to me offering to see my garden.” She then smiled “She cared about what I liked and showed me kindness, even offering to help me. She was my first friend.”
Gilda frowned “I was alone after Rainbow Dash and I fell out, I always had a bad temper and it only got worse over time. I became increasingly alone until one day…”
Two Years Back
A younger Gilda was standing there on a stool, a rope around her neck. She looked at the graves sadly “It looks like I’ll be joining you.” She kicked the stool from underneath her legs and began gasping for air as the rope tightened around her neck.
Suddenly a knife flew through the air cutting the rope, an orange skinned girl with fiery hair stood there and glared at Gilda “What were you doing?!”
Gilda growled “Leaving, no-one in this world cares for me. I am an angry bitch who has nothing left!”
The girl laughed darkly “At least you have a choice, your anger is your own. I am forced to suffer with someone foisting all their emotions onto me, every bad experience in their life get to feel all of it. Your anger is your own, master and control it.” She then pointed to the rope “That is never the right choice, it may sometimes seem like a good idea but it never is. I’ve seen that way too many times.”
Present Day
Gilda turned to Sunset “Even back then there was good in you but at the same time there was so much hatred and anger that had nowhere to safely dissipate. You are not a bad person.”
Sunset was about to reply when she was called up to Principal’s office, Sunset sighed “We’ll continue this conversation later. This is probably important and likely involves magic.” Her friends frowned as Sunset left the cafeteria.
Author's Note
I do have some plans for the upcoming Friendship Games.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Chapter 30: Twilight's Fury
Twilight smiled widely “I can do magic!”
Sunset sighed as she put her clawed hand on Twilight’s shoulder “Be careful with your magic. I can teach you more about how it works but don’t try to experiment with it on your own. You don’t want to wipe all of humanity do you?”
Twilight shivered “I could do that.”
Aria deadpanned “Quite easily actually, the world in which we come from the Sun and Moon are moved by magic. Everyone here, especially Sunset could easily control the sun.”
Gilda blinked “Wait what do you mean especially Sunset, what makes her different from the rest of us?”
Sonata giggled “Ponies have marks on their flanks that dictate their destiny, that symbol on her book is the symbol she has. I’m sure all aware what that symbol represents.”
Applejack raised an eyebrow at Sunset “Why haven’t you tried to do that?”
Rainbow’s eyes narrowed “Did you just ask that Applejack? I am not the brightest tool in the shed but I am pretty confident that the sun orbiting the planet will cause a great deal of problems in the Solar System.”
Adagio rubbed her forehead as she muttered “It seems need to revise that list later.”
Sunset frowned as she cast a spell and a book of magic appeared in her claws “This is my personal magic book from back home, you seem the studious type so go home and practice. Just any dangerous spells you will need to find a large open space to use them.”
Twilight smiled “Well thank you for showing me this, oh there’s so much research to do.” The girls shrugged as they decided to relax at the local mall.
Twilight returned home, her mother Twilight Velvet frowned “Twilight you were gone for a while.”
Twilight smiled “Well some girls were assisting me in my research and…”
Velvet cheered excitedly as she wrapped Twilight in a mighty hug “Twilight I’m so proud of you, you’ve finally made some friends!”
Twilight rolled her eyes “I suppose so, they treat me better than most kids at school do. Still I have got some studying to do, they gave me a new book.”
Velvet realised the vice like grip and her daughter ran up stairs, she spent the rest of the day reading the book and getting a better grasp on magical theory. The next morning she woke up in her room, there were several bookshelves in the room and a small computer desk as well.
Twilight yawned “Good morning Spike.”
Spike yapped at her heels, she carefully hid him in her bag alongside a few books. After getting dressed she walked down the stairs and smiled as she ate breakfast. One thing she was definitely happy about as she sat at the dining table was that her mother wasn’t pestering her to make friends, she dug into her breakfast of bacon and eggs. She smiled at her mother “Thank you mum.”
Her mother smiled as her daughter left home “Your welcome.”
After a quick bus ride she arrived at the entrance of the school, she sighed as walked the huge prep school building in front of her. She was not sure if going to Crystal Prep was actually the right choice, it was a school for education but most of students glared her in the hallways. She hid Spike in her personal lab full of strange gadgets and devices.
She then walked through the halls as every other student glared at her, she did however see one friendly face “Dean Cadence!”
Cadence smiled “I heard you made some friends” she then sighed “Principal Cinch wants us to meet with you.”
Twilight frowned “Is this about the Friendship Games, I have made it very clear that I am not interested.”
Cadence grimaced “Cinch wanted to meet with you personally to see if you could convince you otherwise. I’m not happy about it either I’m afraid.”
The two entered the room and Cadence stood beside the door watching with worry. Twilight took a seat and soon the chair swung around. Principal Cinch frowned as the door closed revealing Shining Armour behind it, Twilight looked at Cinch in confusion “Why is my brother here?”
Cinch frown deepened “You see, as an Alumni of the school I was hoping he could provide a unique perspective on the Friendship Games.” She then turned to him “You competed in the previous Friendship Games did you not?”
Shining Armour smirked “I did and we won as we always do.”
Cinch grimaced “Twilight, I’m going to be blunt with you. It’s not a matter of whether Crystal Prep wins or loses, it is the fact that we have reputation to uphold. One that means we are expected to win and Canterlot High’s test scores, grades and even athletics are on the rise. They are developing a reputation and we must put a stop to this at these games.”
Twilight exclaimed “I can’t just drop everything for the games, I have important work to…”
Cinch turned to Cadence and Shining Amour with a cold look “Cadence, Shining Armour may I request that you retrieve my contact sheet for the Everton Independent Study Program.”
They both shuddered as they had seen that look before and quickly evacuated terror plastered across their faces as the door slammed behind them. Cinch’s eyes narrowed at Twilight “I understand you have applied for Everton Study Program, you see I have a great amount of sway due my reputation. As such I could very easily fast track your application, or I could have it denied.”
Twilight was a smart girl and new exactly what that meant, she was furious that this woman was trying to ruin her future. Her eyes glowed white as her temper flared a huge eruption of power exploding outwards as Cinch ‘s scream was overshadowed by the sound of the explosion. Cadence and Shining returned only to see Twilight unconscious on the ground and the room in shambles as a skeleton lay in pieces scattered across the room.
