Author's Notes:

A little warning before getting into the chapter, the first segment contains girl on girl action so, if you're sensitive to this then please jump to the ' Next day ' segment, if not then just carry on.

Sorry for taking almost a month for the chapter, no excuses this time, just me been lazy and playing 'Among Us' like the rest of the world semis to do now days, pretty entertaining game I must say, almost as good as playing 'Werewolf' in real life.

Anyway, as absolutely always, thanks for reading and dealing with my bad writing, misspelling and grammar error, until the next, hopefully less depressing chapter, stay strong bros and bras.

Next Chapters:

1) PokePon, chapter 11.
2) Beware of the quiet one, chapter 4.
3) My little Pony Isekai: The knight, chapter 8.
4) My little Pony Isekai: The wolf, chapter 3.

THE PREVIOUS NIGHT...

Aria sighed from relief when she finally reached her current home, her body whole body was sore, specially her butt. ' How the hell does that sport freak is able to ride this thing without needing butt cheeks transplant! Maybe after playing soccer for so long her ass is just that resistant '.

After chaining the bike to a pole in the parking lot, Aria took the stairs to the second floor where Cheerilee's apartment was, even that small feat took a toll on her and by the time she made it to the front of the door she just wanted to drop down over her bed and stay there for days.

Pushing the door open, the last thing Aria expected to find was the strong smell of beer attacking her nose and her eyes watching as a mumbling Cheerilee was trying to fit a bunch of empty beer cans inside a trash bag.

" Lee? What are you doing? Did, did you drink all that? ". Aria asked flabbergasted as Cheerilee stopped as she was crushing cans with her feet inside the trash can. Possibly been already half drunk Cheerilee lost her balance and tumbled backwards, causing Aria to rush to her aid despite the soreness and exhaustion she was feeling.

" Auwagh! ". Rather that end up helping, Aria simply made things worse, she landed on top of Cheerilee and both girls were now in pain and showered in beer, after a second or two growling in discomfort Aria opened her eyes, only to find Cheerilee's face just inches away, both set of eyes went wide with surprise, after the shock Aria tried to disengage from her position but she felt arms wrapping her tenderly.

" You're ok! You're back! You're back, Aria, I'm so glad! ". Aria couldn't believe what was just happening, her roommate, friend and crush was hugging her, more than that, she looked extremely relieved to see Aria and her hug was more than proof.

" I, I ah, ye-yes! Of course I'm back! You think an old siren hag was enough to stop me? Uh, us? Of course not, we kicked her ass pretty b-bad ". Aria tried to sound cool and tough, but her body started shacking the moment she remembered the whole night and how close they came to die again.

Even the strength of her arms failed and now she was completely resting over Cheerilee, who instead of complaining, pulled her tighter. " I'm really glad that you're back ".

Aria could feel her face heat up and turn more red with every second so in order to break the embarrassment she pushed with all her might and complained. " What's up with all the booze? I know you like drinking but it's this too much Lee? ".

After all the time Aria spend living without the the librarian, she came to memorize her partner's routine, Cheerilee was a mild drinker, during the working part of the week she would carry herself with dedication and professionalism but as soon as the week would allow her the chance, she would get herself a good amount of beer for them or she would accompany Apple and Luna to that bar they liked so much, all in the purpose of letting loose and get rid of all of her stress.

Despite knowing that though, Aria felt something was off about this occasion in particular, just starting with the hug and the fact she looked like she had been crying.

" I just started a bit too early, that's all, but seriously, I'm happy to see you back in one piece ". Cheerilee said with a hint of pink also adorning her face, although that could have been the alcohol's work. Whatever the case, she finally did an effort to remove Aria from top of her.

" Sorry ".

" Is ok, not that you're heavy, hm, i mean, you're around my weight, high and body type but you're more lean that I'm ". Now that Cheerilee did mention of it, Aria had that exact same opinion of their bodies, and it was understandable since Cheerilee worked for 50 hours a week while Aria although unemployed, liked to keep herself fit by doing some exercises around the house.

Now that they stepped in that minefield, Aria's eyes wondered to the scantly dressed librarian, just like with the drinking, weekend Cheerilee changed her normal country attires for nothing more that a simple short and a small tank top that just covered her breasts and back, her legs were smooth and completely shaved, her arms were well toned and even her abdomen had little fat in it.

Aria more that once caught a glance at her naked body since both were females despite living together for some time already Cheerilee would have no problem walking out of the shower in just a towel drying her hair giving her a view of everything.

" There's still some beer left of you want, join me ". Cheerilee help her up and soon the two girls were seating and drinking. The cold beer gave Aria some much needed energy, now that she was seating in a real chair and not the running torture machine that Dash drove around she felt her bones finally stop complaining and her muscles relax.

However, her mind would do the same since just across the small square table Cheerilee was giving her a skin display, so a lot of unwanted thoughts were running wild on her brain. Her eyes would try and steal a peek at her every time she took a sip from her beer.

Anyone who would caught Aria in the act would immediately think that she was a lesbian or bisexual, but the true was more complicated than that and it was more linked with her former culture.

Sirens were in fact a single sex specie, all sirens in Equestria were born females, they could have sex with males of other species, more commonly stallions, but there were instances of sirens mating with dragons and or even male griffins in order to reproduce but the offspring would always be a siren, it was said that this was one of the reasons as to why the sirens and the hippogryph went to war, apart from the territorial dispute of course. Sirens tried to mate with hippogriffs but the females weren't so happy about this so sirens would abduct a male and had their way with him when mating season was going on.

And so, sirens would develop little interest in males other that to procreate, however, that only applied for Equestria, the human world was another thing entirely, here, Adagio was sure that if any of them had sex with a human they would end up pregnant so she forbid Aria and Sonata from trying to have sex.

