Jasper and Horizon parked the car near the barn at his family’s farmhouse and Jasper let out an exhausted sigh. Their encounter with Summer Flare had been more than they could handle, and it was clear that the girl was far more skilled with magic than the two of them combined even.

Wiping the sweat off of his brow, Jasper checked the time, noticing that it was 8:08 PM now. Something about seeing that time made him uneasy, but he wasn’t sure what. Either way, he wasn’t looking forward to running into that girl again.

Looking over at his childhood friend, Jasper noticed she seemed about as calm as ever. Nothing really ever pulled much emotion out of Horizon Shimmer, and he knew that. The best way to describe her to anyone was that she was a girl who accepted everything as it was and didn’t seem to put up much resistance to how the world operated. She was neither passionate nor motivated, she was the exact definition of someone who never let people in.

He would have commented on her position, even knowing that she would insist that she was perfectly fine.

Opening his mouth and breaking the silence, Jasper asked the dangerous question. “Will that girl really hunt us down over and over?”

Horizon shrugged. “Don’t know. Seems like so far she’s made good on that promise, which means Moon’s prediction is likely not far off. She will continue to try and kill us until she is unable to do so, I would imagine.”

“Just what we needed...” Jasper sighed in defeat, hoping for a different answer.

Horizon had a hologram of Moon appear before them as she questioned the canine AI. “Moon, do you have any new data on Summer Flare that could be useful to us?”

The dog sat down and nodded at the two. “I’ve analyzed her combat data and determined that her fire affinity is quite unique.”

“Unique how?” Jasper blinked.

“Ordinarily fire spreads quite quickly, but it would appear as though Summer has learned how to contain that fire in condensed bursts allowing her to ignite and put out fires with ease. The drawback to this is the heat of her fires and therefore the potency of her magic is significantly lower,” Moon explained.

“Essentially meaning that because she concentrates on containing her fires, her magic is actually quite weak?” Horizon asked.

Moon nodded at the girl. “In theory, yes. Also, while examining her fighting technique, her speed is incredible, but very much within the same range as an ordinary human. With enough time to train, you two should be able to surpass her level, but I would theorize that she knows this and intends to take you out long before you have such a chance to do so.”

Jasper leaned in with interest. “Do you think she’ll come here now?”

Moon shook his head. “If Summer knew that the two of you were capable of magic, I would imagine that she is well aware that Jasper’s parents are as well. On top of this, even as a demon, she has limitations. When I examined her magic burn levels, it takes considerable amounts of magic to controls her fires, she would be getting very exhausted by now. I am using the data to assist Yuna is creating a magic scanner that should give a general readout of your opponents’ magic abilities and readouts.”

“That could definitely be useful!” Jasper grinned. Yuna's talents seemed to know no end.

Horizon ignored the commentary about the magic scanner and returned the subject to Summer Flare. “So she needs to rest
just like we do then?”

“Correct. My scans indicate signs of sleeping from her recently, which suggests that even demons require rest to regain power and energy,” Moon stated.

Jasper tilted his head in confusion. “How do we know she won’t forgo sleep and come here? I mean, after all, I’m sure that she’s figured out that we’re tuckered out as well...”

Moon tapped his forehead with one of his paws. “A trained assassin like herself would not take the risk of facing not one, but two foes, while she’s that exhausted, sloppy work, isn’t becoming of their kind, she will bide her time and strike when she feels she is recharged enough to do so.”

“Good to know... So what do we do now?” Horizon asked as she and Jasper stepped out of the car and into the barn itself.

Moon shrugged. “Practicing your abilities may prove useful here, but there is no real telling what Summer Flare will do next, or how she’ll handle such an encounter. I could tell she was holding back, and that won’t happen again next time more than likely...”

Horizon found herself sitting atop of a hay bale while Moon’s hologram followed them from her phone. Jasper sat across from her and sighed.

“So you’re saying even if we train it likely won’t be enough...” Jasper sighed.

“It’s quite possible. If Summer’s words are correct, then she has been training to kill since she was a small child...” Moon frowned.

A young voice called from the loft above. “You both are lucky for sure...”

Looking up to the loft, Horizon and Jasper saw little Candy dangling her legs playfully. “Lucky that I was there to save your sorry asses.”

Fire. All she could see was fire. Fire that burned everything down, the entire village, all of it up in smoke. An inferno without end razed the entire village, leaving nothing behind. Summer Flare ran from it, she ran as far as her hooves would carry her, she sat atop of the hill overlooking her village with tears running down her face. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing, everything she had once held dear, gone in a matter of eight minutes.

She had never known fire to spread so fast, but there she was witnessing it. The fire was overwhelming everything, and there were no survivors but herself.

She was alone, completely alone. Her parents, her neighbors, all of them, were dead.

Just when she thought the moment couldn’t get any worse though, a loud crack of thunder signaled the coming of rain. A downpour quickly began soaking the forest and the flames that had taken her home from her. The fire fought with the waters from above and the flames danced wildly while the water attempted to extinguish them.

She could feel the water come down on her, and before she knew it, she was so soaked that she couldn’t tell if her face was covered in tears or not.

What would she do now? With her village gone, she would have to fend for herself. She knew nothing about survival, and given that she was only six years old, she was helpless. She would die out in the wilderness, and not a soul would even know she disappeared. Gone into nothingness, that was her fate.

Or at least it would have been if not for the mysterious stranger who showed up. He wore a cloak over his form, concealing his face as he approached the girl standing on the hilltop in tears. He had come after seeing the smoke from the fire, and there he found a young kirin atop of the hill watching as her home burned.

He spoke up with a deep masculine voice. “Fate has been cruel to you, hasn’t it?”

