Avenging Sun

Chapters

#1 Findings
#2 Hawkeye The Marksman
#3 Planted Seeds
#4 Setting Up

#1 Findings

It was a slow morning for the Sweet Shoppe, unusual considering it was near the end of Summer. Currently, there was only a total of ten costumers in, a few in small groups quietly chatting, a couple in the corner, and several sitting alone reading. eating drinking or on their phones.

Mr Cake was currently in the kitchen pulling a fresh batch of cookies out of the oven, while his wife was manning the checkout serving one of their regulars, a blue haired woman with olive skin talking to someone on her phone.

"Yes, no cherries I remembered," the off duty vice principal rolled her eyes and chuckled. Mrs Cake couldn't help but smile herself at the happy tone in her customer's voice as she packed up her order. Luna's own smile gained a prideful edge at something whoever she was talking to said. "Yes, I am."

The two of them were so lost in their own little worlds that neither noticed a certain group of five enter the shop.

"Yes, I'll be there. I promised didn't I?... I love you too."

A high pitch squeal made Luna, Mrs Cake and the other costumers jump out of their skins. A loud CLANG! came from the kitchen causing Mrs Cake hurry into the back. Luna, meanwhile, spun round and found four of the Rainbooms pressing their hands against their ears, two giving their fifth member annoyed looks, who simply beamed at the Vice-Principal with an excited twinkle in her eye.

"Yes, everything is fine... No, that wasn't my phone," Luna's previous demeanour disappeared beneath her vice-principal persona. "Listen, I've got to go. I'll see you later."

After the other speaker hung up, Luna placed her phone in her purse, then regarded her students. "Hello, girls. Is there something I can help you with?"

"No, ma'am. We're-," Applejack was cut off as a certain young lady of fashion stepped in between her and the teacher.

" Vice-Principal Luna! How delightful to see you. How has your summer been?" Rarity asked, with an eager smile all who knew her recognized, particularly the local spa attendants.

The question raised a brow. "Fine."

Rarity stepped fourth from the group, who all wore expressions noting how badly this was going to go. "Anything of note occur, like say.... meeting someone special?"

The teacher didn't seem impressed, in fact she was the opposite. Most of the Rainbooms took a step back, though Pinkie continued to smile, Fluttershy ducked behind Rainbow. Rarity however was frozen to the spot.

"I was unaware my personal life was any of your business, Ms Belle," Luna's tone and glare killing any hunger for gossip the dressmaker had.

"Oh, q-quite right, Vice-Principal, m-my apologies," Rarity stumped over her words, surprisingly. "May I just say I love your outfit today."

She smiled at the bluette who simple shook her head, "No wonder your sister thought what she did was a good idea."

Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow flinched at the comment.

"I'll repeat myself, is there something I can help you with?"

"No, ma'am," Rainbow shook her head. "We weren't looking for you. We're here to meet up with-."

"Twilight Sparkle?"

"Uh, yeah," Rainbow exchanged a surprised look with Applejack. "How'd you know?"

"Thanks, Flash!" the group turned to the door to see the girl in question standing in the door way waving at a departing car.

"TWILIGHT!!!!"

The Princess' head spun round towards the voice just in time to see a pink blur flying at her. Seconds to spare, Twilight managed to sidestep out of the path of the Surface To Air Welcomer, who promptly smacked into the door with enough force that it swung open and hit the window.

Through the two layers of glass, a now straight haired Pinkie looked at Twilight with big sad eyes. "We're still not back on hugging terms, are we?"

The Bearer of Magic gave her a deadpan look and shook her head. With a whine the door closed and a disheartened Pinkie popped off then trudged over to an empty table.

Twilight then turned to the group, who greeted her, with the exception of Fluttershy who simply offered the Princess a wave before trying to cheer up party lover, who simply allowed her head to drop on the table.

"Circumstances aside, it's lovely to see you again, Dear" Rarity greeted, trying to lighten the mood then noticed a distinct lack of talking canines. "No Spike?"

"He's away in Canterlot, my world's Canterlot, and won't be back until tomorrow," Twilight answered, clearly not in the mood for pleasantries. "This was too urgent to wait for him."

The Rainbooms were off put by how direct and blunt Twilight was being about why she was there but chose not to comment. Save for one. "Geez, Twi, cold much?"

"You're surprised, Rainbow Dash? Especially after what you did?"

The athlete stepped back head bowed.

"No one got hurt."

"Ah'm pretty sure that's a matter of opinion, Dash," pointed out Applejack, who along with Rarity had now joined the pink haired members of their group at the table.

"Rainbow, I'm not here to hang out with you girls like I would have before. I'm here because after all this time you finally have a lead on where Sunset Shimmer is," Twilight walked past the sports star and stood in front of the Rainbooms' table arms folded. "Is that true?"

"Apparently," Rarity answered as the Rainbooms' turned their attention on their shiest member who briefly stiffened under the attention of the six sets of eyes locked on her.

"Well, where is she?" Luna asked, stepping up to Twilight's side her own arms folded, while Rainbow sat between Applejack and the unhappy princess.

"Oh, uh. Y-Yes, I know where Sunset is right now. Or where she may be."

"May be?"

"Beggars can't be choosers, Princess," Luna commented, then motioned for the animal lover to continue.

All eyes turned back to Fluttershy, who shifted in her seat, before speaking.

"Well, um, have any of you watched this morning's news?" Her fellow CHS students all shook their heads voicing various negative responses.

"Been outta the house all mornin doing chores."

"Baking for a charity sale," Pinkie mumbled against the table.

"Mother is planning on having a garage sale. Myself and father got roped into helping her, I'm afraid."

"Eh, If it ain't sports, I don't watch it."

Rainbow's response earned a sigh from her childhood friend, she should have expected that one.

"I'm afraid I haven't paid much attention to the news this morning either," Luna admitted with a sheepish shrug. "I had to rush out the house,"

Twilight couldn't say she was surprised if her sleep schedule was anything like her counterparts.

Fluttershy pulled out her phone, Twilight not looking happy to see the device.

"Well, this morning I was trying brush Angel's fur. He wasn't in the mood so I wound up chasing him around..."

With the exception of Pinkie, all present were adopting impatient looks. Rainbow held her head tapping her cheek with her pinkie, while Twilight and the vice-principal both tapping their folded their arms. Applejack and Rarity seemed to be attempting to keep a polite interest but clearly wanted her to get to the point.

"Anyway, I chased him into the living room while my brother was watching TV and this was on."

She showed the screen to the group, who leaned into to get a better look of the video playing. Their eyes almost popped out of their sockets, as they read the headline except for one pair which narrowed at the sight.

"Really?" Twilight looked up at the phone's owner unamused. "Did you really call me here for a joke?"

"Huh?" Fluttershy was taken aback by the question.

All human eyes turned to the Equestrian in various degrees of confusion.

Twilight stood up, "I mean, I could expect something like this from Discord."

"Who?" Rarity asked, while Luna gave the princess a befuddled look.

"Maybe Rainbow Dash."

"Hey!"

"She's not wrong, Dashie," Rainbow spun to the party girl, whose eyes looked up at her from the table. "Maud's still sore about the time with the tangerine and the anteater."

Rainbow's face shifted from an insulted frown to an embarrassed blush that she bowed her head to hide.

"But you, Fluttershy?!"

"Uh, Twilight, dear?" Rarity spoke up looking at her own phone.

"You call me over, across dimensions no less."

"Twi?"

"Tell me you've found Sunset after she's been missing for so long! Only to show me a scene from one of your human movies?! Of all the-"

"Twilight!"

The unicorn was silenced mid lecture, the loud command turning the attention of herself and others to Vice-Principal Luna, though for a split-second Twilight saw somepony else by the same name.

"Y-Yes, Prin- I mean,... Vice-Principal Luna?"

"It's real," the blue haired woman stated in a jarring matter of fact tone then walked off to a nearby table and picked up a newspaper.

"W-What?"

"It's not a movie," Applejack held up her own phone showing the same video, though this one had a picture of a bugle in the corner. "This is from this morning's news."

"...What?"

"Yes, dear, its on about every news site and station right now."

Twilight looked around the table, each of the Rainbooms had taken out their phones and were looking at the video or reading about it on different sites. Even the paper, Luna found had the story on the front page.

"This is... unexpected," she commented, traces of both surprised and pride in her voice.

"...But, this is about..."

"Yeah?"

"This-This is normal for your world?"

"Eh," Applejack made a so-so gesture with her hand. "Kinda. Not really around here...Well, not until recently anyway."

Silence fell on the group then Twilight asked, "How did I miss this?! Why didn't anypony mention any of this to me?!"

The humans, a bit taken aback, shrugged, Twilight was about to press the issue but stopped before she could make a sound. She took a breath with her hand against her chest then breathed out moving her hand out.

"Not important right now," She turned back to Fluttershy, who flinched when she did so. "Fluttershy, I'm sorry."

"...I-It's okay, Twilight."

"Not it's not, I shouldn't have snapped at you."

"No, no. It's fine," Fluttershy held up her hands then added. "I wouldn't trust us either after what happened."

Twilight sighed, "This is... interesting, regretting I didn't pick up Spike before I left now. But what does this have to do with Sunset?"

"Oh, right. Let me just... Here."

Fluttershy offered her phone which Twilight took. The princess found the video had been... fast forwarded(?), focused on one of the unusual group. At first glance she didn't get it then she caught a glimpse of red and gold hair.

Her were locked on the screen, still wrapping her head round what she was seeing. She went to take a seat, not realising there wasn't one behind her until Pinkie moved one from the table behind the transformed unicorn.

"Uh, Thanks Pinkie."

