Yoha no negai: Persona

by Phoenix Kitten

Chapters

• Prologue pt.0: Midnight in the city
• Prologue pt.1: When it falls
• Prologue pt. 2: Before the sun rises...kind of.
• Prologue pt. 3: On the news.
• Prologue pt.4: Night ride
• Prologue pt 5: A night with a friend.
• Prologue pt 6: Moving day.
• Prologue pt 7T: Professionals on the move
• Prologue pt 7S: Study Session?

Prologue pt.0: Midnight in the city

Our footsteps thundered across the pavement as we chased an amorphous shadow down the street, were there anyone around they would have heard us yelling at each other.

"Come on! We almost have it cornered!" Our leader yelled, the short sword on her back rattling in it's sheath as she sprinted around the corner ahead of us.

"It's heading for the school!" I glanced in the direction of the voice, she had a war axe in her left hand and pulled ahead of me to make the corner first.

"Which one?" To my right this time, she had a bow and a quiver slung across her back same as me.

"Ours! Now let's move it!" Our leader yelled again.

"Right!" We all responded.

"Someone head through the alley, cut it off!" War axe recommended.

"On it!" My fellow bow user nodded before breaking off from the rest of us.

The sound of her footsteps broke off from the group and darted down a nearby alleyway, fading into the distance, I heard her vault over a chain link fence before she grew too distant to hear.

"Do we still have someone with a bow?" Just ahead of where the other bow girl was, a quarter staff on her hip.

"Right here!" I called out, readying my bow.

I saw our leader look over her shoulder at me. "Go for a crippling shot on it." she ordered me.

I nodded. "Got it!"

Even with the deafening cacophony that was our footsteps and breathing, I still heard the sound of the arrow being drawn from my quiver, followed by my bow straining as it was drawn.

Suddenly, there was one less set of footsteps as I took knee and aimed, before letting the arrow fly.

Silence reigned as the others came to a halt, the arrow flitting between the legs of our leader before impacting the blobby creature, sending it tumbling.

Almost immediately a second arrow flew from an alley, skewering the creature mid tumble and reducing it to a fine mist.

Prologue pt.1: When it falls

There was an almighty clang as my great hammer was knocked aside by a short sword, I punched the air and shouted, a surge of power poured forth from my body, a pillar of fire erupted from the ground and engulfed my opponent.

I heard the footsteps before I saw the shadow charge through the flames. I squinted to get a better look at my opponent but there was a constant haze around them that made them appear blurry, like they were out of focus. Their voice was heavily distorted as they let out a war cry charging towards me.

I managed an upswing to deflect their sword and ended up knocking it out of their hands and off the edge of the building we were on.

I heard it whistle as it tumbled through the air. When I glanced back at my opponent the ground exploded in front of me sending me sailing backwards without my hammer.

I landed with a heavy thud, my vision refocusing just in time to be lifted into the air by my throat, a shadowy figure standing behind my opponent. I kicked my feet as they walked forward, dangling me over the edge, holding the figures hand and trying to pry it off my throat.

All of a sudden there was an intense pain in my stomach as all the air left my lungs, along with a pained scream. I winced heavily, struggling to keep my eyes on my opponent, watching as the figure withdrew their other hand from my stomach.

I felt the hand around my throat loosen and reached over the figures arm in a begging manner.

"Please....no.." I rasped. "Please...."

My opponent smirked and said something I couldn't hear as the figure disappeared into thin air...

and I fell. I fell, rotating in mid air to face the ground, feeling the wind whip at my face and tug at my clothes. I glanced at my reflection in the window of the skyscraper I was falling from. My jacket and skirt were torn and shredded. There were bruises, scratches and cuts all over my exposed skin.

As soon as I noticed them, I felt the wind sting as it hit my cuts.

I chanced a look at the ground, and raised my arms in a futile gesture to dampen the impact.

Prologue pt. 2: Before the sun rises...kind of.

I shot up with a gasp, breathing heavily and rapidly. My fists grabbing at the sheets over my knees as I stared at the space between them.

For a few moments the only sound I could hear was my own labored breaths as I struggled to bring myself back to a state of calm. I could barely hear my own voice when I finally felt calm enough to speak, albeit in a whisper.