In any case, Aria really never had any sexual interest for either man or woman, they only approached guys to manipulate them and feed their gems from their emotions, Cheerilee was for Aria, the very first being she felt attracted in a sentimental level and that made her attractive in a physical level. Unfortunately, Aria didn't think Cheerilee was attracted to other girls, specially if said girl was in true a half horse half fish creature from another world that once tried to mind control her.

" You know, I feel so stupid right about now, is so funny and so stupid that I... never mind ". Cheerilee said with a sad smile that put Aria in alert right away.

" C-came on Lee, you? Stupid? You're talking to the girl who just went to fight a fucking old bitch that could have killed her is she would have got serious, to think we just survived because a few lucky events, now that's stupid, but not funny though ".

At the mention of this Cheerilee stopped drinking, her jaw moved but produced no words, her eyes turned glassy and soon enough her shoulders trembled and she cried.

" He-hey now, Lee? What's wrong? Hey! I, I'm sorry ok, I know, I know, I should watch my language, sorry ok? Lee? ". Aria went to her side, her heart aching with cold pain for not knowing what was wrong with her friend.

To her surprise, the moment she was close enough, Cheerilee reached out and grabbed her. Again, her first reaction to such act of closeness was to freeze.

" Le-Lee? What's going on? What got you like this? Tell me ".

Cheerilee sniffed and shook, but kept her face hidden on Aria's abdomen.

" I'm sorry, I'm sorry for... for sending you to danger! I'm sorry Aria ".

" What? What're you talking about? Sending me where? I don't get ya ". Aria asked as she tried to comfort her roommate.

" Into, into danger! I told you I was proud of you helping the Rainbooms and changing for the better, b-but, as soon as you left, I remembered how badly the previous encounter with Adagio Dazzle was, how you got injured and only because Big Mac and Sunset arrived did things turned out for the better, how close I was to be abducted ".

Aria too remembered that and some of that past trauma returned. " I was, I'm happy that you're a good person, I'm happy to have you as my friend, as my companion, and I'm sorry if I'm trying to change you too hard, but I do want to have you by my side, I really do Aria ".

Aria bit her lip, was her desire just that of friendship? Would she accept her if she revealed how she felt for her? Aria couldn't, wouldn't risk losing her if Cheerilee was repulsed by what the former Dazzle wanted, so all she could do was reassure her without exposing her true feelings.

" Is ok Lee, I too am happy to be with you, every day since we met in that dark alley all that time ago, I was in a bad place, nowhere to go, barely scrapping by, about to do something stupid just to grab a quick buck, then, then I saw you coming, you came to do the must stupid and badass thing possible, you came to my rescue even though you could have died that night, you helped me out when I thought it was the end for me, but you came to my rescue when nobody else would give a shit about ". Aria used the softest touch she could produce to pull her face up so that she could see her sincerity.

" You save that night, and since then, you have changed my life, I'm here because you, and, and, a-and, I want to keep living with you, that why, why if something's comes trying to ruin that, then I'll jump in and stop it, that is, what I feel, Lee ".

Cheerilee stopped her crying at the middle of listening Aria, many thoughts passed for her head at the same time as Aria declared her intensions of keep running into danger if something magical or otherwise comes and tries to disrupt their lives.

In that moment, whatever it was, the high emotions, the alcohol, the restlessness, the way Aria spoke those words while her face looked all flustered and cute or a combination of everything, Cheerilee stopped caring for anymore dialogue. She just stood up surprising Aria once more.

" Lee? ". Her shock was total, the last thing she expected was a full 180 more swing from Cheerilee, she didn't looked sad anymore, it was more like angry, pissed off. Without another word she took Aria by the hand and dragged her, Aria still too confused to resist, soon they reached Cheerilee's room.

Still saying nothing, the purple haired girl kicked the door shot and turned around to confront her friend, eyes full of determination and heart beating hard, she approached her companion slowly, like a person trying not to scare a cat, she got closer, until the tip of their feet touched, then with a careful movement, Cheerilee reached out and got her hands under the other girl's jacket, she took it off and dropped it at the floor.

" Lee? What are you-!? ". A finger over like prevented her from further talking, but deep down, Aria knew what was going on, but her mind was still trying to disbelieve it, trying to find a possible explanation that wouldn't get her hopes up, but her heart did wanted to believe, to take what was coming with a blessing, whatever it was the beginning of something, or just a one time fling, Aria hoped with all her heart, that the former was the correct one.

Her mind came back when Cheerilee removed her top, two B-cup size breasts came into view. Aria felt her month drying up as her eyes fixed on them, they were just a bit bigger than hers, and had a more round shape compared to her own. And speaking of her own chest, so distracted was Aria watching the two round tits in front that she didn't felt when Cheerilee got her hands on her again, this timed removing Aria's top to reveal her own pair of pillows, Aria's were more perky and had less say, but were smaller in comparation.

In a snap Aria shoot her hands forward when Cheerilee was about to remove her bottoms as well. " Are you? ". Aria finally comprehended what was about the happen, her mouth dried that ever. " Sure ? ". Aria tried to remain calm under the current situation, her crush, her freaking crush was getting naked in front of her and doing the same with her, but her fear of what this could change in their relationship was getting to her.

Instead of responding with words, once more Cheerilee chose to show with actions, she broke from Aria's grip softly and took her face on her hands bringing her mouths together for the first time.

Aria Blaze, former Dazzle, siren from Equestria, was getting kissed by the girl she had a crush on, the person who showed her that even a dick meaned person like her could be forgiven and given a second chance at a life.

As the taste of alcohol and their respective salivas passed from one mouth to the other, Aria felt her fears melt, they wouldn't disappear just yet but for the moment, they were left only like a puddle of water in the floor of her mind.

As their mouth to mouth exchange continued, their nipples playfully rubbed against the chest of the other girl causing more arousal, Cheerilee, still with the initiative, unbuckled Aria's biker shorts and left her in her spandex shorts, she then used her left hand to cares the wet spot that formed on the shorts.

