Saints of the divine! A more glorious sight I have never seen. Hooves to the heavens; for I have bared witness to the pinnacle of creation.

"SUNSET! Sunset, Come Here. Quick!"

The sound of clattering plastic bottles was followed closely by a door flying open and rapid hoof-steps dashing down a somewhat vacant hall. Sunny ran up the the back of the couch, dripping wet and wrapped in a white towel she held shut round her midsection. Why do humans even wear clothes in the first place?

"What! What is it?"

After Sunny's crying session last night I'd opted to change the subject. I asked about this, 'Online' thing she spoke of, and well... suffice it to say, she opened up a whole new world to me. That's what? The second time she's done that, in one day. The things I've seen on this laptop, computer box is nothing short of amazing. Historical records, music of all nations, technological advancements unheard of in our Equestria, shopping, videos of humans banging like the monkeys they are. Did allot of research on that last night, wink-wink. That and so much more led to me getting around, oh I'd say, an hour of sleep at best.

But this, this blew all of that out the water.

"It's a Cat playing a Keyboard!" The single most amazing thing ever! Yet for some unknown reason, she didn't seem impressed. Because of the wet hair in her eyes? Yeah, that must be it. Maybe I should play it again?

I'm gonna play it again.

Sunset was not amused. She looked like she wanted to say something, or swear given her expression; twice she marched off in a huff only to stride back with renewed vigor. Better change the subject, she doesn't find a cat playing a keyboard interesting, somehow? What about this?

"Okay, check this out... Look, Charlie bit his finger!" Now that's humor. And it makes you think.

Sunny's expression changed to a small smile.

"Bro, how long have you been surfing the net?" You can go surfing with a net? What will these humans think of next.

"Oh I'm not really one for swimming. But this 'Online Inter-Web' is fascinating. Its like the worlds most well assembled library; Millions of books, Art, Technology, Games, and the videos... oh so many videos. Any information you want with a few clicks and button taps. If I were you, I'd would never stop using this." When Sunny first showed me, I had to ask if this device was legal. This would make crime so much simpler.

"Yes well, I have school." That brings up an interesting point.

"Hey listen," Turning back I noticed she's starting to shiver. "This whole... going to school deal. When you got here, you knew as much about this place, as I do now. But you've had about, what? Six years to learn what you need to know. And now, with this Anon-a-Miss character and you getting beaten and mugged; I have to ask, why do you still go back there?"

Uh-oh, a sad sigh. When its from a family member, (one I actually like.) That is never a good sign. Sunny looked away, her wet person forming a damp circle on the carpet.

"Oh no; Sister dear. Don't tell me..."

She's gonna tell me something I don't wanna hear.

"Light, they're my friends!" Celestia be damned, I knew it! And I responded the way I do to most infuriatingly stupid things... well okay, the second way I respond. I wasn't about to stomp on my sisters head like I would a dying fox stuck in a bear trap. No, instead I started pacing.

"Sunny... You are my sister. And I love you, I really do. But... your loyalty to these, these... traitors. Is nothing short of brainless!" Sunset reached out to me with her spare hand but I batted it away. I was in no mood for her indoctrinated, friendship and harmony crap!

All night, in-between the numerous distractions the inter-web has to offer, and believe me there are a lot. I searched for a quick fix. I searched through so many possibilities magic or otherwise, yet none were viable. Too many dangling threats and/or dead ends. Too many variables.

Money was an ever present issue. Apparently the monetary cost of reprogramming far outweighs the consequences faced by the victim.
And ponies say I'm the criminal. This was the best kind of evil, the kind that can hide in plain sight behind a veil of righteous intent.
"When morality comes up against profit, it is seldom that profit loses." Something that came up on the 'Online'. Wise words indeed.

Another was the state of this world's magics, or lack thereof. I've sifted through pages upon pages of urban legends and slight-of-hand parlor tricks, and... that's all there is. Nothing about spells or hexes, although those would be off the table regardless, (Former Earth-Pony and all.)
No counter charms or wards to place, and time-travel? Pure fiction. Wherever my sister and her friends get their magic, its not from here.