"Again...that same dream again." I shook my head. "no.. not a dream.. a nightmare."

I looked out the window of my room, towards my school in the distance as my mind raced over the details again and again and again. Each time I ran over it in my head I forgot a little more until there was only one thing I could remember at all. "That..voice..." I didn't realize that I'd whimpered those words, I was too distracted from fighting back tears. "Dammit Sunset... get a hold of yourself."

I brought my hands up to my face and slapped my cheeks together a few times, rubbing them gently afterward in a vain attempt to wake myself up. "Kinda hard to do when you're fighting nearly a month with barely any sleep." I sighed in response to my own demand. "Maybe I should chuck a sickie and try to sleep through the day... maybe some light coming in through my windows will help fend them off."

I picked up my phone off my bedside table and opened my contacts. I scrolled through until I found the name I was looking for. "yeah.. she should be up by now... I just need a good excuse I guess... just a bout of nightmares isn't going to be a good enough reason."

I glanced around the room before spotting the stairs leading down to the kitchen in the hallway. I let a small smile creep onto my lips before looking back at my phone. Applejack's name was still highlighted. I tapped the screen with my thumb a few times before tilting the device landscape and typing on the virtual keyboard.

I hit send and lay back in my bed, letting my head rest on my pillow again. It wasn't even a minute later when my phone vibrated in my hand. I lifted it up above me and glanced at the message.

'Sorry to hear that darlin', I'll let the other girls know, don't you worry about that none. Just focus on feelin' better. We'll try and stop by after school if you're feelin' up to it.'

I typed out a quick thank you message and sent it before turning my phone off and setting it back down in it's resting place. I got up and moved to the door, closing it softly. It was days like this that I was glad the school provided residences for students who were from out of state.

Before I could start thinking too hard, I interrupted myself with a massive yawn and plopped back down into bed, pulling the covers over myself and closing my eyes.

It took a few minutes, but sleep, born of exhaustion, quickly claimed me. I spent my last moments of lucidity hoping that I wouldn't dream.

Prologue pt. 3: On the news.

I got woken up at about three in the afternoon.. I assumed that was the time since I heard the telltale whine of Rarity's bike pull up out front of my house, followed shortly by  the sound of a high pitched growl, which I knew immediately was Applejack's ATV.

I got up and quickly changed into my normal clothes, yawning as I headed downstairs. I smiled briefly as I heard indistinct chatter from outside.

I chuckled softly to myself as I heard Rainbow complain about how hard it was to get her bike license.

Rarity and I had both gotten our bike licenses at the same time, though we weren't friends back then, and our taste in bikes differs.

Applejack had hers even earlier than we did, but that's because she worked on her families farm and needed a way to move about the property quickly.

I unlocked the door and let them all in, spying Rarity's deep purple sports bike next to my yellow cruiser and AJ's bright red quad bike on my front lawn.

"Well, you're looking much better darling." Rarity smiled as she took a seat on the  lounge, still wearing her riding leathers and setting her helmet on the table.

"Yeah!" Pinkie Pie chirped as she bounded in and flopped onto an armchair. "When AJ told us you were all pukey I thought you'd be looking more green than yellow." she giggled.

I chuckled softly. "I guess I got off easier than I thought. It was just that one big one when I texted her and that was it, but better safe than sorry right?"

"Darn tootin', better to take a day off and make sure than risk goin' in and makin' everyone else sick as a dog." Applejack smiled as she walked in, helmet and goggles swinging from her hand.

I felt Fluttershy's hand on my forehead as she slunk in. "No fever, and you seem a lot better than the past few weeks. You might've had a stomach bug that just ran it's course. I'm amazed, most people would be in hospital from dehydration from having something that long."

"I've always had a strong immune system." I smiled as Dash stalked in muttering.

"stupid bikes...licenses...test." Rainbow huffed as she slumped onto the couch.

I closed the door and headed into the kitchen to get everyone something to drink as Rarity slipped the top of her leathers off.

"Are you still having trouble getting your license darling?" I heard her ask.

"It's that stupid theory test!" Rainbow's voice cracked. "I can ace the practical, but when it comes to translating that onto paper, I just keep getting tripped up."