Author's Note
Twilight had a magic flare triggered by anger, she only just got it after all. Also unlike the others it's not Harmony based magic.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Twilight had woken up in a hospital bed she looked up to see a worried Sunset, Cadence and Shining Armour. Sunset slumped “I should have given you more instruction before you left, you experienced an uncontrolled magic surge from intense emotions.”
Twilight clenched her teeth “Cinch threatened my education in order for me to join the Friendship Games for Crystal Prep!”
Cadence shouted “She did what!”
Sunset frowned “Cinch is gone, you are soon to be Principal of Crystal Prep. That should be one of your primary concerns.”
Twilight frowned “How long have I been out?”
Sunset grimaced “About a month, expending so much magic so quickly meant your body needed to rest and recover from the shock. As for Friendship Games they have been postponed?”
Twilight raised an eyebrow “What happened to Cinch anyway, I heard she is getting replaced.”
Sunset slumped “You glassed the entire room, Cinch’s funeral is being planned in a couple of weeks. I should have done something about this.”
Twilight blinked for a moment before smiling “Finally that bitch is gone.”
Cadence shouted “Twilight, you can’t really think that!”
Twilight growled “Cadence, that woman has been looking at me like shark ready to consume a school of fish! I have been dreading the day when next Friendship Games came for years! I have no sympathy for her!”
Sunset raised her hands “Calm down before you glass the entire hospital, the school is lucky to be standing in all honesty. Look we’ll sit by the near the Canterlot High horse statue and eat some of Rainbow’s food.”
Cadence frowned “I’m not sure that’s wise, she only just woke up.”
There was the loud sound of screaming outside, Cozy poked her head in “Come on the girl’s are having some fun with the FBI trying to capture them. Maybe she can join in.”
Cadence shouted “Are you nuts!”
Twilight smirked “You know what I’ll take you up on that offer, I have a lot of anger to let out!” Her purple skin darkened as her glasses faded into magic and massive raven wings formed. She flew out of the room as Sunset and Cozy transformed following her.”
Twilight burst out grabbing an agent carrying an assault rifle and throwing him down the street knocking over several other agents. Gilda clawed an agent in half as Applejack and Wallflower punched another two in paste “These idiots are trying kidnap us for government experiments! They really need to stop while there are still any of them left.”
Twilight was flying around grinning madly as she tossed agents around like ragdolls, she heard the sound of whirring gears and was soon punched across the street by a building sized mech. Twilight coughed up blood before grinning “I do like challenge!”
Twilight flew at the mech kicking it backwards, twenty more mechs arrived. Twilight flew rapidly grabbing one mech and using it to smack another. A third grabbed her with it’s hand, she screamed in pain as it began tightening it’s grip only for a huge blast of magic to obliterate the Mech. Sunset landed and cast a quick healing spell “Don‘t get overconfident, but between all of us we can take these things out.”
Another Mech was cut in half with a scythe only for another to be shattered by a mighty rainbow explosion. Rainbow Dash grinned “Now that was awesome!”
Five mechs were shattered by three voice acting in sync, Aria looked to her sisters “It’s been a long time since we brought down something that big, I believe it was one of those rampaging dragons who thought Sirens were food.”
Twilight smashed the Mech she was originally fighting into the ground “I’ve had my fun, now say goodbye.” Twilight obliterated the Mecha with a huge blast of magic.
The remaining FBI Members retreated as the magical girls headed to Canterlot High, for a bit of respite. Meanwhile in a dark building with tons of people walking around in suits, a light green woman with a fierce scowl one her face sat there looking at a tall man in similar suit “Director Sombra, why the fuck do I have reports that you attacked civilians with experimental military hardware that cost trillions of dollars to make!”
Sombra growled “Director Ocellus, those girls have magical powers beyond imagination! Are we to allow super powered individuals to run around unchecked!”
Ocellus’ eyes narrowed “Unlike you the CIA has been well aware of their presence, they are teenagers going to a high school. We have been observing them closely and we would step in. We are putting excessive effort to cover up this little incident and more importantly the higher ups are considering replacing you for your actions.”
Sombra stormed out of the room in a huff, Ocellus sighed “I so should have become an adventurer like my sister. It would have been so much easier to deal with but instead I am stuck dealing with idiots.”
Meanwhile Twilight was sitting on a huge picnic blanket with plates of ravioli, pots curry, a huge plate covered in spaghetti. Countless cakes, burgers, pies and a multiple huge pizzas. Twilight blinked “Who made all this food.”
Gilda shrugged as she pointed to Rainbow Dash “Our resident master chef, seriously she is the best chef in the world.”
Twilight looked incredulously at the blushing athletic chef “I’m not that good, I just like cooking.”
Twilight took some of the pasta, some of the curry and some ravioli. Twilight began crying “This is the best food ever.”
Applejack chuckled “It took a while for us to stop crying over Rainbow’s food but you’ll get used to it soon enough.” At that moment a huge portal opened up nearby, Sunset, Cozy and Wallflower sued their magic to turn it into a stable mirror for dimensional travel.
Author's Note
Guess where this portal leads.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Chapter 32: Counterparts Meet
Sunset frowned “Who wants to see where this portal leads?”
Twilight looked sadly between the food and the portal, Cozy rolled her eyes “The portal won’t go anywhere. Enjoy the food.”
Gilda smiled “I’d like to see what goes on the other side.”
Rainbow clicked her fingers sending the food to a pocket dimension as Twilight pouted “We can investigate the other world now and then be back for food.”
Adagio, Sonata and Aria nodded “We’ll watch the portal from this side, the rest of you should go.”
Scootaloo grinned “Let’s go, this sounds like fun! We never get invited along to magical things.”
Rarity smiled “Come on Sweetie Belle, I want to see what is going on this other world.”
Sweetie Belle smiled happy to spend time with her sister “Okay.” Every except the Dazzlings jumped through the portal only to see an angelic version of Sunset Shimmer fighting a version of Twilight’s transformed state.
Sunset, Cozy and Twilight transformed before flying up into the air next to them “Excuse me but why are you two fighting?”
Rainbooms Sunset growled “Because Midnight Sparkle is trying open countless portals to Equestria and potentially destroy both worlds.”
Unity Sunset sighed as she placed a finger on Midnight Sparkle’s forehead causing the magic to leave her and then the winged Twilight caught her.
