The Adventures of the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well!

IN THE DEPTHS OF THE SEWERS

I have to stay conscious; I can’t pass out right now. But sweet Celestia the pain is so unbearable. The sewer water rises up just below my knees, and my cape is so torn that it doesn’t even touch the water. I don’t know where I’m at. Shit, I should have studied the map before just jumping down here. Stupid, stupid, stupid, useless piece of shit. The maps somewhere deeper in the sewer, I'm not sure. I dropped it along with my flashlight after I narrowly escaped the third Changeling scuffle of the night. Or is it still night? Is it morning? Damnit, it could be well into the next day for all I know. It was hard to tell down here. In this maze of darkness. In my attempt to evade the army of Changelings down here, I think I went deeper into the catacombs beneath Canterlot. I’m at a point where there are no manhole exits or storm drains to crawl out of. I don’t even know if I’m in the main sewer system anymore. I think I'm in their depths now. In their layer.

I can hear their footsteps through the water, and their high-pitched laughter from everywhere. There must have been hundreds of them around me. Or...damn...is it just in my mind? I can’t tell anymore. All I know is I’m tired, I’m in pain...and... I’m scared. Oh Celestia I’m scared. I can’t see shit in front of me, but I can feel the fur of rats scuffing past the exposed holes of my costume, and the constant tickle of roaches climbing up my body. I can’t walk straight, there’s a knife plunged deep into my thigh, and a bullet hole in my arm. There must have been over fifteen or sixteen stab wounds across my body. I don’t know, I lost count of how many times I’ve been hit and stabbed after my last fight with a group of five Changelings just waiting for me near the last manhole exit I came across. I lost sight of everything when some Changeling, must have been no older than me, punched me square in the nose with brass knuckles. I can’t breathe through one of my nostrils, so I’m positive it’s broken.

“Ugh...damnit,” I wept as I fell onto my hands and knees, lifting my mask up a bit to allow some blood to spew out of my mouth. The liquid falls into the stream of sewage, blending into the other filth flowing by me. My tongue runs against my bloodied teeth, and I can feel one gap where one of my front teeth should be. I think it got knocked out when that son of a bitch hit me with the brass knuckles. Or...was it earlier when I got clocked square in the face with a metal wrench? I don’t know, but my tooth is gone. When I try to get back up, I'm only met with a burning pain across my leg.

“AGH SHIT!” I yell. Slowly, I drag myself to the wall, and sit there leaning against it. I try to keep my wounds out of the sewage water, but at this point I’ve been walking around it for hours, so there's probably already some infection. I can’t move, I can’t think, my mind just blurs as I sit in the streaming waste of shit and piss. I think to myself it’s where I belong. The rats continue to squeak around me, probably waiting for me to die so they can chew on my bones. But I can’t die here. Not yet. I need to get up, but the knife in my leg is preventing me from doing so. I have to take it out.

“Alright Sunset, don’t pussy out now. Just take it out, and find some way to cauterize it. Just to close it up and kill any bacteria.” I looked around my surroundings, trying to find anything I could use to create some kind of heat. But in an area like this, it would be stupid to ignite anything. I am sitting in shit after all. That’s when my eyes fell upon cables above me. Electric cables to be more specific. Damnit this was going to hurt.

“Okay, easy breaths. On three,” I said to myself as I carefully wrapped my fingers around the knives handle. The whole blade was deep in my leg, and it wasn’t a pocket knife either. The hunting styled dagger was jagged edged, so there was no telling how much damage my leg was about to receive. But if I didn’t take it out and tend to it, I’d collapse from blood lost. Speaking of which, the bullet wound in my arm was still bleeding too much, but thankfully the bullet went straight through. Though, I’d have to cauterize it too.... along with some other deeper cuts around my body. Just to save myself from getting an infection.

“Okay, three.... two....” I violently yanked the blade out, feeling the blades jagged edges tear through my flesh. The pain was so sharp as it ran through my leg and up my spine, but I did my best not to scream. The blade must have been at least five inches in length. I’m just lucky it didn’t pierce through my bone. But now came the sucky part.