"No problem!" the pinkette replied, then returned to her seat with a slight skip in her step.

Her violet looked at the group's phones, catching glimpses of different articles and videos about the topic. She then turned to the Vice-Principal reading the newspaper with her back to the group, just past her arm Twilight could see the front page picture, her gaze focusing on her red maned friend.

"How did this happen?"

A few months ago...

As Sunset stepped off the bus, a cold wind blew by sending a shudder through her body despite wearing her winter clothes. Zacherle Road looked like something off a Christmas card, which was somewhat odd considering it was a week and a half before Summer Vacation.

Hearing the door close with a hiss behind her, the former unicorn turned to see the back of the bus disappear around a corner. Leaving her alone under an old lamp post, she adjusted her coat then turned and crossed the road and down hill from the bus stop, into the treeline.

She made her was bushes and snow she came to her designation, her home. It wasn't very impressive being an old shed, hidden in the woods. She had found it during her first week in the human world, when she had gotten used to walking on two feet instead of four hooves. It had been the perfect place to set up shop. The bus stop was a five minutes away, the school and town were about forty minutes away on foot.

If the old building had a owner they hadn't cared to come anywhere near it in the five years Sunset had lived in it. She had cleaned it up and fixed it up when and where she could to make it more comfortable, though out of practical reasons then any sentimentality.

Sunset pushed the door open, not too wide to keep as much heat, if any, inside. For no real reason she looked around, the shed was large enough to house a tractor with room to spare.

When Sunset found it, there had been tones of old tires, tractor parts and a lot of scrap, most of which she had managed to sell for some cash when needed. Now it was replaced with a few pieces of furniture and other necessities she had got at the owner of a small junkyard on the other side of town, either bought cheaply or won in a poker game. Up a ladder was a small loft which acted as her bedroom, which consisted of a fold out bed and a trunk to keep her clothes.

She had to quick, otherwise she would be late for the slumber party with her friends. Sadly, the test she had in three days demanded she pick up the necessary text books before heading to Rainbow's house, now doubt to the athlete's displeasure. Sunset couldn't help but chuckle with a happy smile. Not long ago she would have called slumber parties a waste of time that could have been spent doing something else.

Now, she couldn't stop the feelings of joy at the thought of spending time with her friends. Especially with the sleepovers they were having for the last week before Summer Break. She hoped the freak snow wouldn't ruin their fun, though Fluttershy and Applejack would probably have other concerns with the sudden shift in weather.

Thinking of Applejack brought up more recent memories, namely what happened to her honest friend that day. Her mind was still raking over who would want to humiliate the farm girl online. It was bad enough that students were mocking her, but the fact they were doing it to someone who had saved them from the Sirens and... Sunset herself. That last one still hurt.

Pushing the troubling thoughts out her mind, she spotted the text books she was after on a table in the corner. But as she went over to get them, something caught Sunset's eye beneath her bed space, a something covered by a dusty old tarp that last she checked had been in the corner by the door.

"You weren't there when I left."

Giving into her curiosity, Sunset walked over to the tarp and yanked it sending a cloud of dust into the air. After getting over a brief coughing fit, she turned back and curiosity was replaced with bafflement.

Of all the thing she guessed the mystery thing could have been, a purple turbine engine with handlebars and a windscreen would not make the top 10. She got closer to the strange machine to give it a closer look, her first guess was that it was some kind of motorcycle, but what kind of bike had no wheels?

Behind the windscreen, Sunset saw an engine, while leaning against the back was what appeared to be a saddle, and some sort of container. The engine was unlike anything she had seen at the local motor shops or in her magazines, it looked a few decades too early to exist.

Turning her gaze to handle bars she what looked like a small computer among the fuel and speed gauges. Sunset leaned her head down and tried to have a peak at it under the frame. Seeing what she assumed was part of the hardware, there was something printed into it.

"STARK INDUSTRIES"

Stark.

With that name suddenly it all made sense. Stark Industries was (in)famous for producing some of the most advanced technology in the human world. Including energy sources, computer hardware, armour had become an in-house focus recently even she knew that, and of course vehicles.

A machine that looked like a jet engine fused with a bike with no wheels from that company could mean one thing, it could fly. And just like that Sunset knew what she wanted for Hearth Warming. Giving into her inner foal she grabbed one of the handlebars and twisted it. Nothing happened, but she couldn't help but laugh, as she took out her phone.

"Wait until I tell the girls about this," Sunset thought as she took a picture, then she noticed a few small details.

She moved her hand from the handle to the side and ran a her fingers over several small dents. As she did a thought occurred, whatever this wonderful thing was, it was a high grade piece of equipment. So where was its owner?

Then she heard something. A sound she'd know anywhere, a bowstring being pulled. She spun round and sure enough found an arrow aimed at her head, what little light was in shed shining off its tip.

Beyond the arrowhead, her teal eyes met blue, which seemed to struggle to keep open, behind a purple mask.

"Who are you?" demanded the archer, swaying slightly on his feet. "What are you doing here? Who sent ...you?

Before she could respond the arrow flew from the bow, barely missing Sunset's head and embedding itself in wall behind her. She spun round to the projectile seeing a few strands of red and gold hanging from it, then she heard a thud and found the archer on the ground, on his side, eyes closed.

"Hey!" quickly she was at his side, gently shaking his arm. The arm was covered by a sleeve. A wet sleeve. Sunset pulled her hand back and moved it into the light, her palm was red. She stared at the archer's masked face.

"Who are you?"

Author's Note

Hawkeye first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 and was created by Stan Lee and Don Heck.

#2 Hawkeye The Marksman

'Okay... This looks bad.'

Clint Barton couldn't say he was surprised that raiding an old safe house for supplies lead to a fight and high-speed airborne pursuit. The way his life had been going over the past few weeks it was par for the course.

The sky-cycle kicked up a spray as it shot over the lake, leaving the bright lights of Tranquillity behind, but not the SHIELD craft after him.

As the jet caught up, the ramp opened and five armed, jetpack equipped agents dove out. The sight of the men taking flight had brought up memories, and none made him consider slowing, the fact they were firing at him might have also had something to do with it. As they neared shore, he twisted the throttle and the vehicle sped up and the archer shot off into the treeline.

The agents followed him between the narrow spaces of the woodland, while transport flew over the treetops. The sky-cycle ducked, rose and swerved between the trees, its rider barely loosing any speed. The agents meanwhile, were forced to slow down to maneuverer, allowing their far less cautious target to put some distance between them, they kept firing only wound up hitting nothing but bark.

Suddenly, the rider pulled a sharp turn taking the agents by surprise, one wound up crashing to the branches of a tree. Another flew right into one of his squad mates, sending them to the forest floor. He could almost hear Ol' Big Cheese chastising him for showing off. Not that it mattered he had pulled off crazier stunts back in his circus days.

The remaining two agents resumed firing on the bowman, who pressed a button and a small compartment opened up revealing a small device, naturally coloured purple. He took it and attached it to his mask just beneath the eye then pressed a button causing a microphone to pop out.

"Computer, maneuverer right!"

The autopilot kicked in obeying his voice commands freeing his hands which shot to his quiver and bow, the former currently less then half full. He notched an arrow and fired it at an agent, who simply barrel rolled to avoid it.

Clint couldn't see the man's face but he could practically hear the smug grin, not the first time his weapon of choice had gotten that reaction, which is why it was so satisfying when he flew right into the net from the second arrow and landed into stack of hay bales.

He'd live, the flight suits may not look like much but it would take a higher drop. The man's pride could not be vouched for however.

One agent left, sticking to his rear, trying to shoot out the sky-cycle's thrusters. He gave command after command, to try and shake them to no avail, they were above average he'd give them that.

"Increase speed!"

The bike sped forward, the agent ceased shooting and followed after him. Pushing the jetpack to its limit, while their target returned his hand to handlebars.

"Break!"

The sky-cycle's reverse thrusters fired stopping it in mid-air and almost sending its rider flying off. The agent behind him managed to maneuverer at the last second, barely managing to avoid colliding with the purple craft. Quickly recovering, Clint stood up, notched an arrow and fired at the agent's jetpack, hitting one of the wings.

The impacted caused a small explosion, the damage turned the agent's flight erratic and they were forced to descend.

Clint smirked, taking a moment to enjoy his victory which came to an end with the quickly approaching sound of a jet engine. Glancing over his shoulder, sure enough the SHIELD transport was closing in.

They just won't quit, He thought then sat back down and twisting the accelerator. Once more, the sky-cycle shot off with the jet following close behind.

Evidently, the pilot was getting sick of the chase as well, firing off a few rounds from the weapons. Clint moved from side to side and a quick spin managing to avoid getting himself though his bike couldn't say the same.

"Computer, on my mark turn right side up," he pulled an arrow from his quiver. "aaand... mark!"

The sky-cycle righted itself, Clint notched the arrow then spun around to the craft.... which was pulling back.

"What the...?" he asked then noticed something, the air was colder. He turned to his gaze back ahead, to see a massive wall of grey. "What the-?!"

He returned his weapons to their places on his back, and again took back the controls from the autopilot just as he flew into the sudden storm. Between the force of the wind. the temperature nose diving and the snow filling his vision he barely avoided colliding with a tree, unfortunately he did crash into something large and metal, sending him tumbling to the ground.

He shot awake and found that he was buried in snow. Cold snow, he hated cold. He looked around, his first guess was the forest from Narnia. How else could there be shin deep snow in summer?

Pushing himself to his feet he made his way over to his sky-cycle and pulled it up straight. A quick inspection of the surface damage, revealed a few dents and scratches but nothing seemed to bad. Deciding not to risk flying, he pulled the switch that made the wheels pop out but nothing happened.