So with all that in mind. What is a 'human' to do? My sister is a brainwashed puppet, so dependent on her friends that she'd take them back after all this! After a betrayal of this magnitude. She would still take them back. Fuck, she probably wouldn't even demand an apology. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if she gave them one, for whatever reason.

Fortunately I know the truth. I know she doesn't mean to be this way.
My sister would never take it on the chin like this.
My sister would fight back.
My sister would make them pay.

Thank Luna I was told how to clear my browsing history. Guess Sunny's worried about what I might find. In her state of mind there's no telling what she might do if she found out who I really am, or what I'm trying to do.
Maybe if she was acting herself? Who could say? Perhaps. She'd certainly be more willing to return to Equestria with me. But if what she's saying is her real honest truth, then even after I find and (discretely) 'dispose' of this Anon-a-Miss, she'll still want to stay here.

Here! As in 'not with me'.

Oh, nonononono! That is something I cannot allow. It isn't fair to her or me.

I did not work through day after agonizing day for the last ten years of my life, scrimping and saving every ill-gotten payment and stolen fortune, double-crossing every ally and partner I came into contact with... only to lose my sister at the final hurdle, to Twilight Fucking Sparkle!
It seemed so close! Our escape from our shitty life at home. My chance to make up for so much lost time between us. Our dream, the one we'd talked about all those nights; when mom and dad were tearing the house apart and I was trying to put Sunny to bed and guard her door at the same time.

Our dream is what got us through.

A beach. A big house. And fun, All The Time! I promised her these things, and I intended to deliver in full. Its the least she deserves.
I will fix her. I'll do everything I can to make this right. I won't lose it all, because a prissy purple princess decided that my sister would be better off as harmony's personal bitch! Fuck that!

And if I can't fix this... maybe there's another way. But one thing at a time; first things first, Anon-a-Miss needs to die. Quietly and without witnesses. A quick one-two punch. Even then, that's not much good if I can't find my target. To do that, I need to get inside Sunny's school.

"Light, please. I know your mad at them. I am too." Of that I am highly doubtful Sunny. "But you have to understand; I had nopony. Facing a world where I finally understood how alone I really am... or was. Where my family had all abandoned me and I had nopony to turn too, my friends were there for me. And I need them now, just as much as I need you."

A guilt trip. From a place of truth of course, but I'm not the kind of pony who'll take something like that, no matter its legitimacy. Sorry about this Sunny, I'll make up for it a thousand times once we're back in Equestria.

"Abandoned? You wanna talk abandoned? Okay then, lets talk about how I admittedly left you, yes I did do that, but in the care of Princess Celestia. The ruler of a nation. In her giant castle, safe from mom and dad's drunken hooves. Now school was going nowhere for me, thanks in no small part to a home life that make the conditions in Zebrica look down right tolerable. So you know what I did? I went out and I signed on with the peace core." I'm lying to her for her own good. Just have to keep telling myself that.

"I worked till my hooves cracked, all day under Celestia's burning sun, because I wanted to make you proud." More lies. But at least that got a reaction. And a good one at that. If there was such a thing as emotional boxing, that hit would've been a low blow. "Should I have written to you? Believe me I tried. Maybe said something before I left? Yes of course I should've. But I couldn't do it."

"Well why didn't you?" Sunny's voice was quieter than before.

"Because you were my only friend. And if I'd had to look you in the eye and tell you I'd be gone for as long as I was, I don't think I could've left." Well at least that's the truth. "But I wanted to show you, prove to you that other people don't define who you are. That it's the choices we make and the willingness to stand up for those choices, that make us who we are. And finally, I wanted to come home one day and take you away, to a better life. Like we always talked about."

Realization hit Sunset like so many emotional punches, each in quick succession. Had she truly forgotten the dream? Was my sister really that far gone?

"The big house, by the beach. You said we'd learn to swim, and..."

"And play." Can't let her forget that.

"Yeah, and have fun all the time." Sunset offered a weak smile. "I haven't thought about that in years."

"Its all I thought about... and its actually what I was thinking about, when you snatched me from the train." And we're back to the lies. Sunset looked surprised by this. Guess she hadn't thought about where I might have been when she ported me. That'll make this tale easier to tell.

