Into the Nightby TacoTues4EvaChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 1Author's Note First, let me say sorry to any favorites, likes or anything I haven't responded to or any messages I haven't gotten to yet as I just got things moved back to normal and I'm exhausted so it will take me a day or two to get caught up with everything and get started on the next chapter of this story. I already had this chapter done so I don't want to delay it's release any more. Second, I just want to remind everyone that from now on out I won't be posting new chapters every night so I'm hoping I can make these ones a bit better than my previous story now that I feel a little better at getting back into writing. I also might work on side projects as I write this as this might end up being somewhat of a long story depending on how I end up doing things. Third, wanted to thank Sunny Scriber for all his help getting the base of this story setup and for proofreading and I hope everyone enjoys the story. Chapter 1 It had been two days since voluntarily leaving her small studio apartment after it had been vandalized for three days straight. The last time students were throwing rocks through the windows and had managed to toss a few through the neighbor’s whose kid was almost hit. The landlord had asked her to leave before somebody got hurt since the police couldn’t do much as they didn’t have any real idea of who the vandals were. In the landlord’s defense though, she apologized to Sunset and said she just didn’t want anyone getting hurt. It really didn’t matter in the end though as Sunset had also lost her job thanks to students from school starting arguments in the middle of the sushi restaurant a couple days in a row. The police were called and those students that hadn’t run were served with a trespassing warning so if they came back they would be arrested. The commotion had forced the manager to fire Sunset as it had greatly impacted the business. So she had no income now, meaning she had nothing to pay for her apartment. She was now homeless with only her bag filled with a couple changes of clothes and her journal. She had left her school supplies in her locker since she didn’t have room for them in her bag and didn’t want to be carrying all of that around anyways. A part of her was wondering if she should just leave them there and disappear, leave Canterlot and the pain it had brought her. The cold wind blowing snow in her face made sure she didn’t have time to worry about that at the moment as she was entering the edge of the Everfree Forest. There was supposedly an old mansion that nobody would ever go near as people swore it was haunted. Old stories to scare people like that didn’t bother Sunset as she didn’t believe in the monsters that filled the horrible movies Rainbow Dash seemed to love. She knew similar things were real in Equestria as there was natural magic there. But here where there wasn’t strong ambient magic, there was no way for those creatures to exist. Finding the large, run down building she had to admit it looked pretty spooky. It was like your typical haunted house with a gothic slant to it and short, stone walls surrounding the property with cast iron pikes rising from it forming a type of fence. The main gate was made from the same cast iron pikes that were much taller, though one was on the ground and the other was barely hanging on, its hinges rusted very badly. Not caring about how the house looked, Sunset decided to step over the gate on the ground and walk up the driveway to the large house. If nobody came here for fear of monsters, then she would have a palace to stay and have a safe haven. She doubted it would be too warm as most of the windows had large cracks running through them, if not outright broken. Another gust of wind caused her to pick up her pace and hurry up onto the porch where she almost tried the door handle, but thought it best to try knocking first to make sure it wasn’t inhabited on some off chance. When nobody answered, Sunset tried the door and was pleased to find it unlocked and easy to open. A warm gush of air washed over Sunset as she stepped over the threshold and into the foyer. She could see a large staircase heading up and splitting in two, spiraling apart from each other and up to the second floor. There was a lot of furniture that was covered in dust and cobwebs, as was a lot of the walls. Shutting the door behind her, Sunset slowly walked through the foyer and came upon what she assumed was a living room as there were two couches facing each other with a long coffee table and a loveseat at one end and an old floor model television. There was also a large piano with pipes sticking out of the top making Sunset wonder if this was a pipe organ that she had heard mentioned. “Hello?” Sunset called out, “I’m not a robber or anything, I’m just seeking shelter from the cold!” Satisfied that there were no responses after a few moments, Sunset decided to try the lights and was pleasantly surprised that they worked. Apparently the place at least had power, but she intended not to waste it. It did explain why the place was warm as the furnace must have been running. The place was filthy though, and she really didn’t look forward to sleeping in a bunch of dust as she didn’t want to get sick or choke to death on it. Exploring the bottom floor, she found herself in she found a bathroom, a dining room, a fully equipped kitchen, though the appliances were a little old, a broom closet that looked more like a small bedroom with every cleaning item you could think of stored inside, a pantry full of empty shelves and the stairs to a cellar. She was pretty sure that just the little area she explored was a lot larger than the entire apartment building she lived in up until a few days ago. “The place won’t clean itself.” Sunset groaned as she returned to the broom closet and got a duster and vacuum to get started. If she could just clean some of the dirt and dust for tonight she would be happy enough for now. She could worry about cleaning more thoroughly tomorrow as well as taking care of some of the other rooms than the living room and bathroom. It took almost two hours to clean the two rooms as she had to scrub the bathroom. Thankfully, the water also seemed to work, including the hot which made her sigh in relief. She planned on taking a nice hot bath since it would be her first chance to get herself clean other than the quick shower after gym class. Right now, she just wanted to relax, and despite the age the couch was pretty comfortable now that it was clean of dirt. After that, she was curled up on the couch reading something she found under the couch cushions as she cleaned, a stack of comic books. While most of the students at school probably wouldn’t have believed that she liked comics, she actually did. She was an artist though, she loved all forms of it while also enjoying the story in many of the books. This one was actually one of the more interesting ones she’s read. It was about three normal people with boring jobs that were actually a team of superheroes. They used handheld devices to turn into the Beetleborgs, three differently colored warriors. Despite finding what appeared to be the perfect haven, she was still lacking one thing that she wished she had. Food. Her stomach kept growling and she didn’t want to go back out into that storm as the winds were now howling, causing the windows to rattle and the snow was making it hard to see a few feet into it. Even if she did have money to go buy something, she knew she was more likely to die out there as her clothes were just not made for it. She was half frozen when she found this place. “You know, I’ve been growling at you for the last five minutes.” A voice said, irritation clear in it drawing Sunset’s attention up to see what looked like one of those things from another movie Rainbow Dash had loved, a mummy. Did someone actually live here who liked dressing up as old movie monsters? “I’m really sorry, I didn’t know somebody else was here. If I can at least wait out the storm, I’ll leave.” Sunset sighed, sad that she had lost the haven she had thought she had found. “I’m sorry, what?” The mummy cosplayer asked, slowly undoing his bandages making Sunset feel a little creeped out. Was this guy stripping? “Look, I’m really sorry I barged in like this, I thought the place was abandoned.” Sunset said, shaking a little as the man wasn’t stopping even after getting off the couch. As she started realizing that this was no mere pervert, but something much more, she started to freak out. How could there be real monsters here? There was barely enough magic before the crown incident to do anything with, so how? “I do think you will be quite sorry, my dear.” A smooth voice said, a bat flying up to her and hovering in front of her face. The bat continued as it started stretching out and shadows enveloped it until it was taller than Sunset herself. The shadows started pulling back revealing a very regal looking man with skin whiter than Rarity’s herself and black hair. “I do have to thank you though, I normally don’t get delivery.” “Wh-what are you?” Sunset squeaked out as she took a step back, the new man licking his lips showing two very long and very pointed fangs. The mummy man was finished removing his bandages leaving behind what could only be described as a grim reaper. “I’m sure you must have figured it out by now, my dear.” The man smirked as he took a step forward making Sunset jump back onto the couch and fall over the back. Groaning as she laid on the floor, she rubbed her head where it hit the floor and looked up to see a large man with old, dusty clothes with wild black hair and two bolts sticking out from his neck. “This isn’t happening!” Sunset squeaked out as she rolled away from the slow, lumbering man who stomped after her. “Don’t hurt her Frank, I still need to feed.” The vampire said. “As long as I get her after, I could use some fresh meat.” The reaper man chuckled, making Sunset shiver as she glared at the man. “Over my dead body, you pervert!” Sunset snapped. “My dear, when my friend here is done with you, I’m afraid you will be very dead.” The vampire teased, moving closer only to yell in pain as Sunset kneed him in the groin making him clutch himself and fall to his knees in agony. She turned to run, but slammed right into the big man they called Frank. He tried to wrap his arms around her, only for her to duck and jump away, slamming into the piano. “Don’t touch that!” The reaper man cried out just as Sunset’s hands came down on the keys making a cringey sound. The three monsters jumped back in what seemed like worry as lightning started arcing over the piano more and more, making Sunset even more worried. She kept an eye on the monsters who were now keeping their distance as they glared at the piano. “What have you done child?” The vampire hissed out as he glared at Sunset. As if Sunset wasn’t freaked out enough as it was, three women appeared out of smoke from three of the middle lower pipes. They were maybe seven inches tall and their legs seemed to fade into the smoke coming from the pipes, the first one having pinkish-red hair with matching dress and gloves, the second was blue and the final one green. As the power arced over the old instrument, it started playing a creepy sounding tune all on its own as the three women danced in place. “We’re the Pipettes, and back by popular demand, let’s hear it for the flabtastic, flabnominal, flabulous super phenomenal phasm from the seventh dimension! Here’s Flabber!” The three women said together, their hands all pointed to the side where a whirlwind of energy that was laughing flew around the room to come back to the piano and formed into one of the strangest men Sunset had ever seen. He stood with one foot on the stool in front of the instrument and another off of it before hopping down to the floor. He looked like a mix between that late night talk show host Pinkie was always going on about, the old singer that seemed to be really popular and a stage magician. He had black hair in what Sunset recognized was a hairstyle similar to that guy off the Happy Days show Fluttershy had talked her into watching that one time with a complexion even whiter than Rarity’s, yet it seemed to give off a soft glow. He had a red cape, a purple jacket with a yellow dress shirt, yellow fingerless gloves with the weirdest pair of slacks Sunset had ever seen. Finishing the loud outfit off, the man had yellow and white loafers, which did nothing to help the rest of the outfit in Sunset’s opinion, making her wonder if she had been spending too much time with Rarity. “Happy Flabber day!” Flabber cried out, pointing to his side asking, “Who loves ya?” “What..the…actual…tartarus?” Sunset asked, fear gripping her as now she had what seemed like a ghost or demon she had to deal with along with the other three. “I’m free!” Flabber cheered, dancing in place as he cried out, “Fat free! Hat free! And home free!” The three women were cheering and applauding as it sounded like a stadium full of people with full fanfare. “Thank you! Thank ya very much!” “I really wish I was a Beetleborg right now.” Sunset groaned as she saw the comics out of the corner of her eye. “Aww, you spoiled my introduction, little lady!” Flabber whined, the three women shrugging in response. “Well, I didn’t think I’d get you to make a wish that easily.” “What?” Sunset squeaked out as Flabber flew up behind the piano, the top half showing above the pipes as the other three monsters groaned. “Flim!” Flabber cried out, both hands pointing right, “Flam!” His hands switching to the other direction, “Flareo!” Pointing at Sunset now, “You’re a superhero! Phasm says!” Red energy shot up around Sunset in a whirlwind as she felt as if her body was flattening out. She could feel strength flowing through her as armor appeared on her body. In her hand she had a strange looking gun, or possibly a crossbow, as at the end instead of a single barrel it had a long piece on it with a barrel on each end and one in the middle. She realized she was having trouble moving which brought about another realization, “Why am I stuck in the comic?” “You got to get it together kid!” Flabber called with an exaggerated shake of his head before pointing all of his fingers at the comic, “Poof!” It seemed like reality shattered around her like pieces of glass leaving her once again able to move as she was standing outside of the comic as the red Beetleborg. “Wow! This has got to be a dream! I’m the red striker borg and I have the striker blaster!” “Get her!” The vampire cried out, pointing at Sunset and pushing the large man toward her. “I don’t think so!” Sunset exclaimed, pointing her weapon at the large man as a wave of red lightning arced from the three points on the gun, joining to form a wave of energy that slammed into the man and threw him back and into the reaper creature. “Now that, he had coming!” Flabber laughed. “He sure did!” The women agreed, giggling as they watched. “So I’m going to be dead, am I?” Sunset asked angrily as she pointed the weapon at the vampire who was holding his hands up in a placating manner. They were distracted when the comic started glowing bright and six balls of fire shot up out of it. Four balls of orange flame shot through the wall of the house without damaging the structure as a green and blue one flew up to the organ to float on either side of the women who watched them nervously. “Uh oh!” Flabber groaned. “What do you mean, uh oh?” Sunset demanded to know as she spun around pointing her weapon at the ghost like genie as the vampire slinked away, helping the other two as they hurried from the room. “Well, I think I may have made a tiny mistake.” Flabber reluctantly admitted. “A tiny mistake?” The three women giggled, earning a mock glare from Flabber. “I may have put too much power in that, it’s been awhile since I granted a wish you know. I think I might have released the villains from the comic too.” Flabber explained sheepishly. “And those?” Sunset asked as she pointed to the blue and green fireballs hovering there. “Those would be the other two Beetleborgs.” Flabber said. “Well, that’s great, just release the wish.” Sunset suggested, unsure if that was wise with those three monsters and this…thing still here. She wasn’t too worried about the three women as they seemed pretty harmless, but then again, so did the Sirens. “Well, the thing is…” Flabber fidgeted, “I can’t. Not until all of them are returned to the comics.” “And how do we do that?” Sunset asked, dreading the answer. “Well, little lady, it isn’t how we can send them back. It’s how you send them back. It was your wish so only you can send them back by defeating them.” Flabber explained. “You have got to be kidding me!” Sunset groaned. “Well, there are the other two Beetleborgs…so you can have help.” Flabber said, indicating the green and blue flames on either side of the Pipettes. “So, how do I get them to change into Beetleborgs instead of just the colorful pyrotechnics?” Sunset asked. “Weeeeeelllllllll…that’s the thing. You can’t. You need two other people to take the powers.” Flabber said nervously as he could see the tic forming in Sunset’s eye. “I should have just wished to eradicate the four of you idiots.” Sunset groaned, face palming, a metallic clinging sound echoing from the action. “Or at least a freaking home with a nice family far away from this tartarus pit.” “I’m sorry, I wouldn’t be able to grant any of those wishes.” Flabber sighed, looking a little deflated as he tried to study the girl, though useless as she was still in her armor. “I can’t grant wishes to kill anything and I can’t make people up from thin air. As for a home, I can’t leave this property so I wouldn’t be able to unless it was on this property and…let’s face it, that would raise too many questions.” “Ok, that sounds a little more logical than I gave you credit for.” Sunset groaned, pacing back and forth while keeping an eye on the ghost and the direction the other three retreated to. “That hurts right here, missy.” Flabber said, patting a pink stuffed heart he conjured out of somewhere. Sunset rolled her eyes, not that it could be seen. “You said you should have wished for a home or family, don’t you have those?” “The closest thing I had to one I foolishly threw away, though she wasn’t exactly innocent either. I thought I was fitting into a family here, but they betrayed me.” Sunset huffed, holding her weapon pointing to the ghost. “I’m actually a phasm, not a ghost.” Flabber said with a lopsided grin. “What?” Sunset asked at the change of topic. “Well, people keep calling me ghost so I thought I would point that out.” Flabber said, sitting cross legged…while floating in midair. “Just trying to make you smile a little. I know it isn’t much of what you were expecting, but you can stay here with us.” “What, to be a snack for those three idiots and play exorcist with you?” Sunset demanded. She may have never seen the movie, but she’s seen enough memes and jokes about it to know what it was. “You will come to no harm here, scouts honor.” Flabber said holding up a small chubby boy in a scouts uniform by the back of the collar. The boy was giving a scouts salute with a bit of a grin before Flabber threw the boy over his shoulder with a chuckle. “And I should believe you why?” Sunset asked. “Because I am granting your wish of a home, you can stay here.” Flabber said, spreading his arms out, “Welcome home!” “That doesn’t reassure me!” Sunset snapped, making the phasm wince. “Look kid, I