"Perfect," he muttered as he started pulling and dragging the downed machine across the white ground.

Eventually he found an old shed, probably wouldn't be very warm but after a few hours in the freezing cold it'd be better then nothing. He dropped his bike just before the building and walked up to the entrance. He tried pushing the door open a few times to no avail.

Clint took a few steps back then charged at the doors, striking it with his shoulder and the entrance was thrown open. The bowman let out a shout as a jolt of pain shot out from his shoulder, used his injured one by mistake. After the pain passed, he found himself in a low lit shed. He went back outside and pushed his grounded sky-cycle inside and placed it in a space under a canopy.

He took out a torch on his belt and removed the saddle along with the small storage compartment underneath it. Thank fully an quick inspect showed that the damaged wasn't as bad as he thought. Just needed a few fix ups and it should be flying in no time.

Slowly but surely, the tiring experiences of his day started to catch up with. Spotting a tarp in the corner of the door, Clint went over picked it up getting a could full of dry dust in the face for his trouble. After a quick sneezing fit, he threw the tarp over the sky-cycle.

He walked out from under the canopy and duck round the corner away from the draft from the door. He found an old chair, he removed his quiver and dropped into the seat dozing off.

Later, he was pulled back to the world of the living by the sound of the door creaking open. After moment of silence he heard a voice.

"You weren't there when I left."

Female, young from the sound of it. He heard boot steps going from the door to where he left his sky-cycle. He stood up, replaced his mask over his face, and picked up his bow and an arrow. Silently, making his way round the corner still exhausted and struggling to stay awake.

Not helped by the pain in his left arm telling him his wound from a few days ago had reopened. Figures, fighting a dozen SHIELD Agents in a corridor, jumping through a window, high-speed chase from a transport with crazy manoeuvres through a forest and straight up hitting a wooden door with it, no problem. Tossing and turning in his sleep, that opens it.

Peaking round the corner, he spotted the interloper crouching by his bike with a small torch looking over the machine. And in the lowlight of the shed he noticed the long red hair.

Widow

He stepped out of the corner and notched the arrow. The girl stiffened, she heard him, then shot up and turned to face him, teal eyes widening at the sight an arrow aimed at her face.

"Who are you?" He demanded, his sight swaying "What are you doing here? Who sent ...you?

As he spoke, his exhausted state reclaimed him, his vision turned dark. He felt his grip, on the bowstring turn loose. Last thing he was aware of was himself tipping to his side.

"Hey!"

At first Clint wasn't sure which hurt more. After half a second to consider he'd go with his head, which felt like it had a helicarrier dropped on it. Forcing, his eyes open he was met with a wooden roof, right next him was a portable heater. And next to the heater was a night stand, with his mask on it.

Not good.

He heard a rustling sound, spotting his quiver and bow not far from the bed and next to them saw long red hair over black clothing.

Snapping out of his drowsiness, his first reaction was to jump out of the bed, make for his gear and notch an arrow. The attempt however failed for two reasons, one his arm was killing him at the moment and two he was strapped down by his wrists.

Biting back a hiss of pain the former SHIELD agent, dropped back down on the bed, releasing an annoyed huff of air from his nose. Looking back at the girl, noticing the red hair contained golden highlights and the black clothing was a leather jacket rather then a catsuit.

Currently, she was sitting on the edge of the loft they were on, examining one of his arrows, specficlly a flash bang arrow, that she was currently turning over in front of her eyes.

"I wouldn't do that."

She jumped at the sound of his voice, accidently tossing the arrow into the air. After unintentionally juggling it for a few seconds she managed to regain a grip on it, thankfully the arrow wasn't set off.

The girl let out a relieved breath, then turned round to face him and, yep! Green eyes, sure why not? The hair and black jacket wasn't reminding him enough of his ex-partner.

"Hey," the girl smiled, got to her feet and got made her way over to the bedside. "You're awake!"

"Really? What was your first clue?"

"And snarky, that's probably a good sign."

"I'm guessing there's a good reason I'm tied down?"

The Not Widow looked away from the archer rubbing her neck.

"Well, yeah. You kind of... shot an arrow at my head."

The archer's head spun round to her in alarm.

"Oh! Don't worry you missed,"

Alarm turned into an insulted frown.

"Uh, you passed out just before you fired. So..." she shrugged. "Doesn't count?"

"Damn right it doesn't," the blonde muttered turning his gaze back to the roof.

Not Widow glanced around her living space, swaying back and forward.

"Are you going to untie me anytime soon?"

"Are you going to shoot me again?"

"Probably not."

"How likely am I to get a definitely not?"

"Meh," Clint shrugged then let out a hiss as a jolt of pain came from his arm.

With surprising speed, Not Widow undid the knots and helped him sit up so that he was facing her. "I tried bandaging it up, but I'm not that good a first aid. You might want to get someone to look at that."

The archer grunted in reply, rubbing his bandaged arm.

"You're pretty strong," the girl's comment got a smirk.

"What did these guys give it away?" he asked patting his unharmed bicep, the girl didn't seem impressed.

"Noooo, that did," she threw her thumb over her shoulder at the corner of the platform, towards his quiver and bow. "I tried pulling it earlier, could barely make the sting budge." She turned back to the formerly masked man. "What is it, a hundred and fifty pounds?"

"Not even close."

An awkward silence filled the air, the girl looked to the side.

"I don't get a lot of visitors out here," Not Widow, held out a hand. "What's your name?"

"Bruno Louis," Clint replied, rubbing his wrists not taking the offered hand.

"Okay," Not Widow raised a brow, the smile curling in the corner into a smirk, she didn't believe him. "Nice to meet you 'Bruno'. Or do you prefer 'Hawkeye.'"

The fire haired girl held up the arrow, showing writing on the shaft. 'Property of Hawkeye*,' and the voice of Cheese was back in his ear telling him off. Great.

"Sooo," she looked like she was about to start laughing any second. "How old are you exactly?"

"Forgot I used to do that," Hawkeye sighed, rubbing his face and just learned she applied a few band aids to his cheeks.

"Why?" Not Widow asked with chuckle.

"Why'd you take off my mask and shirt?"

The archer's tone, cut off any teasing the kid had planned and she held up a hand in peace.

"I needed to check for injuries. You're in rough shape," She started counting off the injuries with her fingers. "A bleeding cut on your arm. Bruises on you're chest. A few cuts on your face."

True.

"Where am I? Canada? Please, tell me I'm not in Canada."

"You're not in Canada. We're Just outside Canterlot City."

Clint released a breath he didn't even realise you were holding.

Okay, so I didn't get transported a few hundred miles up north.

"Not a Canada fan?"

"No, there's just someone I'd rather avoid."

"Who?"

"What's with the weather?"

"That I don't know it's been like this for the past two days. Just showed up with no warning. Not the only thing it seems," as Not Widow spoke, Clint got up and walked past her right up to edge of the loft, looking down at the floor below seeing the drag marks from his sky-cycle leading from the door to underneath them.

"Hey, I don't think you should be doing much just..."

The archer walked to edge of the platform then jumped off the edge preforming a mid-air summersault before landing on the dirt floor of the shed. He looked up at the girl over his shoulder, a hint of smirk on his lips.

"Okay, that was impressive," teal eyes blinked in surprise. "How are you able to do that so beat up?"

"I've walked away from worse with worse," the purple marksman rolled his neck, then smacked his lips. "Hey, you got any coffee or something?"

"Oh, yeah. Hang on."

Not Widow went over to ladder, started to climb it then slide down like it was a fireman's pole. She went over to a part of the shed arranged as a make shift kitchen. Mostly consisting of a small fridge and two tables, one covered in small portable cooking appliances. Looking around, Clint also spotted a makeshift bathroom, with an old camping shower and a metal bowl for a sink.

Must have been more exhausted then I thought if I missed all this.

The red head walked up and presented a steaming cup covered in hearts and flowers with a kid's drawing of yellow unicorn. Or an overweight giraffe getting a lobotomy.

"Out of sugar. Sorry."

Swallowing his pride, Hawkeye accepted the mug and took a swig. Not bad.

"You an archer?" he asked swirling his drink around.

"Huh?"

He pointed a thumb at his equipment.

"Um... no, not really," the teenager ran a hand through her hair. "I used to when I was a f-airly young girl but I mostly did it as a hobby and not really that much?"

If Hawkeye noticed the last minute word switch, he didn't show it.

"Well, thanks for the patch up and coffee. Don't worry I'll get out of your hair in a minute."

"Well, I'm actually spending the night at a friend's house so you're welcome to stay here. At least until you either heal up or fix up your bike."

Clint nearly choked on his drink.

"Time out! Let me get this straight. You come home to find a bleeding guy in a mask aiming an arrow at your head... and you patch him up, pour him a cup of coffee and just let him crash in your bed for a few days?"

The two stared at each other then she shrugged.

"Sure."

Hawkeye stared at her in disbelief. "Wow, you're dumb?"

The girl shrugged again opened her mouth to speak then noticed the time on a sun shaped clock.

"Horse apples! I've got to go."

She dashed past him and started things into a bag on a nearby table .

"There's food in the fridge. Help yourself, I'm gone most of the week so it'll just go off. There's some more coffee and tea in the box on the table. And I keep a first aid kit with clean bandages under the bed."

"Hey, Kid," the girl stopped at the doorway, turning back to her new shed mate. "Do yourself a favour and don't tell anyone I'm here."

The girl frowned. "Why?"

"Trust me."

"Okay, later 'Bruno,'" and with a wave she disappeared out the door.

"Nice kid," he thought allowed. "Dumb but nice."