Aria jumped as she felt Cheerilee moving her fingers right over her crotch, the fingertips of the librarian rubbed the material with enough pressure to made the skin bellow react as if it was been touched directly, Aria felt the lips of her pussy throbbing, yearning to be further played with, but Cheerilee went for other target, her lips were now assaulting the nipple in the left breast, licking it roughly while little by little pushing an already weak Aria toward her bed.

Aria could still have stopped things if she wanted, but the still lucid part of her mind decided to abandon any sense of precaution and instead throw everything for this one possibility that she could let loose all the pent lust that Shimmer's magic sprung inside her, even more so with the person most important to her.

And so Aria didn't resisted when she fell back over the bed, by now her thighs were soaked, her vaginal juices were now too much for her shorts to contain, her head was already going blank with pleasure and awe, while masturbating was not a new territory for her, to have someone else doing it to her was a experience on its own league.

After falling back, she saw Cheerilee remove her last clothes, her figure was far more appealing that she could have imagined. With hunger in her eyes, Cheerilee descended over her and with a firm grip, removed her legs apart and kept them there.

" He-hey! Not so fa-aaah! ". Cheerilee didn't let Aria any respite, she placed her head right over Aria's crotch and with her mouth she took a dive, her lips moved over the fabric making sopping noises and massaging Aria's lower lips. Aria tried in vain to regain some composure, her mind was derailing more and more as Cheerilee continued to tease her sex.

" Agh! You? What are you?! ". Aria asked when Cheerilee stopped eating her up, she then felt a pull and her legs were pulled up, she saw her shorts been taken out and casually thrown away by Cheerilee, her sight then caught Cheerilee as she went back down, there was now nothing protecting her pussy and Cheerilee was taking full advantage, Aria trembled as a wet snake started proving around her vagina, first around the opening, before plunging into her. Cheerilee moved her tongue aggressively, trying to lick every single inch inside Aria that she could reach, Aria was now gasping non stop, her vaginal wall were desperately trying to clamp around the intrusive tongue but could not reach it.

Then Cheerilee changed her target once more, her tongue came out with the sour taste of vaginal secretions but ready to lash at something else, that something was the little nerve bud located just need the entrance of Aria's sanctuary, when Cheerilee claimed Aria's clitoris for herself, the latter moaned out loud, she also arched her back and closed her legs, trying to save her pussy from the insane treatment Cheerios was giving her.

Not happy with just that, the human woman then dug her middle finger inside Aria as her tongue kept torturing her other spot, now there was not a single brain cell in Aria that wasn't receiving a shock of raw stimulus, the siren couldn't believe how good she was feeling and how her body was like a single nerve been played with.

" Aaah! Clo, close! So-something! Coming! ". Aria shook her body in a useless intent to dislodge her pussy from Cheerilee, but the librarian was relentless in her attack and wouldn't let go until her pray could climax. Without stopping fingering Aria, Cheerios switched her body position, placing herself next to Aria, her head just inches from her chest, and there where she attacked next, her mouth capturing Aria's right nipple this time and that caused a chain reaction, the pleasure too much, the ecstasy reached its peak and from the love tunnel of the siren girl a gush of fluid exploded, the bed, both girls legs and even the floor, all got splashed by her climax. Her entire body tensed as all the energy of her body was drained along her cum.

After such moment of emotion and delirium, Aria was now empty of any strength, her body was relaxing now but her heart was beating faster than ever, the bliss of releasing such orgasm was just too much for tired mind and as soon as the spasms ceased, she felt into a peaceful slumber, Cheerilee meanwhile, was left alone, her room a complete mess and above else, she didn't get to be played with, but despite all that, watching the sleeping face of her partner, she couldn't be mad at all, she smiled and decided to clean up the next day, sure that this was the beginning of something wonderful.

" You left me high and dry Aria, well, dry not so much ". Cheerilee said to the sleeping one, with some effort, she moved Aria aside so that both could sleep the night, once resting next to Aria, she pulled the covers over their names bodies, she then kissed Aria in the cheek and hugged her. " Good night ".

THE NEXT DAY...

" Aria, what happened last night, last night, it was a mistake ".

Aria felt a cold, hard claw gripping her heart, her legs almost giving away under her intense shock. Her vision became hazy as tears began to congregate behind her eyes, her throat for the contrary, never felt so dry. Aria tried to ask, asked why had she decided the crush her heart, ask why was she tearing her soul in pieces but only a small whimper could be heard.

" How can I say this, I think last night the booze pushed me a bit too much, Aria? Are you ok? ". Cheerilee saw how bad Aria was getting and suddenly, something clicked on her mind.

" Aria no! That's not what I mean! ". Cheerilee took Aria by the shoulders making her turn to her so that she could see her in the eyes. " I love what we did tonight, ok, I love it! That's not what I called a mistake, ok? ".

Aria had never got into a rollercoaster, but she could imagine that if she did it, it wouldn't feel as intense as this moment. Her heart didn't calm down until Cheerilee hugged her and reassured her that she didn't meant what she thought.

After both girls were more under control, they moved the conversation to the table, now that Cheerilee cleaned it up, the whole kitchen looked clean and smelled clean, Aria then remembered that today was her day off, otherwise she would had found the place still in disarray.

" I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you like that, I didn't consider you to be this much of a drama queen ".

" Fuck you bitch! You don't say something like that and expect me to stay mellow like nothing happened, I felt like you were ripping my heart and making soup with it! ". Aria cursed with new tears coming out.

Cheerilee felt anger rising up to her throat, but after thinking better, she swallowed back. ". Ok, I deserve that, but insult me again like that for no reason and I'll make that soup with your tongue ".

Aria huffed, but she now turned to Cheerilee with less anger. " What I was trying to say, is that it was a mistake how things started, with me drunk and you just returning from your fight, we weren't in the right mind completely, even if what we said was going to said eventually ".

