Two month prior:
As soon as Sunset was ordered to pack her belongings, a burst of joy flooded her heart and she rushed to her room, carelessly stuffing clothes, books, and personal items into her bag. When she made her way downstairs, she saw a woman waiting at the counter. The woman had dark purple skin, slightly brighter hair, and a scar running through her right eye. She wore an elegant outfit resembling a military uniform, which made Sunset pause.
Though Sunset had witnessed the adoption process many times before, she suddenly realised that her current situation was nothing like it. There were no introductory talks or supervised visits, and she had never even met this woman before.
“Sunset Shimmer?” the woman asked in a neutral tone.
Sunset nodded, taking a step back. Something was wrong.
“I’m Tempest Shadow. Follow me.” Without waiting for a reply, Tempest turned and headed towards the exit. When Sunset hesitated, Tempest glanced back. “Are you coming or not?”
Sunset looked back at the man sitting at the counter on his computer.
“Do as she says,” he replied, noticing her gaze. “You’re now under her care.”
“Just like that?” Sunset asked.
The man shrugged.
Sunset turned back to Tempest, who impatiently tapped her foot on the ground. With a grunt, Sunset followed after her.
She didn't have a choice anyway.
Sunset's suspicions only grew when she was escorted to a limousine and driven by a chauffeur to the train station. Looking around the cabin, she felt as if she had stepped into a science fiction movie: multiple screens, control panels, and a whole computer setup were present.
“Would you like a drink?” Tempest offered.
Sunset slowly shook her head. Tempest shrugged and pressed a few buttons, after which a slide opened, revealing a plastic cup of hot beverage. Tempest took it and settled into her seat.
“What is all of this?” Sunset asked.
“This is modern—”
“No,” Sunset interrupted her. “What's going on? Why were you able to adopt me like that?”
“I didn’t adopt you,” Tempest replied in a disgusted voice. “I’m moving you elsewhere.”
“To where?” Sunset crossed her arms.
“Manehattan,” Tempest replied.
“Why?”
“How do you know about Canterlot City?” Tempest asked instead.
Sunset tilted her head. “What does that have to do with anything else?”
“Do you have any relatives from there?”
“First tell me why it matters!” Sunset clenched her fists. “And don’t think that just because I’m an orphan I can’t defend myself!”
Tempest sneered. “It doesn’t matter what you’d say, I already know that you have no relatives from there and would have no reason to have heard of it before.”
“Then why did you ask?” Sunset furrowed her eyebrows.
“You caught my attention because you searched for it.”
Sunset leaned her back in surprise. Did Tempest mean when she searched for it on the internet? Why would Tempest care so much about Canterlot City?
“Are you from the secret service?” Sunset asked.
“United Nations,” Tempest replied.
Sunset’s jaw dropped. The United Nations? Wasn’t this an intergovernmental organisation? Why would they care for her searching up Canterlot City? It was just an ordinary city after all, albeit one that was somehow connected to her recurring nightmare.
“Is it now a crime to search for this city?” Sunset asked sarcastically.
“No, it’s not. But what’s interesting is that you searched for it along with the term ‘recurring nightmare’. Care to tell me what happens in your nightmare since we’re already there?”
Sunset didn't reply and instead focused on trying to decipher Tempest's emotionless expression.
“You can tell me now or later, but I'll find out eventually,” Tempest stated, as she gazed out the window. “For now, we need to catch the train to Manehattan.”
When Tempest had told Sunset that their destination was Manehattan, she had expected to arrive directly in the heart of the city. However, they stopped in an outer region and approached what appeared to be an old factory building. She looked around, but the presence of armed guards, who joined them as soon as they had entered the train, made it obvious that she had no chance to escape.
“Don’t fear,” Tempest reassured. “The factory is just a facade.”
Sunset hoped for it.
They entered the building, and Sunset looked confused around. The space resembled an abandoned machine room, with dust covering everything and rust eating away at the metal surfaces. It seemed far from a modern basement funded by the United Nations.
However, the ground opened and revealed a hidden staircase leading down.
“And this is where our tax dollars go,” Sunset couldn’t resist saying.
Tempest didn’t reply.
Sunset was soon escorted to a small room that had all the basic amenities she needed. The door was closed and locked behind her without a word.
She let out a sigh and sat down on the bed, taking a moment to process the situation she was right now. She had been taken away from the orphanage and brought here by what she assumed to be military soldiers or a special task force. Tempest, though emotionless and cold, had at least not mistreated Sunset during the ride here–she just hoped it would stay that way.