He took another sip then made his way to the kitchen area and opened the fridge to see what his hostess had. Briefly, glancing at a DVD case on the table as he passed. Well, if I had any doubt about her being a kid, it's gone now.

"'Horse apples?'"

What he found in the fridge was less then what he expected, mostly vegetarian food.

Well, that's just my luck, he commented, then noticed a shelf filled with sweets and baked goods and below it. "Oooh, Bacon."

Rainbow Dash's house a short while later

Surprisingly, Sunset wasn't the last to arrive, meeting up with Rarity just as she was about to leave the school car park, the honour actually going to the host of the evening. When the two of them arrived Rainbow's mother, Windy Whistles, practically dragged them to the living room, where she entertaining the other three Rainbooms with some old home movies while her husband, Bow Hothoof, finished off making their snacks in the kitchen.

"Oh, and this was our little Dash's first time in an airplane. As soon as she saw it land she wouldn't stop begging us to get in line," a four year old Rainbow Dash stared out the airplane window with her little hands against the glass, occasionally turning towards Windy manning the camera and pointed excited outside as they flew over a cloud or river. "She loved it so much she started crying like no tomorrow when we had to get off."

Windy fast forwarded the video to a point with a bawling Rainbow clinging to the plane's door with a Bow trying to pry her off. Kid Dash's death grip was eventually broken and she was carried away from the aircraft. The video briefly turned to static and came back to the future star athlete still crying flailing in her dad's arms as he walked.

"Honestly, I'm amazed I didn't have to drop the camera and pick up a crowbar to help."

"I'm back!" a certain scratchy voice called from the door.

"Dash!" Windy called back. "Your guests are all in here!"

"Sorry, I'm late girls," said Rainbow as she walked into the living room. "Had to meet up what are you watching?!"

The sheer horror in her rose coloured eyes made her friends burst out laughing.

"Well, you were running late, and I was trying to get these old family movies converted into digital. So, I thought I'd show the girls a few."

"Why?!" Rainbow leaned over the sofa Sunset and Pinkie were currently occupying.

"I just said so, didn't I?"

"Relax, Dashie," Pinkie piped up. "It's not like this will in anyway ruin our opinion of a you as cooler then cool, hard as nails, sports super star."

The athlete let out a whine, as her friend's gazes turned to the TV, where a still crying and flailing Kid Dash was passed to a smiling old man in a well-worn aviator's jacket with a green cap sitting at a table. He placed her on his knee and started bouncing her. Tears and wailing lowered to a trembling lip, as Kid Dash reached for his cap. The old man laughed and placed the desired headwear, revealing his thinning silver hair, on the tyke making her beam showing off gaps in her little teeth.

"Aaawww!" the girls cooed, while Rainbow just went limp and hung over the top of the sofa like blanket.

"OMG! Wittle Dashie was so cute! I could just die!!!"

"Oh my God! Make it stop!" she cried into the cushion while in the kitchen the sound of chopping fruit suddenly stopped.

"Rainbow Danger Dash," Bow called, the tone in his voice surprisingly laced with disapproval.

"Sorry, Dad!"

"Not much left on this one," Windy mused then picked up another disc and turned to their guests. "You girls want to see Rainbow Dash's first time at a haunted house. I'll never forget the sound the guy in the ghost suit made when she-"

Before she could finish, Rainbow leaped over couch and now stood between her mom and her friends, pointing down the hallway.

"Hey! We got a party to start so why don't we head up to my room! Like, right now! Move!"

Sunset couldn't help but roll her eyes, as Rainbow ushered them into the hallway. "Okay, we're going."

"So, what kept you?" Applejack asked.

"I had to meet up with Scootaloo. I promised to hang out with her before schools out. She'll be out of the country with her parents. Was in the middle of teaching her one of my secret special kicks when I saw the time. Didn't realise how late it was, sorry girls."

"Don't worry, darling. At the very least, we weren't bored."

The girls tried to fight down then laughter, while Rainbow faced the ceiling eyes closed as if pleading for a higher power to strike her down.

"Why do they do this. Every. Time. I bring people over?!"

While the group continued to chuckle at Rainbow's expense, Sunset's died down.

After getting their laughter out, Pinkie asked a question. "Hey Dashie, who was that old guy in the video?"

"Yes, I don't believe I ever seen him in your company before."

"Oh... that was my grandpa... Rainbow Blitz," Rainbow's voice became sad and quiet, her body language losing some of her usual confidence.

Fluttershy placed a hand on her friend's shoulder while the former unicorn noticed a black and white photo on the wall of a younger looking Blitz sitting in the cockpit of a plane giving the photographer a thumbs up and a familiar smirk.

As they entered Rainbow's bedroom Sunset nudged the athlete's arm with a smile, "So, since he's your grandpa I expect that makes him twenty percent cooler than most?"

Her gamble paid of an Rainbow stiffened up then spun round to face her, a new energy in her eyes.

"Twenty percent cooler? Twenty percent cooler?!" The spectrum haired girl jumped back onto her bed arms spread wide. "He was forty percent cooler!" she then snatched a book form a shelf and pulled it open showing an album of black and white photos. "Grandpa Blitz was among the first American volunteer pilots back in 1940, he lied about his age so he wasn't much older then us. He got shot down five times and got back up in the air after each one. He was always first to volunteer for dangerous missions. Fought in several major air battles. He. Was. Awesome!"

Four sets of eyes turned to the member of their group who knew Rainbow the longest.

"Rainbow really looks up to her grandpa," the shy pinkette explained, then gave a surprised 'eep' as Rainbow jumped to her side and wrapped an arm around her neck.

"Damn right I do!"

"Hang on a sec. 'Blitz' ain't exactly a name I'd expect an American pilot back then to have."

As soon as the farmer finished the statement she regretted it as Rainbow was now nose to nose with her and she did not look happy.

"You implying something?" She growled through grit teeth.

Applejack shot a pleading look at the rest of the group, who gave her small smiles or shakes of their heads. Then collectively, in perfect synchronization, closed their eyes and made a show of wiping their hands then holding them.

"N-Now, Dash, I didn't mean nothing. I just meant... well, given the time... it's," the cowgirl made a motion with her hands as she tried to think of a decent answer. "Odd?"

Rainbow opened her mouth but couldn't say a thing before Fluttershy called her name. Glancing at her old friend, who simply gave her a look that could fill who beheld it feel with a strange urge to clean their room. Rainbow took a breath and exhaled through her nose, clearly having given the following explanation more than once in the past.

"His birth name was 'Regenbogen Blitz'. He changed it to 'Rainbow Blast' when the war started and he changed his last name back in 64," Rainbow explained in a tone that said this wasn't the first time she had to explain. Then jumped out of Applejack's personal space, flipped through the album and pulled out a photo presenting it proudly to the farmer. "Besides, would a Nazi have something like this become a prized family heirloom?"

"Ah didn't mean..." Applejack trailed off as she looked at the photo, which she took and blinked in a stupor. "Sam hill..."

Pinkie and Rarity moved to either side of the farmer for a peak.

"Holy moly!"

"My, that's... impressive," Rarity agreed, eyes locked a specific part of the photo her cheeks gaining a hint of red, a fact noticed by the on-the-spot farmer who gave her an exasperated look and received a sheepish one in turn from the seamstress before she turned to Rainbow. "It's real?"

"One hundred and twenty percent!" the athlete declared proudly.

"A German born pilot flying for the allies," Sunset turned to Rainbow. "If I remember history class right, it couldn't have been easy for him. On any front."

"That's the whole reason why he did it! He signed up to get back at the rat faced bastard that £$&#%@ up his old man's country!"

"Rainbow Dash, language!" The dress maker chastised.

"That's not a nice thing to say about rats," Fluttershy added.

"His words not mine," Rainbow went back to her lecture so fast it could give you whiplash. "He didn't stop at the end of the war. He kept flying until he crashed taking on... HYDRA? Leviathan?" Rainbow paused then shrugged, folded her arms behind her head and fell back on the floor. "I don't know. Some big evil organization named after a giant snake monster. Can never remember which."

"Pretty sure the Leviathan was a whale."

Rainbow sat back up straight and pointed accusingly at Sunset. "Nerd alert!"

The red head placed a hand against her chest and gasped. "Thank you!"

"While hearin' Rainbow gush about her family history is entertainin' and all-"

"You're one to talk, Apple."

"... Fair point. But didn't we come here for a slumber party?"

"Oh, right!" Rainbow slammed the album closed then. "You all brought your movies?"

All the girls took a DVD out of their bags. A few Sunset recognised but never saw, "Okay, whose going first?"

"Well, since this was my idea, I'd say its obvious that-"

"That Sunset goes first, since we're doing this for her in the first place?" Rarity asked, brow raised.

Rainbow gave nervous chuckle. "Right."

The red head went to her bag to pull out her favourite of the few movies she owned, but only found her pajamas, clothes and essentials for school and her journal. No DVD to be seen.

"Sorry girls, I must have left it at home."

"It's okay Sugercube, you can choose which movie we watch first."

"Hmm?" Sunset looked over the options her friends brought. "Let's draw straws, a bit more fair."

"Got some in the kitchen," Rainbow stood up. "BRB."

"But he's not showing up until season two."

"What?"

"Huh?"

"..."

"... I'm going to get the straws now."

A short while later the girls were on their second movie. With Pinkie and Fluttershy quietly singing along to the music. The party girl on the floor with the animal lover laying on the bed right behind her, kicking her feet in the air. Rainbow looked bored out of her skull but didn't complain, getting the shortest straw probably didn't help. Applejack sat on the floor in front of the bed while Rarity ran a brush through her hair.

Sunset meanwhile, sat on a cushion on the floor. While she was enjoying the girls' choice in entertainment for the night, she couldn't stop her mind drifting back to her new houseguest. Who was he really? Where did he get that wonderful machine? How did he get those injuries?