"Oh, I assumed you knew. What with you casting the spell and all. I was on the Canterlot Express, traveling back to stuffy old Canterlot to visit my baby sister." Ohhh, and its a knock-out.

"You were?" Don't grin, don't give it away.

"Of course I was. I came back because... well. I missed you." And now an innocent smile to finish her off. Why does it hurt my face?

Hugs, we're hugging. While she's in a towel. And dripping wet.

Now while I've nothing against a hug and as for the towel, we never wore clothes in Equestria so I couldn't care less about that. But I detest wet clothing. Years of occasionally sleeping in the rain showed me that.

"I missed you too, Light." Backing up I noticed she'd left a wet imprint of herself on my coat, but she didn't seem to care. "That's actually one of the reasons I brought you here. You see, every year I've spent Hearths Warming alone. Called Christmas here, by the way. And I thought... maybe we could spend it here together." Hmmm, what a charming notion. Hearths Warming is only two weeks away. That would give me ample time to hunt down Anon-a-Miss, and possibly turn my sister around to the idea of leaving.

"Two things I gotta say Sunset; One, another reason why I came to visit was to spend the holidays with you." Sunny smiled ear to ear, I knew that'd get on her good side. "And two..."

"Yeah?"

"Your towel's falling." During the impromptu hug, the top of her towel had fallen to where her hand was holding it shut. Why this made her shriek and run back to the bathroom, I have no idea. Must be a human thing. From the bathroom I could hear her shouting.

"Light, you jerk! Why didn't you tell me!" I thought I just did.

"Hey Sunny."

"What?!"

"Why do you have udders?"

I had to dive over the couch to avoid the barrage of shower bottles that were thrown my way. Yeesh, what have I done wrong now?
Well, at least she wasn't crying. And after yesterdays trauma, I'd consider this a step in the right direction.

xxx

(STOLEN) From the Journal of Prince Shining Armor Ass-Hat (12/16/03:AN)

Dear Journal: Its official, the Canterlot Special Crimes Division is furious with us. A prisoner escaping from jail is a serious offense in of itself; But it is the how and the circumstances surrounding his escape that has the 'CSCD' in an uproar.

They are accusing the Crystal Empire Guard of taking bribes, shady dealings and internal corruption. They're accusing 'My' ponies, my citizens of freeing Daylight Shimmer, and that myself and Cadance are, or were, involved. Given that we attended the same school as the escapee, I can understand where they might reach that conclusion. A wanted criminal escapes from a high security prison, within an empire ruled over by two of his former school mates.

The logic is definitely there. Although what sort of motives they might charge us with is beyond me.

No doubt Princess Celestia will be informed; here's hoping she can talk some sense into her ponies. Even now, we've received word that a team of internal investigators will be departing for my empire in a matter of days. We'll do what we can to locate Daylight before they arrive and alleviate any mistrust between our societies.
The crystal ponies hold themselves and Cadance in the highest regard, and I'd hate to see what might happen if a team of outsiders come in and start throwing around wild accusations.
Maybe it's their old fashioned nature, but when their fair and just leader is threatened, the crystal ponies will defend their home and leaders to the death. Makes you wonder really, maybe if Sombra had treated them better, maybe he'd still be sitting atop the throne today.

Our search for Daylight has uncovered one lead. Witnesses interviewed by our task-force for bringing him in, revealed that a second pony, a unicorn with a distinctive dotted line and 'X' cutie-mark, arrived with Daylight two days ago and that the two were sighted in a tavern near the edge of the inner circle.
The task-force should be moving in for a speedy arrest as I write this entry.

We can only hope this pony has some information we can use.

xxx

I successfully coaxed Sunny out of the bathroom and, after a period of awkward glances and somewhat rude mutterings, we set out the front door to start the day. From what I'd heard of Sunny's school life, letting her walk to and from her school alone was not an option. I made myself explicitly clear on that front.

I must say though, Sunny's apartment complex looked like it had seen better days. Its design choice appeared somewhere between the reign of King Sombra and the feather flu plague. What I'm trying to say is, the place looked like shit; Chipped plaster, exposed wood floors, peeling yellow wallpaper and the cliche buzzing of flies against a blue light hanging in the entry way. Sunny deserves better than these squalid surroundings.