" You, you really were going to do all those things to me? ". Aria looked shocked now, she knew Cheerilee had a few quirks that she kept secret from everyone else, but been a an aggressive sex deviant wasn't one of them.

" Well, like I said, my mind wasn't all there, and you dropped out too fast, but yeah, I was going for that eventually, with you having your turn with me as well, I wanted to get closer, getting to know each other better before jumping into sex territory, but well, you saw what happened ".

" I, well, I too would have preferred our start that way, but what's done is done, I guess".

The two girls kept their sights into each other, with just enough shyness to make things awkward until the silence became too heavy. " So, do you, want to kiss, me? I mean, a kiss ". Asked Aria slowly turning into a tomato.

Cheerilee smiled and walked up to her, Aria turned her head so that Lee would give her a kiss in the cheek. " You're very cute for a punk girl ".

" Wha-hmm! ". Aria turned to reply her comment but Lee didn't wasted time and kissed her in the lips, it was fast and without tongue, but it let Aria more shocked that the the ones from the previous day.

TIME TURNER'S HOUSE...

" Tim? Tim! TIM! I know you're there! You're front door is open you dork! ".

Luna walked back and forth in front of the door and f her colleague, she didn't want to intrude like last time, it was hard been here and not remember when she received the call of Big Mac's incident.

" Come on, I don't have time for this you crazy british man! ". Luna kicked and huffed, her arms crossed again as no answer came from either cellphone or the house. " Grrh! Fine! I'm going in! ".

She went inside with hesitation, inside the house was dark, no lights from the second floor of the rooms on the right side, from the left Luna knew there was the weird room where the Professor did his crazy researches.

Luna approached the room and now closer she could see a bit of light coming from bellow the door. " Tim! It's me, Luna, are you there? Hey! ". Luna tried to catch any sound from inside but all she could heard was a low buzzing sound, similar to an electric device.

" Hey! I'm calling you, damn it! ". Having her patience extinguished, Luna kicked the door, one and a second time but no answer yet. She then turned the knob and pushed forward, finding to her surprise that the door wasn't locked.

She almost fell but she managed to held firm and regain her stability. Getting back on her task, Luna found the room even more in disarray than before, there was more trash that before, many of the maps that she saw last time looked recently torn from the walls. The place smelled of rotten food and sweat, and like before, the dusty old computer Turner was using last time was still there, the screen was on and some message indicating ' ERROR ' could be seen from her position, she tried to get closer, going around a small table buried in old papers, then her shoe stepped over something that moved making her jump back.

" Oh God, tell me this guy doesn't have rats please! ". She stepped once more on the same spot and once more, something moved on the dark. " Aaaaah! Die rodent! ". Without mercy she hit the supposed rat three times with her heel, but in the last stomp she heard a noise that didn't sounded like the squeak of a rat but the growl of a man.

" Ouuuch ". Came a weak voice from the shadows, more specific, from the floor.

" Ti-Time? ".

" Wa...ter ".

" Time! ".

" Water, please ".

" Time! ". Luna pulled out her cell and used the light to illuminate the area. She was horrified when she saw her friend down on the floor, badly dressed, unshaved, dirty, pale and slimmer that she remembered. She dug him out of the pile of paper sheets and old looking books that were on top of him and helped him seat on the office chair infront of the computer.

" Wait here, I'm going for a glass of water ". She left him there while she hurried to the kitchen, she heard him mumbling something while she ran but she wasn't sure if it was him trying to tell her something or just gibberish coming from his current state.

In the kitchen she opened a few cabinets and the fridge but found nothing to drink, matter of fact, she found nothing comestible, not even those english cookies he liked to accompany his tea, there was nothing that could be considered food.

' What the hell has he been eating?! '

Luna opened the rest of the cabinets along the counter as well as the rest of the fridge but she came empty, not even raw rice or beans, canned food, nothing, absolutely nothing.

Finally, she opted for filling a glass with water from the sink and take it to him. She made her way back making sure to turn on the lights as she went, including the one in the very room she left Turner, and the moment she turned the lights, she found Turner typing at that old computer of his, just barely without passing out.

" What're you trying to do idiot! You need to rest! ". She grabbed his arm trying to get him away from the machine but he wrestled her in order to remain there and keep typing at the keyboard.

" Must finish, cal, cu, la, tion ". Turner said weakly, his voice cracking from dehydration.

" Leave that you infernal idiot! Don't you see you're in no shape! What could you possibly be so interested that you are wasting yourself like that! ". Luna said feeling both anger and pain tearing at her.

" Big, Mac! ".

" What?! ".

" Big Maghk! ". Turner started coughing as his throat became too dry to even produce proper sounds.

" Enough! Whatever it is, you can explain after you take some water and a nap, no discussions, come on Tim ". Luna was sure he meant something linked with Big Mac, but as much as she wanted to ask she was more worried about the health of her friend. After making him drink some of the water, she half carried, half dragged him up to his room.

REBEL'S HIDEOUT, EQUESTRIA...

" Are you sure My lady? Isn't dangerous to have him roaming around? ". Asked the bipedal bull to the small unicorn.

" Unless you're offering to keep an eye on him all the time while carrying out my orders , then I don't mind, otherwise, you have no reason to argue, he doesn't even know who he is, nor if he has family or a place to go back, combine that with his lack of cutie mark and the scars and you can guess that he has nowhere to go, besides, when was the last time we had something decent to eat? ".

Rawhorn felt worse that when the blonde human head-butted him since he was the one who cooked for Abigail and not once has he received as much praise for it as the intruder stallion, just who was he and why did just see him caused in Rawhorn the impulse of twisting his legs and neck? He couldn't tell before but now he was sure, he was jealous.

" With him taking care of chores around the base I can evaluate him, and, if he proves to be trustworthy then he can do more important tasks, and with time, he could take care of the base while you and the others to out and cause some chaos for our dear princesses ".

" But, My lady, wouldn't it be better if I stay here guarding you? ".