know the three idiots. We might not really get along, but they are a good sort. They would never really hurt somebody, they were just trying to scare you out of the house as they don’t want a bunch of people snooping around the place.” Flabber explained. Sunset couldn’t help herself as she stomped up to the Phasm and shoved her helmeted face into Flabbers, throwing a hand out to point to the direction the three left minutes earlier while growling, “There is a freaking vampire!” “Umm…yeah, he is a vampire. Are you prejudiced against them or something?” Flabber asked in the most innocent voice he could. Sunset took a step back in shock as the phasm just floated there waiting for an answer. “Hu-Wha? What? What the heck are you talking about? He’s a freaking vampire!” Sunset roared. “So?” Flabber asked, floating a little higher and flipping upside down while still maintaining his seated position before turning right side up again. “They kill people! They suck their blood and kill people?” Sunset snorted incredulously. “Let me ask you something, little lady.” Flabber said, rubbing his chin in thought. “How many vampires do you actually know? How many have you ever met?” “None before tonight.” Sunset snorted in disbelief at the question, crossing her arms. “Well, let me tell you something little lady.” Flabber said as his clothes changed to look like a stylized Count Dracula as he put in a pair of false fangs. “Vampires don’t need to kill to feed, and those that do are true monsters, but you don’t have to worry about those. The people they do feed off of are usually either those who freely give of themselves or they don’t remember it. The saliva heals the wounds so they never knew it was there, In fact, it doesn’t even hurt other than a pinch. They feel an exhilarated feeling and once finished, the venom that causes that feeling promotes the body to quickly replace what was taken and makes the person feel on top of the world for a few days. A fair exchange in my opinion.” “Are you insane? They bite people and turn them into other vampires if they don’t kill them!” Sunset cried out. “No, child, they don’t.” Flabber said, closing his eyes to rub his temples. “How far have stories of vampires come since I was sealed away? The only way to make a new vampire is to exchange blood three times over the period of a month. There is no danger of dying or becoming a vampire just by being fed off of. Do you think they should just suffer and starve until they die?” “Well, I don’t want anyone to die.” Sunset relented sheepishly. If this ghost, genie, phantasm, or whatever he was, was telling the truth, then vampires weren’t the monsters that pop culture made them out to be. How was she supposed to know if this was the truth though? It would be foolish to just trust this creature, yet she really didn’t want to go back out into the storm, which if the wind beating on the windows was any indication, was growing worse. She was also getting very tired and if she was honest with herself, she would rather face this unknown rather than brave the storm which was pretty much known. She knew she would die before she could make it back anywhere, and that was if she could even stay on the right track as the visibility was pretty much zero. “And we don’t want anyone to die, especially you.” Flabber affirmed. “Fine, I’ll stay on the couch.” Sunset groaned. “Now that won’t do, little lady.” Flabber said cheerily, floating down the hall towards the other direction of the house. Sunset hesitantly followed the phasm until coming to a hall on the opposite side of the entrance that was dark and even more dusty than the few rooms she cleaned. “I’m too tired to clean anymore tonight.” Sunset groaned, reluctant to admit it. The phasm only gave her a grin as he spun his hands around each other gathering magic that swirled with them that looked more like something from a comic strip than actual magical energy. With an exaggerated thrust of his arms he threw the energy that turned into a tornado of exaggerated lines and puffs of smoke that swept down the hall leaving everything spotless and lighting the electric lamps hanging on the walls. “Ok, that was kind of cool.” “Ah aim to please, pardner!” Flabber said, swirling his hands as if they were guns before shoving them into invisible holsters at his side actually earning a bit of a giggle from Sunset. “I’m really happy to hear that, little lady. I was beginning to think I’d never get a smile from you.” “Who said I was smiling?” Sunset asked, crossing her arms while getting a knowing look from Flabber. “Well, little lady, I guess this is where we say goodnight.” Flabber said, holding the back of his hand to his forehead in a good imitation of Rarity for a few moments. He finally pointed to the first door on the left, “This will be your room, it’s perfectly clean now and fully furnished. The next room down is a bathroom, also fully clean. Is there anything else you need?” “I guess not.” Sunset sighed, her stomach once again making itself known. “Well,” Flabber said, holding his hand behind his back before bringing it forward with a silver covered tray on his hand. “Then I guess you don’t want this?” “Are you serious?” Sunset asked, hesitantly picking up the silver domed lid to find a soda and a bag of McDonald’s food sitting there. “Is this real?” “Sure is, little lady. Now don’t go expecting me to do this often, as I had to steal this and I don’t like doing that. I used my senses to find the nearest restaurant and snatched a bag of food ready to go out. This uses up a lot more magic than I’m comfortable doing normally, and again, I don’t like stealing.” Flabber said, “But I can tell you are very hungry, so go on, take it and get some rest. We will talk more in the morning.” Swallowing nervously, Sunset picked the bag of food and soda up, “Thank you.” “Don’t mention it, have a good night.” Flabber said with an exaggerated bow. “And don’t worry, I’ll take care of our housemates.” He was about to turn and go off somewhere in the house, but stopped and turned back to her. “Oh, and to get out of that suit, just say ‘cast off’. Ta ta!” He added before finally leaving. “Thank you, I guess good night to you also.” Sunset said as she slipped into what was her room and couldn’t help gawking at the size of it. The ceiling was very high and had a crystal chandelier which was already turned on and illuminating the room. There was a small table as soon as she entered with two chairs that looked extremely comfortable with all of the padding. There was also a reading chair near a bookshelf with another table that had a lamp. The shelf was full of books which Sunset looked forward to exploring when she wasn’t so tired. Placing the food down on the table by the door, she looked over the rest of the room seeing the large four post bed with crimson red and black linen, a large ornate dresser with a large stylized mirror on the back and a freestanding oval full length mirror next to what she assumed was a wardrobe. “I hope this works.” Sunset sighed, taking a few steps away from the table towards the center of the room and said, “Cast off!” The armor glowed and ejected from her body, disappearing and transforming into the beetlebonder from the comic and in her hand. With a sigh of relief, Sunset went to sit down at the table, setting down her bonder as she did and pulled a straw out of the bag and stuck it in the soda taking a long drag on it before sighing in relief. “So good!” Digging in the bag she was left a little disappointed, but no less thankful. There was a Big Mac and a ten piece chicken nugget, which she no longer minded eating after being forced to numerous times when there was nothing else available to her. There was also a large fry which she was happy about as she had only had them a few times, but quickly fell in love with them. They tasted so good! After a quick meal, Sunset just collapsed in bed expecting to be up all night watching her back to only fall asleep in seconds. Chapter 2Sunset couldn’t remember the last time she felt this comfortable as she shifted in her bed. She couldn’t remember when she was able to stretch out this much since her bed was way too small to do so, which made her pause and think. Since when was her bed this large and perfectly comfortable? Her bed was small, lumpy and had a couple springs sticking through that she had to pad over with a blanket to try and cover them up to keep down uncomfortable pokes. Slowly opening her eyes she noticed it was difficult to see much in the room as it was still dark out and there were no lights on. She did see the form standing next to the bed leaning over her though reaching out toward her. “Come on child, wa-” Was all the farther the voice got before Sunset twisted over and kneed the figure in the groin causing him to squeak out in pain and collapse to his knees. “What in tarnation is going on in here?” Flabber asked as he stormed into the room, flipping the light switch as he entered, bathing the room in soft light. “I was trying to wake the child up to tell her about our decision.” The vampire groaned, clutching his groin in pain as he turned his glare to Sunset. “Something I’m beginning to reconsider.” “You were leaning over me to bite me!” Sunset accused him as she pointed for emphasis. “I was leaning over to shake your shoulder, child, and ask you for the thousandth time to wake up!” The vampire snapped, throwing his hands up in the air in frustration. “I don’t know what I expected of a human child! Always jumping to conclusions and never giving somebody a chance!” “I’m…sorry.” Sunset sighed after a few moments, hanging her head as she realized that her jumping to conclusions against the vampire was exactly what the entire school has been doing to her. She also couldn’t deny that it did sound like the man may have been saying wake up, or something similar before Sunset kneed him. Her fear filled mind just jumped to conclusions in the hazy state she was in from just waking up. “I know how that feels, and for what it’s worth, I am sorry. I’ll try not to jump to conclusions anymore.” “Well shucks, little lady, there’s no need to get so melancholic over a small mistake.” Flabber said uneasily, the two men sharing a worried look between them. “It’s just I know how it feels to be blamed for something you didn’t do and nobody will listen to your side of things.” Sunset sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed and rubbed at her eyes. “What do you mean, child?” The vampire asked, actually sounding saddened by what Sunset was going through which surprised the girl a little. “I admit I used to be a horrible person, I bullied everyone in school. I changed though, I worked so hard to prove that I did and I thought I made friends who I could see as family. Something happened and everyone blamed me for it, including my so-called friends. Students cost me my job by causing trouble at work and then they started vandalizing my apartment which spilled over to the neighbors and I lost my home. So now I have no family, no friends, no income and no place to call home.” Sunset explained softly with teary eyes, “So yeah, I do kind of know how it feels to not be given a chance to explain.” “Look child, I know you are probably scared of us, but we truly mean you no harm. It is almost sunrise and I need to speak with you before I turn in for the day.” The vampire said, crossing his arms and giving Sunset a serious look. “Sunset.” Sunset sighed. “What?” The vampire asked, arching a brow in askance. “My name, it’s Sunset Shimmer.” Sunset said. “Well, Sunset Shimmer, you can call me Vlad, or Mr. Tepesh. You will likely hear the idiots calling me Count Fangula though.” Vlad said, “Flabber let us know what was going on after you went to bed and I’m not exactly happy with the situation. None of us are. We won’t let somebody starve or freeze to death, especially a child.” “I’m not a child.” Sunset snorted, crossing her arms. “How old are you?” Vlad asked. “I’m sixteen.” Sunset replied. “You are a child, and you need a stable home life. While we aren’t exactly your typical, average family, we will let you stay here. There will be rules though, and we expect you to follow them.” Vlad explained, smirking a little at the girl’s shocked expression. “First and foremost, do not start bringing a bunch of people around here. We like our privacy and we are making a huge exception for you as we believe no child should be without a home.” “Not exactly anyone jumping at the chance to talk to me anyways, much less wanting to have a sleepover.” Sunset huffed. “I’m sorry your friends are being ignorant, but the rule still stands.” Vlad said, shaking his head, “If by chance you absolutely must have someone over make sure to give us plenty of notice and we will stay in the basement and upstairs while they are here. All of you will remain on the ground floor, there will be no exploring the spooky haunted house!” “So this floor is mine?” Sunset asked, a little surprised by this news. “For the most part, yes. We will be coming through this floor too, but we won’t invade your bedroom without knocking… unless it is to wake you up for something important. And you don’t have to worry about us hurting you, none of us have ever hurt a human except in self defense.” Vlad said, “You are safe here with us and if somebody tries to hurt you here we will protect you.” “Why go so far for a stranger?” Sunset asked, a little suspicious of the vampire’s motives. Yet it would be nice to have a place to feel safe... Well as safe as being in a house full of monsters can be. “Because we would never forgive ourselves if a child was hurt or killed when we could have prevented it. None of us are overly fond of humans, but we are usually pretty good judges of character. I was coming in to tell you that this would be a trial basis only, but I don’t think that is needed any longer. I have several abilities not in those foolish movies you humans like and one of them is the ability to tell if a human is telling the truth or not.” Vlad explained, not really planning on revealing it isn’t always accurate as it relied on a human’s physiology much like a lie detector. A sociopath could pretty easily trick his senses, but they also wouldn’t naturally display all of the emotions Sunset has shown since being here. “So you can consider this your home as long as you don’t go advertising it to anyone not needing to know.” “Thank you.” Sunset whispered softly. “The appliances in the kitchen may look a little old, but they all function perfectly.” Vlad explained, pulling a wallet out from his pants. “Do you have a license?” “No, I don’t exactly have any identification or paperwork.” Sunset admitted, turning away from the two men who once again shared a worried look. “We will have to get that taken care of soon, little lady.” Flabber said softly. “Until then, while Frank has similar dietary needs, they are still somewhat different from humans. We have moved him upstairs so you can have full access to the kitchen, though Frank will still use the stove.” Vlad explained pulling out a few bills and handed them to Sunset, who tried to refuse at first. “Take the money, child. You need food more fit for human consumption and if that was all you brought last night you will need some clothes and toiletries.” “This is way too much.” Sunset said through tears as she took the money realizing every single bill was a hundred dollar bill. “You will be representing Hillhurst, for better or worse, and I will not have my legacy starve or go around in ratty old clothes.” Vlad said, crossing his arms after returning the wallet to his pocket. “I have more money than I will be able to spend in a hundred years with more coming in every day from royalties among other things. I have been around for a long time, I’ve taken many identities, and I am a very rich man.” “Thank you.” Sunset said, unsure just what to say. She was scared so much of this man earlier and now he has done much more for her in a few minutes than anyone has since coming to this world. “You are welcome child… Sunset. We will discuss other rules later, though none will be too bad. I will also provide you with an allowance so you can have some spending money so you won’t have to worry about work and can concentrate on school.” Vlad said, “I will not have a legacy that is stupid.” “Why do you keep saying legacy?” Sunset asked. “The only way I can help you get paperwork is by adopting you into my family, hence you are my legacy. Don’t worry, it is in name only and I won’t try and force you into doing anything as long as you follow the simple house rules that will be set. I want to see you succeed and get a good education so you can get a good job and a bright future.” Vlad said, truly meaning that as the best way to get the human out of their hair is provide a little so she could stabilize herself and once she gets a job move out on her own. Two years was nothing for an immortal anyways and he wouldn’t have this child starving or freezing to death on his conscience. “You would do that for me? I’m a stranger and I was just treating you like crap!” Sunset exclaimed, jumping off the bed and staring up into the man’s eyes looking for any kind of ulterior motive making him chuckle at the action. “You are actually acting much better than most humans would in your position. Besides, think of this as an investment in your future so you can get into a good school and get a good job and you can move on with your life.” Vlad said, ruffling Sunset’s hair who swatted his hand away while earning another chuckle from the vampire. “I’ll pay you back somehow.” Sunset said as she hung her head and gripped the money tight. “If you want to pay me back, then do your best.” Vlad said giving a kind smile which was something he didn’t grace people with too often. He had a sneaking suspicion he would be giving more to this girl as time went on. “Now if you will excuse me, I need to retire for the day as the sun will be rising soon. Good day, child.” “Um… good day.” Sunset said, as the vampire turned regally and swept out of the room. He seemed so much different than he did last night and from the look on the phasm’s face, it surprised him too. “Never thought I’d see the day old Fangula grow a soft spot for a human.” Flabber said, seeming serious which just didn’t seem to suit him for some reason. “And I never thought I’d come across a bunch of monsters from a horror movie that actually seemed nicer than my old friends.” Sunset sighed, her stomach rumbling a little. “Please don’t call them monsters, it doesn’t make them monsters just because they are different from you, does it?” Flabber said. “I’m sorry, I just… I don’t know. He seemed much different than he was last night though.” Sunset mused, dropping back onto the edge of the bed to sit as Flabber sat in the chair by the small table. “If you meant not as scary, they were only trying to frighten you away thinking you were just another thrill seeker. If you mean he wasn’t acting goofy... Well, trying to act scary while panicking because I was released is a hard act to balance.” Flabber said. “Why panic because you were released?” Sunset asked, curious as she admitted she actually liked the phasm a little. Sure he fed her last night, but it was more that he seemed so earnest and trustworthy as well as kind of funny once getting over the weird stuff he did. “For that matter, why were you stuck there in the first place?” “Well, my magic can be unpredictable at times since I was banished here from my home in the seventh dimension and my magical levels fluctuate because of my