As we made our way out the double doors, a grey haired old gentleman who appeared to be well into deaths clutches, hobbled his way through a door marked 'Landlord'. His legs and cane wobbled with each step, it'd be painful to watch if I were a more concerned pedestrian.
But I learned long ago not to misjudge the elderly, if they've got money on their side they can be a force to be reckoned with. Though judging by the state of his establishment, the human's either too ancient or cheap to be much of a problem. On the off chance something might happen of course.

"Sunset my dear. Off to your studies I take it?" Strange, the old human seemed harmless enough; sure he stuttered as he talked and he took what felt like minutes to form a complete sentence, but he didn't seem threatening. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, I'd expected someone a bit more... I dunno, bigger? Balder? Fatter I guess?

"That's right Mr Planter. Me and my brother from... out of town are off to study now." Sunny acted friendly enough to this guy. So much for expectations.

"Oh, well pleased to meet you sir. I swear you midgets grow so fast. Why they call you little people I'll never know." Oh now I get it, he's senile. Well that or a moron.

"The pleasure is all mine good sir. I'm afraid we are a bit pressed for time, so we'd better be off." I shook the old codgers hand, which is still a strange form of greeting; I mean what's so wrong with a good old-fashioned hoof bump?

Anyway, the old man waved us out and we were off down the road. And her building? Just as ugly on the outside. Broken gutters and decrepit brick work were the least of this place's problems. From what I could tell as we trudged through the unkempt snow covered grounds and through the iron gate, I happened to take a passing glance at the buildings base. The side of the building was sinking. Very slowly mind you, and really with a landlord like the old fart back there it's no wonder this problem hadn't been addressed. This has probably been going on for a while.
I could warn the guy... then again, what better excuse could there be for a change of address than ones residence collapsing in on itself. But something told me that could be a ways off. Still, food for thought.

"You know Sunny, I did wonder how you got away with that whole 'midget' excuse." Sunny grinned back at me sheepishly.

"Yeah, about that. See I had to lie for a few years, but after that the landlords mind started to go. I'm glad you caught him on a good day, some days he has no idea where he is. His grandson usually comes round every so often so I wouldn't worry about him." Goody, more people to meet and act nice around. This good guy act may come naturally where Sunny's concerned, but all these other a-holes? I just don't care.

"That's good Sunny. Family is important after all."

"It really is," Sunny turned to me, walking backwards as she talked. How she does that without falling I'll never know. "I'm happy you decided to come with me today. But are you sure you'll be able to remember the way back? I don't think Principle Celestia will like it if a twenty-eight year old is hanging around outside her school. And I get the feeling telling her you're my brother won't count for much right now."

"Sunny, if your Principle has a problem with you than take it from me, she's got..."

And then it registered exactly what Sunny dearest had just said. "Did you say 'Principle Celestia'?" Sunny seemed confused for a moment before it seemed to hit her as well.

"Oh bro, did I forget to tell you? In this world Princess Celestia is a high school principle."

"Your joking... sis please tell me your joking."

Sunny shook her head. Fantastic... just, there are no words to describe the unbridled joy I'm feeling. I'm sure the only thing larger than my grin at this moment is the volume of my laughter. Sunny actually looked scared, although that's probably because I was curled up in a ball on the floor holding my sides.

Princess Celestia. The mare who's image had adorned my dartboard for many of my adolescent years. The pasty white narwhal with an incredible ass who held up a veil of peace and harmony by holding the world hostage with the sun itself... has been downgraded to a meager high-school principle. How's that for poetic justice!
Our Sun-butt holds court with royal delegates, this Sun-butt holds assembly with acne ridden teenagers.
Our Sun-butt eats the finest Equestrian foods, this Sun-butt eats second class cafeteria swill.
Our Sun-butt rules the nation and possibly the world, this Sun-butt rules the faculty lounge.
I don't care if it gets me in trouble. This I have to see for myself.

It took me a few minutes to compose myself, but I'm sorry, hearing that my mortal enemy had been reduced to a minimum wage stooge was nothing short of five star comedy. Sunny however didn't seem to fully grasp the humor in this.