"Well shoot, you could always ask me or Rares for help." I heard Applejack drawl. "Sunset too, she and Rarity both passed their test on the same day!"

"Yes but that was my fourth attempt." Rarity grumbled. "Thank you dear." she smiled at me as I placed a tray of drinks on the table and sat between her and Pinkie. "How many times did you have to attempt for your license Applejack?"

We all turned our gaze on the farmgirl as she grabbed a bottle of ginger beer from the tray. "Heh. Took me about two tries. But only cause ah had an accident during mah first practical on account of the test quad bein' so squirrely." She took a large swig before sighing happily. "How 'bout you Sunny?"

I suddenly found everyone's eyes on me and chuckled awkwardly. "Umm... hope I don't come off as a braggart but.. I aced it on my first try..." I rubbed the back of my neck, smiling nervously.

I saw Rainbow's jaw drop.

"And how long had you been in this world when you took that test?" Rainbow arched an eyebrow.

"Uhhhh... I think..." I tried to remember. "About three weeks... maybe a month..."

"My my.. such a quick adapter you are." Rarity smiled before taking a sip of her diet cola. "Very impressive."

"That is mighty impressive there Sunset." Applejack chuckled. "How many times have you attempted it now Rainbow?"

Rainbow shut her mouth and worked her jaw a bit before moving to answer...

"Ooh! Ooh! This was her eighteenth attempt!" Pinkie butted in. "She asks me to take her there on my scooter there sometimes." She giggled.

"I didn't know you had a scooter license Pinkie." Fluttershy smiled, taking another long sip from her apple juice.

"Oh sure I do! They're super easy to get, it's all just common sense and theory. And once you've clocked about six months you can just sit the practical for a motorcycle license and get the upgrade!" Pinkie giggled in response before taking a swig of her sarsaparilla.

"Why don't you just do that darling?" Rarity smiled at Rainbow, her fingers plucking an ice cube from her empty glass and popping it in her mouth to chew on.

"Cause I don't wanna ride no lame ass scooter!" Rainbow protested. "That's only barely better than riding a normal bike!" she huffed. "What about you Fluttershy? How's your license study coming?"

"O-oh... umm.. well it seems fairly simple.. but I'm probably going to have trouble with the practical... driving a car is probably going to be terrifying..." Fluttershy squeaked.

"Ah thought ya needed a van there Shy, not a car." Applejack remarked. "Yer fixin' to become a vet aint'cha? Gonna need somethin' bigger than a car to haul yer kit around."

Fluttershy nodded and stared into her juice. "Well I'd like to get acquainted with driving in general first... that and the minimum age for a van license is still a year away."

"Oh darling.. I keep forgetting you're a year older than us..." Rarity smiled gently.

"You never did  tell us why you were held back a year in primary school though." Pinkie prodded Fluttershy's arm quizzically. "Well aside from Dashie of course."

"Hey girls, quiet down a sec." We all turned to look at Rainbow, who was staring at her phone. "Sunset, turn the tv on, channel 9, there's some kind of breaking news."

"How on earth do you know that dear?" Rarity asked as I leaned forward to grab the remote.

"Spitfire just texted me. Said she heard about it while she was out and about with Soarin'."

I hit the power button and then the nine immediately and we all listened as the sound came in first, waiting for the picture to come up.

"...ose just joining us, we have just been handed some footage of the group of monster hunters responsible for keeping the streets near Crystal Prep safe. Apparently the footage was recorded on a mobile phone dropped by a victim of the monster."

The video came in just as the footage started, it was dark and grainy, we couldn't make out much more than the silhouettes of the hunters, but we could see enough to tell they were all girls.

I heard Fluttershy gasp as the two arrows struck the monster, killing it.

We all watched silently as the girls where surrounded by more of the monsters, when one of them appeared to pull something off her face. It looked like the screen was cracking for a few seconds, then the whole room was bathed in a blue light from the tv.

When the image returned there was a massive figure floating above the group of girls, then the video went dead.

Prologue pt.4: Night ride

It wasn't long after that that the girls left for the day, after making sure I got the assignment that was handed out for science class.

