The​ night sky glistened with millions of stars, light from hundreds of light-years away reflected off​ the calm lake of the Everfree, Sunset could almost feel the chilling​ wind from the mountains blow across the lake.

'I already miss it.’

Across the lake, lights gathered on the shore and spread across the lakeside with their glow. Sunset frowned at the numbers, it felt off, it felt wrong. She willed herself to move, speeding silently over the lake as she drew near. She blinked as they vanished… all but one. But then another had lit up some distance away. Her frown became even more pronounced as she thought about what was happening before her, struggling to remember old teachings from her past.

‘These are... Will-o'-the-wisps? This is a dream right? Nightmare? Well, let's see where it leads?’ Sunset followed the winding path it lit up for her, bouncing in the air as she reached point to point. She had finally reached the last one, before it went out, leaving her in the darkness.

'Great, nightmare it is then. Well, come on Sunset, wake up before-”

“Run!”

‘What?’

Three figures rushed through the darkness, flashlights illuminating behind them as they fled from the small mob.

“There they are! Fire!”

‘What… is going on?’

The trees exploded around them, the three shouting in alarm as the splinters pelted them like shrapnel. One figure stopped, heaving for breath as they turned to face the coming mob. The other two paused, crying out to their companion.

“Sonata!”

‘Wait… that’s-’

The figure lowered her hood, long beautiful blue hair with highlights trailing down her back as she took a breath. She waved to the others to keep going, her choker glowing with magic as the gem answered her call.

“Shit! Get down!”

Sonata screamed, magic lacing through her sounds and shattering everything before her. Several of the mob were lifted off their feet and sent flying through the air. The air was filled with dust as the screaming stopped and Sonata began to waver somewhat before quickly turning around and rushing towards the other Dazzling. She cried out as her shoulder was hit from a blind shooter, wildly firing in their direction.

“Go!” She hissed in pain as she trailed after them, only to yelp as they quickly surrounded her and began to rush through the darkness before lifting and guiding her. “I’m only going to slow you down!”

“I will not leave you here by yourself.” the curly hair leader chided her, Adagio snarled as another bullet hit the tree next to them.

“Yeah, idiot. We are not going to leave you to those assholes. Who knows what they will do to you?” Aria snapped at her, lacking the usual fire with her words, concern written on her face.

“We will face them together… not separately.” Adagio sighed as they reached an opening, only for the group to slide to a halt right in front of a cliff. “And it looks like we have no choice now…”

“I’m sorry…” Sonata whimpered, tears streaming down her face as the pain in her shoulder got worse. “I should have never used magic…”

“Over there! We got them!”

-Canterlot Old Suburbs-

Sunset woke from her sleep covered in a cold sweat, her eyes wide as she looked around her bedroom with panicked eyes. She took a few deep breaths in an attempt to control her breathing, as she analyzed the dream she had just came out of.

“It was just a dream,” Sunset muttered to herself, trying to expel the sense of dread that suddenly decided to take up residence in her very being. She looked out the window, seeing the moon shining brightly down at her. “It was just a… dream.”

It had to be a dream, there was no way the Dazzlings would ever find themselves in such a situation. Besides, their gems were shattered… right?

Sunset quickly pulled herself out of bed, walking over to her mirror where her pendant rested upon the polished wood. Her lower face morphed into a curious frown as she saw the gem was quietly pulsing with a bright light, going faster and faster, as if beckoning her.

“It...it was just a dream.” Sunset placed the pendant around her neck, feeling the familiar magic coursing through her body.

She focused on the last image she saw before she woke up, the cliff, the bright moon, the lush forest, everything was so clear and real to her in her mind. She had never seen the place before, and yet she could recall the very smell of mountain air that belonged to the Everfree.

“Okay… It is just a dream. It's not like I can tele-” The gem glowed and she vanished from her room.

-Everfree-

-port?!” Sunset eyes took in the scene before her. The Dazzlings stood on the side of a cliff at one side, and in the forest line was a score people armed to the teeth with varying weapons. Most took a step back in shock at her arrival, while the exhausted looking sirens could only stare in confusion.

“Sunset?” Adagio blinked in confusion as the teen shook her head, and took a stand before the three before facing the mob.

“Stop!” Sunset shook herself as she stepped in between the two groups. She had no idea how she got there but now wasn't the time to second guessing, “Don't you know what you are doing?! You’re trying to kill them!”

The leader snarled in response as he leveled his weapon. “Yeah, cleansing the world of their taint! Your foul devil magic can join them! Fire!”

Adagio shoved herself in front of Aria and Sonata, trying to shield them from the bullets, gritting her teeth as she waited for the pain to encompass her body. But instead, all she felt was a warmth, as if she was sunning herself back in Equestria. She slowly opened her eyes and her jaw dropped as she took in Sunset Shimmer.

No longer wearing pajamas and half asleep, she was covered in a beautiful dress, gems glowing brightly as she held up a hand covered in magic. She now held several pony-like features, like ears and a tail, now flat against her head with her tail swinging in agitation as the gunfire continued. A solid wall of magic separated the group from certain death. For a full minute the fire power poured onto the wall, before it finally petered off into silence as they realized their bullets did nothing. Sunset scowled as she held up her other hand, clutching her fingers into a fist and pulling back.

The 20 strong mob found their weapons ripped out of their hands, one or two even dragged with them before they cut themselves free.

“How dare you…” Sunset snarled at them, raising her fist above her head and glowing with power. The guns swirled into the air, glowing red hot as they began to warp and bend from the intense heat she was pouring into them. The men cowered away from her in intense fear, watching as the weapons had smelt into one large ball of twisted and warped red hot metal.

Sunset cut the magic off, watching the ball of red hot metal drop onto the ground with a heavy thud, the nearby bush bursting into flames from the immense heat it let off. She began to stomp forward, magic rising as wings began to form at her back, along with a horn growing from her forehead with an unearthly glow. Her very clothes seem to fold in onto itself, forming a dress of spectacular beauty. “You will never come looking for them ever again, do you understand me?”

Most of the group fled, rushing through the forest in blind panic, and yet one man kept his eyes on her as he backed away.

“I don’t know what you are, but this isn’t over. You and all these freaks will die by our hands!” The man roared at her, flinching as she sent a bolt of magic near his feet and forcing him to flee. Sunset kept her eyes on the tree line, sending pulse of magic every few seconds to see if they were still in the area before finally releasing the form, reverting back to her pajamas

“Oh man… That forms takes a lot of me without the rest of the girls here.” Sunset wipe her forehead as she look to the others.

“W-what was that?!” Adaigo stammered out in confusion, stunned at the level of power she felt coming from the teen in front of her. “That level of magic... it was almost as strong as the spell used during the ‘Battle of the Bands’ months ago!”

“Oh…” Sunset chuckled a little, rubbing her arms. “Yeah, sort of a ‘Pony-up’ version 3.0.”