Rainbooms Sunset reverted back to normal as she landed before looking to her counterpart “Why are you here anyway?’
Unity Rainbow pointed to the portal “Your Twilight opened the portal and we used it to create a gateway. Thins seem very different here.”
The rest of Rainbooms approached, the Rainbooms Rainbow growled as she pointed at Gilda “Why are you still friends with that backstabbing bitch!”
Rainbow frowned “Because I was an arrogant bitch, it’s why I lost my friends.. I have toned down the ego and been true to myself and my friends. Everyone around me is my family, something we all promised each other.”
Rainbooms Applejack frowned “Where is Apple Bloom?”
Everyone grew deathly silent, Unity Applejack grimaced “She was so entwined with dark magic so deep in her soul that the elements couldn’t save her. She was too far gone, so I sent her to the next world where I hope she rests in peace.”
Rainbooms Applejack snarled “How could you do that to your own family!”
Unity Applejack growled “Family is more than just those of your blood, I have a family standing around me. One she tried to bring down with Anon-A-Miss but we all stood together as a family.”
Unity Fluttershy’s eyes narrowed as the Rainbooms’ all looked ashamed “Wait you mean you believed that obvious nonsense!”
Unity Rarity rubbed her temple as she saw the well hidden pain in Sunset’s eyes “Wait, did you just abandon Sunset because of some rumours. You call yourself her friends, that is just really sad.”
Cozy stepped forward cold fury marking her face “Did you ever properly even apologise to her!”
Gilda glared at the Rainbooms Rainbow “You have a lot of guts to call me a backstabbing bitch after treating your Sunset like that!”
Rainbooms’ Sunset frowned “Enough, we put that all behind us!” She then looked over the group “There is a lot more of you then is of us.”
Unity Sunset gave Cozy a peck on the cheek “This is my girlfriend Cozy Glow, Wallflower, Gilda and the Dazzlings plus Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are all my friends.”
Rarity exclaimed “How are the Dazzling you friends, they tried to mind control everyone?!”
Wallflower tapped the green stone necklace “The memory stone, an ancient magical artefact that’s power far eclipses that of even the Dazzlings full power. I was able to nullify their mind control before they could do any real harm, we managed to cleanse their gems of the dark influence.”
Before another word could be spoken this world’s Cinch growled “Principal Celestia, I demand you forfeit…”
The raven winged Twilight growled as she lifted the woman into the air “You hateful, scornful bitch. Treating everyone like nothing more than a tool.”
Unity Sunset frowned “Twilight… this is not the”
She snarled back full of anger “I’m Nightraven, not Twilight! Now give me one good reason why I shouldn’t bring her end!”
Gilda flew up to her with a sad smile “Because letting anger drive you will only lead to disaster, you need to find healthier ways of coping. Letting vengeance control you will not help you any.” She then looked at Sunset “I almost a made a terrible mistake because of that path but someone proud and strong saved me from my own demons.”
Nightraven pulled Cinch over to her with her magic smirking savagely “Listen to me bitch, it’s your lucky day because I’m going to let you live. Make no mistake if I hear another word of your shit I will bring you to an end faster than you can say mercy.”
She dropped the woman who scurried away in fear, Unity Sunset smiled “While I’m here you can me Shimmer and if you ever decide to visit my world than you would be called Shimmer there.”
Sunset nodded “That’s fair.”
Shimmer frowned “Could explain to me what happened during you Anon-A-Miss incident?’
Sunset sighed “Well I’ll start at the beginning.” As she explained what happened everyone else’s glares only grew fiercer at Sunset’s ‘friends.’
Shimmer blinked for a moment before she turned to glare at the Rainbooms “Did you offer a proper apology after you blamed Anon-A-Miss on her?”
The Rainbooms bring Sunset looked down in shame. Sunset frowned “Shimmer, it has already past and…”
Shimmer raised a hand “Sunset, if they are not going to apologise after such an obvious betrayal than how can you truly trust them. It shows an incredible lack of respect and something that you should consider carefully.”
Rainbooms Applejack growled “Why would you say that?!”
Unity Applejack frowned at her “Because it’s the truth, now I suggest we go through the portal before someone back home misses us.” The whole Unity band plus Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Nightraven leapt through the portal. Leaving their counterparts to think about what was said.
Author's Note
This was kind of an idea of this story meeting with their canon counterparts.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Chapter 33: Prelude to the Friendship Games
Nightraven had just exited the portal alongside the others, Nightraven smiled “I must admit that was interesting?”
Adagio looked at the group “Did something happen?”
Sunset rolled her eyes “We met the counterparts of ourselves, their Sunset only had the five friends and they shat all over her when the Anon-A-Miss incident rolled around. They didn’t even apologise for their actions, I mean seriously how she still friends with them.”
Rainbow grimaced “She was so desperate for companions that she didn’t care, she relies on them for her mental stability. They didn’t try to work out the problems at the start like we did, it made the start rougher but we are much closer now because of it.”
Fluttershy growled “I’m glad you were with me or may have kicked all their asses just for being there! They treated her like dirt, how could they do that!”
Applejack was shocked at Fluttershy’s intensity, while she had clearly had grown more confident she never threatened another like that before. Rainbow smiled “You have grown a lot more confident Fluttershy and I’m glad you have.”
Nightraven smiled “You know that I never really considered having friends before but I’m glad I did. Still I should return home.” She took flying rapidly across the sky faster than the fastest military sensors could track
She landed in front of her own home and entered only to see her mother frowning at her “You left the hospital with your friends only to engage in a fight across the city. Now Twilight explain your actions to me because I have half a mind to ground you.”
Nightraven growled “First my name is not Twilight, not anymore! I am Nightraven,I have friends time for the first time in my life mum! Is that not what you wanted!”
Velvet frowned “Twilight, this is a lot of change to be making so quickly. You only just met them and then you were in a coma for a month, then you went on a violent rampage. These new friends of your are dangerous, maybe you should stay away from them.”
Nightraven growled storming out of the house. She then paused before she stormed back upstairs, she came down the stairs “Mother, you told me to make friends and now that I have them you think they are dangerous!” She then holds her hand up to the sky and fires a blast of magic into the sky “I’m dangerous too! I’d say they may the only things keeping me from destroying everyone! I’m going to find somewhere where else to stay for the night!”