I glanced over it in my room and rolled my eyes. It was so easy that I could knock it out in half an hour, forty five minutes, tops, which I did. The rest of the evening was just relaxing on my computer, checking all the sites I frequented to see if anything new had popped up, unsurprisingly, most of the topics on some of them were all about the monster hunters that had been shown on the news. Curiously though, all of it was just speculation on who they were. I brought up my confusion over the bright blue flash but no one else had any idea what I was talking about.

Well.. mostly no one else. I recognized some of my friends screen names in the forums and chats and they all vouched for my story.

It was seven at night before I turned my computer off. I glanced outside at my bike and smiled. "Just a short ride, to clear my head, maybe help me sleep better." I said to myself.

I moved over to my wardrobe and changed into my old clothes. As much as I'd moved past the tough girl image, they were still great riding clothes. Plus, you just have to wear a leather jacket when you're out cruising on your hog. You just have to, it's like an unspoken rule.

I grabbed my keys, slipped my helmet on and locked the house as I stepped out. As soon as I started my bike, the thundery rumble of the engine and vibration of the seat immediately had a calming effect. I sighed happily as I pulled the kickstand up with my foot, rolled out of the driveway and roared off down the street.

True to my word, it was only a short ride, just two laps of the block... or at least it was meant to be. Just as I was about to pull into my driveway I felt a light discomfort in my stomach. It was then that I realized I hadn't eaten at all today.

I thought about just having a sandwich or an apple after I'd showered just to send me off to sleep, but knew it wouldn't be enough. I checked my pockets and found a $10 note in my jacket. I remembered the nearby burger place didn't close until midnight so I repocketed the note and turned around, aiming my bike towards an intersection and riding towards it.

I had expected the place to be empty, I was surprised when I pulled into the parking lot and saw about seven or eight cars. I even spotted Rarity's bike in the bike spots.

I glanced up at the clock under the sign and groaned. Discord's always had a stupid gimmick for the telling the time in their sign, and it changed everyday.  Today's was just an utter mess. It looked like the program they used had glitched out or corrupted or something, it was a garbled mess.

I fished my phone from my pocket and glanced at it.

"Quarter to eight. Feels later." I shrugged as I took my helmet off and carried it under my arm.

"Sunset? Oh Sunset darling, what are you doing here?" I noticed Rarity waving as she ran over to me, still wearing her leathers. She was drawing more than a few stares as a result. I guess I couldn't blame them, leathers were normally quite unflattering, but she really had the figure to make them work. It didn't hurt that she made them herself, so they were custom fitted to be as flattering as possible.

Still, I just smiled. "Oh, I just realized I hadn't eaten all day and came here since I didn't feel like cooking." I shrugged, chuckling. "What about you? I never expected to see you here."

"Applejack and I were helping Rainbow study for her license test." She sighed.

"Not going well?" I asked, fairly certain I already knew the answer.

"Oh darling... uphill battle doesn't even begin to describe it." She smiled weakly. "All she wants it for is so she can get her own dirt bike and do some motocross racing from time to time."

I just chuckled. "Guessing they left already then?"

"About ten minutes ago dear, you just missed them." She sighed. "As much as I loathe to partake in this type of food, I need something to pick my spirits up. You don't mind if I join you for dinner do you darling?"

"Not at all." I shook my head. "I was just going to grab a bite and go home, but I won't object to some company."

"Oh. Your house isn't far is it dear?" I watched her flip her hair with an awkward smile. "Would you  mind if we ate there?"

I blinked and shook my head. "It's... about ten minutes away... and not at all."

She sighed with relief. "Oh thank you darling. Thank you so much. I can tell you're curious but please, this is neither the time nor the place."

"Oookay then." I chuckled softly. "Well... let's get our food then."

Rarity smiled. "Do let's darling."

Prologue pt 5: A night with a friend.

I held the door for Rarity as we made our way into my house since she was carrying the bags of food from Discords.

"I really can't thank you enough for letting me stay the night darling." Rarity beamed and started unpacking the food on my living room table as I locked the door. "I really do want to try  and spend as little time as possible at home as possible for the next month or so." she sighed.

"Why's that? Did you and Sweetie get into another fight?" I asked, walking over and sitting next to her, picking up my chips and taking a bite of one. "Mmm... fresh out of the fryer."