connection to home wavers wildly which is where my magic comes from.” Flabber sighed, “As for why I was banished, I was the second son of my world’s ruler and my family didn’t exactly like my carefree attitude so banished me here. Which I’m fine with by the way, I would never want to fit in with those stuffed shirt psychos anyways.” “I’m so sorry.” Sunset said, reaching out to squeeze his hand which was resting on his knee. She was a little surprised it was solid and actually a little warm once her mind caught up with her actions. “Don’t be, little lady. I’m happy with where I am, even if I’m bound to the organ. To answer your question though, a phasm hunter actually tried trapping me but it backfired and sealed me in that organ. The others left me there to teach me a lesson because me going overboard with my magic is what lured the hunter here.” Flabber admitted, looking a little sheepish. “I know I can be annoying with how I act, but I can’t help it. It’s just who I am.” “Hey, I like you just the way you are and if somebody doesn’t like you for who you are then they aren’t your friends.” Sunset said, giving the sad looking phasm an encouraging look. “Those idiots are my friends. They actually protected me from that phasm hunter and would be there for me if I needed it. I do admit I needed the time out, it gave time for the heat to die down from the hunters who kept coming around.” Flabber shrugged, standing up and giving Sunset a large grin. “Enough of the serious stuff, yeah? You need to get ready and go get you some food.” “Thanks, Flabber.” Sunset said with a bit of an uneasy smile. Breakfast consisted of some French toast sticks, mini hash browns which were more or less glorified tater tots, and an orange juice. All in all, it was a pretty decent meal though she didn’t plan on always eating out as that just wouldn’t be healthy, as well as it would eat into the money Vlad had given her. She didn’t exactly feel right about accepting it, but maybe it would be nice having a semblance of a real family for once. Not that she fully trusted any of them, though if she did it would be Flabber and after this morning, possibly Vlad. She did need to decide what to do though as buses did not run up to Hillhurst, it was a good ten minute walk at a brisk pace to even get out of the edge of the forest and even see a sign or town. She couldn’t carry a bunch of groceries that far so she would have to make multiple trips as getting a ride was out of the question. She could get clothes first, but she wasn’t about to go all the way across town to the mall to get clothes then come back and try to lug groceries with them. “Why couldn’t the mansion be closer to everything?” Sunset groaned, walking down the small street littered with privately owned shops that she preferred to bigger stores though were usually out of her meager budget. A store actually caught her attention just as she was about to turn around and head the other way. It had a plain sign hanging above the door that said, “Autumn’s Comics & Book Store” in brightly alternating colors for each letter. There were several advertisements written on the window such as percentages off new hardbacks, buy four used paperbacks and get the fifth free, and Sunset’s favorite, a free smile with every purchase. “Well, hello dear.” A woman with dark green hair and a light orange skin tone said as she pulled one of those foldable sidewalk signs out of the store and sat it up on the freshly shoveled sidewalk. “Why don’t you come in and get warmed up?” “I’m okay, I can’t really buy anything here right now anyways.” Sunset sighed, actually wanting to enter the warm look store to get out of the chill for a few minutes. Thankfully it warmed up considerably since last night, but the chill air was still highly uncomfortable. “Nonsense dear, you don’t need to buy something to come in and warm up. Why on earth are you wearing something like that right now anyways? It’s freezing out here!” The woman exclaimed, motioning to Sunset’s skirt and sleeveless top combo with her leather jacket. Thankfully her boots were pretty much watertight, so tracking through the snow at Hillhurst to get out of the forest wasn’t so bad. “Well, it’s all I have to wear today until I do laundry later.” Sunset admitted, a bit sheepishly as she felt a little shame at losing most everything she once owned as she couldn’t carry it and she refused to take the outfit Rarity made her after what they had done to her. “Then come in! I’ll get you a cup of coffee on the house and we can sit and chat until customers start coming in.” The woman said, ushering Sunset into the store, much to the teens' protests. “By the way, my name is Autumn Blush. What’s yours?” “Sunset Shimmer.” Sunset said with a bit of a sigh, fully expecting the woman to toss her out if she was family to anyone from school. “Oh, are you that girl from Canterlot High?” Autumn asked as she pretty much pushed Sunset down in a comfortable chair behind the counter before turning to a coffee pot and pouring two disposable foam cups full. “Do you take cream or sugar?” “Both please.” Sunset squeaked out, nervous of what this woman was going to do to her after hearing she was from Canterlot High. The only way she would recognize her name was if she had a child at the school or was faculty, and she wasn’t faculty. “You didn’t answer my question.” Autumn said handing Sunset her doctored up beverage while sitting down with her own. “Yes, I’m from Canterlot High.” Sunset sighed. “Want me to leave?” “Not really, but I have been wanting to talk to you.” Autumn said, narrowing her eyes a little. “I don’t appreciate your bullying toward any of the students, much less my daughter, but I’ve heard you came around and worked hard to make up for past mistakes.” “A whole lot of good that did me.” Sunset sighed. “Lost everything I had, even my job and home.” “What do you mean?” Autumn asked with worry. “Because of this Anon A Miss disaster, everyone is blaming me and is making trouble everywhere I had anything to do with. My job had to fire me because it was affecting their business and when vandals almost hurt a neighbor at the apartment building, I willingly left to keep it from happening again.” Sunset said, keeping truthful because she was a little scared of what this woman might do to her if she detected any hint of deceit. Normally she wouldn’t care much as she prided herself in her ability to take care of herself, but the pain and trauma of the last week has left her an emotional wreck. “While my daughter doesn’t exactly believe in you, I don’t see why someone who has worked as hard as you would turn around and pull something like this smear campaign. It doesn’t have any finesse that I would expect from the great, Sunset Shimmer.” Autumn explained, giving an amused smile while Sunset looked at her wide eyed. “Don’t think I’m some innocent or something because I’m nice now dear, when I was about your age I was queen bee of the school and terrorized so many students. I had a rude wake up call and I worked my tail off make up all of the pain and suffering I caused. I would never have thought about going back to my old ways once I got a taste of real friends and I have the feeling we are in the same boat.” “Really?” Sunset asked, sipping her coffee a little. It was good, she just wasn’t a big coffee drinker though it did its job warming her up a little. “Really.” Autumn nodded, “Now about your home situation, I take it you are on your own.” “I was… someone took me in last night though and will be letting me stay with them.” Sunset said, hesitating a little as she couldn’t tell this woman she was staying in Hillhurst. “That’s good dear, I’d hire you but I truthfully can’t afford it. I can afford to give you a warm place to stay though if needed.” Autumn said, reaching over to pat Sunset’s knee. “I appreciate it, I really do, but I’m fine.” Sunset assured the woman, before waving out towards the store that seemed to have two parts to it. On the side near the entrance is pretty much your standard comic book store with little figurines, big figurines, toys, and of course comics. Toward the back of the store things changed into a pretty good sized book store by the looks of it. From Sunset’s vantage she could see new books, but also what looked like used ones as well. “I never seen a comic store built into a book store before, I love it.” “My father owned the building so we have an apartment upstairs and our store down here. My daughter also has a small garden on the roof that she likes to spend most of her time with.” Autumn sighed, “I just wish she could make some friends.” “I would have been happy to meet her a few weeks ago, I’m sorry.” Sunset sighed. “Don’t be sorry dear, I wasn’t asking you to and I don’t expect you too. You have enough on your plate right now and if you ever need anything, or someone to talk to, I will always be here to listen.” Autumn said, the bell at the door giving a chime as somebody walked in. “For now dear, duty calls.” “Hey mom, you called?” Wallflower asked, coming down the stairs from the garden when her mom called her phone from the shop. It wasn’t unusual for Wallflower to need to tend the store when her mom needed to make a quick errand on Saturdays so she wasn’t worried until she saw the expression on her mother’s face. The look made her anger at Sunset Shimmer vanish from the post the girl just made a few minutes ago. “Yeah, I need to talk to you about Sunset. I shouldn’t have let her go like that, but I don’t really have any reason not to believe her. I just have a bad feeling.” Autumn said, looking toward the door. “What did she do now?” Wallflower nearly growled out. “It isn’t what she did, it’s what that school of yours did to her sweetie.” Autumn rebuked. “The school? She’s the one posting everyone’s private business on her My Stable!” Wallflower snapped, wincing when she saw the disappointed look on her mother’s face. Sure she was shy, but when it came to being along with Autumn she was able to act more bravely. That didn’t mean that when her mom was disappointed it didn’t hurt. “I thought you weren’t too sure about that, sweetie.” Autumn said. “I wasn’t, but she just posted something else about her friends that only they would have known about.” Wallflower said. “When did she post it?” Autumn asked, a feeling of vindication washing over her as she was sure this was going to prove her right that Sunset wasn’t behind this. “About twenty minutes ago.” Wallflower said, pulling her phone out and showing her mother the post. “Well, there you go, it can’t be Sunset. She was here sharing a cup of coffee with me.” Autumn said, feeling a little bad as the color drained from Wallflower’s face. “She admitted to the students costing her not only her job, but her home. She said she was taken in last night, does she have any family?” “No, not that I know of. It’s been an ongoing debate with a lot of the students if she even has a family.” Wallflower sighed, “You think she’s homeless now?” “I do. I should never have let her leave. At first I just believed her, but as she left doubt started and it’s bothering me. Can you watch the store for a few minutes while I see if she’s still around?” Autumn asked, knowing her daughter would. Neither of them wanted someone to experience homelessness as they had before moving into this building and opening the store up. “I’ll watch it, go on.” Wallflower said, shooing her mother away who instead hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head. “Thanks sweetie, I’ll hurry back.” Autumn said, rushing out of the store. She spent the next twenty minutes asking people and searching the area frantically and was about to give up for the moment as the girl could be anywhere. She was wondering if calling the Principal would be of any help or maybe she could have Wallflower bring the teen home on Monday. An explosion just ahead drew her attention from her thoughts to see a humanoid tiger with red armor stalking down the middle of the street with a couple cars in flames and people running away while screaming about a monster. She noticed a few of the people collapse that were closest to the creature as police sirens could be heard coming straight toward them. “I need more energy!” The creature roared, breathing out flames that seemed to cause small explosions along its path, blowing up another car, along with breaking an electrical pole that brought down the power lines with it and right toward her. She didn’t even have enough time to scream out before a red armored person jumped in front of her protectively and blocked the flames from reaching her. “Are you okay?” The person asked, looking over their shoulder, momentarily showing that against all odds it was the Red Striker Borg from the Beetleborg Comics. She couldn’t tell if the person was male or female as their voice was distorted and seemed as if multiple voices were coming from it at the same time giving it a scary surreal effect. “I’m f-fine.” Autumn said, shaking at just how close she came to being killed and not being able to see her daughter again. “Please get to safety then, Ma’am. I’ll handle Tabby over there.” The Red Striker Borg said before rushing at the monster. Whoever was dressed up as the Beetleborg was pretty clumsy during the short battle, stopping several times as if talking to themselves, or to someone else. When the police sirens got closer, the armored tiger seemed to have enough and quickly fled the battle, the Beetleborg going after them and soon vanished from sight. Deciding that recently arrived police and Beetleborg had things well in hand, Autumn stumbled away from the action and hurried back to her store. She prayed that Sunset was okay, but the only thing on her mind was getting back to her daughter. “Mom!” Wallflower cried out, rushing to help her mother to a seat behind the counter that the woman gratefully collapsed in before pulling her daughter into a tight hug. “What’s wrong mom? What happened?” “I didn’t think I was ever going to see you again!” Autumn sobbed, it taking awhile before she calmed down enough to explain the situation to Wallflower who didn’t want to believe it at first until the news came on the small television behind the counter. Apparently there were only minor injuries to the bystanders thanks to the Beetleborg, and even though the police tried, the Red Striker quickly ran off and vanished before the police could question their mysterious protector. Chapter 3Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.Chapter 4Monday morning wasn’t something Sunset had been looking forward to as she walked up the steps of the school building while doing her best to ignore the glares and harsh whispers of her fellow students. She was starting to wish she stayed home, making her realize that after a few short days she really was starting to view Hillhurst as a home. Sure the others living there were strange to say the least, but over the weekend she had actually gotten to know them a bit better as both Saturday and Sunday had ended with her cooking dinner for them as well as herself. She was a little surprised at just how much she learned about the three monsters, though Flabber remained mostly a mystery other than what little he said on her first morning there. She learned the most about the mummy who pretty much embraced his nickname as Mums, even though his real name was Seth Ptolemy. He claimed that he used to be rather handsome and a very good singer known as Pharaoh before his mother cursed him. Apparently there was a huge blow up when he defied his mother’s wishes and clinged to his music as well as rebelled against her choice of wife for him, instead choosing to pursue another singer. Then his mother blew a simple kiss on the cheek out of proportion when Cleopatra thanked him and he was punished by his mother, the curse robbing him of his looks and voice for singing while sealing him in a tomb for centuries. Frank was actually the one who was a little scary when thinking about it as he was actually THE Frankenstein’s monster who named him Frank. His nickname he found amusing, if a little embarrassing, as it came from his love of beans and the problems they caused him. The revolting, toxic and nauseous problems they caused him and everyone around him. They called him Frankenbeans, and Sunset couldn’t help the name kind of fit him as she learned not to be around him too long after he eats anything with that food in it. And finally, as the others called him, Count Fangula. A name the vampire despised as he was actually one of two descendants of Count Dracula. Vlad and his brother were conceived right before the original Count Dracula was cursed with his vampirism. In an attempt to turn his wife, the original Dracula infected the two unborn babies with the curse which in turn killed their mother during childbirth before she could be turned. Vlad had somehow inherited the lion’s share of the curse, though didn’t truly come into his powers until he was killed by those striking out at the crazed Count Dracula. Vlad had returned as a full fledged vampire and helped several others defeat his father before he could kill too many more. As for his brother, he gained a few things such as the ability to extend his life by drinking blood and the ability to turn into a bat while all other powers eluded him. He was blessed with an actual living body that did need food, but could naturally produce offspring for the first century of his life and had a daughter. Sadly, he became sterile after that though he didn’t really seem to suffer any other ill effects. The three could act like such big idiots, but at the same time they actually did have hearts of gold for the most part. They just didn’t want a bunch of people coming and intruding on their peace just to get a few thrills investigating the haunted house. It was something Sunset couldn’t fault them for, they deserved their peace and Vlad truly did own the house. He had accounts set up with automatic payments to take care of the utilities and had deliveries made for the things Frank and Mums needed to survive while he went out himself to take care of his needs. It was something that still creeped out Sunset to some extent, but he wasn’t really harming anyone at least. If he was killing people then there would be a huge panic going on, and there wasn’t. Shoving her thoughts to the back of her mind, Sunset focused on the matters at hand more… like getting through another fun-tastic day of CHS where she was once again the target of spite. It hurt, it hurt a lot, but she had to admit she was getting fed up with it. While she admitted fault for her current predicament because of her wish, she could lay a huge share of the blame on most everyone walking these halls. She could even go farther and blame most of it on the Rainbooms as they were the ones to announce Sunset was behind everything and threw her to the wolves. If it wasn’t for them, she would still have her job and home and never would have had to venture inside Hillhurst. Speaking of the girls, she couldn’t help but wither away from their glares as she passed them. No matter how much she psyched herself up, no matter how many pep talks she gives herself, it seemed that their opinion still mattered greatly to Sunset. The problem was, she was getting to the point of the love she had for them being squeezed out by the small amount of hate that was starting to form in her heart for them. She was starting to wonder if the truth did finally come out and they came saying how sorry they were and begging for another chance, if she would give them