Nightraven then took off looking around the sky eyes full of sorrow, she was quickly spotted by Sunset and Cozy who frowned “Nightraven, are you alright?”
Nightraven growled “No, my mother wants me to not be your friends. That you are too dangerous and that I should stay away from them. I need to stay somewhere else.”
Cozy smiled “You can take my bed, I’ve been sharing Sunset’s for a while now.”
Sunset grinned “I’ll teach you the soundproofing spell, me and Cozy Glow get quite loud in the bedroom! Tirek has special headphones so he doesn’t hear the noises we make.”
Cozy pecked her on the cheek “After school we are going to have a wild wedding, I doubt either of us want a standard wedding. I was us to dance to the songs of madness for what will be the greatest moment of our lives.”
Nightraven was blushing profusely, she took a deep breath and after calming down frowned “Marriage, isn’t that a bit early to be considering something so big.”
Cozy frowned “Nightraven, we are going to be here for eons. We will witness this planet’s death and beyond, we are not bound by the same mortal coil as most of the others. The Dazzlings may the only one who will be there with us after the first century.”
Nightraven looked at them solemnly “That sounds like a lonely existence, how can anyone bare it.”
Sunset sighed “Trying to bare it is the not the key, you need to let yourself live and lose. If you can’t do that then you will slowly turn to a cold and uncaring entity that will destroy the world around you. Nightmare Moon was the embodiment of that feeling, the simple fact of if I can’t be happy than no-one can is a dangerous road for an immortal to tread.”
Cozy shook her head “Enough with the depressing talk, come on we got to get home.”
Nightraven followed the two as they flew towards Cozy and Sunset’s home. Nightraven looked in awe at the lodge “How did your father pay for this place?”
Cozy smiled “Ex-military” she then frowned “first time I met my father we enemies on the battlefield.”
Sunset gave her a peck on the cheek “That’s in the past Cozy.” The trio reverted back to normal as they walked inside only to see Tirek humming to himself on the couch, Sunset smiled “Tirek we’re back.”
Tirek raised an eyebrow at Nightraven “Who is this and how long is she going to she staying?”
Cozy frowned “This is Nightraven, she is having some family problems. She’s gong to be staying in my room until they are resolved.”
Tirek shrugged “It’s fine as long as your dog doesn’t pee on the floor.”
Nightraven nodded “He will tell me if he needs to go, I promise you that.” The rest of the night passes relatively quickly.
The next morning Nightraven awoke and after letting Spike out to do his business. Headed to the dining room, she yawned as she sat down at the table with everyone “So what’s happening at school today?”
Sunset frowned “The Friendship Games actually, you are potential member of the team. Principal Cadence wanted me to tell you, you don’t have to be but she has a position for you. After what happened the school board has been insistent on clearing this up.”
Nightraven smiled “I wouldn't mind going now that I have the choice.”
Tirek placed a plate of pancakes before her “You should eat up if you want your brain to work for these games.”
Cozy Glow smiled “I’m eager to see how these games go, wish you luck Nightraven.”
After consuming her meal Nightraven grabbed Spike and put him in her bag. She teleported home and got dressed in her school uniform. She then teleported to Crystal Prep, everyone around her blinked as she appeared. She strode into the school confidence filling her eyes.
She smiled as she entered Cadence’s office “I heard that you wanted me to be in the games. Now that Cinch is no longer pressuring me I’d like to go.”
Cadence nodded “Consider it done but I want to talk to you about something before the games.” Nightraven frowned as she entered, unsure about the conversation about to take place
Author's Note
I hope you are enjoying this story, I think I'll end it with the Friendship Games
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Chapter 34: The Friendship Games Begin
Cadence frowned “Twilight, I am concerned. You decided to spend a night somewhere else because you had an argument with your mother, not to mention this insistence on another name.”
Nightraven growled “Is this speech about how my friends are a bad influence on me?”
Cadence slumped “No but I must ask are you alright? I’m worried about you and so is your brother. You only just woke up and already doing so much! I’m worried that you are going to hurt yourself.”
Nightraven shook her head “If I go overboard my friends will pull me back, isn’t that reason you and mum asked me to make friends.”
Cadence smiled “That is why I did it, so that you have proper support.” She then frowned “Your mother more wanted you to be social because she hoped you would form stronger connections with others. That your education would be wasted if you couldn't interact with others.”
Nightraven smiled “Thanks, now who else is on the team?”
Cadence frowned “Indigo Zap, Sunny Flare, Lemon Zest, Sour Sweet and Sugarcoat as well as a few others. We need to head to the bus bays so we are ready to go to Canterlot High.” Nightraven nodded and the two were soon at the busy bays, Cadence looked over the other team members “This is your Captain Twilight ‘Nightraven’ Sparkle. I hope you will listen to her on this trip, I expect you all to put your best foot forward today.”
Cadence left as a few other kids had to go to the vent and even for her predecessor drumming them up was like pulling teeth. Sour Sweet smiled “So the smartest girl in the school is leading us to victory?” Nightraven shrugged as Sour Sweet quipped “She will certainly do a good job when she can’t even string a bow properly.”
Nightraven frowned “Okay, do you have any personal quips to throw my way before we go?” She looked towards Indigo “You are probably going to mock about being physically weak” she then turned to Sunny Flare “you are going to glare at me and maybe mock my fashion sense” she finally turned to Sugarcoat “you are going to bluntly point out a flaw of mine.”
They were all shocked, Lemon Zest was too busy listening to her music to pay any attention. Sunny Flare sighed “It’s not as if you are wrong, still you better perform well in these games.”
Nightraven smirked “Well will not be good enough these games, even our best may not be enough. I expect all of you to give it your best.” She then frowned “I was told there were more of us?”
Sugarcoat rolled her eyes “Jet Set, Upper Crust, Neon Lights and Suri Polomare are late again. Neon Lights was informed only this morning by Lemon Zest and the other three believe they are allowed be late because they come from rich families that paid Cinch to overlook bad behaviour.”
Neon Lights ran up and glared at Lemon Zest “Tell me ahead of time when important events are on!”
Jet Set, Upper Crust and Suri Polomare walked up, Upper Crust rolled her eyes “So the Queen of Nerds is the team Captain I see. Yeah that will go well.”