“It was… so beautiful.” Sonata grinned at her, only to hiss in pain as she held her shoulder.

“Ah!? Hang on tight! I could do it once, I can do it again.” Sunset glowed as her uniform appearance swiftly returned and she quickly gathered them close to her. “We are going to Canterlot Hospital directly.”

“We can’t!” Adagio struggled to pull away when she heard where they were going. “Those guys have been stalking us within the city for months now! Aria just managed to get away when 1 of those crazy posed as a Doctor and tried to drug her.”

“What?! Why?” Sunset blinked in utter shock at what she heard.

“I’ll give you three guesses.” Aria muttered as she pulled off her hoodie, revealing a simple tank top and tried to stem the bleeding from Sonata. “We didn’t exactly have much when we first arrived here, and most people tend to forget they give us stuff. It’s not like we robbed a bank or anything.”

“Just people?” Sunset frown as all three girls refused to clarify, which caused her to sigh “Alright, I get it. I… sort of did the same. But we have to go somewhere… Maybe… Hold on.”

She grabbed onto all three of them, carefully wrapping her arms around Sonata who smiled up gratefully at her before they all vanished with a light pop

Off in the distance, a mysterious man lowered his binoculars and pulled up his radio. “Dispatch, it appears our sirens are in the clear. Save by all things, a former enemy.”

“Roger that, stand by for orders.”

“Acknowledge, Dispatch.”

-Applejack’s Farm-

Applejack slept soundly in her bed, her face somewhat red as she dream.

“Now… the pants….” She mumbled, grinning in her sleep as drool dripped from her mouth and onto her pillow. The room fell was silent as the night drew on, only to be shattered a few moments later.

~On the road again~
~Just can't wait to get on the road again~
~The life I love is making music with my friends~
~And I can't wait to get on the road again~
~On the road again~

Applejack snorted as she turned and covered her head to block out the music, the phone continued to ring until silence reigned once more. Applejack settled herself back into a comfortable position, wanting to go back sleep as she settled in with a sigh.

~On the road again~
~Just can't wait to get on the road again~
~The life I love is making music-

The teen groaned, as she blindly reached for her phone before finally grasping it and answering.

“Rainbow… Ah told you for the last time, Ah am not going to wake up Mac because your brand new car mysteriously stop working.”

“Rainbow has a car?”

Applejack sat up in bed “Sunset? Why are you-” Pulling the phone away to look at the time, “Why the heck are you calling at 2 in the morning, sugarcube?”

“It’s an emergency.” Sunset said quickly, then spoke to someone else, but Applejack was unable to hear what she said or who she was talking to.

“Emergency? At 2 in the morning?! Did someone get shot or something?!”

“Uh… yes?”

“What?! Then take them to the hospital, not a farm!” Applejack hissed on the phone.

“Hospitals are unsafe for them, whoever these guys that shot at them will get them there.”

“Them who?”

“Look out outside.” was the only reply she got. Applejack grumbled as she got up out of her bed and made her way to the window, looking out and pausing at the sight she saw.

There, at the barn door, was Sunset and Dazzlings, one which seem to be in pain and being held up by the other two. Applejack stared for a moment before answering. “I'll be down in a minute, but I need you to grab Fluttershy too.”

“Why?”

“Me or Mac can handle some big stuff, but Fluttershy is a lot better at gunshots than me and Mac.”

“She is?”

“There are a lot of sick varmints out there that shoot at our animals in the middle of the night, Sunset. You grab her while Ah get Mac up.”

“Right.”

-30 minutes later-

“I'm sorry don't have anything stronger or safer for you to use.” Fluttershy whispered to Sonata as she laid face down on the gurney, who only gave her a weak smile in return. Adagio paced outside the room while Aria sat and stared at nothing in particular.

The Apple siblings worked quickly to set up the area for Fluttershy, thankfully Mac was more concerned with Sonata’s well being rather than demanding to know why they were there to begin with. Fluttershy’s quick arrival with Sunset, along with a medical bag in tow allowed the young teen to examine Sonata swiftly, and began to order them about to better treat her.

One loss of a shirt later, and a towel to cover decency, Sonata was as ready as she could be with the short prep time and lack of needed medical supplies.

“Big Mac, I need you to hold her down, Applejack, make sure you hold her legs.” Fluttershy ordered them both as she pulled out a pair of tweezers from her bag, then handed Sonata a wrapped piece of plastic. “I need you to bite down on this.”

Sonata hesitated for a moment before nodding, taking the plastic in her mouth and biting down hard while Fluttershy turned to Adagio and Aria. “I need you two to stay within her eyesight, try to give her some moral support while I work.”

Fluttershy sighed while they got themselves ready, and Sunset walked up behind and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“You will do fine, Shy.”

“I hope so. This is very dangerous Sunset. The bullet missed the axillary artery but only just. Plus it being lodged in the muscle, I could still cut it by accident when I pull it out. Not to mention making a bigger incision just start with. Thank goodness the Apples have some medical equipment on hand, that and her skin is tougher than it looks, so it slowed the bullet down a lot so I was able to see it...” Fluttershy sighed once more as she lowered her head, as Sunset place her hands on the teen's shoulders, looking at her with an intense look.

“Fluttershy, I believe in you, I know you can do it.” Fluttershy looked up to her with a smile.

“Thank you.” Sunset smiled and nodded her head, before a curious look replace her intense one.

“By the way… how do you know so much medical procedures anyways?” Sunset asked, only for the teen to sigh for the third time and run her hand through her hair.

“My brother and father. My father like to experiment at home, and usually something explodes whenever it gets out of hand. My brother gets beaten a lot because he runs with the inner city gangs and gets into a lot of trouble. I am not sure why my parents put up with it.”

She reach into her bag, pulling out a scalpel from within and head over to the table. She lean close to Sonata as the teen bite down on the wrapped plastic. “Okay, Sonata. I have to make small incisions on the wound, I need to make it so I can safely pull out the bullet. This will hurt.”

Sonata braced herself as best as she could, with Adagio and Aria whispering words of reassurance to her. Fluttershy turned to Applejack and Mac, nodding her head once to let them know she was ready. The large man placed a firm hold on Sonata’s good shoulder and lower back while Applejack gripped her legs. Fluttershy placed the scalpel on the wound, and quickly made the incision. Sonata whimpered through the gag, her legs shaking as the pain hit her. Applejack kept a firm grip while Fluttershy worked, hoping this would be over soon.

A few moments later, Fluttershy put the blade down, using a clean rag to wipe away the blood. She then pulled out a large pair of tweezers and even a speculum, which Sonata had turned her head to look and she paled at the sight of them. Fluttershy gave a small grimace as she held it over the opening, pausing, she turned to Sunset with a look.

“Sunset, I am going to need help. Can you hold this open while I get the bullet?”