"Bro-bro, are you okay?" I wiped a stray tear from my eye as Sunny helped me to my feet. To say this day has taken a turn for the better would be an understatement.

"Yes, yes... sorry about that Sunny. That came as, somewhat of a shock as you can imagine." Sunny nodded as we continued down the winding streets; quiet suburbia giving way to pathways of people and businesses advertising their wares through window displays.

"It is a tad jarring at first, but you'll get used to it. Who knows, you might meet the human version of somepony you know from Zebrica."
Oh sweet gullible Sunset, you make this nice-guy mask so easy to bare.

"Maybe sis... Maybe." It was more than a little tedious taking note of each street name and easily recognizable shop for the walk back. I just know I'm gonna get lost the first time round. After a few minutes I notice that I had inexplicably become the tallest person on the street; the crowds of people had thinned out to groups of jabbering teenagers. Sunset wearily glanced about at all the young humans and walked much closer to me than she had before. If this is what she was like with me here, I shuddered to think how she must have felt on her own, or what she'll be like in school where I can't protect her.

To our right a grey hand flew forward and smacked Sunny over the back of the head. Sunny winced and placed a hand over her head, before I could intervene two young punks shoved her into my side and proudly strode past. One with orange skin and a picture of a dumbbell on his backpack, the other shorter and fatter one was grey with a... hoofball on his jacket? They have hoofball here? Oh well, I can wonder about that later, right now its time to indulge myself; as my favorite saying goes... Bitches Get Stitches!

"How's it going Anon-a-Miss?! Who's secrets ya gonna give up today?!" The ugly round one had a slight limp in his left leg, most likely from a prior sports injury. That could be a good spot for my opening blow. Sunny's pace dropped ever so slightly, her position next to me withdrawing ever closer to behind me.

"Just leave me alone you guys! I told you, I'm not Anon-a-Miss!" By Discord's Beard! Sunny was really letting these punks talk to her like that? Cowering under their smug, filthy, shit-eating grins. The Sunset I used to know would have clobbered these guys by now. The taller orange one looked just as angry as his soon to be dead friend.

"You told the whole damn school I've been juicing! Now Coach Iron-Will won't let me play until I get my piss checked!" This one had long hair, seemed to get in his eyes every so often. A cheap shot, but hey, at least he won't see it coming.

"I'm telling you, it's not me!" Sunny had moved halfway behind me. If the fact that these two degenerates were upsetting my sister wasn't disheartening enough, the two of them stopped, blocking the pathway ahead, leaving little room for those few students still mulling around to get by. Two a few feet ahead of us stopped to watch, one rainbow haired girl with an amused smile on her face. And the other, a downright gorgeous lady with a clear sense of style, and a lovely pair of legs to match. Although her expression before she looked away was one of... shame? I'd have to remember that for later query. The taller guy seemed puzzled that I'd stopped as well, though the shorter one hadn't noticed.

"How did you know my mom cheated on my dad?! Who told you?!" The shorter one advanced on Sunny who ducked behind me. I made to block his way but the taller one put a hand on his shoulder. He look at me wide eyed for a moment; no surprise really, he was staring at mine and Sunny's identical hair colors. I suppose someone was bound to put two and two together.

"Uh, Dude..." The tall one muttered through gritted teeth, but the short one shrugged him off.

"Not now! Come on, don't hide from me Sunny; lemme see that smug face of yours!" Sunny shrieked as the short one dashed around me and violently yanked her toward him.

He'll regret that decision for the rest of his natural life.

My strong hand found its target, the bastard's throat. Acting on instinct, the short guy released his grip on my sister's arm, both hands clawing at the object that held his neck in a vice like grip. I love it when my enemies struggle, it makes the resulting brawl so much more satisfying.

"Hey, let go of him!" His friend charged at me like a mad bull. I'll admit I had to be careful; I'd never fought in this body before, and I'd spend the better part of the previous night learning just how capable this gangling body truly is. Fortunately, the tall sack of crap telegraphed his moves more clearly than an excitable wrestling announcer. This was gonna be easy.

In one swift move I kicked straight up, connecting with the fucker's face. He was a hoofball player, of course he'd go straight for an offensive tackle; Amateur! And down he went, a red boot print stretched across his pained face and blood dripping nose. The guy collapsed clutching his face and moaning; Pathetic, assaulting a woman is something I will never allow! But to not even put up a fight? These clowns are a waste of air!