Slowly, I got up to my feet, and placed both my hands on the cable. Using all the strength I had left in me; I began to rip apart the cable by its metal bracket until it split in half, sending electricity sparking from both of the torn ends. With shaky hands, I raised one of the freshly torn cables up to my face, watching as blue electricity sparked from the ends of the different colored wires protruding out the black cable. Then I looked down to my bleeding body.

“Oh Celestia.” I ripped some more of the cable out of the wall, allowing me enough length to reach the end of it down to my leg. My breathing intensified as I hovered the electrified end over my open wound, hearing my heart beat rapidly as even from a distance I could feel the heat over my leg. My knuckles must have been turning white from clutching the cable so tightly. Without giving any more time for thought, I thrusted the cable into my wound, howling in pain as the electricity burned my flesh together. My entire body began to spaz out, and quickly I jolted the cable away from my leg. The worst part about using electricity over fire was that fire wouldn't shock your entire body. One wrong step and I could fry my insides. Speaking of which, the smell of burning flesh began to fill my nostrils, even amongst the putrid stench of shit. As I breathed heavily, I took my glove off and ran a finger across the newly formed scar that had sealed my wound shut. It was squishy, bloody and hot, but the hole was sealed. I could feel my warm tears seeping through the mask, and my breathing began to increase as the sharp pain in my arm told me what was next.

“I can’t...I can’t...it hurts too much,” I wept to myself. I looked up the ceiling of the decrepit tunnel, sobbing to myself as I reflected on all the events that had gotten me to this position.

“I’m...I’m sorry Princess Celestia. I’m sorry everybody...please just make the pain go away.” But I knew better. I knew the fruitlessness of begging for forgiveness. Of begging for the pain to go away, not just physically. So, when my pointless pleads and pathetic apologies were only answered with the buzzing of the electricity and the squeaks of the rats in the darkness, I tightened my grip around the cable, cursing myself for being so stupid, before plunging the cable deep into the bullet hole.

EQUESTRIA: CELESTIAS GARDENS TEN YEARS AGO

“I hate this Shining Armor, this is stupid!” I whined as I rubbed my forehead. We had been doing sword fighting all day, and I was getting sleepy from it. But mommy insisted I ask Shining Armor to train me on proper sword technique for some reason. Though, mommy’s always like that. Always trying to make me the best at everything. But I guess she just can’t help it; I am pretty great.

“Oh, don’t give me that Sunny. That was barely a tap!” he said. I stuck my tongue out and gave him one of my mean faces, which only made him giggle.

“That’s easy for you to say, you’re like freaking twice as bigger than I am! You hitting me feels like a damn... OUCH HEY!” he levitated the wooden sword and bopped me on the head again.

“Language Sunny,” he said with a mean face.

“Yeah yeah, watch my potty mouth,” I rolled my eyes and levitated my sword back up from the ground. I was ready this time! I was going to catch him by surprise. So, as he kept blabbing his mouth off over some stupid words, I charged him with my sword, ready to wipe that smug look off his face. But he must’ve been like, psychic or something because he moved out of the way, raised his sword up to my eye level, and I ran into it! Could you believe that? I, of all ponies, I ran into the freaking thing.

“Ouch...that really hurt Shining Armor,” I could feel some liquid running down my nose, and Shining Armor just chuckled to himself before releasing his sword of his magic.

“Come on you little trouble maker, let’s get you cleaned up and I’ll get you some ice cream,” he said, which really made me happy. I like it when Shining Armor takes me to get ice cream. He levitated a nearby towel towards me, and gently wiped the blood off my nose. It kind of tickled a bit, which made me laugh.

“That tickles bro-” but I quickly shoved my hoof into my mouth when I realized my mistake. Shining Armor just looked down at me. He looked a little shocked and his face started to get red like a tomato. “I’m sorry, I take that back, that was weird!” I began to cry out. But Shining Armor just laughed out loud, which made me confused.

“Oh Sunny, I don’t mind you calling me that. I have a little sister who I love more than anything sure, but I cherish the time we spend together as well. Besides, I’m sure you get bored in the castle anyways,” he said while ruffling my hair. I smiled up at him, happy that he wasn’t mad at me. He was right, it does get a little boring in the castle. I mean Celestia is cool, but we only ever talk about magic and stuff. The guards are no fun either, they just stand there or tell me to buzz off. I never see mommy or daddy, both are just busy I guess, and I can’t remember the last time I saw my big sister. Apparently, she told me that I have a big brother too, but I think she’s lying since I’ve never seen him. Oh well, at least I have Shining Armor to play with me. But what he just said made me a little curious.