Abigail's eyes turned fierce. " Are you doubting that I can defend myself, Rawhorn? ".

Rawhorn flinched from her anger, while he could shrug most physical damage, and confront any enemy, Abigail's anger or disappointment was something he was always weak against.

Abigail seemed to reconsider her reaction seen his. " Listen, you're my right hoof, there's no pony I trust more to carry out the objectives of our group that you, that's why I want you out there when need it, not here playing housekeeper, or do you want me to let Adagio or any other creature to fulfil that special role? ".

Rawhorn puffed his broad chest with confidence. " No, of course not my lady, only I can make sure your wishes come true ".

" Then have the same faith in me, if Pepper, or any other pony messes up or turns traitor, I'll make sure they get a deserving end ". Her eyes shone with the power of the amulet.

Rawhorn bowed, happy to know his place was reassured.

" Now, like I order you, explain Red Pepper of his new position, make sure he understands, after that, finish your preparations for the upcoming mission, we need to make use of the chaos that the Changelings braised and stir an uproar, if we play well our cards, then Celestia and Kuna will be too busy dealing with their subjects and Adagio and I will make our move ".

" If I may ask, what's in the Crystal Empire that you seek? Isn't the amulet strong enough? ".

Abigail became somber as she thought of how to answer. " I, I'm looking for Sombra's old lab, the one where he created her ".

Rawhorn was shocked hearing that. " Miss Stone? Is she still-? ".

" Yes ". Abigail's voice became a mere whimper compared to when she spoke of her plan. " She breaking down faster, if things keep up, if things keep like this..? ". Fashion was by her side in a second, one of the few occasions where he didn't need to ask permission to touch her, he knew what Sophie Stone was for the human unicorn.

" I just, I don't want to lose another mother! Maybe, maybe I can find a way to save her, I need to go and find it! ". Abigail cried as she remembered the confrontation they had before. Rawhorn took one of her front legs and held her as a sign of support.

" We will My lady, I'm sure you'll save her ". Rawhorn promised himself that he would succeed in his next mission, no matter what.

REGAL'S RESIDENCE...

Celestia watched with surprise as her guest devoured another steak, it was the third so far and although they were big, for a young girl it was still impressive, more so because it looked like she could go on.

" My, that's some appetite you have Starlight, were you that hungry? ". Asked Celestia with motherly concern.

" Oh no, no ma'am, is just that, it's very tasty! ". She took another bite and chew on it happily. " We have nothing like this back in Equestria! What was it again? ".

" Oh, steak is just cow-!? ".

" Starlight! Starlight! ". Sunset broke through the house like a tornado.

" Sunset? What's going on, are you ok? Why are you yelling?! ". Asked Celestia in panic.

" Nothing like that, is just, I need Starlight's help ". Sunset turned to Starlight who was just inches away from eating her steak. " Starlight, I need your help desperately ".

" Uh, sure Sunset, what do you need ". Asked Starlight.

" I won't wait and see if the authorities can find Big Mac, I need your help to find him, once and for all ". Starlight and Celestia exchanged a look and Sunset understood the meaning.

" No, I'm not that Sunset yet, but now I know this, no matter whatever it was her or me, even if we are different in some ways, he has always been the same with us, late or early, we would have fallen in love with him eventually, so I'm not wasting any more time, I'm going to find my boyfriend! ". The room fell in silence after Sunset's speech.

" Hm, sure, I can use the spell from last time, I just need his locket and-! ".

" Wait a minute! ". Celestia said stopping both girls amid conversation. " While I do understand what you're saying, and I'm would be more than happy if Big Mac is found, don't you realize how dangerous is to go out like this? Not to mention how bad the timing is for this search. You run the risk of not only lose your job, but also to be held back in studies, the final exams are just an arm away and in the pass three weeks you haven't studied at all, between going to Equestria, fighting those invaders and now having your memories scrambled, trying to find Big Mac by yourself may get you in far more trouble that you can deal with! ". Celestia said with worry for her daughter.

" Please Sunset, leave this to the authorities, I'm sure they'll have something eventually, even the mayor is pushing the search parties to find him ". Celestia pleaded with Sunset.

" I'm sorry, but I have made up my mind, to be honest, since gaining control back of myself, I have been having troubles finding exactly what attach me to this world, unlike future me, I don't have those strong connections with everyone as the other ' Me ' had, but I'm trying, not only for my own sake, but for the respect I have for those past connections, including the ones I have with you ".

" Sunset, I, you know what you mean to me, do you? The family that I was trying to create for both of us, does it have any chance to succeed for real? If you're not interested then please, tell me now ". Celestia was now crying while Starlight didn't know what to do or say, this was far beyond her.

" I'm not going to lie, finding Big Mac is the only thing I'm concerned, if, if I'm not able to find him, then there's nothing keeping me here, all I know for now is that I need him, from there, I don't know yet, but, I probably will go back to Equestria ".

" I see ". Celestia got up and walked to Sunset, she then offered a hug that Sunset accepted, Celestia kept crying all the while. " Then I wish you luck, whatever the results, I hope you can find the place you're looking for ". Without another word, Celestia left for her room.

Starlight was too uncomfortable with the situation and opted to remain silent, Sunset too wasn't too happy with what she said, but she needed to speak the true, no matter how cold it sounded.

" I'm sorry you have to see that, I'm feel terrible for hurting her, specially since its obvious she cares a lot for me, but I couldn't fake tate kind of affection she wanted even if I tried ".

" I understand, I too had a troublesome relationship with my father for must of my fillihood, but things got better as we talked it over ". Starlight looked at Sunset directly.
" Are you thinking in going back to Equestria if Big Mac doesn't come back? ".

Sunset remaining silent for a full minute before answering. " I believe it would be for the best, in a way, since my arrival, shoot of bad things had happened, maybe it would be for the best if the connection between Equestria and the human world is severed for good, at least that way this won't have to deal with magic running amok ".

