Canterlot:

Sunset Shimmer was not a happy mare. But then again, she never could really be said to be a happy mare a lot of the time. The life of a Princess was… stressful to say the least. The mobs gathering outside the castle with torches and pitchforks a few days back was evidence alone of this.

And then there the pressing issue of her immortality. Ever since Emily Suzuki -Sunset still was practicing the perfect punch to line up with that woman’s face- dropped the bombshell of that Energem of hers making her an immortal, she’d been thinking about it more and more lately.

She had to ask herself, what was the point in all of that power being an Alicorn granted used to protect people and ponies alike that you happened to care about if you were just going to watch them die off in the end anyways? It wasn’t really an issue she could talk to the Phoenix Zord about, given the Wild Zords didn’t seem to share ponykind sensibilities and concerns for the most part. They were worlds apart in some ways. For Wild Zords, they just lived on and on, protecting the Earth never really getting close to that many people, and with probable good reason.

After all, when your partner was destined to die of old age or you probably were going to defeat your main villain long before that happened what was the point after all? At times, Sunset did feel they were just tools to the Wild Zords really, that’s all they were. Just tools.

As she soared over the skies of Canterlot, Sunset sighed. Maybe that’s why she and the Phoenix were such perfect matches for each other. In their own respective ways, they’d closed themselves off from the world at one point or the other. Sunset, she’d shielded herself, and guarded her emotions for years, never really allowing anyone to get close to her up until recently when she met Twilight Sparkle and company. The Phoenix, probably the same thing but she’d probably been so guarded for even longer.

In a few years, when Thrax was defeated the Phoenix and all the rest of the Wild Zords for that matter along with Princess Shayla would have no use for Sunset and company and would return to their island in the sky hidden away amongst the clouds waiting for the next bearers of their Animal Crystals to come along and that would be that.

Sunset was just a means to an end, a host to the Phoenix’s ideals and to be quite frank Sunset supposed she liked it that way in a manner of speaking. She’d treat the Phoenix from here on in as just a partner, nothing more and nothing less and that’s when it came time for the Phoenix to leave she wouldn’t feel so broken up about it. There would be no arguments, no fuss, no tears shed or anything of the kind. It would just be two soldiers on the battlefield parting ways, that’s all it would be.

Wouldn’t have been the first time this had been done, really as Sunset had recently found out.

It was late one night on the Animarium really. Sunset didn’t have any real reason to be up here, except maybe to escape the stress of Princesshood. She’d often found the gentle nighttime air up here, along with the chirping of the crickets and the beckoning calls of the various Wild Zords to be rather calming really.

She smiled as she felt the breeze rush through her fiery mane and her eyes turned when she heard the distinctive flapping of wings behind her, and a shadow loom over her blocking out most of the moonlight.

“Well, someone’s been doing their reading,” the Phoenix Zord chimed in, her head tilted and her green eyes narrowing in on the particular book Sunset had borrowed from somewhere. Twilight’s library probably. The Phoenix Zord noted the title. “Sexuality 101. Everything you wanted to know about sex but were too afraid to ask.” she read. Yep, definitely from Twilight’s library. She had a guidebook to literally everything, that mare. She chuckled, or whatever the bird equivalent might have been. “...Took you long enough I suppose.” the Phoenix Zord remarked.

She noted the particular passage that had been left open.

“An asexual (slang term: ‘ace’) is some pony who experiences no (or very little) sexual attraction. That does not necessarily mean they cannot be attracted romantically. They can be any number of things, actually. They can be heteroromantic, homoromantic, biromantic or aromantic.

“Like all orientations of the sexual spectrum, it’s not a choice like the uninformed may think but a way of life. Asexuals have no problem with sex as such, they are not unable to have it. They simply just have very little interest in the subject, they may perform the act to please their romantic partner or having children but have no real interest otherwise. Make no mistake, asexuals can feel romantic attraction but generally do not desire sexual relationships instead favoring strong platonic ones.”

“It explains a lot doesn’t it?” Sunset remarked. “I mean, ever since I was a little filly I always sorta knew there was something that little bit different about me. I mean, even when I was growing up under Celestia’s personal tutelage I didn’t exactly have any strong interest in colts of fillies. I had more interest in books and magic than anything else.”