She looked at the mirror before her and went to it to press her finger against the surface. She exhaled when she saw no gap between her finger and its reflection, meaning that this was a one-way mirror.
“Whoever is watching me, I know you do,” Sunset said loudly.
She waited, despite knowing that no one would reply.
Was she in a form of prison? A research facility? She had been left alone on the train, so she couldn’t have asked Tempest any more questions. Sunset knew that her presence here had something to do with Canterlot City, and maybe also about her recurring nightmare, but what exactly? She hoped to find it out sooner or later. Nevertheless, she felt no fear or worry at the moment. At least this was a change from her monotonous daily routine at the orphanage.
She unpacked her belongings and placed her clothes in the cupboard. Then she took out a book she had brought with her and began reading it.
She couldn’t do much else anyway.
The clock ticked loudly as Tempest paced the room, her patience wearing thin. First, she, a top leader of both an Assessment and a Strike Team, was called here to the head office, but then the person requesting her dared to let her wait—one of the biggest forms of disrespect in Tempest’s eyes.
Finally, the door opened, and Tempest fixed the man entering the room with a withering glare.
“I’m really sorry, Tempest—” he began.
“It’s Commander Shadow for you,” Tempest interrupted, cutting him off. “Spare your excuses and get to the point; you’ve already wasted enough of my time.”
The man nervously placed the folders in his hands on his desk. “It’s about the girl you brought here,” he said. “You’re well aware that here, we mainly research new technologies for weapons, right?”
“I made it clear what your task with Sunset Shimmer is,” Tempest replied.
“To analyse if there is a possible parathreat affecting her, yes, but—”
“You don’t seem to get it, Director Whistle.” Tempest took a step closer to him. “For months, my team has been searching for any information on why the Foundation suddenly contained Canterlot City with its citizens in it, to no avail. This girl might be the key to figuring out what the parathreat is, and I demand your best personnel in this case.”
“You can’t expect me to cut into our own valuable time for your research!” Whistle retorted.
“I have the right to do so, and you know it.” Tempest eyebrow’s furrowed. “But do I really have to explain why this girl should be anyone’s top priority, or will you figure it out yourself?”
The director rubbed his forehead in frustration. “I don’t see a reason.”
“And your division is supposed to be the smart one.” Tempest rolled her eyes. “The Foundation has contained something inside a whole city, and yet it could have leaked into this girl.”
The man’s eyes widened. “You mean whatever it is they contain, it can spread?”
“Depending on whether or not the parathreat in her case is the same, but if it is, then that's the next step. Do you understand now why time is essential?” Tempest's tone was deadly serious.
Whistle nodded.
“Any more questions?” Tempest asked.
“No.”
“Make sure to report any findings immediately to me.” With that, Tempest turned on her heel and left the room.
Entering the designated room, Sunset's eyes fell upon a table adorned with two microphones. The room itself, with its stark white walls, emitted an unmistakable air of an interrogation chamber. As instructed, she took her seat, awaiting the imminent encounter.
Before long, a woman in a lab coat entered the room and settled herself opposite Sunset, carefully placing her clipboard on the table. Glancing briefly at Sunset, she then shifted her attention to her watch, jotting down some notes. "Sunset Shimmer?" she inquired.
Sunset arched an eyebrow in response.
“Born on June 16th, 1998 in Manehattan, since 2003 taken care of in Serenity Orphan Home... Is that correct?”
“Sure,” Sunset replied, her tone tinged with a hint of curiosity.
“I’m Dr. Snowfall, and I’ve been assigned to investigate your case pertaining to Canterlot City,” the woman introduced herself,
Sunset crossed her arms.
“To begin, our records indicate that you have no background or familial ties to the city. Is that accurate?”
“I'm not aware of any,” Sunset replied. “But why would the United Nations be so interested in a normal city?”
Dr. Snowfall pursed her lips, contemplating her response.
“Are we not even within the same country?” Sunset probed further.
“To maintain the integrity of the investigation, I kindly request your patience regarding our coalition's involvement,” the woman stated.
Sunset studied Snowfall’s anxious expression, sensing the falsehood in her words. Nevertheless, Sunset decided to bide her time. As long as they didn’t have any information, they relied on her cooperation.