“S-sure.” Sunset quickly held her hands out, the soft glow of magic covering her hands before she found some sterile gloves to put on before moving into place.

“Sonata, I need to open the wound a little more so I can extract the bullet. Since we have nothing on hand that can knock you out safely… this is going to hurt… a lot.” Fluttershy warned, then carefully aided Sunset in guiding the medical tool into the wound so she could slowly force it open wider, causing Sonata to writhe in agony as the teens worked to remove the bullet.

“Careful now Mac! Hold her steady!”

“Eeyup!”

“Sunset, can you hold the light this way?”

“S-sure. Hold on. Let me get this blood out too.”

“Thank you.”

“Sonata, look at me.” Aria voice burst through the cloud of pain, Sonata turned her eyes to Aria as she spoke. “Look, you are an idiot. You perform magic so you can help us out of a jam and… and you done all you can to protect me and Adagio since the battle of bands. And… and I can’t stand seeing my idiot being hurt because of me.”

Aria sniff and wiped away the tears going down her face, only to find a soft blue hand grasping her own. Adagio's own hand cupped the both of them and held them tightly, causing Sonata to look at her with bright eyes.

Only to squeeze shut moments later as the pain hit her once more.

“I see it.” Fluttershy’s calm voice gave the others’ a sense that she was in complete control of herself. “Sunset, hold still. I can also see the artery. She has been very lucky, but we are not done yet.”

“Okay.” Sunset squirmed at the sight before her, blood was oozing from the wound freely, and Sunset was using a good portion of magic to keep it from overflowing Fluttershy’s view. She was more stunned at how calm the teen was acting, almost as if she done this plenty of times before. ‘She probably has.’ Sunset thought on what she was told earlier about her curious skillset. Her brother getting into trouble and the family not wanting to have answer uncomfortable questions. Sonata mews of pain could be heard as Fluttershy worked, moving her fingers ever so slowly to the cause of the problem.

“Got it.” Fluttershy said with some excitement. “Alright, I’m going to move it out slowly. Sunset… keep an eye on the blood flow. If it begins to spill out quickly, then we have a very big problem.”

“R-right! Okay. We have this Sonata. Don’t worry.”

The next minute had become the most intense moments in Sunset’s life. Never before had such a short amount of time felt like an eternity, up until Fluttershy finally pulled the bullet from Sonata carefully. The soft clink of the round hitting a bowl, causing the others to sigh in relief as it was now over.

“Strange, this bullet is made of lead or silver? Who uses silver rounds?” Fluttershy wondered with a questioning look. “In any case, you sirens are a lot tougher than you look. The round was mushroomed, but not so much to cause some serious damage. Let’s get your wound sewn up, maybe I can find some heavier medications back at home to help with the pain. First, let’s get this wound sutra and bandaged.”

Sunset watched as Fluttershy diligently sutra Sonata's shoulder with care, experience shining through as she worked with efficiency that most nurses would envy of. As the final thread was sewn through, tied, and bandaged, Fluttershy gave a brilliant smile as she gave a nod to the other sirens she was finished.

“All done!” Fluttershy stepped away as the other two immediately surrounded Sonata and began to worry over her. Sunset held out a basket as Fluttershy removed the gloves and threw them in, giving Sunset a grateful look.

“I think it’s best they leave soon.” Applejack said as she threw some rags into a trash bag. “No offense girls, but me and Mac have to clean this room up before Granny checks in the morning.”

“They can stay at my place.” Sunset piped up, causing the others to look to her. “I got plenty of room, the rest of the girls can come by later on today once they are settle. I will be busy setting it up, but tell the rest of the girls to come.”

“Uh, okay. Just one problem, sugarcube.”

“Huh? What?”

“We don’t know where you live.” Fluttershy said quietly, with Applejack nodding in agreement.

“You… don’t?” Sunset thought back on the past year, “I was… No, of course I told… Oh gosh, guys. I’m so sorry!”

Applejack waved a hand about, as if to say no biggie. “Don’t sweat it sugarcube, though Ah don’t think your legal Guardians would appreciate having three extra girls at home in the middle of the night, with one that looks like she is about to pass out.”

“Legal Guardians? No one is staying with me.” Sunset replied.

“What?” Both Fluttershy and Applejack stared in surprise at her response, which caused her to be a bit put off at their stares.

“I been emancipated since I was 15.” Sunset explain, which cause them to stare even more.

“How? Who takes care of the bills?”

“I do, thanks to… family funds.” Applejack spluttered at this, while Sunset could only sigh as she gathered around the Dazzlings. “Look, I will explain more later, right now I gotta get these girls to my home, hopefully Twilight, Equestria Twilight, is awake and can forward me some spells to help Sonata. Fluttershy, let me drop you off and I will come back after I get the others settled in.”

“Okay.” Fluttershy smiled as got close and turn to Applejack. “Sorry I couldn’t stay and help clean up.”

“No worries, just get going.” Applejack waved them off. “And make sure you text us your address, Sunset. Once the other girls find out, they going to be worried sick.”

“Right.” Sunset agreed, gathering the other teens close. Her pendant began to glow bright, her clothes changing to a gem filled uniform once more. “Alright, first Fluttershy, then my place. I think I got the hang of it now.”

Applejack closed her eyes as they vanished with a bright flash, then she turned back and opened her eyes to see Big Mac carefully picking up the last bloody rag and throwing it in the bio-waste container. He didn’t seem all that perturbed about the magic being shown around him, but then again, Big Mac had always gone with flow of things.

“You ever get the feeling our life was never meant to be normal, Mac.”

“Eenope. Just yours.” Big Mac answered as he walked past her.

“Jeez, thanks a lot.” Applejack mumbled as she made her way for the cleaning supplies. “Doesn’t make the feeling that Ah am standing on the side of the cliff go away.”

-Canterlot Old Suburbs-

“Hey Rainbow. How come you never said you got a car?” Pinkie bounced in the back seat with Twilight and Applejack as they drove through the old neighborhood. Rainbow blushed furiously as she guided her car down the road, refusing to meet anyone in the eyes. “I mean it’s so nice and comfy back here.”

The rest of the girls were shocked at the news when the morning came around, stunned at harrowing moment Sunset experienced that early morning. They agreed to meet at Rainbow’s home, as she was the only one with a driver license and a car they could use. Rainbow immediately tried to deny it, but Applejack wasn't having it after the multiple times of getting calls early in the morning of her attempts of sabotage for said car.

Much to Rainbow's shame, the girls were given the royal treatment from Rainbow's parents, who were excited to meet her friends and gush over them. Even taking a few photos with them so they could cherish the event later.

Rainbow muttered under her breath, which cause Rarity to turn to her from the passenger seat. “I’m sorry, Darling, what was that? I was trying to find the street name.”