She glanced over at him and whimpered. “W-who’re you?”

He gestured casually with his hoof as he approached. “Someone who understands just how cruel the world can be. Fate has been unkind to me as well...”

“Well... It’s too late... It’s all gone now...” Summer sobbed.

The stranger placed a hoof upon her shoulder. She looked up in surprise at how gentle his touch was. “There is plenty we can still do. When the world kicks you and knocks you down, you have a choice... Lay there and die, or get up and fight to live...”

“I don’t want to live anymore... I have no reason to...” Summer said somberly.

He shook his head and ran his hoof along the girl’s jawline. “For now you don’t, but that is why you have to find a new purpose.”

“How do I do that?” She sniffled.

“I can show you. I can give you a purpose. You can be a part of something greater than you ever imagined. I will guide you...” He spoke.

His voice soothed the girl. Something about his demeanor told her that everything would be alright, that she could rely on him. Nodding, she came to a stand and took his hoof in her own. “A-alright... What do we do first?”

“We make the first step on a long road...” He replied.

Jasper blinked as his sister hopped down from the loft onto a hay bale and then adjusted her outfit, brushing the hay off of herself. She stood up straight and her youth became obvious when she was significantly shorter than the both of them. “What’re y’all doing in here?” Jasper asked.

Candy looked away and stuck her tongue out. “That’s no way to speak to the woman who saved your lives.”

“First of all, you ain’t a woman...” Jasper corrected.

“Hey, fuck you! I’m a fucking lady, alright?” His little sister hissed.

“With a mouth like that?” Jasper raised his brow and smirked as he crossed his arms.

“Doth’ mine English bother thee?” She mocked.

Jasper just rolled his eyes.

“How did you save our lives exactly?” Horizon chimed in with her head tilted in confusion.

Candy blinked and her expression cooled when she looked at Horizon. She was such an easy-going character, that it was difficult to stay angry when conversing with her. Candy wondered if anyone had ever even seen Horizon raise her voice.

She winked and raised her hand causing a spike of ice to form from the ground. Horizon observed and soaked the information in. “So you were the one making those ice walls?”

She bowed gracefully and then winked when she came back to a stand. The young girl giggled gently as she replied. “Yup, that’s right. Without my ice, you’d both be dead already.”

“How did you even make ice like that anyway?” Jasper questioned.

His sister blew a raspberry and then huffed as she only met him with the corner of her eye. Then she retrieved a medallion from her neck that been tucked into the collar of her shirt and winked at them. “The same way that you guys did. Mother told me all about magic and showed me how to use her medallion. My affinity is ice, just like mother’s.”

Jasper was a bit surprised by what she was saying. “Mother actually let you have her medallion? After knowing what Horizon and I are involved in? Has she lost it?”

“I figured out what you were up to a while ago, you aren’t exactly stealthy.” Candy winked.

Looking over at Horizon, Jasper met her with apologetic eyes as he mouthed his apology. He really didn’t want his kid sister involved, but it looked like she had found a way to involve herself, regardless. It killed him that his mother even assisted in it. Had she gone completely mad?

Rarity was a fairly easy-going mother, much more so than Applejack, but she also didn’t like her children doing anything dangerous, and she was especially protective of Candy. Why would she give her only daughter a medallion that allowed her to play around with dangerous magic powers?

“So what do you want then?” Jasper asked.

Candy grinned before pulling a box out from behind a few hay bales. “To contribute to your little team. I’m going to help you guys fight these demons and find out why they killed Sunset Shimmer. I’m just as curious as anyone else after all.”

Jasper blinked in confusion. “You can’t be serious...”

Opening the wooden box she nodded. “I am, I’ve been training for this very thing, and I’ve even prepared some stuff for the occasion.”

“Training how?” Jasper raised a brow.

“Mother has been teaching me martial arts for years. She said it’s important for a lady to be able to take care of herself, but that’s not all...” Candy continued.

Rarity tapped on the door of the small apartment that Cinder called her home away from home. The muscular woman answered the door and her reptilian eyes met Rarity with confusion as the two locked gazes. “Miss Rarity...” Cinder nodded.

“Miss Razorclaw, I’m ever so sorry to impose on you while you’re at home...” Rarity bowed slightly to show her sincerity.

Cinder shrugged as she revealed a bottle of vodka in her good hand which Rarity eyed. It was only eight in the morning, and she was already drinking? She didn’t seem that drunk though, but somehow Rarity imagined her as the kind of woman who drank straight from the bottle.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” Cinder asked.

“May I come in?” Rarity asked.

Shrugging once more, Cinder stepped out of the doorway and allowed Rarity to enter. As she glanced around the small living quarters, she wasn’t particularly surprised to see that Cinder owned next to nothing. In the corner of her tiny living room were many swords, daggers, and other various blades neatly mounted to the wall, but next to the couch was a unique pair of katanas. Their hilts were ornate and quite decorated, Rarity knew nothing of swords, but she would wager they were hand made.

The fact that they were kept separate from the rest told Rarity that those swords were special to Cinder.

Sitting down next to her swords, Cinder took a long swig of the bottle before offering it to Rarity who declined.

“What’s on your mind, Miss Rarity?” Cinder asked.

Rarity bit her lip as she chewed her thoughts, but after a good eight seconds of deliberating, she decided she knew where she wanted to start.

“You’re from Equestria, right?” Rarity began.

Cinder nodded. “Yup.”

“Why’d you admit it so easily...?” Rarity blinked in astonishment.

Cinder smirked. “The way I see it, we both have secrets. You don’t want people knowing you’re a werewolf and I can’t have people knowing I’m from Equestria, so I think we both have something on each other which ensures neither of us is going to say too much, right?”