“What’s your little sister like? I don’t think you've ever talked about her.” At this point we began walking away from the gardens and to the castle. Which made me really happy since the gardens are scary. With that big maze and the creepy statue of Discord, who Celestia told me was actually him!

“Really? I never told you about Twily?” he asked. I just shook my head. “Huh, well, she’s probably a year younger than you. You two are a lot alike, yet incredibly different,” he said. I tilted my head a bit at this.

“How so?” I asked. I was now really curious about this filly.

“Well, you both are bookworms, but not on the same level. I mean, you love to read and learn magic, but Twily? She’s practically obsessed with learning. She won’t ever come out of her room or talk to anypony except for me or her babysitter.” He got red at the mention of the babysitter. I think he liked her. “Anyways, you on the other hand are a little more adventurous than her. You know, she’s really gifted at magic, like you. Celestia is seriously considering making her a protege alongside you,” he said. I came to a stop when he said this, and looked at him with my mouth wide open.

“What? But, no, I don’t want that!” I protested. I must have said it a little angrily I guess, because big bro Shining Armor looked at me a little weirdly.

“Why’s that Sunny?” he asked. I shook my head rapidly, not wanting any of what he said to be true.

“Because I’M supposed to learn all the magic. I’M the one who’s destined for greatness. No pony else!” I shouted. It was true after all. Celestia chose me, therefore It should be obvious that I was the pony who was the best of all others. Having to share that with somepony sounded dumb! Big bro looked a little mad, which scared me a bit, but his face relaxed quickly, before he just smiled down at me and continued walking.

“You can’t think like that Sunny. That’s a little selfish don’t you think? Anyways I’m sure you and Twily will get along well,” he said. I just mumbled angrily to myself. I’ll talk to Celestia about it later, but I had another question on my mind.

“Hey big bro, I actually have something to ask you. How do you deal with pain?” He kind of stopped walking for a bit and just looked down at me weirdly, before he continued trotting along.

“Why do you want to know?” His voice didn’t sound too happy about my question, but I had to learn the answer to it.

“Well, I don’t wanna wine and cry like I did back there. I wanna be a tough pony! Who isn’t afraid of getting hurt! Who isn’t afraid of fights or danger! So, tell me how you do it. How do you not feel pain or anything like that?” He chuckled to himself quietly, but his voice sounded a little shaky.

“And why would you think I would know how to do something as impossible as ignore pain?” He asked. I tilted my head a bit, confused at what he was talking about.

“What do you mean? You’re like, a legend big bro! You single hoofily defended Canterlot from the Griffon army! You’re like, one rank below captain or something! So of course you’d know about that. You’re like a tank!” I was starting to get excited retelling the stories I’ve heard about big bro. But he didn’t look as happy. He kind of looked...a little sad. “Hey, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I'm alright Sunny. But I think I should tell you something. A little secret between us, is that alright?” he asked while stopping. He took a seat and looked at me with a smile, and I nodded my head in understanding as I took a seat next to him as well. We both looked out on Canterlot, the place we were both born in. The place we called home. It really was a nice day.

“Look Sunny, I know that everypony likes to view me as some unstoppable soldier, but the truth is. I get scared too. I feel pain and... well.... there’s nothing you can do to ignore it,” he said. I looked at him with my mouth wide opened, shocked at what I was hearing. I wanted to say something, but I couldn’t think of anything to say. So, I just listened as he continued.

“I’ve watched my friends die Sunny; in battle I mean. Getting clawed at by Griffons and having everypony around you drop like flies is terrifying. I was scared Sunny. Scared for my life, and I was in pain. I wish I could give you some kind of wisdom on how to not feel it. How not to feel scared, or hurt, or regretful, or suffer. But there isn’t any real answer to that Sunny.” I was getting a little scared myself after hearing this. I mean, if big bro feels all those things, then how vulnerable does that make me?