“I wanted a tough car like my dad got when he got that 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 as his first car. He said he was saving up money to get me a classic too, a 1980 Chevy Corvette. He even taught me how to maintain it.” Rainbow growled in frustration. “Instead, Mom forced him to buy this piece of junk.”

“Darling… It’s a 2017 Toyota Yaris, with almost every bell and whistle they can fit on it.” Rarity explain gently, only to pull away as Rainbow snarled at her.

“It’s a junk heap! I can barely make the speed limit on this thing. Now a Corvette, that thing can really go. Maybe even give Flash Sentry a run for his money for the coolest car in the entire school. But noooo, mother dearest had to worry about things like my chastity and keeping me a maiden until I am an old hag like her.” Rainbow hit the steering wheel to emphasise the point.

“Nuh uh.” Pinkie shoved herself between Rarity and Rainbow. “She said, and I quote, ‘That car has one of the best safety rating in the country, no matter what Rainbow Dash does to the car, it will cradle her and protect even when we are not there to see her safe’.”

“Don’t Rainbow’s parents come cheer for her at her sporting events?” Applejack tapped her chin in thought. “Ah thought they were suspended from coming to the game after the firework fiasco.”

“Yup. They set fire to the football field the last time. It was fun!” Pinkie turn back to her with a smile. “Principal Celestia said what they did could have caused harm to Rainbow’s future as a sport’s player with their antics. So now, they are all about safety!”

The car came to a stop, and Rainbow moaned and slammed her forehead against the steering wheel, causing a weak pathetic horn to blare out in response.

“Even the horn is a piece of shi-Ooph!?”

“Oh, there it is!” Rarity exclaimed as she shoved Rainbow’s face against the glass. “Oh darling, this is a very nice neighborhood. I had no idea Sunset lived here.”

Rainbow grumbled as she turned down road Rarity pointed out, slowly forgetting her anger in favor of looking at each of the houses. “Man, these are some old houses, where are we?”

“Probably the original area where the settlers first laid down their roots.” Applejack answered, “Mr Rich lives here, heck the Riches and Apples lived in Canterlot for generations, Granny was just a kid when they settled in. Granny use to take me and Mac here all the time to settle old contracts every year. Now Mac handles that stuff while Ah makes sure we have everything we need for the farm. It's been years since Ah been by here, never saw the point if Mac can handle it.”

“Wow Applejack, I didn't know your family had a history with the town.” Twilight spoke up for the first time in the entire trip, “So I take your family is the main branch? I heard there is one north of San Antonio in Texas.”

“Yup, my cousin Braeburn runs the Texas farm, though he likes to claim that it’s the biggest one there is.” Applejack crossed her arms with a smug smile “That doesn't mean he is ready for Granny’s Secret Cider recipe. Granny told him he had to make his own way for Cider, by hard work and make his own.”

“Via nauseous vomiting, upset stomach, and diarrhea,” Pinkie added, causing Twilight to giggle in return.

“Rainbow, there!” Rarity exclaimed as she pointed to a modest looking two story building. “That's where we need to be.”

The baby blue car rolled up the driveway, with several faces plastered against the window after they had parked.

“Nice looking place, Ah reckon.” Applejack said in a low tone after they pulled to a stop.

“How can she afford it?” Twilight asked, Pinkie quickly providing several answers.

“Oh! Maybe she brought gold from Equestria and exchanged it for cash- No! She is an super spy from Equestria and been robbing banks for a pastime-No!” Pinkie paused in mid sentence, slowly turning to the others with a haunted look. “Maybe she is an assassin! The heat got too much in Equestria and fled here, and she was paid in jewels and gold and had it laundered here on Earth … maybe she never stopped.”

“Maybe she is wondering why you are still in the car?” Pinkie gave a small, high pitched screech and threw herself into Applejack. Sunset laughed as she lean against the car door through the now open window, thanks to Rainbow Dash. “Morning guys.”

“Good morning, darling.” Rarity stepped out and swept Sunset into a hug. “Its good to see you are safe. Fluttershy?”

“Taking care of the Dazzlings.”

“By herself?!” Rainbow hissed, “You left her alone with those sirens! They probably waiting to snatch her up-”

“That's enough.” Applejack smacked Rainbow in the back of her head. “You may have not been there, but Ah was. Those girls looked ready to pass out where they stand, and look mighty scared.”

“She's right,” Sunset backed up Applejack. “They been on the run for days now, barely had time for sleep or food. We can talk more inside, come on.”

Rainbow grumbled as she followed Sunset and the others into the house. Rainbow’s first reaction to the house? It was old. The house was old, but that was a given. No, the furniture, walls, heck even the phone looked like they came from the early/late 90s. It was almost like time stopped moving and this house’s inner decoration was the result. Sunset lead the to the living room, where everyone stared at the giant blocky tv set against the wall.

“I wasn't quite ready for guests, but go ahead and relax. I had to go out and get some food for everyone. It will take a bit to get ready.”

“Whatcha making?” Pinkie asked as she bounced around the room.

“Waffles.” Sunset answered, only to take a step back as Pinkie got close to her.

“Ooooh! I can help! I make a leaning waffle tower!”

“Sure, Pinkie,” Sunset laughed as she led her to the kitchen. “You guys make yourselves comfortable.”

Rainbow snorted at this as she threw herself onto the couch, staring at the ancient big screen before her. “Sure we will. I'll just bring up ‘Golden Girls’ on the projector here. Have a grand ole time.”

“What’s wrong with ‘Golden Girls’?” Surprisingly, both Applejack and Twilight asked at the same time. Rainbow groaned while Rarity giggled as both girls looked at one another in surprise, before they burst into smiles and excitedly began to speak to one another. She turned her head as she examined the room.

“The chic is rather homey, if i do say so myself. My mother would love the decor,” Rarity mumbled to herself as she examined several photos. “She must never know this place, or father would really feel it in his paycheck.”

“You mean more than usual from your own use?” Rainbow commented blandly as she inspected the large controller in her hand.

“I’ll have you know, Rainbow, that I have been making my own money since I turned 16. Dress design is my calling, a very successful one if my counterpart is any indication.” Rarity’s eyes looked down the desk, a picture capturing her gaze. “Aw…”

“What?”

“It’s a wedding photo… my word!”

“What’s up?” Rainbow made her way towards her, looking down at the photo in her grasp. “Wait, is that-”

“It can't be.” Rarity insisted.

“What are you two whispering about?” Applejack frown as the two turn to her.

“Take a look.” Rainbow turn the photo to Applejack and Twilight, both staring at the photo in surprise.

The wedding photo itself was beautiful, both bride and groom beaming at the camera, behind them was a familiar lake and mountain of the Everfree. The groom was a tall, light tan skinned man, brown and gray hair, and a pair of glasses. It was the bride that gain the most attention to the group.

“If Ah didn't know any better, Ah’d say that was Sunset.”