“But let’s refocus on you,” Dr. Snowfall continued. “When did you first become aware of or hear about Canterlot City?”
“In second grade, while studying the map of our country,” Sunset responded.
“I implore you to fully cooperate and be honest with me,” Dr. Snowfall insisted.
“I am being honest,” Sunset groaned. “I immersed myself in books, maps, and science whenever I had the chance. Give me an empty map, and I can accurately pinpoint the location of each city.”
“Interesting,” Dr. Snowfall muttered, scribbling down a few notes. “Allow me to rephrase the question: What sparked your curiosity to learn more about Canterlot City?”
Sunset glanced to the side, memories of the cracking laughter from the creature in her nightmare flashing before her. City… Canterlot. None of the creature's words made sense, but that didn't matter to it. Each night, it relentlessly returned, tormenting her and forcing her to awaken in fear, no matter how many times she returned to the same unsettling place.
It had become exhausting, and all Sunset yearned for was an end to the torment. Yet, would Dr. Snowfall even believe her? Would she dismiss the nightmare as a mere psychological issue and send her back to the orphanage? Moreover, Sunset was curious to uncover the reason behind an international organisation's keen interest in a teenage girl searching for information about it online.
“Sunset, there is no wrong answer,” Dr. Snowfall reassured her. “No matter how strange or insignificant it may seem, it’s best for everyone that you share all the details with me.”
“It doesn’t matter anyway.” Sunset sighed.
“Every detail matters.” The woman smiled warmly. “You never know, your cooperation could be the key to saving a human life.”
Sunset tilted her head. “What is going on?”
“What do you mean?” Dr. Snowfall asked.
“Saving a human life? The United Nations caring that I, a mere orphan, searched for Canterlot City on the internet? Did I stumble upon something related to a terrorist group?”
The woman tapped her fingers on the table. “Let me make this clear: We don’t know the nature of the situation, so we explore every possible source of information.”
“Well, if you believe for a moment that I would have any involvement in that, then you're mistaken. The only connections I have are with the other children in our orphanage and our caretakers. The education available to me is inadequate, so I had to fight for the privilege to visit our town’s library whenever I desired. I've self-taught myself everything, and my intention is to surpass anyone facing similar circumstances, attend college, and build a stable, happy life for myself.
“In other words, if you're searching for any criminal activity on my part, you can search as long as you want, because you'll find nothing.”
Dr. Snowfall let out a sigh and jotted down more notes. “I understand that you're an honest and hardworking individual, but I urge you once again to stay on topic and answer my questions truthfully.”
“I haven't lied!” Sunset exclaimed.
“I never accused you of lying.”
“Then why does it matter?” Sunset stood up. “I know that once I get involved in anything criminal, there's no turning back!”
“Sunset!” Dr. Snowfall replied sharply. “I never insinuated any of that! I simply want to know why you were researching this particular city.”
“It's because of this relentless nightmare!” Sunset slammed her fists on the table. “Every night, I'm hunted by a demonic creature that repeats the same senseless phrases! And in it, there is this city!”
Dr. Snowfall nodded and rested her elbows on the table. “Why don’t you share more details about this nightmare?”
Taken aback by the calm response, Sunset cautiously took her seat. “Why does your organisation even care about it?”
“Because there may be more to this nightmare than you can imagine.”
Sunset blinked, absorbing the words. Did Snowfall genuinely believe that the nightmare warranted an investigation by an international organisation? Why? What was the purpose?
But despite her confusion, Sunset couldn't help but feel a glimmer of relief, a spark of hope. In the past, no one took her nightmares seriously. She tried everything to make them stop, but they persisted. There was no money for therapy or a psychiatrist, and she faced this torment alone.
She didn't believe the nightmare would receive significant attention from them, but if it meant there was a chance to end the nightmare, she was willing to seize it.
“Have you already made any discoveries?” Tempest asked sceptically.
“Indeed, we have,” Dr. Snowfall replied. “Sunset Shimmer experiences the same recurring dream every night. She finds herself in an abandoned city, running away from a creature she describes as 'demonic.' It repeats certain phrases to her before she wakes up.
But what's truly intriguing is the physical response her body exhibits during these dreams,” the researcher explained, pressing a button on the remote control to play a recording on the television screen.
The footage showed Sunset Shimmer lying in her bed, wearing a helmet-like device on her head. Colourful cables extended from the device, connecting to a computer next to her.