one. She would like to think she would, but with every passing day, she could feel the bond she had with them slipping away more and more. She couldn’t help but wonder if it was already too late for them as they had a large hand in destroying what little life she had built up rendering her homeless and without income over some stupid gossip column. It just wasn’t fair. It just wasn’t fair. All day yesterday the shop was closed because of the police investigating Saturday’s incident involving the monster and Beetleborg. Wallflower knew her mother was scared, but still would have known the difference between a stupid publicity stunt and something far more real, and potentially dangerous. Yet the police mostly wanted to blame the most likely suspect. Thankfully, the only officer on the scene that seemed to have half a brain deemed them innocent of any involvement and finally left them alone. Seeing Sunset walk by in a somewhat hunched up position as if trying to hide reminded Wallflower of the other problem she had to deal with. She hated Sunset Shimmer, there was no denying that after everything the girl had gotten away with at the school. She even destroyed the front of the school and had gotten away with it, something Wallflower highly believed the fire haired teen should be sitting in jail over. She wasn’t though, Sunset was the beautiful girl, the popular girl, the untouchable girl that always got away with everything and even ended up with a bunch of friends she didn’t deserve. Wallflower hated to admit it, she knew she was being petty, but she felt Sunset deserved the hate and scorn she had been experiencing lately. It was karmic payback, it had to be as Wallflower couldn’t think of any other way the second time queen bee finally had everything crumble around her. Sure Wallflower felt that Sunset was most likely innocent of the whole Anon A Miss ordeal, but she deserved to suffer because of everything she had done. Yet she couldn’t fight the growing ball of guilt gnawing away from the inside as Wallflower never wanted to see anyone lose their only source of income. She never wanted to see anyone become homeless, even her worst enemies. It just wasn’t fair, the school bully turned angel turned queen bee was making Wallflower feel sorry for the girl and it was pissing the green haired teen off to no end. “Heh, bet it will take Sunshit weeks to clean the paint off her apartment door.” A boy snickered not far off, obviously bragging to his friends over what he had done. “Do you think it’s funny you idiots caused a girl her only income and her place to live?” Wallflower snapped at them as she slammed her locker and swirled around to face three sheepish looking boys. While she tried to stay unnoticed at the school, it was a double edged sword as she didn’t pay attention to most of the students so didn’t know who the three boys were. Not that she cared, her rage was an active volcano eruption complete with hot molten lava at the moment. “Because of you a teenaged girl is alone out in the cold for Christmas! Are you idiots proud of that?” “What do you mean, are you saying Sunset is homeless?” One of the three boys asked in a worried tone. “What do you care?” Wallflower snapped before her anger drained and her cheeks flushed in embarrassment and mortification of what she was doing and saying. Hugging her school supplies tight she hurried away from the three boys while ignoring their cries of wait. Why did she have to draw so much attention to herself by that outburst? Now she was going to be the center of attention for the rest of the day. It just wasn’t fair. It just wasn’t fair. Wallflower’s outburst had brought back some less than stellar memories for one particular girl. Trixie had to admit she never much cared for Sunset Shimmer, yet she never hated the girl either. If anything Trixie was a little indifferent to the girl with the bacon colored hair. Sure she liked to get a rise out of the girl at times, but if anything, Trixie was a little jealous. Sunset had made a group of friends and the admiration of a large portion of the student body after the Battle of the Bands despite all of the trouble she had caused. Yet Trixie had a hard time making and keeping friends. Even her two friends from her band left her citing she was too full of herself. It wasn’t her fault that she had a tick that seemed to urge her to talk in the third person. Instead of fighting the urge, she accepted it and even owned it by making it her thing. After all, a little positive reinforcement was always good. Sorting through the mess that was her locker after checking her makeup in the door’s mirror while wondering if perhaps she should have checked her makeup last, she overheard the distressing claims the green haired girl had made. Wallflower Blush had insinuated that Sunset Shimmer was now homeless which didn’t sit right with the stage magician. She had been homeless herself a few times and knew how rough it could be despite her father finally hitting it big and having more than enough to provide for their family now. Withdrawing what she needed for class she decided to head that way while wondering what she should do with the information. She didn’t truly believe Sunset Shimmer was guilty of the glorified gossip column, only an idiot truly would, and Trixie was no idiot. It did leave her wondering about the rest of the student body and a few of the teachers. What moron would work as hard as Sunset did, making up for everything she had done in her bullying days in order to make her friend group proud of her and then turn around and throw it all away over stupid gossip? Anyone with a lick of sense could see that the whole thing was a poorly conceived frame job. “Just what is Trixie supposed to do about it though?” Trixie mused to herself as she entered her classroom and took her seat near the back and kept an eye on Sunset. The girl did seem dejected, but she was dressed in what appeared to Trixie to be new clothes, begging the question how much of what Wallflower claimed was true? Still, who in their right mind could look at the pain the girl was going through and believe she was doing it to herself by keeping up the most hated profile on MyStable? It just wasn’t fair. The day had gone by rather slowly in Wallflower’s opinion and watching the hell that Sunset went through was horrible to see from the outside. She didn’t want to know what it must have felt like for Sunset to actually live through it personally. Thankfully the day was finally over, though it left her with one problem…confronting Sunset. She had promised her mother to check in on the girl and do her best to make sure the fiery teen was okay. Wallflower just couldn’t bring herself to go up to her throughout the day as her nerves defeated her every time she tried. Of course her anger and hatred at the girl didn’t help much either. After shoving her books in her locker as she had completed all of her homework during her free period, she quickly formulated a plan. She wouldn’t have to confront Sunset at all in order to keep her promise to her mother, all she had to do was make sure she had a home and someone to look out for her. All she had to do was follow Sunset and make sure the girl had a safe place so Wallflower could reassure her mother and be done with the entire situation. With plan in mind she carefully followed Sunset out of the school while hanging back enough to look as if she wasn’t stalking her. “What are you doing following Sunset?” A voice asked from next to her, making her jump a little in fright. Turning to look at the owner of the voice revealed it to be Trixie walking alongside her. “If you must know, I’m not. My home is this way.” Wallflower defended, crossing her arms as she gave a petulant look at the magician while trying not to shrink in on herself. “If you say so.” Trixie snorted, “Though Trixie thinks you are worried about Sunset Shimmer. Much like Trixie is worried for her… nobody should have to deal with having no home to go to or no way to provide for themselves.” Trixie said softly, giving Wallflower a sad look. “No, I guess they don’t.” Wallflower sighed. “What do you plan to do if you do find out she is homeless?” “What can Trixie do? It might sound cruel, but Trixie plans to report it to Principal Celestia so Sunset can get the help she needs. She may hate Trixie for it, but it would be for her own good.” Trixie explained, pulling her hat from her head and clutching it to her chest. “I guess that might be for the best.” Wallflower said. “... Do you think she is Anon A Miss?” “At first Trixie wondered, but Trixie isn’t stupid nor blind. Why would Sunset work as hard as she did to be better only to throw it all away? It doesn’t make sense and Trixie blames those girls who Sunset called friends for things getting as far out of hand as they have. If they stuck by her, nobody would have believed she was the culprit.” Trixie said, keeping an eye far ahead of her on the fire maned girl. “There are times I believe it is her and others I don’t, but yeah, you have a point. None of it makes sense really.” Wallflower admitted, admitting to herself that a part of her really wanted Sunset to be guilty just so she would have justification for all of the negative feelings she’s had against the girl. “Trixie might not act like it, but she’s… jealous that Sunset Shimmer had so much popularity. Twice even.” Trixie admitted, something that was hard for her to do. “Trixie doesn’t have any real friends as they always leave her sooner or later. Even Trixie’s band finally left her.” “I’m sorry.” Wallflower said softly, realizing she felt the same exact way. Ever since Sunset reformed it seemed as if everyone flocked to her wanting to be friends, or at least after the Battle of the Bands they did. A part of Wallflower wished she could get over her shyness and have close friends like Sunset seemed to have. Then again, seeing what those friends did to Sunset, maybe it just wasn’t worth it in the end. “Don’t be sorry, it isn’t your fault. Trixie has problems that make it hard for her to keep friends for long because all they see is Trixie’s mask.” Trixie said so softly that Wallflower almost didn’t hear it. Thinking about it, Wallflower realized that ever since the secrets came out about Trixie’s bandmates making fun of her behind her back, the magician has seemed so down in the dumps and mopey. It must have really crushed Trixie’s spirits making Wallflower feel really bad for the girl. “If you like, you can come over and see my garden after we finish with Sunset.” Wallflower managed to finally squeak out after a few moments of warring with her shyness. “Trixie loves gardens, is it a flower or vegetable type?” Trixie asked, a little sparkle gleaming in her eyes. “Both actually, I love flowers but also grow stuff to help with the grocery bills.” Wallflower said with a little more enthusiasm. “Trixie has a small vegetable garden too with a few flowers.” Trixie said, “It helps with the food bills and the flowers Trixie can use for her performances.” “No way!” Wallflower gasped, a little bit of fright flowering inside her as Sunset started cutting through the Everfree Forest. They had walked for quite awhile, but they never expected this. There were two options, Sunset was sleeping in the forest itself or she was crashing at Hillhurst Manor. Neither option was very good as both places creeped Wallflower out despite usually liking places with a lot of plant life. “What do we do?” Trixie asked nervously, fidgeting as worry took over her expression. “We do what we set out to do.” Wallflower said with a heavy sigh, “We follow her.” For the next few minutes the pair of girls followed Sunset at a distance while trying to maintain enough coverage from the trees so they wouldn’t be spotted. Wallflower couldn’t help silently praying that Sunset was going anywhere else in the forest, anywhere but Hillhurst. Unfortunately, that was exactly where Sunset was heading as the pair watched her go through the messed up gate and into the large house. “She went in there?” Wallflower sputtered, “Is she insane?!” “Maybe it isn’t so bad?” Trixie supplied with a slight shrug of her shoulders. “She apparently lied about somebody taking her in. Trixie thinks maybe we should confront her, see if she is okay.” “That means going in there though!” Wallflower hissed out, pointing to the supposedly haunted house. “What’s the worst that can happen? A haunted dust bunny going to attack us?” Trixie giggled as she walked forward, leaving Wallflower with little choice but to follow. As the two silently made their way to the door, Wallflower reached up to knock on the door, but Trixie shook her head and put her finger to her lips in a silencing motion. Nodding stiffly, Wallflower followed Trixie as the magician tried the door and it opened without any problems. The inside was surprisingly welcoming as the two basked in the warm blast of air that flowed over them as they walked down the hallway toward the sound of a television playing. “I can’t believe you got a new tv!” Came Sunset’s surprised voice. “How did you get a new tv?” “Old Fangula thought it would be nice to get you something to watch at night while you do your homework.” A male voice said, making the pair of girls pause just outside the room. Wallflower noticed the man was a little odd looking, but nothing harmful… hopefully. Then again, he was a total stranger, what if he was planning on hurting Sunset, or them? What if he already has? “Again, the police are requesting everyone stay clear of the area while they try to deal with this new monster that is apparently very real.” A newscaster said from the television. “I guess I better go take care of it.” Sunset sighed. “I don’t like you going by yourself.” The man sighed. “I messed up and made the wish causing these monsters to appear. It’s my responsibility to get rid of them.” Sunset said, pulling a familiar looking device from her pocket and thrusting it out in front of her. “Beetle bonder!” Sunset cried out, energy rippling down her arm and into the device before she thrusted it high in the air with a cry of, “Beetle blast!” Wallflower and Trixie both watched in stunned silence as Sunset Shimmer transformed into the Red Striker Beetleborg from the comics, and the same one who defeated El Pyre Tigre, the fan of fried fries and frying enemies. The creature was one of the earliest monsters in the comics, and one of the weakest when they discovered his weak spot. Just how was this even possible? The two didn’t have time to ponder the question as they ducked back around the door just before Sunset ran by them and out the door. “Did we really just see that?” Trixie asked, shock clearly etched into her features as both of their phones received notifications at the same time. Pulling them out at the same time only for both girls to see the same thing, a new post for Anon A Miss. Concrete proof that Sunset wasn’t behind the whole thing, something Wallflower wasn’t sure how to feel about. Sure a part of her didn’t believe Sunset was behind it, yet there was a part of her that just couldn’t let it go. “Hello girls, would you like some tea?” The strange man asked, the sudden appearance shocking the two girls. “Well, Trixie is parched, but Trixie has a very important question first.” Trixie replied calmly, slowly bringing her finger up to point in the direction Sunset had left while shouting, “What the hell was that?” “Ah, I guess you two saw everything.” The man sighed, “I don’t suppose you both could just forget what you saw?” “No, we won’t forget what we saw!” Wallflower actually snapped, storming past the man to pace in the room behind him. It was some living room or something with a couple couches, coffee tables and what appeared to be a new television set up playing the news which the girl was tuning out. What was she supposed to think, Sunset was the girl Wallflower hated most in the school. Probably the only person she actually hated, yet Wallflower had felt her own concern for Sunset’s wellbeing besides her mother’s own. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the person she wanted to meet the most in life and the person who Wallflower owed a debt to for saving her mother was the same person. How was she supposed to deal with that? “Well, you see, Sunset was sort of confronted with some really scary… people when she came here. When she freed me from the organ, she earned a wish from me even though she didn’t know about that. She sort of wished she was a Beetleborg to protect herself and I may have messed up and not only brought the Beetleborgs out of the comics, but also the villains.” The man sighed, obviously agitated as he led Trixie into the room as well and turned his attention to the television where an insect-like man was beating Sunset rather badly. “Uva!” Wallflower gasped. He just wasn’t one of the monsters from the comics, he was the worst of the three generals under the command of Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings. A race of humanoid insects that acted like energy vampires, though they were mostly drones that barely had any kind of sentience about them. They were basically the generals canon fodder later in the series. “Is Sunset going to be okay?” Trixie asked. “I don’t know little lady. I’m bound to the organ, I can’t leave the property.” The man said, biting his nails as he was sweating large amounts. “You said you brought the Beetleborgs from the comics? Where are the other two?” Wallflower asked, chewing on her lip as she tried to figure out what to do. As much as she didn’t really know how to feel about Sunset, Wallflower just couldn’t let the girl die at the hands of some comic monster brought to life. Especially not after Sunset had saved Wallflower’s mother. “Over there.” The man pointed to the blue and green balls of fire floating over the pipes of the organ. “With nobody to claim the power, they took up residence there.” “I don’t know why I’m doing this, but I have to help her.” Wallflower said, shaking on the inside at the thought of facing that thing while at the same time realizing adrenaline was pushing her out of her shell for the moment and knew as soon as it wore off she was going to be a mess. “Trixie isn’t going to stand by and let that thing hurt Sunset or you!” Trixie declared. “Ever read a Beetleborgs comic?” Wallflower asked, giving Trixie a bit of a grin. “A couple, we could never really afford comics much.” Trixie admitted sadly. “Do you remember how they changed?” Wallflower questions, smirking when Trixie nodded and they both thrust out their hands while crying out, “Beetle bonder!” The two flames shot from the organ and into the two girls' hands, green going to Wallflower while blue flew to Trixie, and formed the devices in the two girls’ hands before they thrusted them into the air with a louder cry of, “Beetle blast!” Author's Note I want to thank Sunny Scriber for not only proof reading this story, but also obtaining the awesome cover art which was created by Cotton whose twitter is https://twitter.com/smolducko. And also, I want to thank HarmonicPriest for naming the tiger monster, El Pyre Tigre - a fan of fried fries and frying enemies. Sorry it has taken longer than I thought to get this chapter done, but my life has been getting more and more miserable lately with all the crap I have to deal with from my so called family on a daily basis. I'm a huge believer in family being really important, but sometimes I wonder why I even bother because all they are doing is pushing me to do something I never thought I'd be this close to doing making my life harder and harder to deal with. Chapter 5Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.