“I am guessing this is her mother?” Twilight ventured, but frowned as she thought it over. “No, that doesn't make sense, Sunset isn't from this world.”

“Maybe it’s Photoshop?” Rainbow asked, only to get a snort from Rarity.

“As smart as Sunset is darling, there are times that she and computers do not get along.” Rarity proclaimed as she turned back to the desk. “Look, a photo album.”

“Who the heck is Gene Poke and Dawn Seeker?” Applejack asked as she took in the names on the cover.

“Don’t know, but look at third name.” Rainbow pointed below the other two, scribbled in red crayon in a childlike fashion.

Sunset.

The others turned to one another before opening the album to see what it held.

The first picture was an old newspaper clipping of children, smiling up at the camera and waving. A sign hung overhead, Canterlot Orphanage reopening, with a list of names of the children below.

“Wait… their names are on there, Gene and Dawn. See. That's them.” Twilight pointed out after looking at the list and pointed to the two children in the middle, holding hands and smiling. “They were orphans?”

“Looks like it, they been together for a long time then.” Applejack flipped the page, several photos of them with their respective families that no doubt adopted them. The girls watched as they seemingly reunited after a short time from the following pictures as they perused the pages.

The girls watched as the pictures of the children turn into teenagers, then adults, and finally a family of their own. Years of pictures told stories of people enjoying one another company until it cumulated into marriage and soon after, a child. There were many pictures of said child, one Sunset Shimmer who explored everything around her.

To them it was a normal family photo album, seeing so many pictures of a young Sunset with her parents was surreal. Rarity turn the next page, only to see one single photo on it. Dawn and Sunset were standing at the doorway, smiling at the camera while camping gear was strewn around them. They looked ready for a fun filled family camping trip, and fishing gear in hand. Rarity turn the page, only for a blank page to greet everyone.

“Wait? That's it?” Rainbow snatched the album from Rarity’s hands and flipped through it. Rarity scowled as she grabbed the album back from Rainbow's rough treatment.

“Darling, it's old and treasured memories are in it! Do not treat it like your school books.” Rarity reprimanded Rainbow with a scathing look.

“But she's right… Where is the rest?” Twilight asked, causing everyone to shrug.

“I may have an idea.” Rarity started only to be interrupted from a small cough, Rarity nearly dropping the album from it as they turn to see Sunset standing behind them. “Hey… um, food is ready.”

“Sunset?” Rarity spoke up as no one moved. “Is this… Is this our world's Sunset?”

The mare turned young teen fidgeted for a moment before turning back to the kitchen. “Look, come and get some food and settle in. I can only tell you what I know about my counterpart, but it won't be much…”

“I don't even know what happened...” she said quietly to herself as she walked out of the room.”

-Kitchen -

The motley group quickly settle themselves in, staring at the stacks of fluffy waffles in awe.

“Bit of a nervous cooker, Sunset?” Applejack asked, “Or was this Pinkie?”

“Mostly me.” Sunset admitted as she ran her hand through her hair. “Pinkie helped with setting up.”

“Sunny is an awesome waffle maker!” Pinkie skipped around the table, setting up plates and utensils. “Mr. Cake would love to hire her for the morning shift. She also has this oldie waffle iron! Like really old school, early 80s old!”

“Well, dig in guys.” Sunset waved her hand to stacks. “I’ve already eaten… plus, food can hold off questions until you get the whole story.”

“Smart, but you know us! We will ask anyways!” Pinkie commented idly, before chomping down on her stack with gusto. Sunset smiled a little as the group began the hearty meal, but were looking towards her to start.

“Okay. To start off with, the two people in the wedding picture are...were, my parents… my counterpart parents.” Sunset rubbed her hands as she walked around the room. “I never met them, they were all gone when I got here.”

Applejack swallowed her bite, pointing a fork at her. “Gone? What happened?”

Sunset grimaced as she lean against the wall. “They died… just like my parents in Equestria did.”

No one moved as they looked to Sunset, the teen staring at the ceiling for a moment before continuing. “When I lost my parents, I was five. We were traveling close to the Everfree when the train they were traveling in was attacked by bandits.”

“Really? Bandits?”

“Rainbow, here you call them thugs and gangsters. But it’s basically the same thing. I don't know what happen, everything is blurry. I remember… screaming, shouts… then silence. I think someone grabbed me, someone I didn't know, I got scared and I felt my magic react…. A burning sensation from deep within me, and then darkness. When I woke up in a bed, with Princess Celestia hovering over me.”

“That must of been terrifying, Darling.” Rarity shot Rainbow a glare before looking at Sunset. “What does it mean though? You wouldn't have told us for no reason.”

“As far as I know, the same thing happen to my counterpart.” Sunset frown as she told than what she knew. “Only in a car, instead of a train. People ask me what happened, but I have no clue. I’ve only seen pictures, therapy sessions for something I had no clue about. They thought showing me a picture of the scene would jog something out, but you can see how well that would of worked. The picture itself looks like something from midtown Canterlot after a shootout with the police and gangs.”

“Wrong place, wrong time?” Twilight asked, the look of worry on her face.

“Maybe…” Sunset wrapped her arms around her waist. “It’s even weirder to visit your own grave… with no body.”

“Wait, your counterpart’s body wasn’t found at the scene?” Twilight questioned the fiery haired girl.

“No, neither was Gene Poke either. Dawn Seeker was, but no one knew what happened to the other two. There was a massive search party for several weeks, but no sign of them was ever found.” Sunset hopped onto the counter to sit. “Beyond that, I have no idea where they are. I showed up three years later, rummaging through trash cans for food.”

“Hold-urk!” Rainbow gagged, frantically pounding her chest to dislodge the waffle. Applejack leaned over and smacked her back, nearly causing the teen to faceplant into the table, but done its job as Rainbow breathed. “Thanks AJ. You! How long have you been here?!”

Sunset frown as she thought on the question. “Almost 10 years come next month. Thinking about it… I’ve been human more than pony for most of my life.”

“Wow…” Pinkie managed to say through a stuff mouth before swallowing. “So is that why you stay here? Because you been human more than pony?”

“Partially, I am… afraid to go back.” sunset admitted.

“That fancy Celestia is there you mean.” Applejack pointed out, getting a nod from Sunset. “Shoot Sugercube, Ah’m sure she would be fine in you returning.”

“Pretty sure she will be mad that her adopted daughter fled because she believed she knew better than an alicorn who’s been alive almost as long as the country itself, and for the fact I turned into a she-demon and tried to use a bunch of pre-teens and teenagers to overthrow her.” Sunset deadpan.

“Eh, no biggie.” Rainbow answered in return, causing the group to giggle. “Still… I mean she adopted you. You ran away when you were a kid, a snot-nose brat, she probably wondered where you gone for the past 10 years. You said she was this powerful and ancient being, who no doubt knows tons of spells that she had been trying to use to find you without success.”