Questions to expected if you found a strange, costumed man bleeding in the forgotten shed you called home. She was aware of colourful adventurers that inhabited this world, she hadn't give them much thought as they never came near Canterlot. But Hawkeye's weapons and questions stirred up memories she had not often pondered on since crossing the portal. Or before.

She was literally shaken out of these thoughts, by Applejack who along with Rarity were giving her odd looks.

"Sorry, what?"

"I asked if you're okay? You just zoned out. Getting sleepy?"

"No, just...remembering."

Author's Note

* Apparently this is something he actually does in the main books.

SHIELD first appeared in Strange Tales #135 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

#3 Planted Seeds

Eventually the girls fell asleep shortly into their third movie, Sunset didn't even have the chance to message Twilight. Despite this they woke up bright and early the next morning, thanks to a combination of Applejack's habit of getting up at the break of dawn and Rainbow Dash's lack of organizational skills.

Recovering from their rude awaking, the girls went down stairs finding Bow finishing off six breakfast plates for them. While they ate, Sunset pulled out the textbooks she popped home for yesterday evening, planning on doing as much revision as possible before the her test. Rainbow and Applejack were evidently in the same boat and asked her for some help.

Pinkie, having finished her breakfast at speed worthy of a Silly Sympathy cartoon, was currently whipping up a quick batch of her special pancakes. Rarity meanwhile was scrolling through her many, many social media feeds while asking Fluttershy's opinion on something when something in particular warranted an "Oh my."

"What's up, Rares?" Applejack asked, leaning over the girl's shoulder.

The fashonista turned her phone to the group, showing her MyStable feed.

"Oh. My. Gosh," Pinkie was shocked. "Songbird Serenade's tour has been cancelled?!"

"What? Oh! No, this."

Rarity scrolled up the feed then showed her phone again to the group. The post was a photo of a 'Welcome To Canterlot City' road sign with a sizable dent in it.

"Whoa!"

"What happened?"

"Maybe a branch broke off a tree and hit it," Fluttershy offered.

"Wind hasn't been that bad lately," Rainbow pointed out mouthfull.

"Swallow, dear," Rarity chastised. "I'd wager it was a group drunken hoodlums."

"How would a bunch of 'drunken hoodlums' do that to a metal road sign?"

"They would find a way, Rainbow."

"You speaking from personal experience?" Applejack teased, getting an unamused look.

"Hardly. I've heard some... wild stories about my father's exploits with his friends in his youth. Stories I wish I could forget."

"Maybe it was Santa!"

The girls turned to Pinkie Pie.

"Santa?" Applejack asked.

"Uuuuh-Huh! I bet he got blinded by all the snow."

"And Santa came to Canterlot in May," Rainbow carried on. "Because why?"

"Just look outside," Pinkie pointed out the window to the snow covered garden. "His super secret spy elves probably got confused."

"'Spy elves'?" Rarity placed her head in her hand and leaned on the table.

"Duuuuh? How do you think he keeps tabs on over two billion boys, girls and others?" Pinkie rolled her eyes. "Even holiday spirits need to adapt with the times."

While everyone else became enraptured in an ensuing lecture on Pinkie's theories of how St.Nick could modernise his operation, Sunset stared at the ruined sign her mind picturing scratched purple paint.

Clint woke up to the shrill sound of an alarm clock. An alarm clock up on the loft.

Groaning, he pulled himself of his host's couch having decided not to take the sore back rather sleep in the teenager's bed. Barely resisting the urge to resort to his go to solution, he forced himself up the ladder and upon reaching the now shrieking clock, gave it a hard slap shutting it up.

With that out of the way, he made his way down to the cupboard his red haired host kept her food.

Who needs this much oat cereal?

He retrieved a box and a bowl then took a seat on a stool, which shook at the slightest move. He turned and regarded the space his sky-cycle currently occupied.

He glanced around the shed. He'd give the kid this, it wasn't the worst hideaway he had ever seen, a lot of repurposed old furniture, camping equipment, a few portable heaters and the old shed was surprisingly inhabitable.

Kid was resourceful and smart, if the books laying around were any indication. However, that made him scratch his head as so why she was hiding in this dump, though he did have a theory or two.

He reached over to a chipped fruit bowl for an apple, when a jolt of pain in his sides reminded him he needed fixing up as well. Once the pain settled and he retrieved the red skinned treat, Clint turned to the table and started going over what he picked up from the safe house in tranquillity.

Some old trick arrows, most which were either broken from the crash or too old but he could reuse some of the heads.

A few hundred dollars cash.

A fool proof disguise.

And finally, the entire reason he risked breaking into the safe house in Tranquillity and the easiest sure fire way he knew to get SHIELD of his back.

The Rainbooms hurried into the school, covered in snow and water from a brief conflict between snow forts Awesome and Party On, laughing all the way.

"Oh God!" Rainbow shouted between laughs. "Did you see the look on Ms Cheerliee's face? I swear I saw steam coming off the back of her head."

"Ah was more concerned with the death glare she was giving us."

"You really should be more respectful, Rainbow," Rarity said as she pulled a few specs of white from her hair. "We're lucky she only told us to get inside."

"Said the girl who kept getting everyone in the back. How exactly is that good manners?"

The fashionista held up her head, "There is a time and a place to ladylike and the battlefield is no such a place."

"Quoting your detective stories ain't getting you out of this."

"Wah wah!"

"Huh?" Rainbow spun round to the hall, but could see who said it, none of the students were looking her way.

"We were up so late last night," Fluttershy flipped through the pages of a notebook. "I hope I studied enough."

"You'll be fine, Fluttershy," Sunset assured. "I can go over your notes with you later if you want."

"Oh! That would be great. Thank you, Sunset." The pinkette smiled before turning apologetic. "I'm sorry we didn't get to watch your movie."

"It's cool. Always next time."

"After Sunset's, we're watching my movie," Rainbow chimed in, to which Rarity cleared her throat.

"Actually, Rainbow, I believe Applejack was next."

"Fair's fair, Dash," the farmer nodded.

"C'mon, I'll trade ya."

"No."

"Pokémon battle it for, ya for it," she nudged the farmer in the side with her elbow. "C'mon, full on Six V. Six."

"Ha! No."

"Poker?"

"No."

"Coin toss."

"No."

"Arm wrestle?"

The group all stopped and turned to the athlete, varying degrees of disbelief on their faces.

"Seriously, now?" Applejack asked.

Rainbow stared at her with an unreadable look, then suddenly, she was on her knees in front of her gripping her shirt.

"Please! I've been dying to watch the new animated Daring Do movie for weeks! I need to watch it A.S.A.P!"

"'Weeks?' Why didn't you watch it on your own?"

"Because she made me pinkie promise not to!"

Rainbow pointed at Pinkie, who responded in her usual cheery tone. "And no one breaks a pinkie promise....ever."

"...She's got you there, Dash."

"Please!" Rainbow resumed begging, pulling Applejack closer to the ground. "I can't take the wait anymore!"

"Must have missed her flight."

"Ha!"

Rainbow jumped to her feet and looked around. "You guys heard that?"

"Heard what, darling?"

"Boohoo."

Rainbow again spun around and again just saw a crowd of students.

"Alright, that I heard," said Sunset with Fluttershy nodding in agreement.

"Okay, what's the deal? Why is everyone making... crying noises... at... me." Rainbow's eyes widened. "No."

"What's wrong, Rainbow?" Fluttershy asked.

"Ya'll turning paler then a flea who just saw the dogs bathtub*."

"Flight Crybaby Crash attempting to take off."

"No no no."

"Rainbow Dash!" The six girls stopped and saw Scootaloo came running up to them, holding up her phone.

"Scoots, please tell me you're not going to say what I think you're gonna say," Rainbow begged.

Scootaloo's mouth snapped shut and she avoided her honorary sister's gaze. Said sister, dug out her own phone and went to Anon-A-Miss' page.

Did you guy's know Rainbow Dash, wouldn't stop crying after her first plane ride. The big bad sportstar is a Total. Crybaby😭. want some tissues lolololol😆

Rainbow stared at the screen then after a few seconds to process what she just said she asked the only question that really mattered. "How?!"

"It's just like my old nickname."

"How did she find out?" Fluttershy asked

Before the conversation could continue the bell rang.

"We'll have to worry about this later," Sunset put a comforting hand on Rainbow's shoulder before walking down the hallway with Fluttershy and Applejack. "See you girls later."

Rarity and Pinkie Pie went the opposite direction, then paused when they noticed Anon-A-Miss' latest target hadn't moved from where she was standing. Her little sister looking up with concern.

"Coming, Rainbow?" the fashioniesta asked.

“Y-yeah, just give me a second.”

As her friends headed off, Rainbow looked back at her phone.

"Why are they doing this?"

"I don't know, but she obviously thinks it's fun to mess with you," Scootaloo shrugged. "But how'd she know. I mean you don't invite a lot of folks home, so where'd they get it form?"

Scootaloo turned and hurried down the hallway, then ducked behind a corner. She peaked round, seeing familiar spectrum coloured hair walking away. She then pulled out her phone started typing excitedly.

"Damn it!"

Clint threw the trick arrow into the bucket of water on the table, black smoke rising out.

"Well, there went about an hour's work."

He looked to the opposite side of the table, finding pile of broken pieces of metal, wires and other scrap.

"Well so much for getting more gear from the safe house."

There were salvagible parts sure but he still needed new ones and his arrows weren't all he needed parts for.