" Perhaps, anyway, let me have Mac's locket again, I'll use the same spell unused last time ". Sunset nodded and then gave her the silver trinket, she then watched in silence as Starlight used magic to turn the locker into a tracking device, mentally hoping for the better.

REBEL'S HIDEOUT, EQUESTRIA...

" Any questions? ". Asked Rawhorn very annoyed by having to assign, explain and show to the red stallion what would be his duty from now on, but after having his position reassured by Abigail he was determined to not let her trust down, even if he had to deal with the intruder.

" No, I think ah, I understand everythin', everything, sorry, mah-y throat is a mess right now ". The stallion said as he tried in vain to clear his raspy throat, Rawhorn could have sworn that his form of speaking was fake but the burn marks were pretty solid evidence. He was more annoyed when the stallion acted oblivious to his harsh tone and apologies for anything.

" Hmm, you better memorize everything or your going to have troubles, and I'm not talking about a simple slap on the hoof, fail to much and may lose that hoof! ".

" A little bit harsh don't you think? ".

" Listen here, Red, the lady doesn't tolerate failure or betrayal, this is a serious situation you are in, our mission is more important that our own lives! ". Rawhorn said to Red, so close to his face that they almost butthead one another.

" I get it, no need to get so pushy, I'm not some bastard that ignores those who help him, I'll do my work as best as I can ". Also very annoyed, Red finally showed some backbone in the form of a push, getting the bull away from him.

" What's with the noise?! I can hear you all the way from my roo-?! ". Adagio Dazzle stopped her question when she saw the new face. The stallion too saw her and he too seemed curious. Adagio approached him.

" Adagio, this is our newest member, Red Pepper, he will be doing chores around the base, food, cleaning and-! ". Adagio ignored Rawhorn in favor of observing the stallion better, something about this pony was giving her a familiar vibe but she couldn't quite placed, she also couldn't remember ever seeing him previous to this moment so that made her more curious.

" Who is this again? ".

" Agh! Pay attention. This, is Red Pepper, Lady Abigail assigned him to do chores around the base, and I mean ' regular chores ' Adagio, I don't want to hear that you cast some spell on him or tried to suck energy out of him, he, lady Abigail gave him her protection ". Rawhorn said seriously, trying to scare her before she tried something but Adagio noted great disdain in his voice, all directed towards the new male member of their nefarious group.

" Hm, whatever, not that I care much for lackeys ". Adagio said dismissively but remaining where she was, Red took this as a sign and decided to leave.

" Better get started then, later ". Red Pepper did a small gesture and left, even without looking, he could feel the two rebels watching him as he made his way, until he was out of their sight.

" What's with that guy? Is Abigail collecting burn victims to make Empty Purse feel better? Said Adagio now looking at the gray bull.

" Don't know the full details on how he got here, but Lady Abigail seems... curious about him, she may even feet pity for the fool ". Rawhorn responded.

" Just curious? Don't you think she have other plans for him? Maybe, sexual satis-!? ".

Rawhorn turned to her with eyes full of murdering intent. " What did you just say?! ".

Adagio was not impressed by his reaction but by the level of it, she had suspected for a long time now that the bull had a thing for the human unicorn, however she kept her tongue in check from making snarky comments on him, but now seeing his reaction she was certain of the situation.

" Calm down bull boy, it was just a joke, nothing more ".

" Well, you better keep those ' jokes ' of yours only for your ears or I'll shove my horns into your scaly flank! ". Rawhorn blew air through his nostrils at Adagio, then with vigor in every step he walked away, leaving Adagio with the dreadful warning, of course, Adagio been Adagio, she just relished had took a sip from the raw emotion that the bull produced.

After a couple of hours since his assignment was given, Red Pepper cleaned and placed the kitchen in order, he moved all the containers of food he could find and organized them, he also made sure to clean several dishes that the members seemed to simply throw or leave around the area, a few of them were beyond salvation, either because they were too broken or had mold growing out of them.

Then came cooking, that took him more that he expected, during his time doing so, he was visited by giant dogs with worse personality and even worse manners, he is old them that he would be cooking and cleaning from now on and they laughed calling him silly names that even a infant creature would call immature.

Bottom Purse too stepped in, her visit was the worse, he got the feeling of been a small animal cornered while the predator asked him nice questions, there was something in the way the mare looked at him that he disliked completely, before leaving, she approached him with the excuse that the smell from the stove was mouthwatering and wanted to smell it closer, she then pressed her body to him and with her tail brushed the inside of his leg, that made him jump in surprise but she just said that he was too stressed.

Then he met Grand Mustache, the old stallion was surprised to find another fellow stallion living in the base and welcome him, he seemed nice and friendly enough to make Red wonder why was he with the rest of creatures in this place until he started talking about some mare that he had a grudge against, the mare was said to ruin his long standing family business just because she felt entitled to do, he then went on the curve side telling Red how he was going to enjoy whip her yellow flank until it was all red and how he was going to rip her yellow feathers and pink mane until she was unrecognizable, he kept going on and on until Red served him his food, then he returned to his nice side and left with a thank you for him.

After all was done he then took a few plates of food over a small wheeled cart and took them to some of the rooms that Rawhorn instructed him. One of them belonged to the pony with fish tail he met with Rahorn, her name was Adagio he remembered, he knocked on the door but no answer came so he left the plate in front. The next room was Rawhorn's with the same result.

The next hallway took him to one of two rooms that were forbidden for him to even open. Rawhorn explained that there were a few members out of control in their hideout so they needed to lock them away for the time being, the bull told him to be extremely careful not to wonder inside those rooms or he may end up dead, or worse.

He turned around and prepared to go back when a big banging noise made him jump in alarm. The noise was a loud and angry shout, a war cry or something similar, it echoed through the whole hallway and he was it came from the door just a at the end of the corridor.