“Honesty through mutual blackmail then?” Rarity asked.

“Nah, I wasn’t going to tell anyone what you are, regardless. I’m not like that.” Cinder waved her mechanical hand dismissively.

“You’re very well mannered... Your appearance is certainly deceptive...” Rarity admitted.

Laughter escaped Cinder before she took another long swig of the vodka in her hand. “I get that a lot. People see the scars and my arm and assume that I’m much meaner than I am, but only to those who earn my ire.”

“What exactly are you?” Rarity changed the subject.

Leaning forward, Cinder rested her elbows on her knees as she grinned. “I’m a dragon.”

“So like Princess Twilight’s Spike? Oh, wait... Sorry, you probably don’t even know who that is...” Rarity rubbed her neck.

“I know who they both are. I was allowed to come here because of Twilight,” Cinder explained.

Rarity blinked. “Really? So you’re only here temporarily then I assume? Some kind of mission on her behalf?”

Sighing, Cinder shook her head as her expression turned more serious. “Things have changed in Equestria some time ago. This place is a no pony’s land now. One way trip, no return.”

“So you’re stuck here now?” Rarity asked.

Cinder nodded.

“Why though? Why come here?” Rarity questioned.

“It’s complicated, but I came looking for my student, Eclipse. I am pretty confident that he came to this place some time ago, and I intend to find him,” Cinder stated.

Rarity’s eyes wandered to the two katanas. “So what’s the story on those then?”

Reaching down, Cinder picked one of the swords up and unsheathed it. She held the blade in front of herself as she appreciated its craftsmanship and fine sheen. The sword looked immaculate as if it had never even seen battle before.

“These are my family katanas. One was given to me by my father, and the other was held by my late brother, Ash, very unique katanas made of dragon steel and forged in a volcanic furnace. They never tarnish and they are unbreakable through conventional means.” Cinder’s face lit up as she told the legacy of her family heirlooms.

Rarity could tell she took great pride in her blades, and she clearly knew her way around a weapon.

“What about you, Miss Rarity? Why do you hide your secret?” Cinder questioned as she put the blade down.

Rarity bit her lip. “You probably wouldn’t understand.”

“Must be hard not to accidentally bite your wife and turn her, right?” Cinder chuckled.

Rarity sighed at the stereotype. “It doesn’t work like that...”

“Admittedly, I know little about werewolves...” Cinder winked.

“I didn’t come to discuss my disposition...” Rarity said.

“Very well, why did you come then?” Cinder raised a brow before taking another drink.

“I would like you to train my daughter. I could tell right away that you’re quite skilled when it comes to fighting, and I fear she is going to get involved in her brother’s exploits sooner or later. I could attempt to forbid it, but I know all too well that pre-teens just defy orders from their parents. It’s better she be prepared...” Rarity explained.

Cinder could relate to that statement. Most of the time she always did what her parents said, but she always had gone out of her way to assist ponies whenever they asked, despite the opposition of her family to help anyone who wasn’t their own kind. Dragons were known for being incredibly racist to non-dragons, but Cinder saw herself as one of the more progressive of her kind.

“If you wish for me to train your daughter, then I shall.” Cinder bowed her head.

Rarity stepped forward and took the woman’s hand in her own and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you, Miss Razorclaw! I appreciate it so dearly.”

“Bring her over tonight, I will begin to show her what I know right away.” Cinder grinned.

Rarity parked her car and looked over at her daughter who was clutching her magic medallion tightly. It was only a short while ago that Rarity revealed its secrets and told her about Cinder Razorclaw. It was a lot for a little girl to process, but after the initial shock of it all, Candy grew to accept it.

Candy’s mother had stated they were coming, but after about eight seconds of sitting in the car, it was all sinking in with Candy. The two stepped out of the car and Rarity with her daughter approached a field near an old forest where Cinder had told them both to meet her.

When they arrived, there, Cinder stood with an assorted array of weaponry behind her. She nodded to Rarity and waved her away with her good hand. “I’ll take care of my student from here, please leave us.”

Candy blinked and looked over at her mother, who just smiled at her daughter and then needed back at Cinder. The woman gently bowed before turning around to head back to her car. The engine could be heard starting up, and Rarity decided to drive off a good distance to give the two of them privacy.

Once the girl’s mother was out of earshot, Cinder cleared her throat as she stood tall with her hands behind her back. She examined the girl carefully and noted how she was far from muscular or even “fit”. It was clear that she’d be somewhat of a challenge to work with.

Candy looked up at her as she cleared her throat and just stared while Cinder began to speak in her raspy voice. “We already know each other since I work for your family, but it is a tradition for your mentor to introduce themselves... I am Cinder Razorclaw, sometimes known as Cinder Deathclaw, but that was not a name I chose for myself.”

“Deathclaw?” Candy tilted her head.

Cinder nodded. “We all earn many names in life, but most of them we don’t choose, that was merely one of mine.”

“Is it true that you’re not human?” Candy changed the subject.

Cinder closed her eyes and inhaled before answering. “Yes. I am a dragon, from the Equestrian portal.”

Candy’s face turned into a large grin. “So you grew up in Equestria then?”

Cinder shook her head. “No. While we refer to the world as Equestria colloquially for your kind, the planet is actually called Earth, just like here, only an alternate version. I lived for most of my life in a place called Dragon Scar. I only came to Equestria during a Great War about a decade ago now.”

“So Equestria’s a country then?” Candy asked.

“Yes, albeit, a very powerful and successful one, but still just a country,” Cinder stated.

“What about Dragon Scar, where you said that you’re from?” Candy tilted her head with intrigue.