Chapter 1Author's Note First, let me say sorry to any favorites, likes or anything I haven't responded to or any messages I haven't gotten to yet as I just got things moved back to normal and I'm exhausted so it will take me a day or two to get caught up with everything and get started on the next chapter of this story. I already had this chapter done so I don't want to delay it's release any more. Second, I just want to remind everyone that from now on out I won't be posting new chapters every night so I'm hoping I can make these ones a bit better than my previous story now that I feel a little better at getting back into writing. I also might work on side projects as I write this as this might end up being somewhat of a long story depending on how I end up doing things. Third, wanted to thank Sunny Scriber for all his help getting the base of this story setup and for proofreading and I hope everyone enjoys the story. Chapter 1 It had been two days since voluntarily leaving her small studio apartment after it had been vandalized for three days straight. The last time students were throwing rocks through the windows and had managed to toss a few through the neighbor’s whose kid was almost hit. The landlord had asked her to leave before somebody got hurt since the police couldn’t do much as they didn’t have any real idea of who the vandals were. In the landlord’s defense though, she apologized to Sunset and said she just didn’t want anyone getting hurt. It really didn’t matter in the end though as Sunset had also lost her job thanks to students from school starting arguments in the middle of the sushi restaurant a couple days in a row. The police were called and those students that hadn’t run were served with a trespassing warning so if they came back they would be arrested. The commotion had forced the manager to fire Sunset as it had greatly impacted the business. So she had no income now, meaning she had nothing to pay for her apartment. She was now homeless with only her bag filled with a couple changes of clothes and her journal. She had left her school supplies in her locker since she didn’t have room for them in her bag and didn’t want to be carrying all of that around anyways. A part of her was wondering if she should just leave them there and disappear, leave Canterlot and the pain it had brought her. The cold wind blowing snow in her face made sure she didn’t have time to worry about that at the moment as she was entering the edge of the Everfree Forest. There was supposedly an old mansion that nobody would ever go near as people swore it was haunted. Old stories to scare people like that didn’t bother Sunset as she didn’t believe in the monsters that filled the horrible movies Rainbow Dash seemed to love. She knew similar things were real in Equestria as there was natural magic there. But here where there wasn’t strong ambient magic, there was no way for those creatures to exist. Finding the large, run down building she had to admit it looked pretty spooky. It was like your typical haunted house with a gothic slant to it and short, stone walls surrounding the property with cast iron pikes rising from it forming a type of fence. The main gate was made from the same cast iron pikes that were much taller, though one was on the ground and the other was barely hanging on, its hinges rusted very badly. Not caring about how the house looked, Sunset decided to step over the gate on the ground and walk up the driveway to the large house. If nobody came here for fear of monsters, then she would have a palace to stay and have a safe haven. She doubted it would be too warm as most of the windows had large cracks running through them, if not outright broken. Another gust of wind caused her to pick up her pace and hurry up onto the porch where she almost tried the door handle, but thought it best to try knocking first to make sure it wasn’t inhabited on some off chance. When nobody answered, Sunset tried the door and was pleased to find it unlocked and easy to open. A warm gush of air washed over Sunset as she stepped over the threshold and into the foyer. She could see a large staircase heading up and splitting in two, spiraling apart from each other and up to the second floor. There was a lot of furniture that was covered in dust and cobwebs, as was a lot of the walls. Shutting the door behind her, Sunset slowly walked through the foyer and came upon what she assumed was a living room as there were two couches facing each other with a long coffee table and a loveseat at one end and an old floor model television. There was also a large piano with pipes sticking out of the top making Sunset wonder if this was a pipe organ that she had heard mentioned. “Hello?” Sunset called out, “I’m not a robber or anything, I’m just seeking shelter from the cold!” Satisfied that there were no responses after a few moments, Sunset decided to try the lights and was pleasantly surprised that they worked. Apparently the place at least had power, but she intended not to waste it. It did explain why the place was warm as the furnace must have been running. The place was filthy though, and she really didn’t look forward to sleeping in a bunch of dust as she didn’t want to get sick or choke to death on it. Exploring the bottom floor, she found herself in she found a bathroom, a dining room, a fully equipped kitchen, though the appliances were a little old, a broom closet that looked more like a small bedroom with every cleaning item you could think of stored inside, a pantry full of empty shelves and the stairs to a cellar. She was pretty sure that just the little area she explored was a lot larger than the entire apartment building she lived in up until a few days ago. “The place won’t clean itself.” Sunset groaned as she returned to the broom closet and got a duster and vacuum to get started. If she could just clean some of the dirt and dust for tonight she would be happy enough for now. She could worry about cleaning more thoroughly tomorrow as well as taking care of some of the other rooms than the living room and bathroom. It took almost two hours to clean the two rooms as she had to scrub the bathroom. Thankfully, the water also seemed to work, including the hot which made her sigh in relief. She planned on taking a nice hot bath since it would be her first chance to get herself clean other than the quick shower after gym class. Right now, she just wanted to relax, and despite the age the couch was pretty comfortable now that it was clean of dirt. After that, she was curled up on the couch reading something she found under the couch cushions as she cleaned, a stack of comic books. While most of the students at school probably wouldn’t have believed that she liked comics, she actually did. She was an artist though, she loved all forms of it while also enjoying the story in many of the books. This one was actually one of the more interesting ones she’s read. It was about three normal people with boring jobs that were actually a team of superheroes. They used handheld devices to turn into the Beetleborgs, three differently colored warriors. Despite finding what appeared to be the perfect haven, she was still lacking one thing that she wished she had. Food. Her stomach kept growling and she didn’t want to go back out into that storm as the winds were now howling, causing the windows to rattle and the snow was making it hard to see a few feet into it. Even if she did have money to go buy something, she knew she was more likely to die out there as her clothes were just not made for it. She was half frozen when she found this place. “You know, I’ve been growling at you for the last five minutes.” A voice said, irritation clear in it drawing Sunset’s attention up to see what looked like one of those things from another movie Rainbow Dash had loved, a mummy. Did someone actually live here who liked dressing up as old movie monsters? “I’m really sorry, I didn’t know somebody else was here. If I can at least wait out the storm, I’ll leave.” Sunset sighed, sad that she had lost the haven she had thought she had found. “I’m sorry, what?” The mummy cosplayer asked, slowly undoing his bandages making Sunset feel a little creeped out. Was this guy stripping? “Look, I’m really sorry I barged in like this, I thought the place was abandoned.” Sunset said, shaking a little as the man wasn’t stopping even after getting off the couch. As she started realizing that this was no mere pervert, but something much more, she started to freak out. How could there be real monsters here? There was barely enough magic before the crown incident to do anything with, so how? “I do think you will be quite sorry, my dear.” A smooth voice said, a bat flying up to her and hovering in front of her face. The bat continued as it started stretching out and shadows enveloped it until it was taller than Sunset herself. The shadows started pulling back revealing a very regal looking man with skin whiter than Rarity’s herself and black hair. “I do have to thank you though, I normally don’t get delivery.” “Wh-what are you?” Sunset squeaked out as she took a step back, the new man licking his lips showing two very long and very pointed fangs. The mummy man was finished removing his bandages leaving behind what could only be described as a grim reaper. “I’m sure you must have figured it out by now, my dear.” The man smirked as he took a step forward making Sunset jump back onto the couch and fall over the back. Groaning as she laid on the floor, she rubbed her head where it hit the floor and looked up to see a large man with old, dusty clothes with wild black hair and two bolts sticking out from his neck. “This isn’t happening!” Sunset squeaked out as she rolled away from the slow, lumbering man who stomped after her. “Don’t hurt her Frank, I still need to feed.” The vampire said. “As long as I get her after, I could use some fresh meat.” The reaper man chuckled, making Sunset shiver as she glared at the man. “Over my dead body, you pervert!” Sunset snapped. “My dear, when my friend here is done with you, I’m afraid you will be very dead.” The vampire teased, moving closer only to yell in pain as Sunset kneed him in the groin making him clutch himself and fall to his knees in agony. She turned to run, but slammed right into the big man they called Frank. He tried to wrap his arms around her, only for her to duck and jump away, slamming into the piano. “Don’t touch that!” The reaper man cried out just as Sunset’s hands came down on the keys making a cringey sound. The three monsters jumped back in what seemed like worry as lightning started arcing over the piano more and more, making Sunset even more worried. She kept an eye on the monsters who were now keeping their distance as they glared at the piano. “What have you done child?” The vampire hissed out as he glared at Sunset. As if Sunset wasn’t freaked out enough as it was, three women appeared out of smoke from three of the middle lower pipes. They were maybe seven inches tall and their legs seemed to fade into the smoke coming from the pipes, the first one having pinkish-red hair with matching dress and gloves, the second was blue and the final one green. As the power arced over the old instrument, it started playing a creepy sounding tune all on its own as the three women danced in place. “We’re the Pipettes, and back by popular demand, let’s hear it for the flabtastic, flabnominal, flabulous super phenomenal phasm from the seventh dimension! Here’s Flabber!” The three women said together, their hands all pointed to the side where a whirlwind of energy that was laughing flew around the room to come back to the piano and formed into one of the strangest men Sunset had ever seen. He stood with one foot on the stool in front of the instrument and another off of it before hopping down to the floor. He looked like a mix between that late night talk show host Pinkie was always going on about, the old singer that seemed to be really popular and a stage magician. He had black hair in what Sunset recognized was a hairstyle similar to that guy off the Happy Days show Fluttershy had talked her into watching that one time with a complexion even whiter than Rarity’s, yet it seemed to give off a soft glow. He had a red cape, a purple jacket with a yellow dress shirt, yellow fingerless gloves with the weirdest pair of slacks Sunset had ever seen. Finishing the loud outfit off, the man had yellow and white loafers, which did nothing to help the rest of the outfit in Sunset’s opinion, making her wonder if she had been spending too much time with Rarity. “Happy Flabber day!” Flabber cried out, pointing to his side asking, “Who loves ya?” “What..the…actual…tartarus?” Sunset asked, fear gripping her as now she had what seemed like a ghost or demon she had to deal with along with the other three. “I’m free!” Flabber cheered, dancing in place as he cried out, “Fat free! Hat free! And home free!” The three women were cheering and applauding as it sounded like a stadium full of people with full fanfare. “Thank you! Thank ya very much!” “I really wish I was a Beetleborg right now.” Sunset groaned as she saw the comics out of the corner of her eye. “Aww, you spoiled my introduction, little lady!” Flabber whined, the three women shrugging in response. “Well, I didn’t think I’d get you to make a wish that easily.” “What?” Sunset squeaked out as Flabber flew up behind the piano, the top half showing above the pipes as the other three monsters groaned. “Flim!” Flabber cried out, both hands pointing right, “Flam!” His hands switching to the other direction, “Flareo!” Pointing at Sunset now, “You’re a superhero! Phasm says!” Red energy shot up around Sunset in a whirlwind as she felt as if her body was flattening out. She could feel strength flowing through her as armor appeared on her body. In her hand she had a strange looking gun, or possibly a crossbow, as at the end instead of a single barrel it had a long piece on it with a barrel on each end and one in the middle. She realized she was having trouble moving which brought about another realization, “Why am I stuck in the comic?” “You got to get it together kid!” Flabber called with an exaggerated shake of his head before pointing all of his fingers at the comic, “Poof!” It seemed like reality shattered around her like pieces of glass leaving her once again able to move as she was standing outside of the comic as the red Beetleborg. “Wow! This has got to be a dream! I’m the red striker borg and I have the striker blaster!” “Get her!” The vampire cried out, pointing at Sunset and pushing the large man toward her. “I don’t think so!” Sunset exclaimed, pointing her weapon at the large man as a wave of red lightning arced from the three points on the gun, joining to form a wave of energy that slammed into the man and threw him back and into the reaper creature. “Now that, he had coming!” Flabber laughed. “He sure did!” The women agreed, giggling as they watched. “So I’m going to be dead, am I?” Sunset asked angrily as she pointed the weapon at the vampire who was holding his hands up in a placating manner. They were distracted when the comic started glowing bright and six balls of fire shot up out of it. Four balls of orange flame shot through the wall of the house without damaging the structure as a green and blue one flew up to the organ to float on either side of the women who watched them nervously. “Uh oh!” Flabber groaned. “What do you mean, uh oh?” Sunset demanded to know as she spun around pointing her weapon at the ghost like genie as the vampire slinked away, helping the other two as they hurried from the room. “Well, I think I may have made a tiny mistake.” Flabber reluctantly admitted. “A tiny mistake?” The three women giggled, earning a mock glare from Flabber. “I may have put too much power in that, it’s been awhile since I granted a wish you know. I think I might have released the villains from the comic too.” Flabber explained sheepishly. “And those?” Sunset asked as she pointed to the blue and green fireballs hovering there. “Those would be the other two Beetleborgs.” Flabber said. “Well, that’s great, just release the wish.” Sunset suggested, unsure if that was wise with those three monsters and this…thing still here. She wasn’t too worried about the three women as they seemed pretty harmless, but then again, so did the Sirens. “Well, the thing is…” Flabber fidgeted, “I can’t. Not until all of them are returned to the comics.” “And how do we do that?” Sunset asked, dreading the answer. “Well, little lady, it isn’t how we can send them back. It’s how you send them back. It was your wish so only you can send them back by defeating them.” Flabber explained. “You have got to be kidding me!” Sunset groaned. “Well, there are the other two Beetleborgs…so you can have help.” Flabber said, indicating the green and blue flames on either side of the Pipettes. “So, how do I get them to change into Beetleborgs instead of just the colorful pyrotechnics?” Sunset asked. “Weeeeeelllllllll…that’s the thing. You can’t. You need two other people to take the powers.” Flabber said nervously as he could see the tic forming in Sunset’s eye. “I should have just wished to eradicate the four of you idiots.” Sunset groaned, face palming, a metallic clinging sound echoing from the action. “Or at least a freaking home with a nice family far away from this tartarus pit.” “I’m sorry, I wouldn’t be able to grant any of those wishes.” Flabber sighed, looking a little deflated as he tried to study the girl, though useless as she was still in her armor. “I can’t grant wishes to kill anything and I can’t make people up from thin air. As for a home, I can’t leave this property so I wouldn’t be able to unless it was on this property and…let’s face it, that would raise too many questions.” “Ok, that sounds a little more logical than I gave you credit for.” Sunset groaned, pacing back and forth while keeping an eye on the ghost and the direction the other three retreated to. “That hurts right here, missy.” Flabber said, patting a pink stuffed heart he conjured out of somewhere. Sunset rolled her eyes, not that it could be seen. “You said you should have wished for a home or family, don’t you have those?” “The closest thing I had to one I foolishly threw away, though she wasn’t exactly innocent either. I thought I was fitting into a family here, but they betrayed me.” Sunset huffed, holding her weapon pointing to the ghost. “I’m actually a phasm, not a ghost.” Flabber said with a lopsided grin. “What?” Sunset asked at the change of topic. “Well, people keep calling me ghost so I thought I would point that out.” Flabber said, sitting cross legged…while floating in midair. “Just trying to make you smile a little. I know it isn’t much of what you were expecting, but you can stay here with us.” “What, to be a snack for those three idiots and play exorcist with you?” Sunset demanded. She may have never seen the movie, but she’s seen enough memes and jokes about it to know what it was. “You will come to no harm here, scouts honor.” Flabber said holding up a small chubby boy in a scouts uniform by the back of the collar. The boy was giving a scouts salute with a bit of a grin before Flabber threw the boy over his shoulder with a chuckle. “And I should believe you why?” Sunset asked. “Because I am granting your wish of a home, you can stay here.” Flabber said, spreading his arms out, “Welcome home!” “That doesn’t reassure me!” Sunset snapped, making the