“So, nothing to be ashamed about is it?” the Phoenix Zord asked.

“Yeah, I suppose…” Sunset remarked. It’s just… Well, you know my current situation. Mystic Mother knows you and the other Wild Zords probably gossip your heads off about whatever interests you really.”

“I’m above that rot,” the Phoenix Zord huffed ruffling her feathers in annoyance. “I’m actually shocked you think of me like that. But please continue really. If you ever need help, that’s really what I’m here for. Not just a partner, but a friend. A mother figure if need be.”

“Maybe that’s why I was always so fond of Twilight,” Sunset continued. “I mean, not just for her shared love of books and knowledge, but because she’s… well, to be frank about things a prude. She simply doesn’t like talking about sex, least as far that I know of. Unlike her sister-in-law. Mystic Mother knows I’d never be having a conversation about this with HER! There was a time I couldn’t even mention the word bananas around Cadence without her breaking out into a giggling fit of some sort.”

“...I don’t want to know, do I?” the Phoenix Zord asked.

“No, trust me. You don’t. I’m still trying to forget,” Sunset shuddered. “But I guess now, I suppose I feel a sense of relief, like some sorta great weight’s been lifted off my shoulders. I feel like I… belong, you know what I mean?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“I’m not gay, I’m ace. Simple as that. The sexual side of heterosexuality, eh, to be honest, it never quite did it for me, and Mystic Mother knows I’ve never been into mares. Twilight maybe, if the looks I saw her tossing Princess Ember’s way at the Winter Ball were any indication-”

“-And the fact that she hangs around six other mares for close friends, that’s gotta have something to do with it right?” the Phoenix Zord butted in.

“Eh, a lot of mares are lesbians,” Sunset shrugged. “It’s not really surprising, given the skewed mare to stallion ratio. Sure, there are plenty of stallions around but mares still out-number them.”

“And herding’s a thing…” the Phoenix Zord singsonged, and Sunset flushed as red as her mane. She did wonder where her Zord got her sense of humor at times.

“...Oh shut up! J-Just let me talk okay?” Sunset stammered out. “Being ace, well, sure it’ll probably have some issues in the long run relating to my relationship with Robert but I feel like a part of a community now, like I finally belong somewhere.”

“Question, and I hate doing this but it has to be asked. Does Robert even know what being an 'Ace' means? He doesn’t strike me as the book-smart type, at least when it comes to certain delicate matters like this…” the Phoenix Zord trailed off, and Sunset winced. She had a point. Sunset… Hell, she hadn’t even heard of the term until she’d actually picked up that damn book and read through it.

So, that begged the question, did any of her friends or Robert know what the term meant? I mean, take Rainbow Dash for instance. The mare was loud, crude and rather book-dumb. Same could be said for her on again, off again partner in Lightning Dust.

Fluttershy, she’d probably faint rather than talk about sex.

Applejack, raised in a rather traditional family. Maybe not shoot you if you were a gay type of traditional, but still rather traditional and somewhat old-fashioned.

Rarity, understanding and inclined to romance as she was was still rather colt-crazy from time to time. Sure, she was married but she still did have that shrine to Trenderhoof, that much Sunset knew. Zephyr had been grumbling about it once or twice.

Vapor, well it was impossible to know her stances on sexuality even with Lightning as a sister. It wasn’t something the mare really talked about to be perfectly honest.

And Robert was well… Robert. What more needed to be said about him really?

As it stood, Sunburst and Twilight knowledgeable as they were, were probably the most likely to even know of the term and understand the situation.

“I know what you’re thinking, Sunset,” the Phoenix Zord stated kindly. “It’ll be tough, I know. But every couple faces challenges in their relationship, and working through them? That’s the sign of a healthy relationship. If Robert doesn’t accept you the way you are, that’s his loss. You’re a fine young mare, and deserve only the best. But, while we’re on serious subjects, we need to have a little talk you and I,” the Phoenix Zord stated, switching tones to a far more serious tone, one that revealed the wisdom of the ages and reminded Sunset that she was speaking to a creature that had seen civilizations rise and civilizations fall in the blink of an eye.

“About what?” Sunset asked, somewhat nervously. Whenever the Phoenix Zord adopted that tone of voice and dropped the kind caring motherly tone she used most of the time, it never bode good intent for Sunset or whoever the Zord happened to be speaking to really.