Cinder could tell that she was an inquisitive girl, which was a good thing in her book. As a child remembered her mother wrapping her own wounds whenever she got herself hurt because of her curiosity, and her old mother would scold her something fierce, but in only a few days, little Cinder would be back at it again, sticking her snout where it didn’t belong.

“A harsh place, but that’s neither here nor there. If you know what you’re going to get involved in, then you will need training...” Cinder explained.

Candy tilted her head in confusion. “What kind of training? My mother already helps me practice martial arts...”

Shaking her head, Cinder unsheathed her two blades and crossed them before the young girl. She presented her arms with pride as she spoke of their legacy. “These blades; they are made of pure dragon steel, a metal capable of penetrating a dragon’s hide with ease and even severing bone. Unbreakable, and forged in volcanic heat. My father crafted these two swords himself... One for myself, and one for my brother Ash...”

Candy remained silent as Cinder told her story of her family heirlooms.

Lowing the swords, Cinder sighed before stepping aside to give access to an area behind herself that housed many weapons. She gestured for Candy to pick one. “The relationship between a master and her blade is a special one. Somewhere in this assortment is the style of blade that is best suited for you, all you need to do is reach out and take it.”

Candy blinked a few times as she observed the arrangement of swords and then Cinder as she stepped out of the way, allowing Candy to pass easily. The preteen looked back at Cinder with curious eyes, but the woman just placed her hands behind her back and nodded confidently. “Go ahead, choose the blade that speaks to you.”

Looking back at the swords, Candy squinted as she took a long look at each sword. Cinder’s collection was fairly diverse and there seemed to be a blade intended for every type of fighter.

Her eyes would scan each work of steel carefully, while her hands would gently touch their hilts or the side of their fine blades until her eyes fell upon a particular sword. It was a fairly simple short sword with a shining silver blade, but its appearance attracted the young girl.

Small in size, it had a certain elegance to it as she picked it up in her left hand and practiced swinging with it a few times. It was a sturdy blade, and despite its size, it had some weight to it, which made its blows impactful.

“So, a short sword then? That blade is better for close encounters and agile fighting. It’s smaller size obviously is better for you, as carrying it is far easier, but it also can come with you in tight areas. I think it’s a fine choice.” Cinder smiled at the girl.

Candy gave a few more practice swings with the sword before looking back at Cinder. “So what now?”

“Get a feel for it, see how it feels most comfortable to hold it...” Cinder gestured for the girl to play with it for a while.

Focusing on her left hand, Candy tried swinging the blade, but somehow still felt awkward. When she switched to the sword being backhanded, it oddly felt more natural to her. She gave a backhand swing or two and nodded with confidence.

Cinder raised a brow in confusion. “Backhanded swordsmanship? I supposed it does impose an element of surprise...”

Taking a stance, Cinder gestured for Candy to attack as she held both of her blades up.

Rushing her, Candy clashed with the older woman. Their blades clanked together and Candy was able to quickly unleash another set of fast swipes that Cinder blocked. Her orange eyes narrowed as she watched Candy swing, grunting with enthusiasm as she did.

Cinder would let out a loud chuckle as she watched her new student push herself, finally after several swings, the girl tired herself out and knelt down panting. Cinder just lowered her blades and nodded. “You’re strong, kid. You’ll go far if you allow me to teach you.”

Catching her breath, Candy nodded. “I want to be strong so I can protect my family...”

A small came to Cinder’s face as she heard those words. “Then you already understand the first rule of strength.”

“Wait, so mother gave y’all her medallion and now ya’ can do ice magic?” Jasper blinked as he made sure he was following what his sister was explaining.

Candy nodded and winked as she tapped her medallion.

“And Miss Razorclaw is a dragon from Equestria then?” Horizon asked to make sure she was following correctly.

“Yes, but that’s not the important part, what is important though is that I have outfits for the both of you.” Candy giggled.

Jasper rubbed his neck and looked away. “Thanks, but playin’ dress up ain’t too important right now...”

Rolling her eyes, Candy ignored him and retrieved a small bag with clothing inside and handed it to Horizon before instructing her. “Go in the back behind those bales and change into that, I want to make sure the dimensions are correct.”

Shrugging, Horizon took the bag and wandered to the back of the barn while Jasper just shook his head at his sister. A part of him was curious as to why she felt their wardrobe was important, but he knew that asking would only trigger a long speech from her about how fashion was a core part of existence and what separated them from animals. He wasn’t in the mood to sit through such pointless and pedantic dribble, so instead, he kept quiet.

Returning from changing, Horizon came out wearing a tight leather bodysuit, dark pink in color with a mask over her eyes that came up to the top of her head with a pair of pink furry wolf ears. The girl blinked a few times and adjusted herself to try and get a look at herself.

Jasper was stunned at how well her body took to the outfit. While she was less busty than Jasper remembered Sunset Shimmer being, she was at least on the larger side of a B-cup, which was being complimented well by the fact that her outfit left her front semi-unzipped, exposing her cleavage.

On the woman’s feet were a pair of black gothic heeled boots that came only about a foot or so short of her knee.

She turned around to show her rear and wiggle it slightly to reveal that the outfit came with a wolf-like tail. Candy whistled delightfully as Horizon turned back around and brandished her new dark pink gloves made of leather with sharpened tips that made them resemble proper claws.

“Diamond fitted, razor-sharp, and extremely deadly. They also should conduct magic far better than those tatty things you were calling weapons prior.” Candy waved her hand as she winked and smirked.

Even Jasper had to admit that the outfit was quite fetching, and did seem to fit over Horizon’s form easily, complimenting her body.