"Oh no darling... nothing of the sort, my parents are just visiting from Vegas." I heard her sigh as I fumbled for the remote with my free hand, there was a short pause before the tv hummed to life where I could hear her eating her chips. "Don't get me wrong dear, I still love them, at least I think I do... but they have no business in this world, or any other, raising a child, I do wish I could have gotten some information from Twilight about the version of me in her world, how her relationship with her parents and sister is, they might be a healthier family unit."

I held up a finger as I chewed to shush her before swallowing and breathing in a little deeper than normally. "What exactly do your parents do that makes you not want to spend time with them?" I set down my half empty chips and picked up my burger, talking a bite out of it. I couldn't help but notice how violently Rarity rolled her eyes.

"If only it was just what they did darling, it's what they don't do too!" she seethed. "But to answer your question, they left for Vegas as soon as I turned sixteen and was old enough to look after Sweetie and myself competently, they constantly beg me for money to feed their damned gambling addiction, the only reason they're happy about Sweetie's natural talent for singing is so they can make her into a celebrity and mooch off her even more, the only reason they visit is when I ignore their stupid letters and emails asking for money, and I have their numbers blocked on my phone." She sighed heavily. "And the worst part is, they want to have more kids, until they have a son they can groom into a sports prodigy, my dad always said 'it's easier to trick a meatheaded boy into supporting you than an artsy fartsy girl like you and your sister.' "

I kept chewing as she took a deep breath to calm herself down.

"At least I've managed to help Sweetie somewhat. I set up a bank account for her so that when she does start her singing career, she can keep all her money, none of it goes toward mom and dad." she smiled weakly.

"So what happens if they do have another kid?" I asked before taking another bite from my burger.

She sighed. "I really hope they don't, but if they do I'd have to wait another two years before I could do anything to help them at all."

I was just about to say something when Rarity's phone rang, she took one look at the screen and looked at me. I just took another bite from my burger and looked back. She smiled at me and pressed the accept button, moving the phone to her ear.

"Hello Sweetie. Yes yes dear I'm fine, you sound quite the opposite though."

I slowly tuned her out as she spoke, not wanting to eavesdrop and focused my attention on the tv, there was a breaking story about a local street gang being taken down by police after an ex member ratted the location of their hideout.

As usual, the media was being handled by a Captain of the force. This time the one in charge of the raid, Captain Shining Armor.

I'd seen him on tv before, mostly due to how fast he rose through the ranks. I guess that's the advantages of having your dad be the mayor's aide and your mom a famous author rubbing elbows with A.K. Yearling.

The Chief of Police swears up and down it's because of how natural his leadership abilities are, but as to how much of that is true, I really don't know. i don't know anyone in the police force, nor do I know anyone who does.

I had just slipped the last of my burger into my mouth when I heard Rarity sigh and quickly chewed it up and swallowed it.

"Something wrong?"

"Oh no darling... nothings wrong... except my parents." She sighed again. "I'm terribly sorry to ask... but would you mind if Sweetie and I stayed with you for a month?"

I blinked. "Not at all. Why?"

"Mom got a lucky break on a slot machine in town, so she pulled Sweetie out of Canterlot high and enrolled her in Crystal prep, they had an argument and Sweetie doesn't want to stay in the house with mom and dad." She sighed and smiled thankfully at me. "Thank you darling... thank the stars that it's a weekend tomorrow. I can call Applejack and have her help me and Sweetie bring our things over."

I nodded and picked up my chips, giving them a quick shake to spread the salt around a bit. "So what... do your parents think they can blackmail Sweetie into giving them money with the whole 'we put you in a good school and this is how you repay us?' routine?" I asked as I popped a couple in my mouth.

"Oh if only darling." She shook her head. "I'll have to find out more from Sweetie and mom." she groaned. "It's times like these I'm envious of that world you come from. You said you were twenty four when you stepped through the mirror?"

"About that... yeah." I nodded. "I only got a glimpse of the equestrian you, but she looked about that old."

She sighed rather loudly. "Tell me darling, is this the type of situation that would suit the phrase 'I need a freaking drink?' "

I just nodded. "Yeah, pretty much. Celestia knows I used to say that nearly every week back in Equestria." I sat up. "I'm not exaggerating either. She literally knows. I said it in front of her so often I wouldn't be surprised if she started keeping track of the things that made me say it."