The shorter guy in my grip was turning purple, and my hand was getting tired. Mustering my inner Earth-Pony spirit and mimicking a move performed by myself and a now imprisoned Minotaur a few years back. I grabbed him by the bottom of his jacket and with both hands, sent the bastard flying down the sidewalk. The sexy purple haired girl screeched and pressed her back against the store wall she'd previously been leaning against. The rainbow one however; she was in awe.

"It's a fastball special!" What that meant or why she shouted it, I don't know. What I do know is, the portly motherbucker rolled across the pavement and tried to up and run. Dumb-Fuck, does he really think I'm gonna give up so soon.

I knelt down and sprinted forward. Surprising fact about these humans, when they run... they're fucking fast! I launched myself right at the tubby guy before he'd reached his second step. Tackling the bastard I brought him down hard. A few feet back I heard the rushed steps of my sister, if she were in her right state of mind she'd take a few easy tension draining hits out on the grounded tall guy; But she wasn't... I hate Twilight Sparkle.

Gripping the fucker by his neck, I hoisted him into the air with one arm. Gotta love that earth-pony strength.

"I'm only gonna say this once so you'd better listen you bastard! If I ever see you raise a hand in anger to a lady again, I'll do more than crush your windpipe! If you think I'm dangerous now, your dead wrong." I brought the guy close, close enough to smell the beads of sweat that ran down his filthy little neck; close enough that he could hear me whisper. "I once burned a pony alive on a pile of his friends bones. Took three minutes for him to stop screaming; how long do you think you'll last?" I breathed deep, gleefully inhaling the scent of coppery blood and salty tears. A dark side is a terrible burden to bare, and when an opportunity to free the beast so willingly presents itself... well, who am I to question providence.

Life is a series of bitter failures, of moments both embarrassing and malicious, made only somewhat tolerable by a few fleeting pleasantries and delusions of achieving something more. But really, when all is said and done... which memories stick with us the most? The good or the bad?

I dropped the little guy to the ground, the contents of his pants should provide a soft and wholly unpleasant landing. But he'll remember and it will follow him, a constant pang in the back of his head. During every achievement, every victory, during every high point in his future. This will follow. It'll be as if I'm right there with him, an unrelenting virus tainting his happiest moments with this constant reminder. That right here and now, I reduced him to the level of a hapless infant, stripped him of his pride and left his dignity in ruin.

A tugging on my free arm returned my mask of semi-decency to its appropriate place. A shame really, I was having such fun. All a mere appetizer of course... sating my apatite for my main meal. What I've inflected upon this juvenile, I will perform tenfold on Anon-a-Miss. But for now, the mask goes back on. The beast is collared.

"Wait, Please Stop!" Sunny's cries brought me back to reality, or whatever counts for reality in a world of sentient apes. Gazing down at the quivering jellyfish, I felt compelled to put on a show for the one excited and two frightened girls.

"Take it from me, Little man; It takes a sorry excuse of a man to bring harm to an innocent, but it takes an even weaker man to cut and run when his conviction wavers. You have the audacity to accuse my..." Better rephrase this, less my search for Anon-a-Miss should find itself impeded. "This young lady of an offence to your person, and your follow through is to attack her?! I should report you to the proper authorities right now!" Let's hope this bluff pays off. I'm not in the mood for killing any guard-humans that may come asking unnecessary questions.

"I-I'll tell them... Tell everyone w-what you did to us!" The fool spat a glob of red spittle on the sidewalk. Time to see if my threats are as convincing in this human form.

"Oh will you really? And what will you tell them? How you and your muscle bound compatriot both verbally and physically assaulted a young woman walking alone to school? Who's aid I came to only after I heard her scream because you lay a hand on her for a second time." He was starting to quiver, his eyes darted toward the two girls both of whom refused to meet his pleading expression. Gotcha.

"I don't know about you, but to me that sounds an awful lot like harassment and unprovoked assault. Now I am more than certain that neither of you want a mark as weighty as that in your file. Might even earn you a police record; not something aspiring sports jocks such as yourselves need when college enrollment time comes around."