“Rainbow is right,” Twilight added in, “She is a leader of an entire country, and adopted you as her own after such a tragic moment in your life.”

“I know.” Sunset moaned as she held her head. “I see that now… back then… I didn't.”

“Oh, very good Sunset! You are making some wonderful progress!”

“Really! Can I do some more advanced stuff now? Maybe some spells for protecting others?”

“All in due time, Sunny. First, we need to rest, maybe partake in some ice cream?”

“Yay! Rocky Roads?”

“Of course, it is my favorite as well.”

“Sunset?”

“Sunset! Enough!”

“Come on! I’m tired of getting this hoof-holding already! I am ready!”

“You need to learn restraint Sunset Shimmer. You almost put Green Fields in critical care with your antics.”

“Sheesh, you act like you're my mom or something.”

“I am your mother.”

“No you are not. Just some old mare feeling guilty. I'm going outside to practice some more.”

“ENOUGH! You get-” Sunset walked away with her snout held high, causing Celestia to wilt as she found herself unable to follow.

“I was such a mess.” Sunset shook her head, looking towards the others. “I had this drive to be the best, to make sure no one will ever hurt me again. Celestia showed me the mirror, and all I saw was me being powerful enough to make Equestria what it needed it to be…”

The others watched as she raised her legs and hugged them close to her body. “To be safe. So no one will ever feel what I feel. To wake up in the middle of the night, scared of what the nightmares will cook up. I saw everyone beneath me, too dense to understand the world around them.”

“Man… That’s deep.” Rainbow muttered as she saw the look in Sunset eyes. “So… what happened?”

“When Celestia showed me the mirror, I was obsessed with what it showed me. The power I could wield, but not the the means of getting it. It showed me that I became an alicorn, to rival Celestia. I wanted… No, I needed to get that power.” Sunset closed her eyes, remembering that day well. “I demanded that she make me an alicorn, so I could make Equestria what it needed to be… She refused of course. But I was driven, I had to get that power, I needed that power to ensure that I had the means to act on what I wanted.”

Twilight stood frozen, eyes wide as she realized that Sunset was explaining what she had done, she understood perfectly what she herself had gone through.

“Celestia had me escorted to my room, but I overpowered the guards and rushed towards the mirror on the final night it was open.”

“You overpowered trained guards?” Rarity astonished look caused the others to give their own. “At 8 years old!?”

“Ever since I was five and the bandits, my magic had been stronger than most other unicorns, Celestia even said it could of rivalled Starswirl’s once I got older. Doesn't help that I annoyed the guards into teaching me some spells outside of the watchful gaze from Celestia.”

Sunset gave a dry chuckle, “Also didn't help that I guilt tripped them to get the training. After I made it to through the mirror, it took me hours to realize that I couldn't go back, trapped in a form without magic and no clue on how to work it. Let's not forget the bombshell when your​ people turn a certain age, a fact of life that menaces you each month,"

Rarity was drinking her juice when Sunset spoke, which clicked after a second of thought, and she nearly spit take at the fact that Sunset was blindsided by her own body. Everyone else giggled as Sunset blushed crimson as she ran a hand through her hair.

“I was homeless for several months, eating from handouts or whatever I could scrounge​ up from dumpsters​. It was when I tried my hand at theft that I was caught, and found out 'who’ I really was.” Sunset turn her head, looking at a picture on the fridge, a small girl being held by a woman. Both smiling at the camera with joyful looks and covered in batter. “I didn't even know about counterparts this world shared until then. Blood tests confirmed who I was, and a legal dispute soon followed. I had a caretaker until I was 14, applied for emancipation as soon as I could and showed that I can handle living on my own, and moved into 'my’ family home.”

“Sounds like you had it pretty rough.” Applejack said, a clean plate sitting before her. “You showed up soon after right? Ah didn't see you until we were in freshman year.”

“Yeah, that was the year of…” Pinkie started, before deflating somewhat, causing Sunset to wince and pull her into a hug.

“Yeah, I managed to go back to Equestria at the start of the year, saw Twilight for the first time, along with the Elements. I couldn't do anything cause I gotten use to my human body and nearly lost control all of my magic. The three days I had was just me trying to grab things with my magic.”

“Skip forward a couple of years, pretty much single handedly divided the school in that time, and nearly tried to wage war with the school body.” Rainbow ticked off, causing Sunset to burst out in laughter.

“Pretty much. You all know what happens after that. I have no idea what I was thinking. Pretty sure the Guards would overwhelm the students. As far as plans go. It was really stupid, Twilight's​ turn to go evil was more well thought out than my own, and she thought it up on the spot.” Sunset turn to said teen, who was blushing brightly at her comment. “Tell you the truth, she looked a lot better than me while doing it.”

“For sure!” Pinkie exclaimed, wrapping her arm around Twilight's shoulders. “She had that 'I’m evil, but I look delicious while doing it.’ You should flaunt it some more, Twi! You have the goods to pull it off underneath all these stuffy clothes.”

“Come now, Pinkie.” Rarity scolded lightly, though her smile that graced her face put the teen on alert. “There is no need for that, after all, she has a boyfriend now!”

“Oh yeah! How is the studly green hair hero, Twi?” Rainbow asked, a sly smile on her face. “Reach second base yet?”

“Guys…” Twilight's face was beet-red, though the shy smile showed that she was remembering fond moments. “I’m seeing Timber this Friday for a date in the park.”

This garner immediate results as everyone but Applejack crowded around her for juicy details. Sunset smiled at the scene, happy that she finally get her history off her chest for so long.

“You look mighty happy.”

“I am, I never told anyone about my past…”

“Worried we look at ya different?” Applejack chuckled at the meek nod at her answer. “Come on now, she-demon, you should know better than that. Though, after your throwdown with Twilight over there, maybe Angel should be a better term.”

“Oh no. Please, Sunset is fine, thank you very much.” Sunset shook her head, enjoying the moment after a stressful night of worry and concern over her guests. She turned just in time to see Fluttershy​ and Adagio walk through the door. “Fluttershy, what's wrong?”

“Um… Adagio wanted to talk to you, she says it's urgent and concerns Sonata.” Fluttershy quietly explained, looking back at the exhausted looking siren behind her. Sunset nodded her head, moving forward to talk to her while Fluttershy immediately got wrapped up in the others, asking for more details.

“What's up? Shouldn't you be resting?” Sunset asked the siren, who looked like she seen better days.

“You have a pool.” Adagio stated, causing Sunset to give her a questioning look. “Out back, we need to put Sonata in it.”

“What?” Fluttershy snapped her head to her causing the siren to flinch, but stood her ground. Twilight looked confused as the others took a step back.

Rarity gently guided the teen with them, whispering in her ear. “Fluttershy is something of a mother hen, she hates it when someone gets hurt or tries to move when they are injured.”