Nightraven’s eyes narrowed as her wings materialised out of thin air behind her much to the shock of her teammates. Her voice boomed “Now listen here you three! You are late and Cinch isn’t here to save your sorry asses, so you better do good today or else there will be trouble!”
The trio flinched as one of Nightraven's hands turned to talons, Sunny Flare looked at her “What the fuck was that?!”
Nightraven smirked as her wings vanished into the ether and her hand turned back to normal “I was investigating those strange incidents around Canterlot High. I’m sure you saw the few surviving recordings of the strange seemingly magical events. It turns out all those strange events were real.”
Lemon Zest’s eyes widened “You’re kidding, that strange demon thing is real.” She then looked at Nightraven “Can you teach me??
Nightraven frowned “I’m a novice myself and magic is hard to control if you lose your temper. I’m not the one to teach you, I do know someone who can but you must willing to study. I have read the book and the formula for even the most basic magic makes even most advanced mathematics looks like child’s play in comparison. I still don’t understand some of the formula yet and the person who taught me see it as no different than breathing.”
Indigo raised an eyebrow “Who is this individual?”
Nightraven smirked “Probably the Captain of the Canterlot High team.”
Sugarcoat responded bluntly as her fellow teammates baring Twilight had their jaws drop “We are so screwed.”
It was at that point Cadence turned up and the small entourage she could collect got on the bus alongside the team. Lemon Zest groaned “I so should have studied more, we are so going to lose this.”
Indigo slapped Lemon Zest over the back of the head “We definitely will with that attitude. We are not going down without a fight!”
Nightraven grinned “Exactly, let’s show them that Crystal Prep is not down and out!”
It was not long before they arrived at Canterlot High, Nightraven led her team off the bus. Sunset was standing there in front of her team, many student commented about the second Twilight as the two captains walked towards each other and slammed their hand together as they transformed Devil and Fallen Angel grinned “May the best team win!”
Celestia stepped forward “I’m glad you are all here to join us for the Friendship Games. I hope that we can all unite ourself in friendship.”
Cadence smiled “I agree, let’s get the introductions underway.”
As they entered the hall there was a huge explosion and the entire room was covered in party decorations. Indigo took a bite of one of the brownies and began crying “Why is this so good?”
Sour Sweet frowned as she approached “It can’t be that good, give me one.” Sour Sweet began crying and soon the whole team was crying as they ate the brownies.
Lemon Zest was crying “This is beautiful.”
Sunny Flare sobbed “Can I hire this person to make my every meal?” Twilight was crying alongside her team.
Sugarcoat was all out of quips, Rainbow was pushed over by Applejack wearing her apron as her face glowed red “This is our head chef. She prepared all the food you just ate.”
Indigo blinked “Rainbow, how are you this good a cook.”
Rainbow rubbed the back of her head “I spent so long trying to keep up the tough girl image but at home I cooked dinner because my parents can’t cook to save their lives.” She shuddered “They burnt water, I don’t know how they did that.”
Celestia, Luna and Cadence were smiling. Luna smiled “I’m glad the students are finally bonding between our schools.”
Celestia closed her eyes “Still Cinch didn’t deserve what happened to her.”
Cadence frowned “That’s true, she may have done some bad things but she didn’t deserve to die. Still we should not let the past weigh us down.” The trio nodded as they prepared to get the games well and truly underway.
Author's Note
There may be one or two more chapters.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Chapter 35: Friendship Games End
Celestia looked over the crowd with a smile “I am glad you are getting along but we must get the first event underway, the Academic Decathlon.”
Cadence smiled “There will be a series of different academic events, I hope both teams have been all brushing up your skills because this will be a real challenge for all of you.”
Every member of both teams smirked at the other, the games were soon in full swing. The Crystal Prep Shadowbolts and the Canterlot High Wondercolts were constantly neck and neck. The Shadowbolts winning the first round which was chemistry. The Wondercolts easily one the Home Economics round with Rainbow and Pinkie’s Mona Lisa cake much to the shock of everyone.
After the spelling Bee which both teams did fairly poorly in, Nightraven and Sunset were both not pleased with that. It came down to the Elimination Equation, Sunset grumbled as she stepped up “Should have spent more time teaching them spelling.” She shook her head as she and Nightraven stepped onto the platform with two blackboards, Sunset smirks “It comes down to you and me.”
Nightraven frowned “I’m not going down so easily.”
Sunset laughed “I know but I’ve been doing this longer than you have been alive.”
Cadence was standing in between them and two blackboards with the same complex equation on each “Now it’s time to begin the Elimination Equation.”
Nightraven began the equation, carefully calculating every part of the Equation unaware that her opponent was sleeping standing on the floor next to her By the time the final round ended Principal Cadence looked over both “They are both correct but Miss Shimmer gets the point as she finished first.”
Nightraven sighed as she joined her team “I’m sorry, she was faster.”
Indigo blinked “We can’t blame you for that, it is like that Mona Lisa cake. Look she is actually asleep right now.”
Sunset yawned as she walked down the stairs “Did we win?”
Cozy grinned “Of course we did” she then frowned “Did you really have to fall asleep during the equation?’
Sunset shrugged “I was bored and already done, there was no reason not to get some rest before the next round.”
Nightraven frowned “We will the next round, we must win or else this will all be for naught!”
Sour Sweet frowned “We need to come up with a plan but first we must see the next event.”
The two group headed to the next event looking in awe huge field full of hay bails as well an archery range, a roller derby and a racetrack were all set up. Nightraven shook her head and announced to her team “Me and Sour Sweet will do archery, Sunny Flare and Lemon Zest will be on the skates, Indigo and Sour Sweet are on the bikes! We will win this round!”
Sour Sweet and Nightraven soon were dressed, they stared at Fluttershy and Applejack who stared back both sides determined. Sunny Flare and Lemon Zest were bantering with Rarity and Pinkie. Sunset and Sugarcoat were looking amused as Indigo and Rainbow had a boast off.
Celestia smiled as she stepped forward “Soon the we will begin the second phase of the games, the Tri-Cross Relay.”
Cadence smiled as she stepped forward “Canterlot High did rather well in the Decathlon. I do hope that the Shadowbolts can pull it back or else the third round would be for naught.”
Luna who had been quiet stepped forward “I believe it is time for the Tri-Cross Relay!” She held up a hand “On your marks, get set” she threw down her hand as her voice boomed across the stadium “GO!”