“The suit is lined with special threading that assists in redirecting magic. While it’ll still hurt like hell to get struck by magic, it’ll at least spare you about 8% of the pain. On top of that, the gloves are also fitted with special material on the palms and fingertips that make gripping even the slickest of surfaces just a little easier.” Candy explained.

Jasper stepped forward, nodded, and began to approach Horizon. The girl’s usual neutral expression remained on her face as she asked her next question. “How do I look?”

Jasper nodded in approval. “Y’all look great, but more importantly this suit should keep ya’ safer out there, we just have t’ find a way to get Moon into your mask’s lens or something...”

Candy stepped up to volunteer again. “What’s Moon?”

“AI program that is stored in Horizon’s glasses, Yuna designed it for her.” Jasper pointed out.

Candy nodded and grinned. “I’ll have to meet with her and get that taken care of then. I also have an outfit for you, Jasper.”

Jasper blinked and shook his head. “No way.”

“It would be a lot wiser to cooperate, my designs are both fashionable and practical. Just take what’s in the box and stop complaining...” Candy rolled her eyes.

Jasper wanted to protest some more, but even he couldn’t deny that the ability to reflect or reduce the effects of magic was useful. Sighing, he accepted his fate and reached into the box to retrieve the outfit that was prepared for him. After stepping aside for a few moments, he came back with his signature stetson tied around the back of his neck, but his face was covered by a mask with ox horns coming off of it.

The boy’s golden hair was still very visible, but the rest of him was sporting a black leather jacket, and a full-body suit under it. Over his feet were a pair of black thick boots that gave him a powerful stance, and black leather gloves to complete the look.

He noted that the knuckles of his gloves appeared to have some kind of metal in them, which he was certain would make his punches significantly more potent.

“Like Horizon’s outfit, the gloves are fitted with special magic conducting metal, so channeling your ability into them should prove effective,” Candy explained.

The boy gave a few swings and jabs with his new gloves and smiled as he admired them. Even he could admit that Candy had made a good choice.

“And of course then there’s mine...” Candy grinned before pulling a second box out and retreating to put on her own outfit.

When she returned, she was wearing a purple corset top with fingerless black gloves. A short skirt accompanied the look, but a pair of tight black shorts were just barely visible underneath.

On her feet, her boots were heeled, making her stand a hair or two taller than usual, and on her back was a sheath with her trusted short sword.

Like the other two, she also had a mask upon her face, but hers was a simple masquerade mask, and atop of her head was a set of cat ears on a headband.

“So, let’s go hunt us down a demon!” Candy grinned.

“Right now? We barely got away from her the last time!” Jasper protested.

“This time the three of us can work together. She’ll be far easier to take out!” Candy explained.

Looking over at Horizon, Jasper hoped for her advice on the matter. “What do you think, Horizon?”

Horizon paused for around eight seconds and thought it over. With their combined abilities and their new suits, there was a chance that they could actually take on Summer Flare.

She nodded in agreement. “Let’s go find her.”

It didn’t take much to track down Summer Flare again, as the girl had been waiting to find the teenagers again, but this time they found her. She had traveled outside of the city to go and meditate to focus herself so she could return and finish the job of killing the two, but to her good fortune, they had traveled out that far directly to her.

They clearly had learned how to track down certain energy signatures somehow. In actuality, Horizon had pulled up Moon on her phone and used his abilities to follow Summer’s magic signature.

This time though, when the teens arrived, they were oddly dressed and had a new addition to their group, something that Summer wasn’t expecting.

The kirin came to a stand and remained silent as Horizon, Jasper, and Candy stood before her with weapons drawn. “We’re here to stop you, Summer!” Candy growled viciously.

Summer tilted her head as her expression remained neutral as always. “Do you wish to kill me then?”

“If it comes to it, then we certainly will,” Horizon spoke on his behalf.

Horizon noted that Summer’s hand twitched at that statement, but quickly returned her eyes onto Summer’s own eyes as Summer began to speak.

“You three don’t get it...” Summer shook her head, an odd amount of feeling in her voice for her.

“Even with your combined power...” Summer’s hands began to tremble and her eyes narrowed.

The emotionless creature grew a nasty scowl and a gaze that could pierce one’s heart. Her voice turned into a horrid growl as she spoke, smoke coming from her hands and eyes which began to glow.

“You’re nothing compared to my true power...”

“What the hell...?” Jasper lowered his fists as he observed her.

“All this time... I’ve suppressed my anger... Held my true power back, but it’s been so long since I’ve unleashed it... So long since I’ve been allowed to let loose...” She growled.

As she spoke, the fire on her hands and in her eyes began to grow, burning brighter with each and every word.

The phone on Horizon’s wrist buzzed and quickly a hologram of Moon appeared before her with a lab coat on and pointed to Summer with a yardstick in his paw. “Guys, Summer’s power levels are already eight times higher than their normal levels! You have to stop her before she gets any stronger!”

“Got it!” Candy nodded as she drew her sword and held it backhanded. Quickly the girl rushed Summer and took a swing which the kirin knocked away with her backhand. The blade didn’t even slice her skin and Candy quickly followed up with a second slash only for it to be blocked similarly.

Wasting no time to get into the fray, Jasper lunged forward and took a swing which Summer caught in her palm. His gloves started to heat up as he felt the fire in her hand which caused him to pull back and get his hand out of her grip. He swung again and Candy tried to take advantage of the confusion by swinging once more, but Summer was able to duck under Jasper’s swing and kick the sword coming her way away from herself.

Horizon quickly summoned swords of light that floated around her, eight in total levitated as she prepared to utilize them when needed.

The young teen leaped into battle and kept herself crouched down low as she swiped at Summer repeated with her claws. Summer met each slash with a counter, but Horizon didn’t give up, she continued unleashing a flurry of slices and finally hurled a light sword at the creature only for it to miss and disappear into the ether.