"Did you ever actually drink dear?"

"Hmm.. not really. Only during celebrations, and even then only light stuff." I shrugged.

From there our conversation pretty much turned to her quizzing me about life in Equestria before we turned in for the night.

It helped take her mind off things, and it felt good to have someone be curious about my life before  coming to this world.

I slept well that night, no nightmares, no dreams, just deep restful sleep.

Prologue pt 6: Moving day.

Applejack's ATV really made moving things a lot easier and quicker. It would have taken Rarity and I all day to haul things back and forth on our bikes.

Even Rainbow Dash stopped by to help, though mostly because she was escorting her niece, Scootaloo to see Rarity's sister.

"Another fight with your parents kiddo?" I heard Dash ask as Rarity and I secured things in AJ's trailer.

"Mmm.. I don't wanna talk about it.." Sweetie sulked a bit. "Rarity...why can't you just let me stay at Sunset's while you do this?"

Rarity sighed and walked over to her sister. "Because Sweetie, we need to make sure that you have everything you need to be comfortable for a month. You already packed your new uniforms I hope."

Sweetie nodded sulkily. "uh huh."

"New uniforms? What?" Scootaloo asked as she walked over, carrying a small box of things and passing it to me.

Sweetie was about to answer when Applejack stepped up behind Scootaloo, ruffling the her purple hair. "Keep yer questions in check Scootaloo, ah'm sure Sweetie'll tell ya when she's good an ready too." she chuckled, turning her head down the road. "which should be fairly soon."

We all turned towards what sounded like a lawnmower with the pitch turned way up and saw Applebloom pulling up on a miniature dirt bike.

"Seriously AJ?" Dash asked incredulously. "Who in your family doesn't have a license of some kind?"

Applejack just chuckled. "Come on Rainbow, let's just get back to work. You too Rare."

I watched Rarity nod before giving her sister a quick hug and walking back inside to get some more things. We all gave the girls a berth as we continued working.

By the time we were ready to haul the last load they were huddled in a group hug on the lawn, Sweetie was crying and Applebloom and Scootaloo were trying to fight back tears themselves.

We decided to call Fluttershy to walk the girls to my place with Dash.

"So what is actually going on Rare?" Dash asked as she helped me and Applejack secure Applebloom's bike on the trailer. "I know your folks are in town an all, but what's got your sister all in a tizzy?"

Rarity sighed and glanced at her sister. "Our mom got lucky on the slots at a local casino and decided to use the money to pull Sweetie out of Canterlot and enroll her in Crystal Prep."

"For real? Yeesh.. that really sucks." Dash looked over at Scootaloo. "Man.. It's bad enough she's gonna be without her friends, but the squirt told me that those two girls who've been bullying them are getting transferred there as well."

"Applebloom done told me the same thing." Applejack nodded as she walked around to secure the last strap on my side of the trailer. "Somethin' about their parents bein' upset with their grades or some such. Ah'd have to ask granny, she's the one who does all them meetin's with the Rich's."

"They were gonna be celebrating their freedom from bullying today, so this is a real downer for them." Rainbow added. "Damn, I hope Rarity's sister is tougher than she used to be."

There was a loud thwap sound. "Ow! What the hell AJ? That friggin' hurt!" she grimaced, rubbing the back of her head.

"Good. Maybe it'll finally make it stick in yer gol dang head to stop talking a sentence earlier." I noticed the frown crossing AJ's face was really intense. "Ya'll know just as well as Ah do about how yer niece met Sweetie, so don't you be talkin' like that."

"Should I ask?" I ...well asked.

Dash jumped a little at the sound of my voice.

"Geez Sunset...I forgot you were even here with how quiet you are." She let out a deep breath. "I dunno, that's up to Rarity and Sweetie I guess."

I turned to Applejack and she just shrugged. "Ain't mah place to tell ya. Dash is right, fer once. 's somethin' that really only those two should tell ya."

"Speaking of me being right!" Dash clapped to get our attention before turning to look at me. "Sunset..you wouldn't mind helping AJ and Rar help me study for the license test would you?"