Whatever was in there, it sounded both in pain and ferocious, then a second, more potent shout came from behind the door, Red felt his eardrums were about to blow from the pressure of the noise, even the little cart vibrated enough to drop the last few plates on the ground.

The noise of the plates was of course drown by the much more louder roar, but somehow, whatever thing was behind the door managed to hear it, stopping its wailing almost immediately.

Red didn't move, he became a statue right there and then not wanting the creature to notice his presence and became more agitated, only the faint sound of his breathing was all he knew he was producing, and yet.

" Who is there? ". Called a hoarsy voice from behind the door.

" Abby? ". Guessed the voice. " No, it is not her, who could you be then? Somepony I know? ".

Despite his anxiety for running away, the stallion remained immobile and silent, just breathing the bare minimum to not been detected. " I know you're there little lamb, even without my gemstone, I can still smell you ".

" Ah yes, the sweet smell of a fertile male, very nice... you, you smell familiar, you smell like... can't be! You smell like him? No, not possible! He, he was...!? ".

" What are you doing here?! ". At the other side of the corridor Rawhorn appeared, his eyes burning with anger. " Didn't I told you not to wonder around here? ". He approached him with the full intention of delivering a more physical form of his mood, but before he could do so another painful weil reverberated from the prison beyond the door making both males cover their ears with their hooves, and even with that, the pain was augmenting.

" What in Tartarus is that mare thinking?! You! Get out of here! I'll deal with you later! ". Red obeyed, mostly to prevent his eardrums from bursting, Rwahorn meanwhile moved the other way and went through the door of the prison, where he found a weak Emerald, using her voice with the throat injured caused her more damage but rather than looking angry or displeased, she looked excited, as If the pain she suffered was to be enjoyed, and knowing her, Rawhorn didn't think that thought was too far off.

" Emerald Breeze! Stop this nonsense now, or I'll break that windpipe of yours! ".

The green siren was breathing heavily, every time she took air, it made a wheezy noise, her eyes were bloodshot and she was salivating, yet the must striking thing about her form was the look in her eyes, they looked more alive that ever before.

" What's up with you? Do you enjoy pain this much? ". She didn't answer of course, probably her vocal cords were too damaged already, Rawhorn didn't think she used her voice to try and escape, the bars and the stonewalls were too thick to break with that, so then what was she trying to accomplish, the mare give him no answer, just that look of twisted happiness.

" You have been warned siren ". Rawhorn turned around and walked out, ready to fulfil his promise if the mare tried using her voice once more, but she didn't, instead, he heard the tiniest of laughs coming from her confusing him even more.

In the way back to his room, Red's mind wondered what just happened, and if he was ok working for ponies that held prisoners, disrupted peace and that tried to dismantle the current government. He didn't know how to feel about all that. In one side, he owned Abigail his life, if not for her, he most likely would have drowned, in the other side, he was still in the dark in many aspects of this ' rebellion ' , he needed to know more, if it was justified, this the ponies here were really trying to change the kingdom for the better or were just looking for anarchy.

He needed more time to think. Just then he felt his entire body been lifted from the ground. " What the-!? ".

" Are you deaf? I been calling your name for a while now! ". Red was turned around in mid air, now he was muzzle to muzzle with the amber unicorn.

" Ah! So-sorry Miss, Ah, I didn't saw you there ".

" Indeed you didn't, but, couldn't you hear me either? ".

" No I, some stuff happened, you see... ". Red explained as best as he could about the recent incident. " And my ears are still ringing, I'm sorry I messed up, I, I'm ready to be punished if needed ".

Red lowered his head in shame, he had no idea what kind of punishment would be implemented for a mess up like his, but depending on the severity, it would give him an idea of how tolerant they were with their own members.

" Lift up your head l, I'm not going to punish you for a mistake like this, you saw the consequences and you're aware of your shortcomings, now it's time to improve, the pony that you heard there is an example of somepony who has incredible power and yet is so full of herself that she was defeated by weak opponents, that's the kind of attitude I can't stand ".

" I see, well, thank, I guess? ". Said Red sarcastically.

Instead of feeling offended, Abigail smiled back, then she remembered the main reason she called him. " Come to my room, I have something for you ". Abigail turned tail and Red followed, glad that she didn't took his retort as an insult.

Red was hesitant to enter the room of the mare but she once more commanded him to follow, so he did, from a small drawer, she pulled out a gray colored scarf, with her magic and not the one from the amulet, she tore the scarf in two pieces, she then used a weird language and the pieces of clothes speckled with many colors, the magic trick lasted for a few seconds until it stopped, then each piece floated down and wrapped in the front legs of the stallion covering the large burn marks all the way to where the fur reached.

Red saw the whole thing with awe, despite all the magic that around that he had seen, he was still impressed every single time he saw a new one. " The clothes not only will maintain your skin protected, but I have also placed a spell on them, try it out, just say ' mask on ' to activate it ".

Red was nervous of using magic in himself, but considering how much Abigail was doing for him he felt he couldn't be ungrateful, so he didn't complained. The clothes felt fresh at the touch, he didn't know if it was due to the magic of just because they were in direct contact with his skin, the glow stopped but Red could feel a tingling in his legs going up to the rest of his body.

After a few seconds of self debate he spoke the code word. " Mask on ". As soon as he finished, the tingling grew in intensity becoming now a different feeling, the closest he could described was like if his fur became hyper sensitive, even his mane felt as if little insects were marching on top of his head, the sensation spread through his entire body and remained there, by now, Abigail had summoned a small mirror to float in front of Red, his jaw dropped when he saw the image reflected in the mirror as not his own but another stallion's.

For starters, the wraps were not visible in the legs, his red fur the was now replaced with a deep green one, his mane too changed, from his strawberry blonde to a pure black, also, in the right flank was now a cutie mark in the form of three habanero peppers with different colors, but those weren't the more drastic changes, his face too wasn't his own, his muzzle looked longer as we're his ears too, his expression was now that of somepony who took things very slow, like, really slow.