phasm wince. “Look kid, I know the three idiots. We might not really get along, but they are a good sort. They would never really hurt somebody, they were just trying to scare you out of the house as they don’t want a bunch of people snooping around the place.” Flabber explained. Sunset couldn’t help herself as she stomped up to the Phasm and shoved her helmeted face into Flabbers, throwing a hand out to point to the direction the three left minutes earlier while growling, “There is a freaking vampire!” “Umm…yeah, he is a vampire. Are you prejudiced against them or something?” Flabber asked in the most innocent voice he could. Sunset took a step back in shock as the phasm just floated there waiting for an answer. “Hu-Wha? What? What the heck are you talking about? He’s a freaking vampire!” Sunset roared. “So?” Flabber asked, floating a little higher and flipping upside down while still maintaining his seated position before turning right side up again. “They kill people! They suck their blood and kill people?” Sunset snorted incredulously. “Let me ask you something, little lady.” Flabber said, rubbing his chin in thought. “How many vampires do you actually know? How many have you ever met?” “None before tonight.” Sunset snorted in disbelief at the question, crossing her arms. “Well, let me tell you something little lady.” Flabber said as his clothes changed to look like a stylized Count Dracula as he put in a pair of false fangs. “Vampires don’t need to kill to feed, and those that do are true monsters, but you don’t have to worry about those. The people they do feed off of are usually either those who freely give of themselves or they don’t remember it. The saliva heals the wounds so they never knew it was there, In fact, it doesn’t even hurt other than a pinch. They feel an exhilarated feeling and once finished, the venom that causes that feeling promotes the body to quickly replace what was taken and makes the person feel on top of the world for a few days. A fair exchange in my opinion.” “Are you insane? They bite people and turn them into other vampires if they don’t kill them!” Sunset cried out. “No, child, they don’t.” Flabber said, closing his eyes to rub his temples. “How far have stories of vampires come since I was sealed away? The only way to make a new vampire is to exchange blood three times over the period of a month. There is no danger of dying or becoming a vampire just by being fed off of. Do you think they should just suffer and starve until they die?” “Well, I don’t want anyone to die.” Sunset relented sheepishly. If this ghost, genie, phantasm, or whatever he was, was telling the truth, then vampires weren’t the monsters that pop culture made them out to be. How was she supposed to know if this was the truth though? It would be foolish to just trust this creature, yet she really didn’t want to go back out into the storm, which if the wind beating on the windows was any indication, was growing worse. She was also getting very tired and if she was honest with herself, she would rather face this unknown rather than brave the storm which was pretty much known. She knew she would die before she could make it back anywhere, and that was if she could even stay on the right track as the visibility was pretty much zero. “And we don’t want anyone to die, especially you.” Flabber affirmed. “Fine, I’ll stay on the couch.” Sunset groaned. “Now that won’t do, little lady.” Flabber said cheerily, floating down the hall towards the other direction of the house. Sunset hesitantly followed the phasm until coming to a hall on the opposite side of the entrance that was dark and even more dusty than the few rooms she cleaned. “I’m too tired to clean anymore tonight.” Sunset groaned, reluctant to admit it. The phasm only gave her a grin as he spun his hands around each other gathering magic that swirled with them that looked more like something from a comic strip than actual magical energy. With an exaggerated thrust of his arms he threw the energy that turned into a tornado of exaggerated lines and puffs of smoke that swept down the hall leaving everything spotless and lighting the electric lamps hanging on the walls. “Ok, that was kind of cool.” “Ah aim to please, pardner!” Flabber said, swirling his hands as if they were guns before shoving them into invisible holsters at his side actually earning a bit of a giggle from Sunset. “I’m really happy to hear that, little lady. I was beginning to think I’d never get a smile from you.” “Who said I was smiling?” Sunset asked, crossing her arms while getting a knowing look from Flabber. “Well, little lady, I guess this is where we say goodnight.” Flabber said, holding the back of his hand to his forehead in a good imitation of Rarity for a few moments. He finally pointed to the first door on the left, “This will be your room, it’s perfectly clean now and fully furnished. The next room down is a bathroom, also fully clean. Is there anything else you need?” “I guess not.” Sunset sighed, her stomach once again making itself known. “Well,” Flabber said, holding his hand behind his back before bringing it forward with a silver covered tray on his hand. “Then I guess you don’t want this?” “Are you serious?” Sunset asked, hesitantly picking up the silver domed lid to find a soda and a bag of McDonald’s food sitting there. “Is this real?” “Sure is, little lady. Now don’t go expecting me to do this often, as I had to steal this and I don’t like doing that. I used my senses to find the nearest restaurant and snatched a bag of food ready to go out. This uses up a lot more magic than I’m comfortable doing normally, and again, I don’t like stealing.” Flabber said, “But I can tell you are very hungry, so go on, take it and get some rest. We will talk more in the morning.” Swallowing nervously, Sunset picked the bag of food and soda up, “Thank you.” “Don’t mention it, have a good night.” Flabber said with an exaggerated bow. “And don’t worry, I’ll take care of our housemates.” He was about to turn and go off somewhere in the house, but stopped and turned back to her. “Oh, and to get out of that suit, just say ‘cast off’. Ta ta!” He added before finally leaving. “Thank you, I guess good night to you also.” Sunset said as she slipped into what was her room and couldn’t help gawking at the size of it. The ceiling was very high and had a crystal chandelier which was already turned on and illuminating the room. There was a small table as soon as she entered with two chairs that looked extremely comfortable with all of the padding. There was also a reading chair near a bookshelf with another table that had a lamp. The shelf was full of books which Sunset looked forward to exploring when she wasn’t so tired. Placing the food down on the table by the door, she looked over the rest of the room seeing the large four post bed with crimson red and black linen, a large ornate dresser with a large stylized mirror on the back and a freestanding oval full length mirror next to what she assumed was a wardrobe. “I hope this works.” Sunset sighed, taking a few steps away from the table towards the center of the room and said, “Cast off!” The armor glowed and ejected from her body, disappearing and transforming into the beetlebonder from the comic and in her hand. With a sigh of relief, Sunset went to sit down at the table, setting down her bonder as she did and pulled a straw out of the bag and stuck it in the soda taking a long drag on it before sighing in relief. “So good!” Digging in the bag she was left a little disappointed, but no less thankful. There was a Big Mac and a ten piece chicken nugget, which she no longer minded eating after being forced to numerous times when there was nothing else available to her. There was also a large fry which she was happy about as she had only had them a few times, but quickly fell in love with them. They tasted so good! After a quick meal, Sunset just collapsed in bed expecting to be up all night watching her back to only fall asleep in seconds.
Chapter 2Sunset couldn’t remember the last time she felt this comfortable as she shifted in her bed. She couldn’t remember when she was able to stretch out this much since her bed was way too small to do so, which made her pause and think. Since when was her bed this large and perfectly comfortable? Her bed was small, lumpy and had a couple springs sticking through that she had to pad over with a blanket to try and cover them up to keep down uncomfortable pokes. Slowly opening her eyes she noticed it was difficult to see much in the room as it was still dark out and there were no lights on. She did see the form standing next to the bed leaning over her though reaching out toward her. “Come on child, wa-” Was all the farther the voice got before Sunset twisted over and kneed the figure in the groin causing him to squeak out in pain and collapse to his knees. “What in tarnation is going on in here?” Flabber asked as he stormed into the room, flipping the light switch as he entered, bathing the room in soft light. “I was trying to wake the child up to tell her about our decision.” The vampire groaned, clutching his groin in pain as he turned his glare to Sunset. “Something I’m beginning to reconsider.” “You were leaning over me to bite me!” Sunset accused him as she pointed for emphasis. “I was leaning over to shake your shoulder, child, and ask you for the thousandth time to wake up!” The vampire snapped, throwing his hands up in the air in frustration. “I don’t know what I expected of a human child! Always jumping to conclusions and never giving somebody a chance!” “I’m…sorry.” Sunset sighed after a few moments, hanging her head as she realized that her jumping to conclusions against the vampire was exactly what the entire school has been doing to her. She also couldn’t deny that it did sound like the man may have been saying wake up, or something similar before Sunset kneed him. Her fear filled mind just jumped to conclusions in the hazy state she was in from just waking up. “I know how that feels, and for what it’s worth, I am sorry. I’ll try not to jump to conclusions anymore.” “Well shucks, little lady, there’s no need to get so melancholic over a small mistake.” Flabber said uneasily, the two men sharing a worried look between them. “It’s just I know how it feels to be blamed for something you didn’t do and nobody will listen to your side of things.” Sunset sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed and rubbed at her eyes. “What do you mean, child?” The vampire asked, actually sounding saddened by what Sunset was going through which surprised the girl a little. “I admit I used to be a horrible person, I bullied everyone in school. I changed though, I worked so hard to prove that I did and I thought I made friends who I could see as family. Something happened and everyone blamed me for it, including my so-called friends. Students cost me my job by causing trouble at work and then they started vandalizing my apartment which spilled over to the neighbors and I lost my home. So now I have no family, no friends, no income and no place to call home.” Sunset explained softly with teary eyes, “So yeah, I do kind of know how it feels to not be given a chance to explain.” “Look child, I know you are probably scared of us, but we truly mean you no harm. It is almost sunrise and I need to speak with you before I turn in for the day.” The vampire said, crossing his arms and giving Sunset a serious look. “Sunset.” Sunset sighed. “What?” The vampire asked, arching a brow in askance. “My name, it’s Sunset Shimmer.” Sunset said. “Well, Sunset Shimmer, you can call me Vlad, or Mr. Tepesh. You will likely hear the idiots calling me Count Fangula though.” Vlad said, “Flabber let us know what was going on after you went to bed and I’m not exactly happy with the situation. None of us are. We won’t let somebody starve or freeze to death, especially a child.” “I’m not a child.” Sunset snorted, crossing her arms. “How old are you?” Vlad asked. “I’m sixteen.” Sunset replied. “You are a child, and you need a stable home life. While we aren’t exactly your typical, average family, we will let you stay here. There will be rules though, and we expect you to follow them.” Vlad explained, smirking a little at the girl’s shocked expression. “First and foremost, do not start bringing a bunch of people around here. We like our privacy and we are making a huge exception for you as we believe no child should be without a home.” “Not exactly anyone jumping at the chance to talk to me anyways, much less wanting to have a sleepover.” Sunset huffed. “I’m sorry your friends are being ignorant, but the rule still stands.” Vlad said, shaking his head, “If by chance you absolutely must have someone over make sure to give us plenty of notice and we will stay in the basement and upstairs while they are here. All of you will remain on the ground floor, there will be no exploring the spooky haunted house!” “So this floor is mine?” Sunset asked, a little surprised by this news. “For the most part, yes. We will be coming through this floor too, but we won’t invade your bedroom without knocking… unless it is to wake you up for something important. And you don’t have to worry about us hurting you, none of us have ever hurt a human except in self defense.” Vlad said, “You are safe here with us and if somebody tries to hurt you here we will protect you.” “Why go so far for a stranger?” Sunset asked, a little suspicious of the vampire’s motives. Yet it would be nice to have a place to feel safe... Well as safe as being in a house full of monsters can be. “Because we would never forgive ourselves if a child was hurt or killed when we could have prevented it. None of us are overly fond of humans, but we are usually pretty good judges of character. I was coming in to tell you that this would be a trial basis only, but I don’t think that is needed any longer. I have several abilities not in those foolish movies you humans like and one of them is the ability to tell if a human is telling the truth or not.” Vlad explained, not really planning on revealing it isn’t always accurate as it relied on a human’s physiology much like a lie detector. A sociopath could pretty easily trick his senses, but they also wouldn’t naturally display all of the emotions Sunset has shown since being here. “So you can consider this your home as long as you don’t go advertising it to anyone not needing to know.” “Thank you.” Sunset whispered softly. “The appliances in the kitchen may look a little old, but they all function perfectly.” Vlad explained, pulling a wallet out from his pants. “Do you have a license?” “No, I don’t exactly have any identification or paperwork.” Sunset admitted, turning away from the two men who once again shared a worried look. “We will have to get that taken care of soon, little lady.” Flabber said softly. “Until then, while Frank has similar dietary needs, they are still somewhat different from humans. We have moved him upstairs so you can have full access to the kitchen, though Frank will still use the stove.” Vlad explained pulling out a few bills and handed them to Sunset, who tried to refuse at first. “Take the money, child. You need food more fit for human consumption and if that was all you brought last night you will need some clothes and toiletries.” “This is way too much.” Sunset said through tears as she took the money realizing every single bill was a hundred dollar bill. “You will be representing Hillhurst, for better or worse, and I will not have my legacy starve or go around in ratty old clothes.” Vlad said, crossing his arms after returning the wallet to his pocket. “I have more money than I will be able to spend in a hundred years with more coming in every day from royalties among other things. I have been around for a long time, I’ve taken many identities, and I am a very rich man.” “Thank you.” Sunset said, unsure just what to say. She was scared so much of this man earlier and now he has done much more for her in a few minutes than anyone has since coming to this world. “You are welcome child… Sunset. We will discuss other rules later, though none will be too bad. I will also provide you with an allowance so you can have some spending money so you won’t have to worry about work and can concentrate on school.” Vlad said, “I will not have a legacy that is stupid.” “Why do you keep saying legacy?” Sunset asked. “The only way I can help you get paperwork is by adopting you into my family, hence you are my legacy. Don’t worry, it is in name only and I won’t try and force you into doing anything as long as you follow the simple house rules that will be set. I want to see you succeed and get a good education so you can get a good job and a bright future.” Vlad said, truly meaning that as the best way to get the human out of their hair is provide a little so she could stabilize herself and once she gets a job move out on her own. Two years was nothing for an immortal anyways and he wouldn’t have this child starving or freezing to death on his conscience. “You would do that for me? I’m a stranger and I was just treating you like crap!” Sunset exclaimed, jumping off the bed and staring up into the man’s eyes looking for any kind of ulterior motive making him chuckle at the action. “You are actually acting much better than most humans would in your position. Besides, think of this as an investment in your future so you can get into a good school and get a good job and you can move on with your life.” Vlad said, ruffling Sunset’s hair who swatted his hand away while earning another chuckle from the vampire. “I’ll pay you back somehow.” Sunset said as she hung her head and gripped the money tight. “If you want to pay me back, then do your best.” Vlad said giving a kind smile which was something he didn’t grace people with too often. He had a sneaking suspicion he would be giving more to this girl as time went on. “Now if you will excuse me, I need to retire for the day as the sun will be rising soon. Good day, child.” “Um… good day.” Sunset said, as the vampire turned regally and swept out of the room. He seemed so much different than he did last night and from the look on the phasm’s face, it surprised him too. “Never thought I’d see the day old Fangula grow a soft spot for a human.” Flabber said, seeming serious which just didn’t seem to suit him for some reason. “And I never thought I’d come across a bunch of monsters from a horror movie that actually seemed nicer than my old friends.” Sunset sighed, her stomach rumbling a little. “Please don’t call them monsters, it doesn’t make them monsters just because they are different from you, does it?” Flabber said. “I’m sorry, I just… I don’t know. He seemed much different than he was last night though.” Sunset mused, dropping back onto the edge of the bed to sit as Flabber sat in the chair by the small table. “If you meant not as scary, they were only trying to frighten you away thinking you were just another thrill seeker. If you mean he wasn’t acting goofy... Well, trying to act scary while panicking because I was released is a hard act to balance.” Flabber said. “Why panic because you were released?” Sunset asked, curious as she admitted she actually liked the phasm a little. Sure he fed her last night, but it was more that he seemed so earnest and trustworthy as well as kind of funny once getting over the weird stuff he did. “For that matter, why were you stuck there in the first place?” “Well, my magic can be unpredictable at times since I was banished here from my home in the seventh dimension and my magical levels