He looked over his shoulder at the his sky-cycle under the loft, that was his host's bedroom. There was no way about it, he'd have to risk Las Angeles. Sure he might be able to get it flying for short trips but to get it back in full working order, he'd have to risk the most camera filled city on the planet.

That however would have to wait until he'd healed up and got his bike in decentish condition. Until, then he had to lay low and as he gather supplies. At the moment though, he had a trick arrow to disassemble.

He picked up a screwdriver and aligned it with a tiny screw on the side of the casing.

"Hey, 'Bruno'."

The tip just missed, digging into the table. Letting out a relieved breath, he turned and glared at the interruption. Not Widow who was currently smiling sheepishly in the doorway.

"What are you doing here?"

"...I live here?"

"I mean now," He picked up another trick arrow and screwdriver. "Thought you said you'd be away all week."

"Well, yeah but I'd figure I'd check on you."

She noticed the pillow and blanket.

"You slept on my couch?"

"Uh-huh."

"Something wrong with my bed?"

"And I don't want to sleep in a teenager's bed or get blood on the sheets if my wounds reopen," he answered as he took the arrowhead apart. "Sides, I'd rather not deal with the ladder."

"Okay, fair points," she tilted her head from side to side. "So, still don't want me to take you to someone?"

"No."

"Doesn't have to be a doctor. A friend of my has medical training, she'd probably do a better job then me."

"No."

Clint continued to tinker, while his host stared at him with an unsure look until he sighed in annoyance and looked up at her.

"Look if me being here is a problem, I can find somewhere else."

"It's not," she assured with her hands up. "Just... trying to make small talk."

He stared at her for a second before going back to tinkering with the arrow. Not Widow awkwardly tapped her hands against the table, then leaned over to look past him at the strange vehicle under the loft.

"Kind of surprised, you're not working on your bike."

"Did. Decided to take a break."

She looked at the row of trick arrows and picked one up looking it over.

"Never seen arrows like this. You made these?" Sunset asked as she prepared to give the arrow's cylindrical head an experimental tap but her barn guest's hand shot out and grabbed her wrist before she could.

"Yeah, I did. Now, put that down. Unless, you want your eyebrows burnt off."

She gently placed the arrow back on the table. Clint removed his hand from her wrist and resumed disassembling another arrow head. Sunset, leaned against the table tapping the toes of one her boots against the floor, watching him work before turning her gaze to the wall that supported the loft.

"Sooo, your bike..."

"What about it?"

"Can it..."

He glanced up, she nervously glanced away, afraid to look stupid, he guessed.

"Can it what?" he asked, humouring her.

"Fly?"

"Can't really call it a 'sky-cycle' if it couldn't,' he answered turning back to the arrowhead.

Her smile turned giddy at the confirmation, waiting for him to continue.

"Where'd you get?" she asked when he didn’t.

"A friend made it," he answered, pulling some kind of canister out of the projectile on the table.

She blinked. "Is that friend Tony Stark?"

"No.”

"They do commissions?" she asked, half serious, and waited for him to reply.

When he didn't, she went over to the vehicle, and found the sky-cycle partially disassembled, a knocked over tool box and a pile of metal and wire.

"You need parts after your crash?" She turned back to her guest. "I know a guy."

"'You know a guy?'" the archer turned to her with a disbelieving look. "Really?"

Not Widow gestured around the shed. "Where'd you think I got half this stuff?"

Hawkeye shrugged. "Robbed a garbage dump?"

"Haha."

Again, a brow was raised and Sunset hung her head.

"Okay, some of it," she looked back up. "But seriously, if you need parts for your bike," She point at the table. "He's your best bet."

"You seriously think I'll find spare parts for a sky-cycle, a one of a kind machine, at the local junker?"

"Maybe?" Not Widow shrugged. "He's got almost anything. It's actually kind of scary... at the very least he might have parts you can use for your other toys."

"What?"

The teen pointed to the small pile of broken arrow shafts on her table.

He sighed, "Okay, I know this game. What do you want?"

She shook her head. "Nothing. I just want to help."

"..."

"You want a ride on the flying motorcycle, don't you?"

"No.... okay, yeah, but mostly I want to help."

"And the reason you're helping, aside from said ride, is why exactly?"

She shrugged. "Figure it out."

The two stared at each other, then Clint sighed, then plunged his hand to the bucket pulling out several blackened pieces of scrap. "Well, it beats trying to salvage these."

"Okay, but give a me a list and I'll-"

"Just tell me where to ago."

"No."

"What?"

"No. You were exhausted and half dead when I found you," before he could argue she cut him off. "You collapsed before you could finish a sentence, are covered in wounds including a few that were bleeding like crazy yesterday, and it’s freezing out. I'm not letting you walk around town in the cold. Besides, I hate to tell you but a purple... whatever that is, isn't exactly going to blend in."

"You really think I don’t know that?” he asked standing up. Then walked over to the couch and threw on...

"A trench coat and a fedora?" her eyes blinked rapidly trying to comprehend the idea. "That's your fool proof disguise?"

"Hey, it works."

"Yeah, no. There's a store along the way we can nip in and get you some real clothes."

"Which would need me spending money I could spend on stuff I need more, when this old trick works just fine.”

His host folded her arms and adopted a smile.

"Riiight, because a teenage girl walking around with a full grown man in a concealing trench coat and hat isn't going to raise any alarms."

He opened his mouth to argue then shut it and sighed.

"Great," she clapped her hands. "Let me just grab some things first."

Later

The store was no Carousel Boutique but Sunset wasn’t complaining. While she had every confidence in Rarity's selections, the last thing she needed was Anon-A-Miss posting about her hanging out with ‘Bruno’. Especially, one in a bright colourful costume, the school rumour mill would have a field day.

Speaking of the man in question, he was currently in one of the changing rooms, reluctantly trying on some clothes she picked out after she had to actually push him in.

"You okay in there?" Sunset called into the changing room.

"I'm fine."

"You're sure?"

"I'm AH! fine!"

While 'Bruno' changed, Sunset browsed through a selection of leather jackets, occasionally picking one out and holding against her as she admired it in a mirror.

” Oh, Van Dyne Designs why must you taunt me, so?"

"You almost done in there, 'Bruno?" Sunset called; having gotten bored of eyeing clothes she couldn't afford.

"Oh, I'm done. But no way I'm coming looking like this."

"You'd rather walk around in a beaten-up circus costume?" she said, standing closer to the changing room.

'Bruno' didn't reply.

"Well?"

"I'm thinking about it."

"Just get out here!"

The curtain pulled back and 'Bruno' stepped out, wearing the clothes she had picked out. A white and black hoodie with purple highlights over a shirt of the later colour, with purple gloves and black a purple boot.

"Hey! Not bad! I've only picked out clothes for a guy once, but I think I did a decent job," she brought a hand to her chin admiring her picks of clothing, though the poor guy wearing them didn't seem too happy. “What’s wrong?”

"I feel like a reject from Squadron Sophomore."

"Oh, I love that game!"

Sunset smiled while the archer scowled.

"Do you really need to be so negative?"

''Bruno'' raised a brow and gently, tapped the injured part of his arm.

"Fair point," Sunset conceded. "But, hey, at least now you'll attract less attention."

"Hrm."

As the archer grumbled, Sunset walked over to a nearby a stand.

"Here, try these."

She held out a pair of purple mirrored sunglasses, which 'Bruno' took briefly shooting he a questioning look before putting them on.

"I'm not really a fashion expert, I leave that up to a friend of mine, but honestly, I think you rock it, " Sunset gestured to the mirror she had been admiring herself and the jackets in. "Besides, it can't hurt have another set of clothes. Or at least fresh ones."

'Bruno' shot her a frown for that last comment then turned back to the mirror.

"Subtler then walking around in a mask, anyway," he begrudgingly agreed, then gave his reflection another look and smirked, striking a few poses. "And I do make this look good."

Sunset rolled her eyes and walked past the man, throwing the hood over his head as she went.

"Come on, I've got to get to my friend's house soon."

After paying for the clothes, which came to a price that neither would like to repeat, Sunset led him down the street and through a few alleys. As they went, she assures him about their destination. Her efforts didn't seem to improve his mood, though having him pull a little red wagon like a cartoon toddler probably didn't help.

"Kid, you realise I'm just humouring because you gave me a place to crash, right?"

"Oh, I know, but trust me, if you want parts to get your bike working, this is the place to go."

'Bruno' took one look at the sign of the establishment, housing parts for his one-of-a-kind ride. He was not impressed.

"'One Man's Scrapyard Another's Restored and Refurbished Items?'" he turned to her. "Seriously?"

"Hey, it's this or keep tinkering with gizmos that are falling apart," she replied, walking across the street to the store.

"Treasure Trash!" Sunset called, one they were inside. "You in?"

"Give us a minute!" A deep voice called from somewhere in back.

"His last name is 'Trash?'"

"Yeah."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"Well, that's a good sign."

Sunset gave him a look then walked up to the front desk as a door to the back of the building opened.

An older man, with long dark grey hair with a few streaks of blonde pulled back in a tail, stepped out. Dressed in torn jeans and t-shirt of a band neither of his customers had heard of. On his left forearm, he had a tattoo of a bejewelled, sparkling silver bracelet or necklace with dents and cracks.

Once his rust-coloured eyes saw Sunset, he held out his arms and smiled.

"Ah, Miss "Summer"! Long time."

"Hey, Treasure."

"So, what can I do for you? Got more scrap to sell?" his smiled took a sharper edge. "Or you here to wager?"

Sunset shook her head.

"Not today. My friend here needs some parts," she pointed a thumb at 'Bruno', who waved at the old man. "Told him you were the guy to see."

"Parts, huh?" Treasure Trash stroked his beard. "What kind?"

"Ideally? The kind that work."