I glanced over at AJ, who was halfway between a smirk and a raised eyebrow.

I shrugged at her and turned back to Dash. "Sure I guess, as long as nothing comes up in the mean time. When and where?"

"Sweet! Tomorrow night, around seven pm, I know about an old abandoned factory where a biker gang used to hangout. We can use the office there." She smirked before walking over to the girls and kneeling down to talk with them.

"Reckon we should get this load to your place then Sugah." AJ stated as she slipped her helmet on and sat on her bike.

I nodded and put my own helmet on, Rarity checked to make sure all the things in AJ's trailer were secure before, nodding and putting her helmet on as well.

We all nodded at each other as Rarity and I sat on our bikes, the sound of three engines mixed into a chaotic cacophony and we rode out of the yard and onto the road, angling towards my house.

Prologue pt 7T: Professionals on the move

I sat across from Sour Sweet, next to Lemon Zest, as the van rumbled over a small speed hump. Three flashes of light rumbled past the window behind me, illuminating the others.

"Hey, we're almost at the Shadow nest." My brother said from the drivers seat, Indigo Zap sat next to him, her Persona had just retaken it's shape as a mask on her face. "Your weapons and armor are in their usual spots. I managed to get some new arrows for Sour Sweet, they should be more stable in flight."

I checked the bag under my seat and blinked. "Hey...where's my bow and quiver?"

Sugarcoat glanced at my brother. "Did you lose her weapon? We're going to be hard pressed as it is to fight in this nest, we don't need one member to be going in with just her Persona."

"I didn't lose it, it's in the netting above her, but I picked up something interesting on my latest assignment at work, figured she might like to give it a go." he smirked as the van came to a stop. "Let me know how it goes."

I stood up and checked the netting above me as the others piled out the back of the van. My bow and quiver were there, but there was something else sitting next to them. A long black rectangle with a pistol grip and a rifle stock, as well as a small hip satchel. I saw my brother smirking at me out of the corner of my eye and pulled them down, a brief examination confirmed what I thought. I smiled back at him and rushed out the back, flicking the mechanism and letting the crossbow unfold.

"A crossbow?" I heard Sour Sweet exclaim. "Maan.. that's so awesome."

"Must've confiscated it from the raid yesterday." Lemon Zest nodded, her headphones around her neck as she threw her war axe up and caught it in time with the beat to her song. "But hey, means we all have a distinct weapon now."

"Hey girls." Indigo spoke up as she walked over. "I just picked up another reading, bigger than this one, over in the warehouse district, should we ditch this place and head there instead?"

"We could split the team." Sour Sweet suggested. "Three here, three there?"

We all looked at Sugarcoat who had her arms folded across her chest in thought. "No. we don't have the capability to do that. We only have one navigator after all. and who ever they go with is going to have their combat ability lowered."

"How about we split into three groups then?" Lemon Zest exclaimed. "Four eyes here and me can take the warehouse. Sugarcoat and Sunny can take this place, and we can leave Indigo and Sour with Captain Armor at a halfway point so they can move to help one of the other teams if they need it."

"I like that idea." Sour spoke up. "My bow is going to be pretty much useless in there anyway. Same with her crossbow, I'm fine with standing guard for our Navigator too."

"I suppose..." Sugarcoat started.

"I hate to interrupt, but it looks like someone is in the warehouse that the shadow nest is forming in. I've got four mobile signals on the van's signal tracker." My brother spoke up.

"Looks like that's that, we have to split up now." Lemon smirked as she clambered back into the van. "Come on Four eyes! We got places to be."

I rolled my eyes, but still smiled, following her. "Yeah yeah. I'm right behind you Zest."

"Indigo, Sour, Let's goo!" Lemon called out as we sat down.

"Yeah yeah.." Sour Sweet grumbled as she climbed in.

"Already in." Indigo replied from the front of the van.

I pulled the doors closed retook my seat. "Ready to go bro!"

"Roger." He nodded and started the van, pulling away from Sugar Coat and Sunny Flare,

Prologue pt 7S: Study Session?

I glanced over my shoulder after we all passed the van. Rarity was in front of me, her bike was the fastest after all, I saw Applejack behind me with Rainbow riding on the cargo rack on the back of her quad bike.