Another two swords flew through the air and again Summer dodged them, this time by rolling out of the way. She retaliated by stomping the ground and sending a shockwave in the entire group’s direction, knocking all but Horizon over.

Horizon kept her footing just barely before initiating another attack. Jasper joined in, with his sister’s help.

Candy cast her magic on her brother’s gloves and formed ice harder than diamonds on his hands which he used to unleash a series of punches which Summer deflected before her hands grew brighter and eventually their flames turned blue, melting the ice with ease.

“Her fire is getting hotter!” Candy pointed out.

Summer’s resolve seemed completely unshaken. She could go toe-to-toe with the three of them and not even flinch. Her power only seemed to be growing with every attack they unleashed on her.

Jasper didn’t give up though, instead, he quickly pulled a large chunk of the earth right out of the ground with his bare hands and hurled the massive boulder at her.

Summer opened her mouth and blasted fire from her throat so potent that it shattered the rock into pieces.

“Nothing’s working!” Jasper commented as he prepared another rock.

“Moon, what’s going on?” Horizon asked as she took another few swings at the girl.

Moon’s hologram appeared again as Candy and Horizon attempted another series of attacks that were only met with more failure. “Her strength is only growing. I would recommend a retreat, her abilities far surpass your own.”

“Shit, I think he’s right...” Candy admitted as she was just knocked back after another failed attack. The girl panted, realizing that escape would be a challenge.

“How are we going to get away now?” Jasper asked as he threw another rock.

Horizon began to try and formulate a plan, but as if the heavens had answered their prayers, a van quickly pulled up to their location and swerved into a stop. The side doors swung open and a teenage girl with hair that faded from yellow to red on top, and purple to light blue on the bottom poked her head out. Jasper quickly noticed her shining pinkish-purple eyes with two eyebrow piercing above her right eye. The right side of her hair was pinned up, and the group could tell it was about shoulder length as she leaned out of the window.

“Get in! Hurry!” She shouted with a raspy voice.

Nodding, Jasper, Horizon, and Candy all bolted in the van’s direction only for Summer to blast fire from her palms to try and stop them. “Oh no, you don’t!”

From the other side of the van, a woman with light purple hair with a bright streak through it poked her head out and aimed a handgun in Summer’s direction. Her eyes hinted at her Asian descent, a detail that Candy noticed right away.

“Piss off...” The woman said as she open fired on Summer.

The kirin focused her attention on blocking the bullets with her hands, which allowed the teens to make their escape into the van. Once the clip was emptied, she pulled back into the vehicle and stepped on the gas pedal.

The girl in the passenger seat looked back at the group and smiled at them. “Hey there.”

As the vehicle began to speed through a nearby field, Jasper, Candy, and Horizon all answered in unison. “Hello.”

The teenager grinned at them. “What’re your names?”

Candy rolled her eyes. “Clearly we have masks on, so we aren’t trying to be named...”

The teen chuckled. “Yeah, but we’re saving your asses, so we’d at least like to know who we’re saving.”

Jasper spoke up. “Sorry ‘bout her, she can be rude...”

“Hey, fuck you!” Candy hissed.

Jasper ignored his sister and kept speaking. “My name is Jasper, Jasper Apple. This here is my sister, Candy.”

The teen nodded and looked at Horizon. “And you are?”

“Horizon Shimmer,” she answered plainly.

“Not much of a talker are you? That’s alright.” The teen grinned.

“My name is Novalight Glimmerburst, but you guys can call me Nova... Especially you, handsome...” She winked at Jasper, who blushed and looked away bashfully.

“And who is the Asian woman then?” Candy asked.

Jasper jabbed her in the shoulder which caused her to grunt.

“That’s my mom, Starlight Glimmer. I think she’s Chinese right?” She looked at her mom for confirmation.

Starlight rolled her eyes. “I’m half Chinese. Can we please stick to the matter at hand though? I think our friend is following us...”

Starlight checked the side mirror and sure enough, Summer was bolting after them at speeds that a normal person would not be capable of. She was clearing the distance between them with little effort as the fires in her eyes and on her hands grew brighter and brighter.

“Shit, she’s a determined little fuck, isn’t she?” Nova chuckled.

“Who are you people?” Candy asked.

“We’ll get to that in a bit, first we have to lose her...” Starlight stated.

Nova reached under her seat and retrieved a few guns, holding them up to her mother. “Which do you think? The uzi or the 1911?”

Starlight glanced over at the two weapons for a second before returning her attention to where they were going. “Better go with the uzi, more bullets, thus harder to block.”

“Good thinking.” Nova nodded as she leaned out her window again and began unloading bullets at Summer.

The kirin moved out of the way for most and was able to project a fire shield in front of herself to stop the rest. Nova just kept firing until her clip was empty. She reloaded and continued the barrage of bullets.

Horizon pulled Moon back up and spoke with him. “Moon, why is she so strong? She can stop bullets even.”

Moon retrieved a pair of glasses and placed them upon his face as he spoke. “It appears as though Summer’s power is based upon her anger; the angrier she gets, the more powerful she becomes.”

“She seemed pretty emotionless prior to this...” Jasper reminded.

Moon nodded. “Indeed, it seems as though she is capable of suppressing her anger and unleashing it at a later time. She must have stored up anger for a considerable amount of time.”

“That’s bad news for us...” Starlight commented.

“Eh, all demons are the same... Full of surprises...” Nova commented before emptying another clip.

“Is she still behind us?” Candy asked.

Starlight looked in the mirror and noted that all the bullets didn’t seem to slow her down in the slightest. “Oh yeah, she’s still full of piss and vinegar...”