"Fair enough," Treasure Trash laugh. "But seriously, got any specific in mind?"

'Bruno' pulled a folded-up piece of paper out of his new hoodies pocket and handed it the old man. Treasure took out a pair of glasses and unfolded the paper, which seemed to take up a full a4 sheet.

"Hmm," Treasure ran a figure through his beard.

"Well, you got them or not?" Sunset elbowed his arm at the comment. "Hey!"

"Give him a second."

"Thank you, Miss Summer, but I can take care of myself," He smiled at Sunset before turning to her companion. "Alright, Mr. Rude, I'll have a look in the back see if we have anything you're after. And since you have such little faith in my stock, I'll even half the price."

"This'll be interesting."

"Hey, I got most of my stuff from this guy, including the couch you love so much. It's what he does, he goes through the stuff people just throw away, fixes it up if he can and sells it. At pretty good prices too, I got my laptop here good as new, at a third of the price for a for a new one."

"Kid, not matter how you build it up there's no way in hell that this small-town junkyard is going to have anything close to what I need and if they do there's no way it's going to be that easy."

Ten minutes later

"Not one word."

"I didn't say anything," Sunset replied unable to keep the smile off her face as she and the grumpy bowman pulled a wagon filled parts, including some she was pretty he had put on the list just to mess with her.

"Hrm."

"Though I kind of wished I bet money right now," she snickered.

"Don't you have a sleepover to get to?"

Sunset came to a halt and turned to a digital clock on display in a shop window. Sure enough, the sleepover of the night would be starting soon.

"Shoot!" she pocketed her phone and grabbed his arm, gently and below the injury. "Come on, if we hurry, we can get back to the shed-"

"Whoa, easy kid!" we waved her off. "Just go."

"Sure, you can manage?"

"No sweat," He hit his chest, over his heart to assure her, an action he quickly regretted but he waved her off when she went to help.

"I've yet to see proof."

"Haha. I'm not a toddler. I can find my way around a few streets."

She didn't seem impressed. "What store was the bus stop we get off at in front of?"

His smiled disappeared and his eyes shifted from one corner to the other. ".... Quills and... Mattresses?"

Sunset's expression was anything but assured.

"Look just go. I can get back on my own. Besides," he turned and bent over the wagon, letting out a quick hiss of pain, and pulled out a part. "The sooner, I get back the sooner you get a ride of the flying bike and I'm out of your hair."

"You don't have to-"

"So, you don't want a ride?"

"I never said that."

"Go."

He pointed, down the street and Sunset turned around planning on doubling back to a bus stop they passed.

"Hey, kid," she stopped and turned round to her guest. "Thanks."

"No problem," Sunset smiled which he returned with a small one of his own. "So, am I still going to have to call you 'Bruno' or..."

"Don't push your luck," the archer spun round, walking down the street with his little red wagon.

The former unicorn laughed to herself then turned and walked to the bus stop. She briefly glanced back at her house guest.

Then pulled out her phone, then opened her contacts and held it up to her ear. After a few seconds the call was answered.

"Hey, AJ. I was just wondering. You wouldn't happen to have a spare bow around, would you?"

Flash half hummed, half sang along to the song currently playing from his speakers, as he went through his closet. Pulling out clothes most he of which he placed in neatly ordered piles a few he placed in the suitcase currently sitting on his bed.

"Flash!" A voice called from downstairs. "Dinner in ten minutes!"

"Okay!" he called back.

"You are cleaning up in there, right? The music isn't just a cover?"

"Yes, Mom! I am," he rolled his eyes and smiled in reply.

"Good! I want this house shining like a diamond before we leave!"

"I can only do my best!"

"That's all I ask!"

Resuming his task, he pulled out a stack of shirts and, to his surprise, found a box sitting at the back of the shelf.

"How did you get there?"

He pulled the box out and lifted the lid.

Author's Note

* My first attempt at a countrism, as bad as I thought?

Sorry for the time between updates work has been brutal.

#4 Setting Up

Alone in the warm, quiet barn, Clint Barton pulled an arrow out of his quiver, nocked it and took aim at his target. He pulled the string back, only for a sharp pain to flare up from his shoulder.

"£$%&!"

Twang!

... the arrow shot off from the bow...

Thunk!

...And embedded itself in the floor of the barn, not that the archer noticed.

"Damnit!"

Clint grabbed onto the bandage around his left arm with him barely biting back a hiss at the pain in it and to a less extent his other injuries from the crash several. Deciding that six failed attempts to draw his bow was plenty and not wanting to reopen his injuries, Clint left his makeshift indoor archery range for the kitchen area.

He placed his bow on the counter and opened the fridge door. Sadly, after eating all the kid's bacon all that was left was a few vegetarian substitutes and a lot of cake. Deciding beggars can't be choosers, he pulled out a slice of birthday cake, with white and purple icing and a few marshmallows.

Next thing on the agenda, he thought, retrieving a for and pouring a fresh cup of coffee. Getting some decent food, I need to get back into fighting shape.

He took out a slice of cake and scoop up some frosting on his fingertip to taste. A second later he took a bigger chunk out of the cake and scooped it into his mouth with a please hum that he would deny he made if anyone had been present.

Okay, making that finding more food, He amended.

After that taste bud epiphany, the wounded archer dropped down on the old couch in the corner of the old barn. Then noticed a small radio set on the coffee table in front of it. His host probably got from Treasure Trash's shop. Speaking of whom, while he wouldn't admit it to the kid he'd probably have to see the junk collector on the chance he'd have a few more parts he needed.

Curious if the old thing actually worked and tired of sitting alone in an empty shed, he hit the power button and adjusted the dials.

After a crackle of static, a voice faded in.

"-efore we get back to the music, I once again remind all you listeners that because of this freaky weather, a few roads have been closed, so expect a lot of displaced traffic. Now, to make your longer then usual trip to work less of a pain, here's Sapphire Shores's original hit. One last quick reminder, despite what it looks like out the window there's still a chance to call in and win our special Summer Starter Prize."

Belle House Backyard

In the bizarrely cold Summer morning, Sunset pulled an arrow out of a quiver, nocked it and took aim at her target. She let go of the bowstring...

Twang!

...sending the arrow flying through the air ...

Thunk!

... right over the target and bounce of a net set up behind it.

"Damn it," Sunset, muttered as she lowered the bow.

A hand patted her shoulder and Applejack spoke up behind her. "Hey, you almost got it that time."

"Thanks, AJ."

"Heck, I think you should audition for the next Robin Hood movie."

"Thanks, Rainbow."

"No problem," The sports star replied, sitting on a bench with her arms folded behind her head and her legs crossed.

While, Applejack had been a great instructor, gentle guiding and encouraging Sunset, Rainbow Dash had settled into the peanut gallery, occasionally teasing her friend as she got used to the weapon. While it was annoying, it was an improvement compared to yesterday. After Anon-A-Miss post Rainbow's mood was bouncing between embarrassed, annoyed, at one point angry until settling on humiliation induced depressed.

Fortunately, after the slumber party got underway she started to cheer up between a fashion of Rarity's rejected designs, so bad they were kinda fun. Then Cookie Crumble came in with some fancy treats she learned to make on some of her and her husband's many, many vacations, just as they were putting on Applejack's movie of choice, brightened the athlete right up.

Which, brought them to this morning.

Having woken up even earlier then yesterday, courtesy of Sweetie Belle setting off the smoke alarm, Applejack and Sunset's planed archery tutorial was extended. Applejack though surprised by the sudden request before the party, had brought some of her archery gear from Sweet Apple Acres, a bow, a quiver of arrows and a net to keep the fired projectiles from damaging anything in their hosts' gardens.

Rainbow followed them out saying it was still too early to deal with Pinkie's antics and that she didn't like how Rarity's eyes shifting from her multi coloured head to her small cupboard of hair care products. Said party girl and fashionista meanwhile stayed in the latter's bedroom wanting to bounce ideas off Fluttershy since she'd be the host that night.

Sunset pulled out another arrow from the quiver and once more took aim at the target.

Said target was a ratty old mannequin with a quickly painted bull's-eye, which may or may not have been from a previously unopened bottle of mascara. Rarity had given her permission for them to use it, since her mother was planning on throwing it out with other bric-à-brac that was cluttering up their attic.

She fired, this time it touched the mannequin at least, by way of cutting its neck as it flew over the shoulder. The sight of which made all three girls grimace with Rainbow and Applejack covering the same spot on their necks.

"Well, that was the closest you've gotten so far," Applejack assured, while Rainbow sat up as something occurred to her.

"Did you do this back in Pony Land?"

"Equestria," Sunset corrected as she felt the wire tense, then relaxed her grip, firing the arrow this time striking the mannequin at the very edge of the shoulder the shoulder. "But not... for a while."

Applejack gave an impressed whistle, "Well, you're getting back in the grove real quick."

Sunset smiled at the praise, but it lessened a tad when the arrow fell out from a gust of wind. With an annoyed sigh she reached for a new arrow, but only touched air. When Applejack arrived at the Belle house, the quiver had contained thirty two arrows all of which now littered the ground around the ratty mannequin.

"...How?"

"Well, Dash, there's this neat lil thing call wind..." Applejack's reply got a snicker out of Sunset.

"Hahaha. No, I mean, how did she hold the bow? They don't have hands over there, right?" Rainbow mimed pulling a bowstring but with her hands clenched into fists miming hooves.

"She probably used her fancy schmancy unicorn magic. Right, Sunset?.... Sunset?" Applejack turned back to Sunset, who frozen in place crouching down to pick the arrows out of the snow. "Sunset!"

"Huh?" the girl's head spun round to her friends.

"You okay?"