fluctuate because of my connection to home wavers wildly which is where my magic comes from.” Flabber sighed, “As for why I was banished, I was the second son of my world’s ruler and my family didn’t exactly like my carefree attitude so banished me here. Which I’m fine with by the way, I would never want to fit in with those stuffed shirt psychos anyways.” “I’m so sorry.” Sunset said, reaching out to squeeze his hand which was resting on his knee. She was a little surprised it was solid and actually a little warm once her mind caught up with her actions. “Don’t be, little lady. I’m happy with where I am, even if I’m bound to the organ. To answer your question though, a phasm hunter actually tried trapping me but it backfired and sealed me in that organ. The others left me there to teach me a lesson because me going overboard with my magic is what lured the hunter here.” Flabber admitted, looking a little sheepish. “I know I can be annoying with how I act, but I can’t help it. It’s just who I am.” “Hey, I like you just the way you are and if somebody doesn’t like you for who you are then they aren’t your friends.” Sunset said, giving the sad looking phasm an encouraging look. “Those idiots are my friends. They actually protected me from that phasm hunter and would be there for me if I needed it. I do admit I needed the time out, it gave time for the heat to die down from the hunters who kept coming around.” Flabber shrugged, standing up and giving Sunset a large grin. “Enough of the serious stuff, yeah? You need to get ready and go get you some food.” “Thanks, Flabber.” Sunset said with a bit of an uneasy smile. Breakfast consisted of some French toast sticks, mini hash browns which were more or less glorified tater tots, and an orange juice. All in all, it was a pretty decent meal though she didn’t plan on always eating out as that just wouldn’t be healthy, as well as it would eat into the money Vlad had given her. She didn’t exactly feel right about accepting it, but maybe it would be nice having a semblance of a real family for once. Not that she fully trusted any of them, though if she did it would be Flabber and after this morning, possibly Vlad. She did need to decide what to do though as buses did not run up to Hillhurst, it was a good ten minute walk at a brisk pace to even get out of the edge of the forest and even see a sign or town. She couldn’t carry a bunch of groceries that far so she would have to make multiple trips as getting a ride was out of the question. She could get clothes first, but she wasn’t about to go all the way across town to the mall to get clothes then come back and try to lug groceries with them. “Why couldn’t the mansion be closer to everything?” Sunset groaned, walking down the small street littered with privately owned shops that she preferred to bigger stores though were usually out of her meager budget. A store actually caught her attention just as she was about to turn around and head the other way. It had a plain sign hanging above the door that said, “Autumn’s Comics & Book Store” in brightly alternating colors for each letter. There were several advertisements written on the window such as percentages off new hardbacks, buy four used paperbacks and get the fifth free, and Sunset’s favorite, a free smile with every purchase. “Well, hello dear.” A woman with dark green hair and a light orange skin tone said as she pulled one of those foldable sidewalk signs out of the store and sat it up on the freshly shoveled sidewalk. “Why don’t you come in and get warmed up?” “I’m okay, I can’t really buy anything here right now anyways.” Sunset sighed, actually wanting to enter the warm look store to get out of the chill for a few minutes. Thankfully it warmed up considerably since last night, but the chill air was still highly uncomfortable. “Nonsense dear, you don’t need to buy something to come in and warm up. Why on earth are you wearing something like that right now anyways? It’s freezing out here!” The woman exclaimed, motioning to Sunset’s skirt and sleeveless top combo with her leather jacket. Thankfully her boots were pretty much watertight, so tracking through the snow at Hillhurst to get out of the forest wasn’t so bad. “Well, it’s all I have to wear today until I do laundry later.” Sunset admitted, a bit sheepishly as she felt a little shame at losing most everything she once owned as she couldn’t carry it and she refused to take the outfit Rarity made her after what they had done to her. “Then come in! I’ll get you a cup of coffee on the house and we can sit and chat until customers start coming in.” The woman said, ushering Sunset into the store, much to the teens' protests. “By the way, my name is Autumn Blush. What’s yours?” “Sunset Shimmer.” Sunset said with a bit of a sigh, fully expecting the woman to toss her out if she was family to anyone from school. “Oh, are you that girl from Canterlot High?” Autumn asked as she pretty much pushed Sunset down in a comfortable chair behind the counter before turning to a coffee pot and pouring two disposable foam cups full. “Do you take cream or sugar?” “Both please.” Sunset squeaked out, nervous of what this woman was going to do to her after hearing she was from Canterlot High. The only way she would recognize her name was if she had a child at the school or was faculty, and she wasn’t faculty. “You didn’t answer my question.” Autumn said handing Sunset her doctored up beverage while sitting down with her own. “Yes, I’m from Canterlot High.” Sunset sighed. “Want me to leave?” “Not really, but I have been wanting to talk to you.” Autumn said, narrowing her eyes a little. “I don’t appreciate your bullying toward any of the students, much less my daughter, but I’ve heard you came around and worked hard to make up for past mistakes.” “A whole lot of good that did me.” Sunset sighed. “Lost everything I had, even my job and home.” “What do you mean?” Autumn asked with worry. “Because of this Anon A Miss disaster, everyone is blaming me and is making trouble everywhere I had anything to do with. My job had to fire me because it was affecting their business and when vandals almost hurt a neighbor at the apartment building, I willingly left to keep it from happening again.” Sunset said, keeping truthful because she was a little scared of what this woman might do to her if she detected any hint of deceit. Normally she wouldn’t care much as she prided herself in her ability to take care of herself, but the pain and trauma of the last week has left her an emotional wreck. “While my daughter doesn’t exactly believe in you, I don’t see why someone who has worked as hard as you would turn around and pull something like this smear campaign. It doesn’t have any finesse that I would expect from the great, Sunset Shimmer.” Autumn explained, giving an amused smile while Sunset looked at her wide eyed. “Don’t think I’m some innocent or something because I’m nice now dear, when I was about your age I was queen bee of the school and terrorized so many students. I had a rude wake up call and I worked my tail off make up all of the pain and suffering I caused. I would never have thought about going back to my old ways once I got a taste of real friends and I have the feeling we are in the same boat.” “Really?” Sunset asked, sipping her coffee a little. It was good, she just wasn’t a big coffee drinker though it did its job warming her up a little. “Really.” Autumn nodded, “Now about your home situation, I take it you are on your own.” “I was… someone took me in last night though and will be letting me stay with them.” Sunset said, hesitating a little as she couldn’t tell this woman she was staying in Hillhurst. “That’s good dear, I’d hire you but I truthfully can’t afford it. I can afford to give you a warm place to stay though if needed.” Autumn said, reaching over to pat Sunset’s knee. “I appreciate it, I really do, but I’m fine.” Sunset assured the woman, before waving out towards the store that seemed to have two parts to it. On the side near the entrance is pretty much your standard comic book store with little figurines, big figurines, toys, and of course comics. Toward the back of the store things changed into a pretty good sized book store by the looks of it. From Sunset’s vantage she could see new books, but also what looked like used ones as well. “I never seen a comic store built into a book store before, I love it.” “My father owned the building so we have an apartment upstairs and our store down here. My daughter also has a small garden on the roof that she likes to spend most of her time with.” Autumn sighed, “I just wish she could make some friends.” “I would have been happy to meet her a few weeks ago, I’m sorry.” Sunset sighed. “Don’t be sorry dear, I wasn’t asking you to and I don’t expect you too. You have enough on your plate right now and if you ever need anything, or someone to talk to, I will always be here to listen.” Autumn said, the bell at the door giving a chime as somebody walked in. “For now dear, duty calls.” “Hey mom, you called?” Wallflower asked, coming down the stairs from the garden when her mom called her phone from the shop. It wasn’t unusual for Wallflower to need to tend the store when her mom needed to make a quick errand on Saturdays so she wasn’t worried until she saw the expression on her mother’s face. The look made her anger at Sunset Shimmer vanish from the post the girl just made a few minutes ago. “Yeah, I need to talk to you about Sunset. I shouldn’t have let her go like that, but I don’t really have any reason not to believe her. I just have a bad feeling.” Autumn said, looking toward the door. “What did she do now?” Wallflower nearly growled out. “It isn’t what she did, it’s what that school of yours did to her sweetie.” Autumn rebuked. “The school? She’s the one posting everyone’s private business on her My Stable!” Wallflower snapped, wincing when she saw the disappointed look on her mother’s face. Sure she was shy, but when it came to being along with Autumn she was able to act more bravely. That didn’t mean that when her mom was disappointed it didn’t hurt. “I thought you weren’t too sure about that, sweetie.” Autumn said. “I wasn’t, but she just posted something else about her friends that only they would have known about.” Wallflower said. “When did she post it?” Autumn asked, a feeling of vindication washing over her as she was sure this was going to prove her right that Sunset wasn’t behind this. “About twenty minutes ago.” Wallflower said, pulling her phone out and showing her mother the post. “Well, there you go, it can’t be Sunset. She was here sharing a cup of coffee with me.” Autumn said, feeling a little bad as the color drained from Wallflower’s face. “She admitted to the students costing her not only her job, but her home. She said she was taken in last night, does she have any family?” “No, not that I know of. It’s been an ongoing debate with a lot of the students if she even has a family.” Wallflower sighed, “You think she’s homeless now?” “I do. I should never have let her leave. At first I just believed her, but as she left doubt started and it’s bothering me. Can you watch the store for a few minutes while I see if she’s still around?” Autumn asked, knowing her daughter would. Neither of them wanted someone to experience homelessness as they had before moving into this building and opening the store up. “I’ll watch it, go on.” Wallflower said, shooing her mother away who instead hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head. “Thanks sweetie, I’ll hurry back.” Autumn said, rushing out of the store. She spent the next twenty minutes asking people and searching the area frantically and was about to give up for the moment as the girl could be anywhere. She was wondering if calling the Principal would be of any help or maybe she could have Wallflower bring the teen home on Monday. An explosion just ahead drew her attention from her thoughts to see a humanoid tiger with red armor stalking down the middle of the street with a couple cars in flames and people running away while screaming about a monster. She noticed a few of the people collapse that were closest to the creature as police sirens could be heard coming straight toward them. “I need more energy!” The creature roared, breathing out flames that seemed to cause small explosions along its path, blowing up another car, along with breaking an electrical pole that brought down the power lines with it and right toward her. She didn’t even have enough time to scream out before a red armored person jumped in front of her protectively and blocked the flames from reaching her. “Are you okay?” The person asked, looking over their shoulder, momentarily showing that against all odds it was the Red Striker Borg from the Beetleborg Comics. She couldn’t tell if the person was male or female as their voice was distorted and seemed as if multiple voices were coming from it at the same time giving it a scary surreal effect. “I’m f-fine.” Autumn said, shaking at just how close she came to being killed and not being able to see her daughter again. “Please get to safety then, Ma’am. I’ll handle Tabby over there.” The Red Striker Borg said before rushing at the monster. Whoever was dressed up as the Beetleborg was pretty clumsy during the short battle, stopping several times as if talking to themselves, or to someone else. When the police sirens got closer, the armored tiger seemed to have enough and quickly fled the battle, the Beetleborg going after them and soon vanished from sight. Deciding that recently arrived police and Beetleborg had things well in hand, Autumn stumbled away from the action and hurried back to her store. She prayed that Sunset was okay, but the only thing on her mind was getting back to her daughter. “Mom!” Wallflower cried out, rushing to help her mother to a seat behind the counter that the woman gratefully collapsed in before pulling her daughter into a tight hug. “What’s wrong mom? What happened?” “I didn’t think I was ever going to see you again!” Autumn sobbed, it taking awhile before she calmed down enough to explain the situation to Wallflower who didn’t want to believe it at first until the news came on the small television behind the counter. Apparently there were only minor injuries to the bystanders thanks to the Beetleborg, and even though the police tried, the Red Striker quickly ran off and vanished before the police could question their mysterious protector.
Chapter 4Monday morning wasn’t something Sunset had been looking forward to as she walked up the steps of the school building while doing her best to ignore the glares and harsh whispers of her fellow students. She was starting to wish she stayed home, making her realize that after a few short days she really was starting to view Hillhurst as a home. Sure the others living there were strange to say the least, but over the weekend she had actually gotten to know them a bit better as both Saturday and Sunday had ended with her cooking dinner for them as well as herself. She was a little surprised at just how much she learned about the three monsters, though Flabber remained mostly a mystery other than what little he said on her first morning there. She learned the most about the mummy who pretty much embraced his nickname as Mums, even though his real name was Seth Ptolemy. He claimed that he used to be rather handsome and a very good singer known as Pharaoh before his mother cursed him. Apparently there was a huge blow up when he defied his mother’s wishes and clinged to his music as well as rebelled against her choice of wife for him, instead choosing to pursue another singer. Then his mother blew a simple kiss on the cheek out of proportion when Cleopatra thanked him and he was punished by his mother, the curse robbing him of his looks and voice for singing while sealing him in a tomb for centuries. Frank was actually the one who was a little scary when thinking about it as he was actually THE Frankenstein’s monster who named him Frank. His nickname he found amusing, if a little embarrassing, as it came from his love of beans and the problems they caused him. The revolting, toxic and nauseous problems they caused him and everyone around him. They called him Frankenbeans, and Sunset couldn’t help the name kind of fit him as she learned not to be around him too long after he eats anything with that food in it. And finally, as the others called him, Count Fangula. A name the vampire despised as he was actually one of two descendants of Count Dracula. Vlad and his brother were conceived right before the original Count Dracula was cursed with his vampirism. In an attempt to turn his wife, the original Dracula infected the two unborn babies with the curse which in turn killed their mother during childbirth before she could be turned. Vlad had somehow inherited the lion’s share of the curse, though didn’t truly come into his powers until he was killed by those striking out at the crazed Count Dracula. Vlad had returned as a full fledged vampire and helped several others defeat his father before he could kill too many more. As for his brother, he gained a few things such as the ability to extend his life by drinking blood and the ability to turn into a bat while all other powers eluded him. He was blessed with an actual living body that did need food, but could naturally produce offspring for the first century of his life and had a daughter. Sadly, he became sterile after that though he didn’t really seem to suffer any other ill effects. The three could act like such big idiots, but at the same time they actually did have hearts of gold for the most part. They just didn’t want a bunch of people coming and intruding on their peace just to get a few thrills investigating the haunted house. It was something Sunset couldn’t fault them for, they deserved their peace and Vlad truly did own the house. He had accounts set up with automatic payments to take care of the utilities and had deliveries made for the things Frank and Mums needed to survive while he went out himself to take care of his needs. It was something that still creeped out Sunset to some extent, but he wasn’t really harming anyone at least. If he was killing people then there would be a huge panic going on, and there wasn’t. Shoving her thoughts to the back of her mind, Sunset focused on the matters at hand more… like getting through another fun-tastic day of CHS where she was once again the target of spite. It hurt, it hurt a lot, but she had to admit she was getting fed up with it. While she admitted fault for her current predicament because of her wish, she could lay a huge share of the blame on most everyone walking these halls. She could even go farther and blame most of it on the Rainbooms as they were the ones to announce Sunset was behind everything and threw her to the wolves. If it wasn’t for them, she would still have her job and home and never would have had to venture inside Hillhurst. Speaking of the girls, she couldn’t help but wither away from their glares as she passed them. No matter how much she psyched herself up, no matter how many pep talks she gives herself, it seemed that their opinion still mattered greatly to Sunset. The problem was, she was getting to the point of the love she had for them being squeezed out by the small amount of hate that was starting to form in her heart for them. She was starting to wonder if the truth did finally come out and they came saying how sorry they were and begging for another chance, if she would give them one. She would like to think she would, but