“Man, fuck this...” Nova shook her head before pulling back into the car and unbuckled her seatbelt.

“What’re you doing?” Jasper blinked.

She began to craw over the console and into the backseat where she climbed over Jasper and winked. “Don’t worry your little head, hot stuff...” She giggled as she caressed his cheek carefully before climbing over him and into the back. “I’m just taking care of our problem more effectively...”

Once she was in the trunk she called out to her mother. “Mom, open the back window.”

Nodding, Starlight pressed a button and the back window unlocked and opened.

“What’re ya’ gonna do?” Jasper blinked as he looked over his seat to observe what she was doing.

Nova reached into the chest in the back of the car and retrieved a weapon that the group instantly recognized as a grenade launcher. She quickly loaded it up and pointed it out the window.

“Holy shit!” Candy called out as the entire group shy of Horizon and Starlight ducked down and covered their heads.

With precise aim, Nova fired the weapon and scored a direct hit on Summer. The kirin was forced to stop in her tracks to block the explosive and it gave just enough time for the group to getaway.

Once they were certain that the kirin couldn’t follow them, Nova nodded and put the grenade launcher away before turning back to the group. “See, isn’t this fun?”

“You people have a warped idea of fun...” Candy sighed.

“Nonsense, we’ve been doing this for years. While other kids are off learning about which countries are in Africa, I was learning how to make plastic explosives.” Nova giggled before ruffling Candy’s hair.

Candy waved her hands to get Nova to stop before fixing her hair.

“So you two have fought demons before then?” Horizon asked.

“Demons, wendigos, vampires, the works...” Starlight answered.

“That stuff doesn’t exist...” Jasper shook his head.

Starlight glanced back at them before stopping the car once they had secured themselves deep in the woods. “Kid, are you about to tell me what does and doesn’t exist after you just saw that shit?”

Jasper had to admit she had a point.

“So who are you guys exactly?” Candy changed the subject.

Nova spoke on her mother’s behalf. “We’re sort of like paranormal hunters in a way. We travel all over looking for weird shit.”

“That’s putting it simply...” Starlight rolled her eyes.

“So you two do this for a livin’?” Jasper asked.

“Well, Nova’s been doing this with us since she was born, but there’s actually four of us. It started out with just myself and Angel, but my husband became a part of our little operation shortly after...” Starlight explained.

“Where are they now?” Candy asked.

Starlight opened the door to the car and gestured for everyone to get out. “About eighty yards that way...” She pointed.

The group all exited the car and began the walk into the woods. It seemed to be an abandoned area outside the city limits, which made it remarkable that anyone would stay out there.

“Do you guys live out here?” Candy asked.

Nova shook her head. “We don’t live anywhere.”

“Huh?” Jasper asked.

“We go where we’re needed,” Starlight explained.

“We’re here!” Nova pointed.

The group stopped before an old cabin in the dense woods that looked as if it had seen better days. It was clear that it hadn’t been attended to in some time. “This is it?” Candy blinked.

Nodding, Starlight opened the door and entered.

The rest of the group followed and there inside they caught a glimpse of two more people.

A tall man with red hair and a scruffy beard stood up and raised a brow. Starlight spoke before he had a chance to say anything. “This is my husband, Sunburst”

“Who are these kids?” Sunburst asked.

Nova waved her hand dismissively. “Relax dad, they’re friends. They were fighting one of those demons.”

A tall woman stepped out of the darkness and smiled at the group with perhaps the sweetest smile they had ever seen. Her blue curly hair draped down her body and went just above her butt. She was slender and cute with a soft voice as she spoke. “Hello there, I’m Angel Song. Who might you all be?”

“I’m Candy Apple, that’s my brother Jasper and the quiet one is Horizon Shimmer.” Candy gestured.

Angel blinked and stepped closer to Horizon, examining the girl. “Horizon Shimmer... You’re related to Sunset Shimmer then?”

“That’s right, how do you know that?” Horizon asked.

Angel ignored her question and glanced over at Candy and Jasper. “And you two are related to Applejack then?”

“She’s our mom...” Jasper spoke quietly with suspicion on his tongue.

“It’s all coming together...” Angel spoke softly before sitting back down with her hands in her lap as she sat in thought.

“What is?” Candy asked.

“We started all of this because of Angel, she developed some kind of magic powers, and shortly after Starlight did too... We’ve been chasing after paranormal stuff to see if we can find an explanation...” Sunburst spoke up.

“So how did y’all know our parents?” Jasper asked.

“Premonitions. Angel gets them sometimes and all of your parents have appeared in them...” Starlight explained.

Horizon stepped forward and stood directly in front of Angel, causing the woman to look up at her. “So you knew my mother?”

Angel shook her head and frowned. “No, sorry. I’ve never met her; only in my dreams... What is she like?”

“Dead.” Horizon shrugged.

Angel bit her lip and frowned, you could feel the hurt in her eyes. “Oh... I’m so sorry...”

“She went missing eight years ago...” Candy chimed in.

“It have anything to do with the demons?” Starlight asked.

“We think so...” Jasper nodded.

Starlight sighed and shook her head as she began pacing. “I don’t know what to make of any of this... What do you think, Angel?”

Angel sat in silence, not answering.

“What does that girl Summer Flare want?” Candy questioned.

Sunburst shook his head. “She’s working for someone...”

“We know that already, but who?” Jasper questioned.

Starlight shrugged. “We’re still trying to figure that out ourselves. We know they are looking for something though... Whatever it is, we can’t let them find it. We have to get it first...”

“The demon throne is empty...” Angel said.

“Huh?” Starlight blinked and looked at her friend.

“The demons failed to find a proper leader, so now they grow more aggressive in their hunt...” Angel continued, her voice shaking as she spoke.