Sour Sweet and Applejack leapt over the hay bail hurdles, before leaping over a pit of mud both scoring their first shot. Nightraven and Fluttershy were significantly slower not being amazing athletes but both were able to jump the pit and after a few misses managed to hit their respective bullseyes. Pinkie, Rarity, Sunny Flare and Lemon Zest headed off the group all neck and neck as they past the finish line.
Indigo, Rainbow, Sunset and Sugarcoat began riding across the course leaping over tall muddy hills on their motorbikes. Indigo managed to get slightly ahead of Sunset and Rainbow finishing first, Sunset and Rainbow tied as Sugarcoat arrived last.
Cadence smiled as she looked over the group “Crystal Prep winning the Tri-Cross Relay mean that the final round will start soon. It’s a simple capture the flag game, the Captains get to pick two others in their team join them.”
Meanwhile the two teams were sitting together having lunch, Sunset smiled as Rainbow and Applejack were next to her as Indigo and Sugarcoat were next to Nightraven. Nightraven smiled “This is my team and I see you have picked yours.”
Sunset grinned “Yes, I’d say the best team wins. We’ll have to find out who that is.”
Indigo looked at Rainbow Dash “I have been waiting for this for a long time Rainbow, awaiting my turn in the Friendship Games. To face you.”
Rainbow smiled “Well now that we are here I’d say we can settle this pretty quickly.”
After lunch was over everyone had gathered in front of the school., Principal Celestia smiled as the selected members of both teams “Now it’s time for the Capture the Flag. I hope you are all ready.”
Cadence smiled as stepped up beside Celestia “Now it’s time to begin, I want a nice clean game.”
Rainbow and Indigo ran at each other as did Sugarcoat and Applejack trying to keep the other from moving forward. Nightraven grinned as she transformed, Sunset sighed as she did the same. She flew up with a scowl “I was hoping to keep the magic out of the games but here we are.”
Nightraven apologised “Sorry but I wanted to test my abilities against yours.” Nightraven rushed Sunset who simply willed herself out of way and sent Nightraven hurdling towards the ground with a kick.
Indigo looked at Rainbow as Twilight flew back up “Can you do that too?’
Rainbow grinned “Both Applejack and I can, still it wouldn’t be fair since you can’t do that. I want to beat you on an even playing field.”
Indigo looked at Rainbow “I need to learn how to do that.”
Applejack managed to push past Sugarcoat, Indigo broke away from Rainbow quickly meeting up with Sugarcoat as they tried to catch the Farm girl. Rainbow was in hot pursuit of both of them.”
Cadence frowned at Celestia “How are you okay with this, our students are fighting?!”
Celestia turned to her “I’m not but do you really want to get in the way of their fight. They are both holding back a lot too, Sunset when she had her evil demon thing mind controlled the entire school without any effort. They’ll be fine.”
Sunset dodged another punch from Nightraven and with a single chop knocked her out. She caught Nightraven laying her on the ground, she smiled as Applejack walked over holding the flag. After using her magic to wake Nightraven, Nightraven frowned as she saw the flag “Drat.”
Sunset helped her up with a smile “You gave us a run for our money, I’ll teach you more about magic. Maybe one day you will be better than me.”
The two smiled as the games drew to a close, joining their respective groups. Both looking forward to the future.
Author's Note
I hope you enjoyed this story, may do a sequel in the future.
View Online
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Chapter 6: Clash of Wills Part 1 Rainbow and Applejack
Rainbow left the garden with a smile on her face about twenty minutes after Sunset left. To Rainbow, Sunset had proven that she wanted to change. Her smile vanished as her thoughts went to her old friends, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie who were so sceptical of Cozy Glow. She didn’t like their behaviour at all, Applejack was probably her closest friend after Fluttershy and the fact she could be behaving so badly was painful.
As if fate was conspiring against her she bumped into Applejack. Applejack frowned “Rainbow Dash. We need to talk about something, it’s important.”
Rainbow growled “If this about Cozy, you’re going to be in a world of hurt. When did you become the kind of person to judge someone on their past, Applejack everyone has demons in their closet! The fact Cozy has killed people is in the past doesn’t indicate the person who she is now!”
Applejack growled “It is not that simple Rainbow Dash, Sunset almost killed us. What if being around with such a past send err spiralling backwards, Ah have family that rely on me to get this right. Sunset could have destroyed our world, destroyed our families.”
Rainbow’s eyes narrowed “All the evidence seems to point to the contrary, Sunset is happy and that should be enough. She needs to grow and learn at her own pace, she needs our support Applejack.”
Applejack grimaced “Ah’m worried she won’t be able to truly change if she doesn’t face some hardship for this. She seems to be getting off scot free, aren’t you upset about that.”
Rainbow snapped “So that’s what this is about is it! We all promised Twilight to help her yet here you are holding a grudge instead of doing what you promised Applejack!”
Applejack tensed shaking “Rainbow Dash, don’t go there or there will trouble. Ah will only warn ya just this once.”
Rainbow didn’t even hear the words “Are you going to make yourself a liar?”
Applejack slammed her fist into Rainbow’s stomach “I will tolerate a lot of shit from you Rainbow Dash but no-one calls me a liar!” She then delivered punch after punch at alarming speed, all Rainbow Dash had time to do was put her arms in front of herself as the angry farmer kept swinging.
Rainbow Dash felt her own anger burning within (Applejack, is your pride that important to you! Maybe Twilight was wrong, that we weren't meant to be friends!) It wasn’t long before Rainbow’s arms were hanging limp.
Applejack was about to deliver a punch to Rainbow’s face when Gilda grabbed her hand “Stand down. I’m not like Rainbow, I will bring you down if you keep this up.”
A calm, strong voice spoke “Applejack cease.” Applejack turned around to see the firm stare of Big Mac who simply grabbed her by the arm and pulled her away as she cursed up a storm.
Gilda called an Ambulance, Rainbow grimaced from the pain “Can you get Sunset on the phone?”
Gilda nodded grabbing Rainbow’s phone and making the call, Sunset’s voice came through “Rainbow Dash, did something happen?”
Rainbow sighed “I don’t think we can count on Applejack, she still seems to be holding a grudge against you. We got into a fight, and I‘m confident that my arms are broken. I just left the gardens and…”
Sunset growled “I’ll be there soon.” Ten seconds later Sunset ran out of the gardens with Fluttershy and Wallflower following closely behind, Sunset eyes glowed a bright teal green before Rainbow’s arms glowed a similar colour. Sunset sighed “That took a lot out of me and I am going to get some sleep when I get home.”