Something about the van we passed unsettled me for some reason. I quickly shook my head to clear it and followed Rarity into the warehouse district.

It wasn't much longer before we pulled up in the warehouse Rainbow had mentioned, and we found it.. occupied.

"Hey boss, those some new meat you didn't tell us about?" An exceedingly rotund man in a leather jacket asked over his shoulder while pointing at us.

I felt someone push past me and glanced over as Dash strode forward with a glare.

"Hey G! Still hiding behind Greaseball I see." She shouted.

The response was almost immediate, a knife came flying over the man's shoulder, aimed right at Rainbow's nose. Before any of us could move, she snatched it out of the air and chuckled.

"Come on G. You can do better than that!"

"Fuck off dweeb." A voice growled in response. "You ain't welcome here any more, and that goes double for your dumbass friends."

"Still all squawk and no beak ey G?" Dash chuckled. "At least show your ugly mug."

There was another growl, louder before the sounds of someone stomping echoed about the building. 'Greaseball' stepped to the side, letting the voices owner into our view.

"There, you can see my fuckin' face. Now beat it before I beat you!"

The person was rather small compared to 'Greaseball' but still taller than Dash. She was wearing what looked like an old flight jacket and pants, with some goggles hanging around her neck. Her hair was shaved short up the sides and back, with what was on top bleached white and styled to a point with faded purple. The point was hooked to mimic a beak, further reinforcing the bird motif that was started by the Eagle patch on her left shoulder.

She reminded me of a griffon.

"Hah! You beat me? That's rich G. Or did you forget that I used to wipe the floor with you every time you challenged me for full leadership of the gang?" Dash smirked.

"Last warning fuckwit. Get. Lost." She growled. "You and your merry band of morons are not welcome here."

"Rainbow, darling, I do believe we should leave." Rarity spoke up. I looked over to see her casually checking her fingernails. "As much as you might like to... throw down as t'were, the rest of us would rather leave here before someone starts bleeding."

"You should listen to the prissy little shitstain there, dweeb. Though you'll get more than just some cuts and bruises if you decide to stay." 'G' sneered.

Rarity chuckled airily. "Oh darling you misunderstand." Her voice suddenly turned to ice. "When I said bleeding I was referring to you and your hapless cohorts."

"...okay, y'know what, I have no idea what you just said bu-" 'G' began, but Rarity cut her off.

"Then invest in a thesaurus dear, oh but don't strain what few braincells you have tinkling around under that horrid.. eugh.. thing you call a hair cut. I'm sure they are lonely enough as it is." Rarity huffed.

Applejack leaned over to me and muttered. "Remind me later, ah owe 'em both a good smack upside the head."

"Don't worry, I'll give them one each myself." I muttered back,

"Should we just get back on our bikes and leave 'em to the bed they done made?" AJ gestured to where her quad and my chopper were parked.

"Nah, we'd never make it there before one of them tried to jump us." I nodded at the gang members who had moved up beside us.

Applejack opened her mouth to say more but our attentions were stolen by what sounded like a rather loud clap, followed by someone grunting in pain alongside a metallic clanging and a whump as they collapsed. We turned to see 'G' sprawled on her stomach, a knife on the ground next to her, with Rarity shaking her hand.

"What the hell Rar?" Rainbow's voice cracked. "What was that?"

"That, darling, was a punch. You can't tell me you've never seen one before." Rarity winced, blowing on her knuckles. "By the stars, she certainly has a solid jaw."

"I know what a punch is, but what was.... that?" Dash fumed. "You knocked Gilda flat!"

Rarity arched an eyebrow at Rainbow. "Rainbow, dear, she ran at me with a knife drawn. I'm certainly not going to just stand there and have my throat slit."

Rainbow flailed her arms a bit. "I know that! But.. you're like a black belt in.. some martial art right? You couldn't have just disarmed her?"

With a blink Rarity chuckled. "Oh darling, the way she was holding that knife, it would have sliced me up while I disarmed her at best, at worst she would have had my eye."

Rainbow grumbled and raised the knife she had caught earlier, which was my cue to trap her hand with my telekinesis spell, simultaneously throwing up a shield spell around us, and our bikes, to keep the gang members from charging us.