“During her sleep, the sensors indicate normal sleeping patterns until they suddenly go haywire,” Dr. Snowfall explained. “Our analysis reveals that her body experiences a significant increase in stress levels and a surge of adrenaline.”
“Is any of this considered paranormal?” Tempest inquired.
“No,” Dr. Snowfall replied. “While the spikes in activity may be higher than average, they fall within the range of typical human reactions. What is more interesting is this.” She pointed to the screen, where Sunset's body began exhibiting erratic movements. Her chest was visibly heaving with rapid breaths, and her head turned from side to side repeatedly.
Tempest raised an eyebrow, still harbouring doubts about the significance of this finding. But then, to her surprise, Sunset's mouth opened.
“A power from another world.”
Tempest felt the weight of Dr. Snowfall's proud gaze, and although she attempted to maintain a stoic expression, she couldn't help but feel a surge of relief. Finally, after tireless and previously fruitless investigations, they had achieved a breakthrough. The Global Occult Coalition might still be far from understanding the true nature of what was happening in Canterlot City, but they had taken the crucial first step. And once that initial step was taken, the subsequent ones always followed closely.
“A war against humanity.”
Tempest’s curiosity raised even higher. She remembers the promise she gave when she first became a part of the GOC, and in there, she promised to protect humanity at every cost.
“It’s breaking in, replacing empathy,” Sunset continued.
“Is that what the creature says in her dream?” Tempest asked.
“Yes, Sunset confirmed it,” Dr. Snowball replied. “But take a look now.”
Tempest observed as Sunset's eyes flew open, the veins surrounding her pupils having turned red.
“City. It all comes down to a single one. Portal. A vessel can stop her. A red geode. Hatch, hatch, and stop the infection that spreads to kill all of humanity. Canterlot.”
Sunset gasped and woke up, and Dr. Snowfall paused the recording.
“Is that what you have so far?” Tempest asked.
“Yes,” Dr. Snowfall confirmed. “We've assigned a psychologist to work with her in case it's a psychological phenomenon, but we are also planning tests to investigate the underlying causes of the dream.”
“Excellent.” Tempest nodded approvingly. “I want this research to be given the highest priority.”
“Whistle has already assigned additional personnel to the project. We will do our utmost to unravel this phenomenon.”
“Good. Keep me informed. Whatever is waging war against humanity, we must stop it by any means.”
Sunset's quick footsteps echoed through the deserted streets, her eyes tracing the jagged cracks in the pavement and the broken windows of the crumbling buildings. The shadows stretched out before her, elongated by the colourful sunset that bathed the sky. The quiet was interrupted only by the sound of a distorted melody, impossible to locate. A cold sweat broke out on Sunset's skin as she realised she was trapped in her recurring nightmare once again.
She searched for any building she could enter. Her lungs burned, and her legs were breaking down from exhaustion. She was fit, but here, in this nightmare, her fitness meant nothing.
As she fled, she heard laughter echoing through the empty city. It sounded like her own laughter, but distorted and evil. Adrenaline surged through her as she pushed herself to run further, hoping to find a place to hide.
But it was too late. A hoofed leg appeared in front of her, blocking her path. She turned around to run, but suddenly found herself floating in the air, unable to fight against the creature's power.
A power from another world.
Sunset sobbed, as she helplessly wiggled in the air.
A war against humanity.
Her view was turned to see the creature, but she closed her eyes. She already knew what it was. The standing red and yellow hair, the dark skin, the evil, reptile-like blue eyes, the broken red wings—the view had already been burned into her mind.
It’s breaking in, replacing empathy.
Suddenly, she screamed. The being’s hand had been placed on her forehead, and Sunset felt how it tried to enter her mind.
City. It all comes down to a single one. Portal. A vessel can stop her. A red geode. Hatch, hatch, and stop the infection that spreads to kill all of humanity. Canterlot.
Sunset's eyes snapped open, and she gasped for air, disoriented and drenched in sweat. The train rattled on its tracks, the sound filling her ears. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart, and turned to look out the window. The cool air blowing in felt refreshing against her skin, a stark contrast to the nightmare world she had just left behind.
Looking at the time, it revealed that she had slept only for a few hours. The train would still take about five more until she reached her first destination. There was still the problem of how she’d arrive from there to Canterlot City, but that was for the future to solve.
In the meantime, she tried to calm her racing heart and control her breathing. All she hoped for was that, once she would be there, she’d be able to stop her unicorn counterpart.