“But....how do you like...work through it?” I asked, my voice was a bit shaky. That’s when big bro smiled at me, and said something I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

“Well, you just do what you can, and keep moving. But don’t worry Sunny, as long as I’m around you’ll never have to experience anything like that in your life. ”

IN THE DEPTHS OF THE SEWERS: PRESENT

I can’t tell how much time I’ve wasted just cauterizing wounds. I think at some point after my vocals were ripped from screaming, and my tear ducts were dried out, I was just frying anything that looked like a cut. My body is on fire, and every now and then I’ll start twitching. But at least the wounds are all closed, and the blood loss had ceased. Though, I think a medical professional would gasp in horror if they saw my poor attempts at self-care. But I can’t think about that right now, I need to find a way out.

After what seemed like more hours of walking, I could hear the faint sound of tires speeding above, and car horns blaring through the thick walls. I must’ve been under the city at this point. After a couple of more minutes of traversing the dark maze of sewage, my heart skipped a beat as I came upon something that almost made me cry in joy. A ladder that went up to a manhole.

“Oh, thank Celestia, I've finally made it!” I began to cheer to myself, but stopped when sudden dread rose back up in me. The sound of footsteps splashing in the water echoed behind me, and the rattling of heavy chains followed. From the darkness that I had just emerged from, there was a glint of light being reflected off multiple objects. Metal bats, crowbars and chains. My heart began to pound intensely as four men exited the shadows, and into the light of the small lit chamber I was in. It was four Changeling gang members. A new set this time. Two guys my height were at the front, one wielding a crowbar, and the other a machete. A tall lanky man was behind them, and clutched in his hands was a tire iron. Finally, was a big fellow a little bigger than big mac. He had a heavy set of rusted chains dangling from his monster-like hands.

“Well well well, look at what we got here boys. Look at what the fucking cat dragged in. You looking a little shit there ya fucking freak,” the Changeling with the machete mocked. He sounded like a weasel when he spoke, and looked like one too. But his appearance didn’t fool me on just how dangerous he was. The deranged look in his eyes told me alone. The tall one spoke next, he had a bit of a country accent similar to Applejacks.

“I tell you what, how bout we fuckin’ splatter the bitch and use her corpse as a blow up doll.” The others around him chuckled at his remark. But the one with the crowbar raised his hand, silencing the group.

“Now wait just a minute you guys. Our little friend here ain’t no one to fuck with. Remember, she took down Cercus, and just pummeled a whole, fucking shit load of our guy's tonight. So watch ya selves' boys.” The bigger man behind the trio spoke in a low, deep voice.

“Yeah mick, but like, she must be awfully tired after all that fighting. I mean look at her. I can see her tits through her torn-up costume,” he said with a disgusting smile as he stared at my half exposed chest. He was right though, I was exhausted. And after electrifying myself repeatedly, I didn’t think I had any energy left. But, something crossed my mind. I don’t know why it did, but something someone told me a long time ago. Someone that I’m probably dead too at this point, told me that you do what you can do, and keep moving. The bastards in front of me couldn't see it, but a grin was starting to form on my face.

“Well, are you bastards going to just talk shit? Or put your theory to the test,” I whispered as I raised my fist up. The four stopped smiling, and looks of anger were starting to show on themselves. One by one they yelled out, and charged me like a group of ravaged wolves. I screamed out loud as well, and charged right back, ready to fight them to the end.

EQUESTRIA: FOUR YEARS AGO

How utterly shameful. How disgraceful. How dare she deny me of what is rightfully mine! Damn you Celestia, how could you shame me like that. I am destined to rule this world, and I don’t need your guidance to do so anymore. I hate you. I hate everything you represent, and I swear on your name that you will rue the day you casted me out like I was nothing to you. You never loved me, you never cared for me. You were just terrified of the greatness I could become. Well, have fun with your new lap dog Sparkle, but I’m going after what I rightfully deserve.

I was storming out of Celestia's chambers while being escorted by two royal guards. We had just had our breaking point, and for the past hour it had just been a shouting match between me and the princess. It ended when Celestia denounced me as her pupil, claiming that Sparkle would now be her primary and sole pupil. To insult me further, she had the audacity to ban me from this wretched kingdom. Well, see if I care, she’ll regret it. The look of fury on my face must’ve been apparent to the two guards, because they kept looking at me with fear. Good, they should fear me. I’ll put fear in them like they haven’t felt since Nightmare Moon ravaged this land.