with every passing day, she could feel the bond she had with them slipping away more and more. She couldn’t help but wonder if it was already too late for them as they had a large hand in destroying what little life she had built up rendering her homeless and without income over some stupid gossip column. It just wasn’t fair. It just wasn’t fair. All day yesterday the shop was closed because of the police investigating Saturday’s incident involving the monster and Beetleborg. Wallflower knew her mother was scared, but still would have known the difference between a stupid publicity stunt and something far more real, and potentially dangerous. Yet the police mostly wanted to blame the most likely suspect. Thankfully, the only officer on the scene that seemed to have half a brain deemed them innocent of any involvement and finally left them alone. Seeing Sunset walk by in a somewhat hunched up position as if trying to hide reminded Wallflower of the other problem she had to deal with. She hated Sunset Shimmer, there was no denying that after everything the girl had gotten away with at the school. She even destroyed the front of the school and had gotten away with it, something Wallflower highly believed the fire haired teen should be sitting in jail over. She wasn’t though, Sunset was the beautiful girl, the popular girl, the untouchable girl that always got away with everything and even ended up with a bunch of friends she didn’t deserve. Wallflower hated to admit it, she knew she was being petty, but she felt Sunset deserved the hate and scorn she had been experiencing lately. It was karmic payback, it had to be as Wallflower couldn’t think of any other way the second time queen bee finally had everything crumble around her. Sure Wallflower felt that Sunset was most likely innocent of the whole Anon A Miss ordeal, but she deserved to suffer because of everything she had done. Yet she couldn’t fight the growing ball of guilt gnawing away from the inside as Wallflower never wanted to see anyone lose their only source of income. She never wanted to see anyone become homeless, even her worst enemies. It just wasn’t fair, the school bully turned angel turned queen bee was making Wallflower feel sorry for the girl and it was pissing the green haired teen off to no end. “Heh, bet it will take Sunshit weeks to clean the paint off her apartment door.” A boy snickered not far off, obviously bragging to his friends over what he had done. “Do you think it’s funny you idiots caused a girl her only income and her place to live?” Wallflower snapped at them as she slammed her locker and swirled around to face three sheepish looking boys. While she tried to stay unnoticed at the school, it was a double edged sword as she didn’t pay attention to most of the students so didn’t know who the three boys were. Not that she cared, her rage was an active volcano eruption complete with hot molten lava at the moment. “Because of you a teenaged girl is alone out in the cold for Christmas! Are you idiots proud of that?” “What do you mean, are you saying Sunset is homeless?” One of the three boys asked in a worried tone. “What do you care?” Wallflower snapped before her anger drained and her cheeks flushed in embarrassment and mortification of what she was doing and saying. Hugging her school supplies tight she hurried away from the three boys while ignoring their cries of wait. Why did she have to draw so much attention to herself by that outburst? Now she was going to be the center of attention for the rest of the day. It just wasn’t fair. It just wasn’t fair. Wallflower’s outburst had brought back some less than stellar memories for one particular girl. Trixie had to admit she never much cared for Sunset Shimmer, yet she never hated the girl either. If anything Trixie was a little indifferent to the girl with the bacon colored hair. Sure she liked to get a rise out of the girl at times, but if anything, Trixie was a little jealous. Sunset had made a group of friends and the admiration of a large portion of the student body after the Battle of the Bands despite all of the trouble she had caused. Yet Trixie had a hard time making and keeping friends. Even her two friends from her band left her citing she was too full of herself. It wasn’t her fault that she had a tick that seemed to urge her to talk in the third person. Instead of fighting the urge, she accepted it and even owned it by making it her thing. After all, a little positive reinforcement was always good. Sorting through the mess that was her locker after checking her makeup in the door’s mirror while wondering if perhaps she should have checked her makeup last, she overheard the distressing claims the green haired girl had made. Wallflower Blush had insinuated that Sunset Shimmer was now homeless which didn’t sit right with the stage magician. She had been homeless herself a few times and knew how rough it could be despite her father finally hitting it big and having more than enough to provide for their family now. Withdrawing what she needed for class she decided to head that way while wondering what she should do with the information. She didn’t truly believe Sunset Shimmer was guilty of the glorified gossip column, only an idiot truly would, and Trixie was no idiot. It did leave her wondering about the rest of the student body and a few of the teachers. What moron would work as hard as Sunset did, making up for everything she had done in her bullying days in order to make her friend group proud of her and then turn around and throw it all away over stupid gossip? Anyone with a lick of sense could see that the whole thing was a poorly conceived frame job. “Just what is Trixie supposed to do about it though?” Trixie mused to herself as she entered her classroom and took her seat near the back and kept an eye on Sunset. The girl did seem dejected, but she was dressed in what appeared to Trixie to be new clothes, begging the question how much of what Wallflower claimed was true? Still, who in their right mind could look at the pain the girl was going through and believe she was doing it to herself by keeping up the most hated profile on MyStable? It just wasn’t fair. The day had gone by rather slowly in Wallflower’s opinion and watching the hell that Sunset went through was horrible to see from the outside. She didn’t want to know what it must have felt like for Sunset to actually live through it personally. Thankfully the day was finally over, though it left her with one problem…confronting Sunset. She had promised her mother to check in on the girl and do her best to make sure the fiery teen was okay. Wallflower just couldn’t bring herself to go up to her throughout the day as her nerves defeated her every time she tried. Of course her anger and hatred at the girl didn’t help much either. After shoving her books in her locker as she had completed all of her homework during her free period, she quickly formulated a plan. She wouldn’t have to confront Sunset at all in order to keep her promise to her mother, all she had to do was make sure she had a home and someone to look out for her. All she had to do was follow Sunset and make sure the girl had a safe place so Wallflower could reassure her mother and be done with the entire situation. With plan in mind she carefully followed Sunset out of the school while hanging back enough to look as if she wasn’t stalking her. “What are you doing following Sunset?” A voice asked from next to her, making her jump a little in fright. Turning to look at the owner of the voice revealed it to be Trixie walking alongside her. “If you must know, I’m not. My home is this way.” Wallflower defended, crossing her arms as she gave a petulant look at the magician while trying not to shrink in on herself. “If you say so.” Trixie snorted, “Though Trixie thinks you are worried about Sunset Shimmer. Much like Trixie is worried for her… nobody should have to deal with having no home to go to or no way to provide for themselves.” Trixie said softly, giving Wallflower a sad look. “No, I guess they don’t.” Wallflower sighed. “What do you plan to do if you do find out she is homeless?” “What can Trixie do? It might sound cruel, but Trixie plans to report it to Principal Celestia so Sunset can get the help she needs. She may hate Trixie for it, but it would be for her own good.” Trixie explained, pulling her hat from her head and clutching it to her chest. “I guess that might be for the best.” Wallflower said. “... Do you think she is Anon A Miss?” “At first Trixie wondered, but Trixie isn’t stupid nor blind. Why would Sunset work as hard as she did to be better only to throw it all away? It doesn’t make sense and Trixie blames those girls who Sunset called friends for things getting as far out of hand as they have. If they stuck by her, nobody would have believed she was the culprit.” Trixie said, keeping an eye far ahead of her on the fire maned girl. “There are times I believe it is her and others I don’t, but yeah, you have a point. None of it makes sense really.” Wallflower admitted, admitting to herself that a part of her really wanted Sunset to be guilty just so she would have justification for all of the negative feelings she’s had against the girl. “Trixie might not act like it, but she’s… jealous that Sunset Shimmer had so much popularity. Twice even.” Trixie admitted, something that was hard for her to do. “Trixie doesn’t have any real friends as they always leave her sooner or later. Even Trixie’s band finally left her.” “I’m sorry.” Wallflower said softly, realizing she felt the same exact way. Ever since Sunset reformed it seemed as if everyone flocked to her wanting to be friends, or at least after the Battle of the Bands they did. A part of Wallflower wished she could get over her shyness and have close friends like Sunset seemed to have. Then again, seeing what those friends did to Sunset, maybe it just wasn’t worth it in the end. “Don’t be sorry, it isn’t your fault. Trixie has problems that make it hard for her to keep friends for long because all they see is Trixie’s mask.” Trixie said so softly that Wallflower almost didn’t hear it. Thinking about it, Wallflower realized that ever since the secrets came out about Trixie’s bandmates making fun of her behind her back, the magician has seemed so down in the dumps and mopey. It must have really crushed Trixie’s spirits making Wallflower feel really bad for the girl. “If you like, you can come over and see my garden after we finish with Sunset.” Wallflower managed to finally squeak out after a few moments of warring with her shyness. “Trixie loves gardens, is it a flower or vegetable type?” Trixie asked, a little sparkle gleaming in her eyes. “Both actually, I love flowers but also grow stuff to help with the grocery bills.” Wallflower said with a little more enthusiasm. “Trixie has a small vegetable garden too with a few flowers.” Trixie said, “It helps with the food bills and the flowers Trixie can use for her performances.” “No way!” Wallflower gasped, a little bit of fright flowering inside her as Sunset started cutting through the Everfree Forest. They had walked for quite awhile, but they never expected this. There were two options, Sunset was sleeping in the forest itself or she was crashing at Hillhurst Manor. Neither option was very good as both places creeped Wallflower out despite usually liking places with a lot of plant life. “What do we do?” Trixie asked nervously, fidgeting as worry took over her expression. “We do what we set out to do.” Wallflower said with a heavy sigh, “We follow her.” For the next few minutes the pair of girls followed Sunset at a distance while trying to maintain enough coverage from the trees so they wouldn’t be spotted. Wallflower couldn’t help silently praying that Sunset was going anywhere else in the forest, anywhere but Hillhurst. Unfortunately, that was exactly where Sunset was heading as the pair watched her go through the messed up gate and into the large house. “She went in there?” Wallflower sputtered, “Is she insane?!” “Maybe it isn’t so bad?” Trixie supplied with a slight shrug of her shoulders. “She apparently lied about somebody taking her in. Trixie thinks maybe we should confront her, see if she is okay.” “That means going in there though!” Wallflower hissed out, pointing to the supposedly haunted house. “What’s the worst that can happen? A haunted dust bunny going to attack us?” Trixie giggled as she walked forward, leaving Wallflower with little choice but to follow. As the two silently made their way to the door, Wallflower reached up to knock on the door, but Trixie shook her head and put her finger to her lips in a silencing motion. Nodding stiffly, Wallflower followed Trixie as the magician tried the door and it opened without any problems. The inside was surprisingly welcoming as the two basked in the warm blast of air that flowed over them as they walked down the hallway toward the sound of a television playing. “I can’t believe you got a new tv!” Came Sunset’s surprised voice. “How did you get a new tv?” “Old Fangula thought it would be nice to get you something to watch at night while you do your homework.” A male voice said, making the pair of girls pause just outside the room. Wallflower noticed the man was a little odd looking, but nothing harmful… hopefully. Then again, he was a total stranger, what if he was planning on hurting Sunset, or them? What if he already has? “Again, the police are requesting everyone stay clear of the area while they try to deal with this new monster that is apparently very real.” A newscaster said from the television. “I guess I better go take care of it.” Sunset sighed. “I don’t like you going by yourself.” The man sighed. “I messed up and made the wish causing these monsters to appear. It’s my responsibility to get rid of them.” Sunset said, pulling a familiar looking device from her pocket and thrusting it out in front of her. “Beetle bonder!” Sunset cried out, energy rippling down her arm and into the device before she thrusted it high in the air with a cry of, “Beetle blast!” Wallflower and Trixie both watched in stunned silence as Sunset Shimmer transformed into the Red Striker Beetleborg from the comics, and the same one who defeated El Pyre Tigre, the fan of fried fries and frying enemies. The creature was one of the earliest monsters in the comics, and one of the weakest when they discovered his weak spot. Just how was this even possible? The two didn’t have time to ponder the question as they ducked back around the door just before Sunset ran by them and out the door. “Did we really just see that?” Trixie asked, shock clearly etched into her features as both of their phones received notifications at the same time. Pulling them out at the same time only for both girls to see the same thing, a new post for Anon A Miss. Concrete proof that Sunset wasn’t behind the whole thing, something Wallflower wasn’t sure how to feel about. Sure a part of her didn’t believe Sunset was behind it, yet there was a part of her that just couldn’t let it go. “Hello girls, would you like some tea?” The strange man asked, the sudden appearance shocking the two girls. “Well, Trixie is parched, but Trixie has a very important question first.” Trixie replied calmly, slowly bringing her finger up to point in the direction Sunset had left while shouting, “What the hell was that?” “Ah, I guess you two saw everything.” The man sighed, “I don’t suppose you both could just forget what you saw?” “No, we won’t forget what we saw!” Wallflower actually snapped, storming past the man to pace in the room behind him. It was some living room or something with a couple couches, coffee tables and what appeared to be a new television set up playing the news which the girl was tuning out. What was she supposed to think, Sunset was the girl Wallflower hated most in the school. Probably the only person she actually hated, yet Wallflower had felt her own concern for Sunset’s wellbeing besides her mother’s own. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the person she wanted to meet the most in life and the person who Wallflower owed a debt to for saving her mother was the same person. How was she supposed to deal with that? “Well, you see, Sunset was sort of confronted with some really scary… people when she came here. When she freed me from the organ, she earned a wish from me even though she didn’t know about that. She sort of wished she was a Beetleborg to protect herself and I may have messed up and not only brought the Beetleborgs out of the comics, but also the villains.” The man sighed, obviously agitated as he led Trixie into the room as well and turned his attention to the television where an insect-like man was beating Sunset rather badly. “Uva!” Wallflower gasped. He just wasn’t one of the monsters from the comics, he was the worst of the three generals under the command of Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings. A race of humanoid insects that acted like energy vampires, though they were mostly drones that barely had any kind of sentience about them. They were basically the generals canon fodder later in the series. “Is Sunset going to be okay?” Trixie asked. “I don’t know little lady. I’m bound to the organ, I can’t leave the property.” The man said, biting his nails as he was sweating large amounts. “You said you brought the Beetleborgs from the comics? Where are the other two?” Wallflower asked, chewing on her lip as she tried to figure out what to do. As much as she didn’t really know how to feel about Sunset, Wallflower just couldn’t let the girl die at the hands of some comic monster brought to life. Especially not after Sunset had saved Wallflower’s mother. “Over there.” The man pointed to the blue and green balls of fire floating over the pipes of the organ. “With nobody to claim the power, they took up residence there.” “I don’t know why I’m doing this, but I have to help her.” Wallflower said, shaking on the inside at the thought of facing that thing while at the same time realizing adrenaline was pushing her out of her shell for the moment and knew as soon as it wore off she was going to be a mess. “Trixie isn’t going to stand by and let that thing hurt Sunset or you!” Trixie declared. “Ever read a Beetleborgs comic?” Wallflower asked, giving Trixie a bit of a grin. “A couple, we could never really afford comics much.” Trixie admitted sadly. “Do you remember how they changed?” Wallflower questions, smirking when Trixie nodded and they both thrust out their hands while crying out, “Beetle bonder!” The two flames shot from the organ and into the two girls' hands, green going to Wallflower while blue flew to Trixie, and formed the devices in the two girls’ hands before they thrusted them into the air with a louder cry of, “Beetle blast!” Author's Note I want to thank Sunny Scriber for not only proof reading this story, but also obtaining the awesome cover art which was created by Cotton whose twitter is https://twitter.com/smolducko. And also, I want to thank HarmonicPriest for naming the tiger monster, El Pyre Tigre - a fan of fried fries and frying enemies. Sorry it has taken longer than I thought to get this chapter done, but my life has been getting more and more miserable lately with all the crap I have to deal with from my so called family on a daily basis. I'm a huge believer in family being really important, but sometimes I wonder why I even bother because all they are doing is pushing me to do something I never thought I'd be this close to doing making my life harder and harder to deal with.