“Psh, except her low-life wannabe gangster brother.” Rainbow growled, crossing her arms across her chest, “She usually kicks him out as soon as he is stitched up and mommy and daddy ain't there to say otherwise.”

“Absolutely not. Putting her in a pool will only agitate her wounds or even cause infections. She may lose an arm if worse comes to worse.” Fluttershy said sternly, glaring at Adagio who scoffed at her words.

“Look human, you may have fancy powers, but I was born a siren. I know what she needs, and that is water, lots of it. If you had a decent size tub I would of gone with that, but you don't.” Adagio stood her ground, glaring back at the normally shy teen.

“She is not a siren anymore, Darling.” Rarity pointed out. “You all lost your rubies that held your power.”

“Actually, that's not true.” Sunset placed herself between the two. “In my vision, I saw Sonata use magic to try and fend off the attackers.”

“What?! How!?” Rainbow exclaimed in shock, “We saw those gems shatter in the beginning of the year.”

“You saw mine and Aria’s shatter, not Sonata’s.” Adagio clarify with a scowl. “Her’s was cracked, but it mended itself sometime ago.”

“How in tarnation did you pull that off?” Applejack mumbled, she never saw the choker on Sonata’s neck last night, too busy in trying to help her with her wounds. “From what Ah understand, you all should of lost your powers thanks to the Elements.”

“Maybe, but then me and Aria always look out for Sonata.” Adagio sat down, giving out a weak grown. “We are practically sisters after all. And little sisters need to be protected.”

“I don't understand, it shouldn't have been possible, you were all hit with spell.” Sunset ran the scenario in her head, she saw the spell hit them all, and the gems falling from their necks in pieces. Though she couldn't clearly see them from where they were perform. “Even if you tried to protect her, the negativity from all the people you absorbed should of cleansed it all.”

“Sunset Shimmer, you of all people know who we are.” Adagio frown as she looked at her. “Or did you forget that we three faced Starswirl the Bearded on many occasions.”

Sunset nearly slapped herself for forgetting that detail, it was well known story to all fillies and colts. How Starswirl faced against the Sirens of the Sea multiple times for a few years.

Adagio leaned against the counter, looking more exhausted than before. “I’m amazed we even lasted the first fight. We were kids really. Three on one, and he nearly tore me apart with his spells.”

To emphasize a point, she pulled her sweater to reveal an ugly scar on the side of her slim belly. Everyone stared at the scar in silence, the wound was gnarled and looked more along the lines of a burn.

“Sonata saved me, and again here.” She pulled her shorts down somewhat to show her hip, another scar grazing her hip. “Believe me, Sonata doesn't have a mean bone in her body. She would rather be friends and stop what we were doing but…”

“But you wanted the power.” Sunset frown as Adagio said nothing, looking away.

“Yeah. She was always the one try to make friends, she was… pure.” Adagio muttered, “When I discovered the darker parts of siren magic, it called to me. To gain more power than everyone else. The only thing required was that I needed two other sirens. The power of three, to enhance our magic into a unstoppable force. Aria was my closest friend, but Sonata was our tag along, she thought we were coolest and always helped us in whatever she could. Long story short, she did it because she wanted to help us. When that spell was going to hit us, I knew Sonata wouldn't be able to maintain that cheery out look if she wasn't a siren anymore. She probably would have killed herself rather than live.”

Seeing the looks of horror on their faces, she only scowled in return. “What? Didn't think that much about us afterwards? Aria and myself only lost what made us sirens, our very being and magic? Even if we return to Equestria, we wouldn't be sirens anymore. So, we took the negative magic from Sonata before the spell hit, sparing her the life of being just a human.”

“W-well... maybe if-”

“I wasn't evil? Yeah, while I sit here without magic and loss of identity, two of you still retain your very magic and grow stronger.” Adagio commented bitterly as she stared at both Sunset and Twilight. “Not that it matters to me or Aria, we need to get Sonata healed up quickly before those Hunters come back.”

“They won't find us here.” Sunset assured her, only to get a bitter laugh in return.

“Yes they will. You’ve been here longer than me, and yet you have no idea about the world around you? There are humans and beings out there with influence and power and you are walking blindly into their world without a second thought.” Adagio looked at each of them, a look of pity in her eyes. “You really don't know your own world? We were gathering power because there are things out there that make most of Equestria's monsters look like chew toys. Beings that walk in human forms, spiriting away humans as meal tickets. Vampires, Werewolves, Shifters, scores of beings that use what this world's limited magic to their advantage. Then there are the humans themselves that fight these creatures day and night, Hunters.”

“Whatever you did last year, it was only the beginning.” Adagio warned as she looked at Sunset, “Equestria's magic is mixing with Earth’s, and it will only be a matter of time until this world's biggest and baddest start coming here to find the source. Earth is getting a jumpstart in it's magic, a rebirth if you will, and this city is in the middle of it.”

Adagio groaned as she stood from her seat, looking at Fluttershy with a hard gaze. “I am getting Sonata healed, and we are leaving as soon as we able. I will fight you if I have to… I owe her a lot for dragging her into my mess.”

“Adagio..” a soft voice called out, causing her to gasp as she turned and rushed towards the blue siren.

“Sonata, you should be resting! I was trying to-”

“I know, but… maybe we should stay?”

“Out of the question, the further we are from this place, the better off we will be.”

“We can't run forever, Ada… and I am tired of running.” Sonata looked like she was on the verge of tears. “Please, this is the first time I ever felt safe and didn't have to worry about being attacked. I'm tired of trying to being the most powerful… I just want to sing… please Ada, I just want to call a place home and not worry about the next monster coming for a snack.”

“Son…” everyone turn to see Aria behind her, “If we stay, it will just make us easier to get.”

“No...because we won't be alone anymore.” Sonata looked at Rainbooms with a smile “I think it's time for us to help the good guys, don't you think? At least we can tell them about what we seen and fought off, that way they know what they are doing.”

The other two looked unconvinced and Sunset felt that if the three ran off, they may get into more trouble in the long run. With only one of them capable of using their powers, being hunted like animals from an unknown group of humans wanting to kill them… they’d surely fall.

“I think you guys should stay.” Sunset cut in before they could argue further. The others look to Sunset as she placed a hand on Sonata's uninjured shoulder. “It's been a very long time since you’ve been in Equestria, a very long time. So there are a lot spells created to help us, I can ask Princess Twilight if she knows any spells we can use to protect my home, even some protection wards. You said these guys are hunting you, and that there are bunch of other monsters with some influences. Who is to say they won't be interested in why they are chasing you?”

This statement caused them to pause, as it slowly dawn on them of that possibility. “I think it's best you stay here, at least if something happens, we can be here to help.”