“Our time, it’ll have to come to an end, you know that right?” the Phoenix Zord asked, looking down at her friend/partner/daughter figure, with her piercing green eyes gazing into the young woman’s soul.

“...Yeah, I figured about as much,” Sunset replied. “I mean, once Thrax is defeated, you’ll just move on. I mean, I know what happened when Adler was defeated, Shayla took the Ranger’s morphers away and just retreated up here to that island in the sky for the next couple of thousand years. Bit of a bad move on her part if you ask me, depriving the world of a Ranger team.”

“...Yeah, I admit it’s not one of her best decisions,” the Phoenix Zord murmured, rubbing the back of her head with a wing. Sunset didn’t entirely know how the head didn’t burn up, considering the wing feathers were almost constantly ablaze but then again maybe they didn’t really hurt the Phoenix considering it was her own fire and all. “I don’t like it either, this whole Code of the Wild Zords as it’s called.”

“Code of the Wild Zords?” Sunset asked curiously, not entirely sure if she wanted to know.

“Yeah, it was established by Animus long ago. Long before the time of Adler, it was actually shortly before the first Rise of the Orgs as we called it, was the time the code was first enforced, and then for the first and only time… broken.”

“W-What do you mean?” Sunset asked, definitely not sure she wanted to know now, given the tone the Phoenix Zord had taken, like she was barely fighting back tears.

“You sure you want to know?” Zen-Aku’s voice asked as the Duke Org stepped out of the shadows.

“She has a right to know!” the Phoenix Zord argued to him, Sunset watching the twosome’s back and forth nervously.

“But would she like the outcome? It would change her perception of you forever. Hell, not just you, but Animus and the rest of the Wild Zords as well!”

“It’s an ugly part of our history,” the Phoenix Zord admitted, clawing at the ground with her talons. “But it’s a part that cannot be forgotten. You know that as well as I do.”

“Yeah…” Zen-Aku growled, brushing his paws through the waters of main temple’s viewing pool/Org alert fountain. Why he wasn’t damaged by the waters of the fountain, that was a mystery. Then again, most of Zen-Aku was a mystery to begin with. He’d always been far from your usual Duke Org. “Just watch. Long ago, there existed three Rangers, guardians of and partners to the Falcon, King Cheetah, and Tiger Shark Zords. Together, they fought off what would eventually become in years time the Warstar Insectoid Army years later fought off by the Power Rangers Megaforce.

Sunset watched these three Rangers, all male and all fighting off various green creatures resembling insects. For the most part, the Rangers wore mostly stark blue, red, or yellow costumes depending on the Zord, with a smell adorned animal head on top of their helmets. A white striped V was on their torsos, and each had a golden small pin of the sun on their right breast.

“They called themselves the Power Rangers Vulcan Force. They were the first humans Animus decided to entrust with the powers of the Wild Zords, just to see if they were ready for such a great responsibility,” the Phoenix Zord continued, picking up where Zen-Aku left off. “Sadly, things would take a turn for the worse after the battle which temporarily drove away the Warstar Empire. After the Empire was driven away, Animus requested the Wild Zords take their leave from their partners. The Zords, they complied but not without some hesitance understandably. They had been these three’s partners for years.”

“The humans, whose names were Dai-Kan, Col-Fier, and Th-Ram were not so keen on saying goodbye to their partners. So, late one night they snuck into the Temple of the Wild Zords intent on retrieving their crystals.” Zen-Aku continued before his voice turned even harder if that were possible. “Animus appeared before them, and even as the three Rangers begged and pleaded to be reunited with their partners to continue protecting the Earth Animus simply raised his hand, and in a powerful concussive blast made them explode. Just like as if he snapped his fingers. Just. like. that!” Zen-Aku hissed out. “Before she left, Shayla told this story to the Wild Force Rangers of the year 2002 and warned them against any attempts at retrieving their Zords. I don’t know why I was revived, maybe as some small semblance of mercy from Animus to Merrick, his long favored friend so Merrick would not be lonely forever. However, aside from Taylor who was a pilot, did the others get their chance to be with their partners again in any sense? No, Animus did no such thing, and still even today he will not budge on his stance.”