Gilda shouted “What was that?”
Sunset sighed “Magic, I teleported here and cast a powerful healing spell. I studied healing magic so I would be able to recover from when I burnt myself with my own fire magic or any other injuries I sustained.”
Fluttershy frowned “You can do magic here?”
Sunset nodded “I can but without the portal active it recharges really slowly. It will take me a year for all of the magic that I just used to return. When the portal is open it only takes a day, as such I only used it when I really needed it.” She then shook her head “Rainbow I can’t let you and Applejack’s friendship fall apart because of me, you only just fixed it.”
Rainbow grimaced “She attacked me Sunset, that doesn’t just go away overnight.”
Sunset sighed “I know Rainbow, this won’t heal overnight but is your friendship something you are willing to destroy over one incident or are you willing to try to mend it.”
Rainbow slumped “I’ll try to sort this out with Applejack, but there is no telling how that will go.”
Sunset frowned “When I was much younger I did try making friends, all foals do but everyone looked at me with contempt. That I had what they didn’t, they were all jealous of my talents. I turned my back on friendship because I believed it was something I could never have, that the powerful can’t have friends only followers. Probably didn’t help that no one other than me aid the guts to yell at Princess Celestia.”
Fluttershy grimaced “That sound horrible, no one would want to be your friend because of what you were capable of.”
Sunset shook her head “This is not about me, this is about Rainbow and Applejack. The point is that you can’t let this get in the way of your friendship, please try and work this out.”
Rainbow nodded “I will.”
Sunset sighed “I would love to stay but intensive magic is exhausting so I’ll see you at school tomorrow.” After Sunset teleported home the ambulance arrived and, Fluttershy, Gilda and Wallflower helping Rainbow into the ambulance. They were all sitting in the back with one of the paramedics as the ambulance headed to the hospital.
Author's Note
Rainbow and Applejack tend to be more phsycial than the other three. Still thsi will lea dinto the seocnd Clash of Will Chapter.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Sunset was smiling, the magic practice was going well. Applejack and Wallflower were resting their hands on the trees to help control their Earth Pony magic while Pinkie just bounced around, Rarity was levitated twenty fairly large boulders around her at the same time.
Fluttershy, Rainbow and Gilda were playing a game of flying tag. Fluttershy called out with a grin “Come and get me?!” Gilda and Rainbow had the raw speed advantage but Fluttershy was far more agile easily avoiding the other two fliers.
Cozy was forming a dark orb in her hands, Sunset smiled “Your doing really well with that. Dark magic is very difficult to do without losing control of yourself.” Sunset formed a similar orb with ease “Now let’s just do a power test.”
Sunset threw the orb at Cozy only for her orb to obliterate Sunset’s and fly past. Sunset teleported in it’s path and caught it barely nullifying it’s power before reverted back to her human form and collapsed on the ground.
Cozy ran over and shook Sunset, Sunset groaned “You have a lot more power than I do. I will need two hours to recharge before I can take that form again.”
Gilda, Fluttershy and Rainbow landed, Rainbow frowned “Sunset did something happen?”
Rainbow looked between the two only for Sunset to chuckle “Just was testing Cozy’s power, I underestimated her powers and now I need some to regenerate some magic, in the meantime you should practice some more.”
Cozy smiled “I can practice right here, it’s just learning a bit of control.” Sunset smiled as she watched dark orbs floating around them.
Fluttershy turned to Rainbow “We still need to practice, you and Gilda are really bad with manoeuvring. You can’t make the difference with speed alone, if you can get to the point you can tag me it would help.”
Rainbow growled “Your on, come on Gilda. We aren’t going to let her beat us.” Gilda nodded flying into the sky, Rainbow called “We need to work together to catch her.”
Fluttershy giggled as the two flew at her only for them to crash into each other, Gilda growled “Any other smart plans Rainbow? Because that plan failed epically.”
Rainbow watched closely as Fluttershy flew around, she then grinned “We need to go slower. We are clearly trying to rush which doesn’t work and moving so fast makes it harder to change directions so we need to slow down.”
Gilda grinned “Sound like a plan, let’s do it.” The two using their slower speed actually managed to keep to Fluttershy’s tail and eventually Gilda managed to tap her.
Fluttershy grinned “Let’s keep going!”
Meanwhile as the fliers were playing tag, Applejack and Wallflower were focusing on the trees. Applejack smiled as she felt green energy coursing through her body “I can feel the trees, there is so much life here so from the city. I wonder if it’s the same on the farm.”
Wallflower smiled “I can feel the spirit of nature, she’s strong and vibrant here. I wonder if it will be like this in the school gardens.” She then fiddled with the green stone in her pendant “It’s very different from the memory magic in the stone, in fact the stone’s magic is closer to what Rarity’s magic seems to be.”
Rarity was humming to herself as the boulders flew around her easily, she walked over to Sunset and Cozy “Is this supposed to be difficult because it doesn’t feel that way?”
Sunset shook her head with a smile “Unicorn magic is the easiest to grasp, it is the most easily understood form of magic. Most Non-Unicorns don’t even know that they have magic, it is a flaw in the education system in Equestria.”
Cozy Glow smiled “Maybe one day we can visit, I would love to see your homeland.”
Sunset frowned “Well I’d love for that to happen but we would have to wait for the portal to open and we’d have to ask Twilight about it somehow first… wait there is my old book that allows me to speak to Celestia, maybe she get in contact with Twilight.”
Rarity smiled “I’d love to visit it as well if it’s possible.”
Sunset sighed “That would difficult, Twilight is friends with your counterparts and there are creatures known as changelings who could impersonate others. It would not be wise to have double of them wandering around, the only one who may pass muster would be Pinkie Pie and that’s only because of how weird she seems to be. Her counterpart would be similar.”
Rarity frowned “What if Cozy Glow has a counterpart in Equestria?”
Sunset frowned “Her appearance would be unique, one of the small blessings from that. Equestria hasn’t been at war in centuries and wouldn’t dream of sending a foal into combat so whoever her counterpart is would be distinctly different and changelings don’t pull off bad disguises like that.”