“You would do that?” Sonata asked bubbly, smiling at Sunset as radiant as the sun itself, causing the teen to flush at the look of adoration.

“Yeah, and besides, this old house could use some people living in it other than just me.” Sunset said with a grin.

Adagio and Aria seem to be against the idea until Adagio finally relented with a groan. “Fine, we will stay-”

“Yay-ow!” Sonata jumped for joy, only to groan as she agitated her wounds with her antics. Fluttershy was instantly by her side, quickly opening up the loan button shirt to check her wounds. “Sorry.”

“Only if we can get a promise of protection and some defense on this place.” Adagio added as she looked to Sonata with some concern.

“And no monthly rent.” Aria added.

“Deal.” Sunset held out her hand, which Adagio shook before she began to guide Sonata out into the back, much to Fluttershy's frustration.

“You sure this is a good idea?” Rainbow asked as she watched the sirens ignore Fluttershy and proceed into the pool, the Dazzlings stripping out of their loan clothes and gently lower themselves in. None of the sirens cared for their lack of clothing in front of former enemies, though Rainbow’s cheeks were quite red from the free show.

“Yeah, they have no choice. It's either us or take their chances on the road, being hunted by dangerous people or beings. They know I won't stab them in the back, and if they hurt me, they lose the protection we offer as well. As bad as it sounds, it's the only sane choice they have.” Sunset pointed out, turning and lightly elbowing Rainbow as she left. “Come on, let them have their privacy, unless you want to stay and get a nice view of the pool.”

“Yeah yeah.” Rainbow blushed as she followed inside, leaving the sirens and a worried Fluttershy by the pool.

“Oh come on!” The purple hair teacher groaned as she hit her head against the steering wheel. “I just got this battery replaced.”

Cheerilee Cherry was what most would call a self-sufficient woman, able to handle almost anything that came her way. Raised from a man who taught his daughters to be independent and take on problems head on, Cheerilee could be described as intimidating to most men due to her independence. At this moment of time however…

“Yeah, dad, it's dead again…. Yes I checked the connections… yes I check the fuses too…. No, nothing was on last night… please Dad, just come over and check it out. I don't want walk several blocks with a battery in my arms again.” Cheerilee pleaded over the phone, finally giving a sigh of relief as her father agreed. “Thanks Dad, tell Mom I miss her. Okay, bye.”

She glared at the dashboard, popping open the hood and quietly began to grumble to herself as she tried to figure out what the problem was, or at least narrow down a section.

“Come on, what's wrong with you?”

“Having trouble Ms Cherry?” A voice called out from next door, causing her to jump.

“Oh, Mars, yes! I can't for the life of me figure out what the issue is.” Cheerilee smiled up as she saw her new neighbor Mars return from his jog.

Cheerilee thanked many deities for lucking out on who moved into the vacant house next door. She could've easily gotten some cranky bastard or nosey woman, instead she hit the jackpot in getting a very handsome man.

A retired veteran at that. Mars Rebirth, Colonel of the US Marines Corp, and still a hunk in Cheerilee's eyes. He was easygoing, loved to barbeque every Saturday and invite his neighbors over, and played music from his room while reading whatever book was close by. She knew because she can see him from her own room and they occasionally chatted with one another, but mostly enjoyed the music from times pass.

Cheerilee eyes wandered as Mars walked up to her, USMC plastered across his T-shirt that was damp from his morning run. The firm muscles that it revealed nearly caused her to drool. She blinked as she realized Mars was looking at her with concern.

“Are you okay, Ms Cherry?” He was leaning close, placing a hand on her head. Cheerilee flushed when she was realized she was caught daydreaming.

“Please Mars, Cheerilee is fine. You make it sound like I am back in class again calling me that.” Cheerilee beamed up to him, causing the man to chuckle.

“Okay, sorry Cheerilee. How about we take a look under the hood and see if we can figure out what's wrong with you car.” Mars smiled as he made his way to the front of the car and dove in, quietly answering any questions Cheerilee had when he was doing something.

'Maybe my luck is finally turning around!’ Cheerilee happily thought to herself as she watched him work. 'I just have to keep it cool and not scare this one away… no more lonely nights for this girl! Just play it cool.”

“Are you doing anything tonight?” Mars asked as he was checking the fanbelt with a frown.

“No! I mean, uh, No I’m not.” Cheerilee answered quickly, kicking herself mentally for sounding desperate.

“Good news is I found out what is wrong. Bad news is that the alternator is busted. See here, where the belt connects to the alternator? It shouldn't be bent like that, it's slight, but it means alternator is jacked. You need a replacement or you just going to have a very broken car if you keep forcing it. I'm surprised it lasted this long,” Mars explained, Cheerilee groaning as she pulled out her phone.

“Well, at least Dad knows what to get now. He’ll still check it beforehand. But at least he can get it before he gets here. Thank you Mars.” Cheerilee thanked him as he brushed off his hands.

“No problem Ms… er, Cheerilee,” Mars corrected himself, causing the teacher to giggle. Mars nodded his head before walking towards his home, Cheerilee bit her lip with indecision before calling out to him.

“Mars, wait!”

“Yes?”

“If you want, can I mean, you can come over tonight for dinner… as a thank you for helping me.” Cheerilee stumbled over her invite, though gave a silent sigh of relief as Mars smiled and nodded.

“Sure. What time?”

“7 is fine?”

“7 is perfect.”

“Great! See you tonight.” Cheerilee practically skipped back inside, hoping tonight works out for more future endeavors. She walked into her kitchen and open up the cupboard, staring at the single can of peas, and some sort of gravy mix.

“Oh no! I need to buy food!”

-Location Unknown-

A single being quietly walk down the worn path, ignoring the glowing eyes from within the darkened side passages, it had a single purpose and that was to inform their leader of the news.

It walked into an open chamber, human bodies lined up against the wall, twitching ever so slightly as their skin cracked or slid off, revealing black chitin underneath.

New Shifters​ for the Hive were always a lengthy process, but a needed one.

“Report.” A seductive voice called from the darkness, emerald green eyes glowed from within as the Shifter took a knee.

“My Queen, the Hunters and the UN Taskforce are focusing on a city in New Hampshire, called Canterlot.”

“Yes… Another of your siblings reported of growing magic in the area.” The Queen said out loud, looking at the Shifter with gleaming eyes. “Perhaps it's time we sent some of our own. The world is shifting, magic is becoming much easier to access and it seems to be center there. A new beginning is at hand, and we must strike soon as we are able. Go, send the scouts.”

“Yes, My Queen.” The being nodded his head and quickly left, leaving her alone with the new ‘recruits’.

“Yes. A new beginning… Magic reborn again. It is time to stop hiding in the shadows.” She smiled, revealing sharpened fangs as she cupped one of the bodies’ face, wiping away the cracked skin to reveal strong chitin. “Soon, we will be in the light, and the world will bow to me.”