“Even with his competent parts -aside from the Black Lion who is far too loyal to him- arguing against will not make him sway on the matter. Nor will any amount of argument from any of the Wild Zords.” the Phoenix Zord sighed sadly, shaking her head. “Remember Sunset, make no attempts even retrieve me, or even think of me once Thrax is defeated unless Animus decides to repeat history. I’d like to think he’s softened over the years, but sadly changes comes hard for a God. You know this all too well don’t you Sunset?” the Phoenix Zord asked, not wanting to sound cruel but she had to let Sunset know the full scope of their partnership and how soon it would come to an end.

“I… I understand.”

Sunset bit back a snarl as she landed in the streets of Canterlot, that damn God for all his preachings about what to do with power was a Mystic Mother forsaken hypocrite! She still remembered his little speech to Solar Flare.

“You dare place your hold upon others like a madman? You dare to think that you have power over others just because you are stronger?” Animus spoke in a booming tone, almost a mix between a roar and a soft tone.

Solar Flare laughed, “Heh, fine talk coming from a god.”

“Even a god remembers that he is nothing without those to remember him,” Looking down at the world below he also added, “And they are nothing without the free will to allow them to step into the light. We gods need to use our power wisely.”

“And that is?” Solar Flare asked with a chuckle.

“To serve as a guide into the light, so they can stand with us. And if not that, surpass us,” Animus said as he clashed blades with Solar Flare, much to Celestia’s pleasure. “Perhaps that will happen one day soon. Perhaps it’s already happened with both me and Celestia. You, however… Know nothing of the burden of being a god. You only care about the power.”

Sunset’s fists clenched even as she walked into the doors of the restaurant known only as Charbroiled, started up by a certain Org and his Tenga partner. God, now that was a laugh. Animus really needed to have a look once more at what becoming a god came with, the duties and responsibilities. All he was right now, until he had a good hard look at himself and strived to change was a tyrant and possible eco-terrorist. Some Lord of the Wild Zords he was.

Sunset shook herself free of those thoughts, remembering why she was here in the first place. She knew that this particular Tenga who worked here had worked long enough with Thrax’s forces before defecting to work alongside his boss and follow his true dreams as a cook to learn quite a bit about Thrax’s plans and long-term goal. She idly wondered why Thrax had yet to tie up loose ends. It made her wary really, was Thrax really planning something so big he didn’t even care if information got spilled? Something so big and something so dangerous that the Rangers wouldn’t be able to stop it if they tried?

As she walked in the door, Sunset caught wind of a conversation between Rumble Spear and his seemingly ever-present partner Steel Phalanx talking over a cup of Hokkaido Milk tea.

“...I’m telling you, I don’t know what was in that package Celestia wanted me to deliver to Lyra’s home, or why her specifically for that matter. All she said was that it’d make the Orgs’ troubles doubled.” Rumble muttered. Sunset shrugged it off, whatever that was about she’d probably find out soon enough.

Slipping a small green ring onto her finger, Sunset summoned up a portion of parts from a place between dimensions, the parts forming a little griffon with Sunset bringing it to life by placing the ring on its back. Creating it was almost like assembling a model kit really.

“Keep watch boy, okay?” she whispered. “Don’t want any surprises, now do we?”

The griffon chirped and flew above the entryway, perching itself above it in a place amongst the rafters. Sunset thanked the Mystic Mother Twilight had been able to craft this PlaMonster and its summon ring quickly enough. As long as Sunset’s magic wasn’t exhausted, and that wouldn’t be for a long while yet, this familiar would keep itself active.

“Hey Charcoal, you there?” Sunset called as she walked into the kitchen, and found the Org in the midst of filleting a puffer fish with the help from his Tenga cohort.

“Oh Sunset, if I know you were coming I would have had a meal fixed up right quick for you and your boyfriend!” the Charcoal Grill Org rambled. “I tell you, ever since Hellfire endorsed me and my restaurant, business has been sskkkkkyyyyyrocketing! Seriously, I’ve had customers like Fancy Pants and the like coming in to try my creations, and you know the best bit? They don’t even care I’m an Org!”

“Good for you Charcoal,” Sunset stated, patting him on the shoulder. “Good for you, sadly my boyfriend’s not with me and neither am I here on pleasure. I’d actually like to speak to your assistant if you don’t mind.”