Cozy smiled “Well I’m glad that my brunt face has one benefit at least.” She then gave Sunset a peck on the cheek as the dark orb fizzled out.
Before either could speak a hearty laugh came from nearby “Well I’m glad you two are getting along” he then sighed “I was worried no-one would be interested in Cozy Glow because of her appearance.”
Sunset held Cozy tight “She helped me for no other reason than I needed help, I’ll never betray her.”
Tirek smiled “I’m glad but I should get you all home soon before it gets dark.” Tirek began ferrying the girls to their homes glad that his daughter had friends.
Author's Note
The Dazzlings will be coming up next chapter I think.
A Glow Shines on the Fallen
Chapter 29: Magical Introduction
Sunset entered the Principal’s office, Sunset took a seat at a golden and dark blue desk. Celestia sighed “I’m sorry for what happened with Anon-a-Miss, we should have done something as soon as the account first posted.”
Sunset frowned “Principal Celestia, the account was only up for two days. There would have been little that you could have done.”
Celestia eyes narrowed “The Friendship Games are coming up, now I want you to keep the magic out of the games if possible. If something does happen however then I expect you and your friends to fix it, understood.”
Luna stepped out with a frown “Sister, enough. Sunset is not responsible for this issue!”
Celestia growled “She brought magic here, this is her fault! Two magical threats have occurred because of her actions!”
Sunset slumped in defeat. Luna’s eyes narrowed as she noticed this “Sister, may I remind you that the second one didn’t do anything due to Sunset and her friends actions.”
Celestia snarled “And what about Anon-A-Miss, we had a magical battle in these very halls that cost the life of a student! What if another disaster like that happens again.”
Luna’s eyes narrowed as she cast an icy glare upon her sister “Sunset had no intention of that happening, you know this is an awfully wonderful way of asking for a favour of a student. You bring her into your office and then go on about how everything is her fault, sister you need to leave before you say anything else that you will regret later.”
Celestia flinched at the icy glare, one she had only seen a few times and promptly left the room. Luna turned to Sunset “I’m sorry about that, to be brutally honest my sister is a closet raging asshole. She tires to hide but I was always the calm one of the family, my anger much more measured.”
Sunset sighed “I can understand that, Princess Celestia was much the same until her separated her raging asshole part from her good part. That raging asshole part later became her student and ran away to another dimension becoming a the Queen bitch of a high school.”
Luna blinked “Wait are you telling me that you are the angry bitchy side of my sister’s magical goddess counterpart?’
Sunset laughed “Was, we are now separate individuals kinda.” She then frowned “I’m more like her third sister and…”
Princess Celestia groaned (Why did my sister returning make everything harder? I have received constant complaints her almost incinerating a noble or doing something else equally bad.)
Sunset deadpanned (Because sister, our other sister is still adjusting. One thousand years of change is difficult to adapt to, it makes what I had to do here look like nothing. Now eat some cake, it will make you feel better.)
Sunset then sighed “Sorry Vice Principal Luna, Princess Celestia was having trouble with her version of you. Apparently she doesn't understand modern politics which does kind of make sense considering she was trapped on the moon for one thousand years.”
Luna’s eyes bulged out “One thousand years… never mind. Now unlike my sister I believe it is a fool’s hope to keep a magical disaster from occurring here but what I am hoping for is that you can handle any oncoming disaster.”
Sunset nodded “I’ll do my best, Canterlot is my home now and I’d rather it is not destroyed by another magical disaster.” She then bowed “May I take my leave.”
Luna nodded “Of course, wish you luck for you classes.”
Sunset after she left soon bumped into Cozy who gave her a peck on the cheek “What happened.”
Sunset sighed “The Friendship Games are coming up soon, Vice Principal Luna want us to deal with seemingly inevitable magical incident that is going to arise.”
Cozy shrugged “Whatever it is we can handle it.”
After all the classes ended the whole group exited the school only to see a hooded figure messing with the statue. Sunset shouted “Who are you?!”
The figure began to run, Sunset teleported in front of her “What were you doing to that statue?”
The figure stammered “I was studying the strange energies that were coming out of the portal. They are the same as the strange energies that have been appeared here a few times.”
Sunset sighed “I’ll explain everything, come with me.” The girl cautiously followed Sunset, Sunset frowned “What’s you name anyway?”
The girl replied “Twilight Sparkle.”
Sunset froze before sighing “This just a lot more complicated, still better explain everything before your build a magic stealing device.” Sunset headed towards her friends quickly as Twilight followed as quickly as she could, Sunset looked at her friends “This is this world’s version of Princess Twilight and we are going to explain how magic works to her.”
Twilight giggled “I thought you were joking, I mean seriously magic.”
Sunset frowned “I did teleport in front of you and if that is not enough proof for you” Sunset transformed into her demonic form “I’m confident science can’t explain this.”
Twilight’s eyes widened in shock “You a devil, a real living breathing devil!” Twilight’s eyes widened further as everyone else transformed “This is the magic you were talking about?”
Cozy casually swung around her scythe “Yes, me and Sunset have unique manifestations of our magic. We will be around for a very long time.”
Twilight smiled eagerly “Can I learn magic?”
Wallflower walked over her eyes glowing green and looked over the girl before nodding “It should be possible but we need to pen you pathways. I believe Sunset should handle this.”
Adagio rolled her eyes “I’ve got this, just give me a second.” Adagio tapped Twilight’s head and a huge burst of magic emanated from the girl.
Gilda stood up with a frown “You need to do a lot of practice, even I can tell you have a lot of magical power.”
Fluttershy frowned “That is too be expected, she is Princess Twilight’s counterpart in this world. She is going to have a natural gift for magic.”
Twilight blinked “Wait I have a counterpart who is a Princess?!”
Applejack sat down with a frown “We’ll discuss that later, for now Ah’ll help you with your magic. Mediation allows one to draw out their magic for the first time.”
Twilight followed the farmer’s instructions, Pinkie whispered to Sonata “what’s the bet she gets it in the first ten seconds?”
Before Sonata could comment Twilight opened her eyes in shock “I can feel it.” She then turned around and focused her magic creating a portal between Equestria and the human world for a second before it closed.
Sunset, Adagio, Aria and Sonata all blinked in shock, this first time magic user just opened a hole between dimensions.
Author's Note
Human World Twilight specialises in dimensional magic.