The guy made to cut me off but I was having none of it. "Now your friend over there never touched this girl, but rarely will prosecutors take the word of an accused male assailant at face value. In fact how much do you want to bet that when the time came for questioning, that your schoolyard chum over there would sell you down the river to clear his own reputation? Let's not forget, its the word of two young male thugs against that of a distressed young woman and three witnesses." I turned to the two ladies in question.

"Something tells me you two both have a good conscience between you, unlike these degenerates. And would never allow the two of them to get away with something like this... would you?" The two girls appeared unsure, looking first at one another then over at Sunny who crossed her arms and turned away; Something else to remember. Time to play on the weaker of the two.

"Because only a sick, despicable creature would stand by and watch a defenseless girl be harmed. Which I'm sure is why you stood by, to get involved and protect your classmate? Right?" That got her. The lovely lady appeared shaken, she definitely would have stood by and watched, I could tell by her stance a few minutes before. Seems it just occurred to her what a terrible thing that would be to do.

"O-oh my... of course. We would never stand by and... a-and watch as these ruffians assault our... friend." Curiouser and curiouser, she was hesitant to call Sunny her friend. Seems there are a few more missing pages to this story than once thought. Clapping my hands together, I shone my champions grin upon the dear girl. The little guy scrambled over to his friend and hoisted him to his feet. One final pleading look to the girls gave him no recompense, the two puny men knew the obvious, they weren't going to win this one.

"I had a feeling you were a good one. It takes a special kind of person to stand in defense of their friend in the face of danger. My dear..." Lets bring it on home. Looking the attractive one in the eyes I placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You're a good person. Thank you." Boom, putty in my hooves. The blush on her face was told me all I needed.

The little punk awkwardly shuffled up the sidewalk, towards what I assumed was the towering school in the distance. They won't talk... overwhelming facts and consequences are the ultimate deterrent of petty criminals. The secret, one I'd had to learn the hard way, was to accept said facts. And not give a fuck!

"Well I... you are quite welcome sir. Uhhh S-sunset darling, why don't you walk with us. In case those miscreants try anything else."

Sunset seemed taken aback by this. But her slowly forming smile told me this was at least a pleasant surprise.

"Really? O-of course Rarity. I... thank you... sir." Sunny smiled and silently worded 'Thank You' to me again before rushing to her friend's side. The rainbow one refused to look at me the entire time, she clearly wasn't happy that my sister had joined her former duo. Though it seems my words had given her pause for thought. Conflicted, you might say.

As was I. Reuniting my sister with her friends went against my plans entirely. Still, broken foundations make for shaky structures. And much like trust, it is both hard to build and oh so easy to break.

Watching the two girls walk alongside my sister, guilt-ridden into playing nice, as opposed to the two beaten and bruised thugs helping each other walk toward the school; the irony struck me like so many thousand volts. The two wannabe criminals had more loyalty toward one another than the two supposed nice girls did to someone who I assume they once called their best-friend. Give the guys a little credit, they had at least been honest about their intentions, but the girls? One had lied directly to my face whilst the other wouldn't so much as meet my gaze. Guess no matter which world you go to, the goody-goody types are still hypocrites.

Shame... I'd so wanted to 'get to know' this, Rarity.

Dusting myself off, I followed behind the girls at a snails pace, careful to keep my distance. I still had to meet this world's living mockery of my archenemy. And Anon-a-Miss was at the forefront of my mind.

I meant what I said to those opportunistic punks. It takes a sorry excuse of a man to harm an innocent. I will not pretend otherwise.
This is who I am, the pony I was born to be. I hurt people... because I can. And the only way I'll stop, is when I have what I want. And what I want, is my sister's undying love and unwavering loyalty.

So you better watch out, Anon-a-Miss. Daylight Shimmer's coming to Canterlot High!

You won't survive the experience.

Author's Notes:

Yeah yeah, longer wait than usual. You know how it is... vying for a job position, (Secured BTW)
Re-watching Future Diary again. (Did I mention I love that anime?)
And it was my birthday yesterday, so I partied extra hard! And paid for it after.
(Some real 'need to know' information right here.)