The Org nodded, and gestured to his Tenga friend who took off his chef’s hat, and apron and gestured towards one of the storage rooms. Sunset nodded and followed after.

“I think you know why I’m here,” Sunset started.

“Yeah, I do,” the Tenga who everyone had just started to call Crow by this point replied. “You want to know my former boss’s big plans for Canterlot right? Well, my advice is to get out, and get out fast. Get everyone out of Canterlot, as what’s coming… well, I shudder to think of it.”

Sunset now noticed that the back room was full of books that had looked to have been packed up heavily in a hurry and that there was a sense of urgency and fear in the air that she hadn’t taken notice of before now.

“No seriously, like get the Hell out of here. The Great Dragon, he’s returning. I don’t know where Thrax found him, I seriously don’t but somehow he did. And now, there’s soon to be a serpent in Celestia and Luna’s little garden.” Crow shouted, grabbing ahold of Sunset by the shoulders. “Run, just run, don’t look back and hope he never finds you. For God’s sake, RUN!”

Sunset didn’t know exactly why this Tenga was so scared, before the penny dropped with a resounding clang. Serpent, Great Dragon. Those two phrases together could only mean one thing, and one thing only.

“Serpentera…” she breathed out, her eyes widened in fear and horror.

Carousel Boutique:

Meanwhile, Spike was dropping off the book he’d found in the Castle of the Two Sisters at Rarity’s. The poor mare was still indulging herself in buckets of ice cream, it was a small wonder she hadn’t bloated herself yet. Must have had something to do with unicorn magic, the drake figured.

“Uh Rarity,” Spike said, as the bell above the front door jingled out a greeting. “I’ve got something for you! Your favorite dragon comes through again! ...Okay, maybe I’m the only dragon you know but anyways, hope you enjoy it!”

“Leave me be! Can't you see how distraught, disappointed, and downtrodden I still am?” Rarity whined, and Spike sighed.

“Seriously Rares, I’ve got something for you! I brought you something, right from the depths of the-” Spike started, before being cut off by another loud sob. Spike sighed. To think this all started after Rarity’s designs for a puppeteer were rejected!

“Unless it's another carton of vanilla oat swirl or word that the festival has been cancelled, I don't think I'm interested.” Rarity remarked with a huff, before Spike groaned and held out the book.

“Ugh, talk about ghastly. Did that designer have no sense of taste?”

“Just read the title…” Spike groaned out, with a very visible rolling of his eyes.

Rarity’s eyes scanned the cover, before opening the book up to its first page out of a whiff of faint curiosity. “I suppose it's worth a try. “From in the head to out in the world, every thought to action. Hold close this book and through its spell, you'll start a chain reaction. Projecting forth whatever beauty you see. Only when true words are spoken will you finally be set free.” she recited, tracing her finger along every word.

Rarity’s horn glowed green briefly, and Spike looked at her.

“Did it work?” he asked. He soon got his answer when the book turned itself into a much more frilly, and generally all-around girly themed piece of literature.

“Oh yes, momma’s gonna have some fun with you…” Rarity whispered with a strange glint in her eyes as she hugged the book tightly to her chest. Spike didn't quite know why, but he had a very bad feeling in the pit of his stomach about then.

Author's Notes:

Okay, yes. I'm not dancing around it anymore. Sunset's ace. Few of you probably guessed it already, I admit. (Credit to DisneyFanatic23's wonderful story for helping me figure out a way to do this right) And if you feel this needs more done with it, I will continue on with it in later chapters as hinted. Dealing more with Sunset's fears and the like.

Now, Animus. First off, that was an American version of Taiyou Sentai Sun Vulcan he axed, been wanting to do an adaptation of the first three-man Sentai for a while. Secondly, after flip-flopping around between if he's a good god who's actually changed his ways or his Wild Force-era self still, I decided to finally settle the matter in the most fitting manner of his character.

Also, the PlaMonster. Yes, it exists, it's (fittingly enough) Kamen Rider Beast's personal familiar.

Now, while Feedback is welcomed, can you please keep the revelation about Serpentera confined to spoiler tags, given how big of a revelation it exactly is please? Thank you.