“Wait, halt!” somepony shouted from behind...it was big bro. He came running to us, asking his guards to stand down. They looked at each other with hesitancy before stepping back a couple of steps.

“Yes sir Shining Armor, but be advised we have strict orders from Celestia to escort her to the edge of Equestria.” Big Bro nodded his head in understanding, before looking down at me. He wasn’t angry, just incredibly disappointed.

“Sunny, what are you doing? Are you trying to make enemies with Equestria?” I didn’t respond. I didn’t want to. I had nothing to say to him, this was between me, and Celestia. But he kept pressing on. “Damnit Sunny, answer me, you’re about to be banished from Equestria. Please, go back in there and apologize!” I snapped at this request.

“TO HELL WITH CELESTIA!” I shouted. I could hear the guards behind me shifting around, probably furious with what I just said. But to hell with them too. Big bro backed up a bit, clearly petrified by my statement. But I have had enough of ponies telling me what to do. My mother and father, my teachers, the guards, and Celestia. I won’t let big bro be another obstacle in my way. “I’m not apologizing for anything! She has denied me for the last time! If what she said is how she really feels then so be it. Banish me for all I care, replace me with that bitch Sparkle-” I was cut off as big bro hit me across the face, sending me crashing into the floor.

“DON’T YOU DARE SPEAK OF MY SISTER IN SUCH A WAY!” The guards behind us stared in shock, not knowing whether to intervene or not. It hurt so much, and a part of my heart shattered in that instant. But I wouldn’t let it be seen. So instead, I glared up at him as blood ran down my nose. Instantly, big bro... no...Shining Armor’s anger was replaced by regret.

“Sunset, I’m sorry. I just-” he began. I spit out some blood, got up and began trotting away. The guards looked at me, then back to Shining Armor, then to each other before saluting Shining Armor and following behind me. He kept shouting my name, begging for me to turn around. But I wasn’t going to. This place was dead to me. I didn’t care if my heart felt like it was tearing apart, who needed it anyways. It would just get in my way.

As we approached the exit, I turned back to look at Shining Armor, who was just standing there in that empty dark hallway alone, his head lowered to the floor as tears ran down his face. But I didn’t feel anything, screw him. Without ever turning back, we exited through the main entrance of the castle for what I assumed would be the last time ever.

“Miss Shimmer, are there any possessions that you wish to take with you? We can stop by your parents' house if you wish,” said one of the Royal Guards. I almost scoffed at the idea of seeing my parents or family. No, they were dead to me too for denying me true power.

“No... just take me to the edge of Equestria”

AN ALLEY IN DOWNTOWN CANTERLOT: PRESENT

“GAAAAASP” I took in the fresh air as I opened the manhole back to the surface. The putrid smell of sewage slowly faded from my nostrils. I made no haste to climb out of the hellhole I had been in, leaving behind the broken and bloodied bodies of four unconscious Changelings. Once I was out of the sewer, I collapsed into a pile of trash bags nearby. The soggy repulsive contents felt like a pillow to me, especially as the cool breeze tickled my skin. I could see the night sky clearly through one eye as half the mask had been torn off. Some previous wounds had opened back up, and newly fresh ones were scattered across my body and face.

I was so relieved to be back on the surface that I didn’t even realize that I still had the metal chain wrapped around my neck from the last fight I just had. Once I threw it off, I laid back down in the garbage, and stared at the night sky. For some reason, the moon reminded me of that night. The night I had left the castle for the last time. I remember staring at the night sky from the window of the train, surrounded by numerous royal guards. The moon with the banished sister looked so beautiful that night. I reached into my shirt and dug around in my bra, retrieving what I had come for. Feeling the sharp edges and hard surface of the item, a light and weak smile formed across my face.

I took out the small red crystal from my bra, and raised it up into the air, letting the moonlight shine past through the crystal. It was almost hypnotic. I clutched it tightly, before putting it back into my bra. Now I had something to study. Now there was some tangible evidence Easy Glider could get. The thought made the whole hellish experience worth it.

Satisfied that everything was okay for the time being, I wrapped myself into whatever was left of my cape, curled into a ball amongst the garbage, and quietly sobbed to myself underneath the cold, unforgiving night. Repeating to myself that no matter what, you do what you can, and you just keep moving.