"Y-Yeah," Sunset quickly picked up the last few spent projectiles before going back to the quiver. "Look girls can we change the subject?"

A blonde eyebrow raised at the requests but Applejack simply shrugged, "If that's what you want Sugercube."

Rainbow Dash, meanwhile.

"Aw, come on, Shimmer!" the spectrum haired girl threw her hands up into the air. "Now, it's gonna be bugging me all day! I gotta know!"

"I'll trade movie slots with you to drop it."

"... Deal."

"Hey!" the three friends turned towards Sweetie Belle standing in the doorway. "Rarity told me to tell you to hurry up if you don't want to be late."

"Lambsakes! We gotta move!" Applejack declared after checking her watch before she and Rainbow shot off. Almost barrelling over their sisters' friend as they left, through the kitchen then up the stairs. Sunset hung back to finish packing up the quiver before carrying it inside.

"You can just leave it," Sweetie spoke up when the older girl was halfway across the room. "My Dad said he'd take it back up to the farm for AJ, said it'd give him an excuse to avoid the attic."

"Guess generosity is in the blood," Sunset thought aloud with a chuckle as she placed the quiver and bow next to the table where no one would trip and ran after her friends, pausing to give the younger girl a quick smile. "Thanks, Sweetie."

The fire mane ran after Rainbow and Applejack, leaving an awkward looking Sweetie Belle alone in the kitchen gripping her backpack's straps.

"Sure... No problem."

Later at CHS

The six members of the Rainbooms and sole member of the CMC arrived just in time for the morning bell. Thanks to the late departure from the Belle household, and a detour due to Rarity's usual route being closed, they arrived too late to rebuild Awesome and Party On to their former glory. Throwing a wrench into the planned rematch said fort's commanders craved.

The disappointment was forgotten quickly however, as the subject of their next party at Fluttershy's became the topic of conversation. Pinkie bounced to the head of the group, declaring her attention to through the best "Pet friendly Slumber Party Ever!" while Rarity had begun brainstorming ideas for little clothes and accessories for her friends personal menagerie, said friend was currently listing of the preferences of a certain ~~spoiled rat~~ rabbit.

Sunset was just behind the three but stopped with one foot up the steps when she notice Applejack and Rainbow had stopped not far behind and were looking up at the school building, unease on their faces. Her heart went out to them, she remembered there were so many days she just didn't want to come to school either.

She turned and walked back over to them.

"Hey, we're all in it together right?" Sunset gave both their shoulders a squeeze.

After a second Rainbow and Applejack returned the smile Sunset offered and nodded.

"Right."

"Ah guess so."

"Besides, I doubt Pinkie is going to let them ruin our fun," the three chuckled, then Sunset turned and hurried into the building waving at her friends to follow her.

She hurried into the school with a wave leaving Rainbow and Applejack standing before the building where no doubt another day of mockery awaited. Both athletes returning their gaze to the school.

Applejack was the first to turn away after the door closed behind the Equestrian exile, turning to her spectrum headed friend.

"Hey!" rose coloured eyes blinked as Rainbow snapped out of her thought, before turning to see the farm girl's offered first. "Good luck."

With a smile, Rainbow tapped it with her own. "You too."

They followed after Sunset, then Rainbow started walking slightly faster. Applejack followed suit and was then a head of the sports star. Then Rainbow sped up again. Then Applejack. This repeated until they finally caught up with the fire mane who through out her arm lightly whacking the spectrum headed human across the stomach.

"Rainbow wins."

Said winner turned her head and, ever dignified in victory, stuck out her tongue at her sour faced rival. Sunset meanwhile shook her head with a small amused smile. The three carried on in silence until, Rainbow opened her mouth.

"Sooo, did you do archery before?"

The former unicorn let out annoyed sigh before turning to her friend. "Didn't we agree on this topic already?"

"No, I mean back when you ruled the school with an iron fist, er, hoof," Rainbow chuckled at her own joke.

Sunset somehow flinched and rolled her eyes with an annoyed sigh at the same time.

"No, I didn't. I was too busy adapting to a new body and world, then I was preoccupied with taking over the school and planning to steal Twilight's crown when the portal reopened," Sunset explained memories she hadn't paid mind to in years bubbled up, before she shook them away. "Well... I did... for a few weeks. Flash took to a range on a date once where I relearned the basics."

"Wait, you told Flash "Popularity stepping stone" Sentry about that?!" Rainbow declared, earning a light whack! on the back of the head from Applejack. "Hey!"

"Believe it or not, no," Sunset pushed the guilty bubbling up in her chest, then frowned in genuine puzzlement. "He just... surprised me one day. I don't think I even brought it up to him."

"Huh? Guess he's smarter then he looks."" Applejack scratched her head underneath her hat. "By the way, ah know we just agreed not to hound ya about it what brought this here archery trip of any how?"

"O-Oh, I... don't know what to tell you, AJ. It just... snuck up on me."

Brook Street

Flash Sentry's morning could be summarized as such.

Crap! Crap! Crap! Crap! "Craaaaaaap!!!"

The last thought became vocal as he just managed to avoid slipping on a patch of ice. He quickly regained his footing, but not before he accidently kicked over a disposable coffee cup set on the pavement before a seated pair dressed in old, hole filed clothing, spilling out a decent amount of change and a few notes. So, now he had that on his conscience.

"Hey!" one of the cup's owners jumped to her feet and yelled after him with a raised fist. "Watch it, ya lousy Flatscan!"

"Sorry!" Flash shouted back over his shoulder as he continued running down the street, not even hearing the end of the woman's shout, muttering under his breath. "I sleep through my alarm, car's still in the shop, Mom and Dad are already at work, bus already went past."

He kept running until he came to a crosswalk just as the light turned red and traffic sped by, giving him a chance to catch his breath. He adjusted his backpack, then noticed the weight.

"Aaaand I forgot the box," his moaned as his hand became acquainted with his face. "Great. What else could happen?"

As if to answer, two or three car horns sounded with a shouts. Removing his hand, Flash saw someone dressed in a similar state to the cup owners but barefoot, staggering across the road narrowly avoiding speeding cars. He noticed they were holding a plastic bottle, probably containing the cause of said staggering. It wasn't even nine yet.

Why do I say things? The guitarist asked himself, with the follow up question of why his feet were moving.

Suddenly finding himself running across a busy street, Flash grabbed the stumbling figure by the arm and shoulder of their baggy then dragged them back to the sidewalk with him. He jumped the last few steps, narrowly avoiding a small truck.

Flash sat up and looked back at the crossing, where a newly crushed plastic bottle was now flattened on tarmac surface.

"Okay....that was close," He to turned to the figure, and reached to help them up. "Hey, you okay?"

"Getoffa me!" a slurred voice came beneath the hood as the figure gave a hard shove to the boy's chest catching him by surprise and tripping him up onto his back.

His rescuee got to his feet surprisingly quickly, then stumbled up the way Flash came, muttering about looking for something, probably his recently crushed bottle.

"Sorry," Flash muttered as he rubbed his back as he stood back up. "I just can't win today," he sighed as the walk light turned green.

Later that morning

First Applejack, then Rainbow Dash. Why? What are they after?!

Sunset shut her locker with a tad more force then necessary, then made her way to class. She went to autopilot, her feat knowing their way. The aforementioned question, had come and gone from her mind since Anon-A-Miss' first post. Why target them? Who would target them? Why- She snapped out of her thoughts when something flew past her face and hit the wall.

She turned to direction it came from and only saw an empty corridor.

"Well, that hasn't happened in a while," she muttered with a sigh. It wasn't a complete shock, she had noticed a few dirty looks shot her way over the past few days. She couldn't say she was surprised given her history.

She turned to inspect the projectile and found a thick brown journal held closed by a three digit combination lock. Eyebrow raised, Sunset picked up the book, noticing that there were dozens of little coloured paper tabs sticking out.

Whoever threw this better hope Twilight never finds out. as she pondered the purple princess' reaction, her mind drifted to her last conversation with their shared mentor. Actually, that goes for both of us.

"For the paperbacks!" The purple Alicorn declared in the booming Royal Canterlot Voice, as her army of militant librarians marched through the portal armed with spears tipped with "Not for Loan" stamps.

Sunset shuddered at the thought, then turned her attention back to the book. She turned it over in her hands looking for some sign of who owned it, finding nothing, no name, no sticker or a doodle. Which was strange considering how CHS encouraged self expression in its students. Then she noticed the clock.

"Ponyfeathers," not daring to be late for Harshwhinny's class, she stuffed the book in her bag intending to bring it to lost and found later.

She then hurried down the hall, just managing to avoid barrelling into Vice Principal Luna, who was carrying a large box.

"No, running in the halls, Miss Shimmer!"

"Sorry!"

Meanwhile, in an alleyway somewhere, just outside of the big city side of Canterlot, a certain swaying figure stumbled along muttering to themselves.

"Stupid, kid... Idonn need.... not for him still... have water. Must have water...."

The alley stank, they thought they saw a sign with a green, red and white flag, on their way in.

"Not what they have me!" "... need to.... what they gave me out. Make head better..."

Can't have their water again, it made their thoughts so... thick?

"I-I need... to find..."

They lost their balance and fell into a trio of trash cans, knocking two of them over and used the last one standing to hold themselves up.

"Near. I'm near. So near. I can almost taste it."

They dug their finger tips into rusty metal lid.

"I'll find you...."

As their grip on the trash can tightened, sparkling white spread out from their finger tips across the bin's surface, down onto the ground and even up some of the nearby wall. As they spoke, their breath in the cold air became thicker but it did not rise. It fell.

"Princess."

Author's Note

AKA, The chapter were, like the writer, most of the characters are running late.