Starlight stepped closer and knelt down, taking her friend’s hand in her own.

“Is she getting a premonition right now?” Candy asked.

Nova hushed them as she too stood beside Angel and took her other hand. “It’s okay, Angel, tell us...”

Angel stared forward for a moment before continuing. “There was a favored one, but she fell out of favor... Another rose to take the throne...”

“And?” Starlight asked softly.

Angel shook her head. “I don’t know, but I know the throne remains empty... Someone seeks to fill that throne... Hell will do what it takes to ensure it as well...”

“So we’re up shit creek then...” Candy sighed.

Angel gripped her head and grunted. Pain overtook her as she collapsed to the floor. Starlight and Nova both knelt down to her side and gripped her arms as the girl pressed her fingers to her temples as she growled in agony.

“What’s wrong, Aunt Angel?” Nova asked, concern flooding her voice.

“I can... Feel it...” Angel panted as she struggled to keep her eyes open.

“Feel what?” Starlight leaned closer to ask.

Angel looked up and saw Horizon staring at her. The two locked eyes and Horizon stepped closer and knelt down to be at eye level with the woman. Angel struggled to speak, but words eventually left her mouth as she stared at Horizon with wonder.

“The demons that hunt you... They are unlike anything we’ve seen before... I can feel their master... Stronger than anything that’s ever lived, he rose to challenge the champion of hell... He will hunt you...” Angel winced in pain as she spoke.

“Why me?” Horizon asked with her head tilted.

Angel shook her head. “The light inside of you... It’s a blessing and a curse... While it can slay demons, it will also attract them to you... They wish to vanquish all light magic users like you or myself.”

Horizon blinked and stood still. Angel grumbled and reached forward taking the girl’s hand in her own.

Horizon froze as suddenly images of her mother flashed through her head. She could see the laboratory that they found her severed hand in and her mother standing there with a bloody stump where her right hand once was. The red-headed woman tried to hold herself up with a desk but ultimately fell to the floor, blood flooding the floor beneath her. She laid still and panted lightly as she closed her eyes.

Angel released Horizon’s hand at that moment and shuddered. “Sorry...” She said.

“What was that?” Horizon asked calmly.

Angel’s magenta eyes looked so weak as she stared at Horizon. “An echo of the past...”

“How though? I thought you said you never met Sunset...” Horizon tilted her head.

“Surely you’ve met the Adagio shades at this point?” Starlight chimed in.

Horizon nodded.

“We’ve come to understand that the Adagio shades are sort of like a virus in a way. Every person who has seen them effectively can spread them to people who also have magic potential. I saw one first, and thus it spread to Angel, and someone connected to the original Adagio must be related to or close to you...” Starlight explained.

“Sunset Shimmer...” Jasper nearly whispered.

“Which means that Sunset has seen the shades too...” Starlight explained.

Candy crossed her arms in disbelief. “Wait a minute, how is that possible though? Adagio was dead long before Sunset died, therefore how could she show a vision about Sunset?”

Jasper grinned at his sister’s cleverness, figuring out that the vision that Horizon had seen must have been of her mother without it being explicitly stated.

“The shades apparently can show you anything about any of the people connected to them, even events that Adagio herself didn’t witness...” Starlight said.

“Great, so now we’re dealing with ghosts?” Candy sighed.

“Ghosts aren’t much to deal with.” Nova giggled.

“Where does this rabbit hole end...” Jasper shook his head.

“Don’t worry, we’re here now and we’re going to help you. Tomorrow, I’m sending Nova to Horizon’s school so she can keep an eye on you guys...” Starlight stated. “That way, you all also will have a way to get a hold of us too.”

“Why don’t you guys come with us instead?” Candy questioned.

Starlight grinned. “Trust me, Nova is very good at this too. Plus she’ll blend in better with a bunch of teenagers than I will...”

“Does this mean I get a costume too!?” Nova leaned in with excitement.

Candy looked the girl over and found herself grinned as she examined her new canvas. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Awesome! So what school do you go to, Horizon?” Nova beamed.

Jasper crossed his arms with a concerned look upon his face. “Crystal Prep, which means y’all will stick out like a sore thumb. How do ya’ even plan on payin’ for that? It ain’t a cheap school...”

Nova chuckled and stepped forward, brushing his chin with her fingertips. “Don’t worry about me, cutie. Remember, my dad handles our finances. There’s plenty of money.”

“Yeah but if’n y’all said that you ain’t been to a real school, how do ya’ expect to get past all the paperwork?” Jasper raised a brow.

Nova reached into her back pocket and retrieved a leather wallet, from which she pulled out eight ID cards. “We’ve got a number of fake IDs that we use and our paperwork is quite extensive; birth certificates, social security cards, even false school records. It’s how we get around.”

Starlight rubbed her neck and looked away. “Not that we’re proud of it... But it grants us the freedom to operate without restraints...”

“We may finally be coming to the end of our journey though...” Sunburst spoke up.

“One last big hunt!” Nova squealed with excitement.

Horizon shrugged at all of it. “I guess it’s good to have allies then, considering we don’t know what we’re up against.”

Just outside of the cabin though, standing upon a sturdy branch of a sizable tree not too far from where the group sat though was a figure that watched them. With a dark black cloak covering their form, they stared at the cabin through the glowing red eyes of a black kabuki mask. Upon their back was a complex compound bow that had clearly seen some action.

They stared at the cabin with watchful eyes and remained until the group left, vanishing from sight before any of them could see.

Sorry for the delay, ran into some issues getting this chapter up, but it's up now! Also proud to introduce Novalight and her family properly into the story. She's quite a spirited girl isn't she?