" Wow! Is this? Do I? Do I look like that now? ". Asked the stallion, both shocked and worried.

" Haha, it's just a mirage, just an optic effect, you can switch the spell of by the command ' Mask off ', you can't choose how you look, but it will always be an earth stallion of the same high, different fur, mane and face, is a simple spell for passing incognito around a crowd, it may come in handy to you later ".

" I see, it feels weird it I gotta say,this trick it's pretty neat, the funniest part it's looking like a completely different pony ". He moved his head left and right seen his fake reflection doing the same.

" Hm, I think the original is better ". It took three seconds for Abigail to realize what she just said. " I-I mean th-that, that you, that you're han-no, for-forget it, I need to go to my room! ". Abigail turned away and ran a few feet just to disappear with a pop.

Red looked the whole thing with amusement, not knowing what to think of it. " Wait? Isn't this her room? ".

In an empty room just a few door far, Abigail reappeared panting, she dropped to the ground completely embarrassed and confused for the rambling she just spatted.

INSIDE SUNSET'S MIND...

Ever since turning a new leaf, Sunset knew that her redemption wouldn't be something easy, but she was determined to earn her forgiveness at all cost, to care for her new friends, to make her life as normal as possible even with the whole magic thing, to protect the people of Canterlot city from the dangers of wild magic, to find her place in the human world, and later, to share her love with the man of her life.

She knew that neither of those objectives would be achieved without some of her last actions coming to haunt her, she honestly did, yet she put her heart into accomplishing her goals, reason as to why now she felt so cheated, first it was the shock of learning how Celestia used the memory stone in her, then to learn how her human counterpart ruined her new life by using the same damn rock, and now, not happy with that, Abigail came back and was using her once again for some unknown purpose, something Sunset could get her new wings was evil.

Needless to say that now after witnessing this, Sunset felt disheartened, having a front seat to the part of her life she hated the most was a plus she didn't want but was forced to see, from the moment she entered the mirror and stole the crown from Twilight's bedroom in the Crystal castle, to how she lost it at the hands of her true owner, and here she was now, in front of the school where her match with Princess Twilight left the front entrance in shambles.

Here Sunset stood just a few meters away from her last self, the younger girl was now trying to carry pieces of the wall to form a pile that would make easier to dispose later.
" Good, now take that shovel and use the dirt around to cover the hole, that will be your last task for tonight, but tomorrow you'll have a new set of troubles waiting, just be grateful my sister decided not to press charges for magic bombing the school ".

" Yes miss Luna, I'm ". The other Sunset said with little energy left after cleaning most of the mess her battle did. Luna's expression twisted, maybe thinking that the redhead hasn't learned her mistake and was just faking humbleness.

" I'll grab something to drink, you can leave as soon as you're done ".

" Yes... Miss Luna ". Sunset said as she shovelled some dirt on the huge hole left were she Twilight blasted her. Luna waited just a bit more before departing, Older Sunset approached to see her younger self barely holding to the shovel, she threw just a miserable fraction of what the shovel could contain before

It was a complete different personality the one she had now after been defeated, the overconfident, scheming, bad-mouthed rude girl was gone, only an empty husk of loneliness remained, one that could only be filled with the friendship that six girls would give her from then on.

Exhausted, both physically and mentally, Sunset jumped down on the hole, her landing was awkward at best, her knees absorbing most of the shock but not having enough strength to prevent her from falling forward. The dirt felt fresh and soft, inviting her to just stay there and rest, it was probably the first in a long time that she found no further purpose to get up and that brought her to tears, and soon enough those tears too took the last of her energies, finally succumbing into slumber.

Older Sunset felt it too, this was the very moment where her previous personality, the one Abigail implanted in her crumbled, from there the new Sunset, her current persona would be born, it was both sad and refreshing, and the refreshing part was about to come.

Just as her memory recalled from that flashback she had, Big Mac walked in the scene, her heart felt at ease when she saw him. Like last time, he stopped near the hole looking for her, he then saw the shovel and picked it.

' Uh? That's odd, I don't remember him taking the shovel '.

Mac walked next to the hole where he now could see Sunset, but instead of jumping down and pick her up like she recalled, he thrusted the shovel into the ground and dug a good amount of dirt that he threw into the hole, with her last self still inside no less.

" What?! Big Mac! ". Sunset was shocked beyond belief, even after he repeated the action several times Sunset couldn't move, she could only watch as the man she loved was burying her alive.

" This is what ya get ". Big Mac said as he thrusted again. " For messin' up with mah lil' sister! ". He threw another chunk of dirt over her half covered body.

" Big Mac! Stop! Stop this! That's me! Why are you doing this?! ". Sunset screamed at top of her lungs to no avail, Mac never turned to see her, never stopped. " STOP! ".

With a furious cry Sunset broke the paralyzing effect over her body and then rushed to stop the farmer. She took hold of his arms as he was about to dig once more.

" Stop it, this is not supposed to happen like this! ".

Big Mac didn't move, he stood like that with Sunset pulling his arm with no visible effect, only now did he turned in her direction, his face twisted into a malicious grin.
" Not like this? Not like THIS? NOT LIKE THIS? ".

" What? That's, that's not your-? ". His voice wasn't that of her boyfriend but her own now, full of hatred and spite, his eyes red and black, his ears pointy, slowly and menacingly, he turned fully toward her. She tried to back away but it was now him/her that grabbed Sunset by the arm.

" You're not Mad! Who are you? ".

" Uh? You forgot me already? Didn't you spend the last few days watching my shitty life? Watching me making an ass of myself by letting that human bitch manipulate me? Didn't you have fun seen as my life ended inside that hole? ".

" You, you're my evil self! ". Sunset said in realization.

" Evil self? That's what you and that other fool are calling me? ".

" What other fool are you talking about? ".

" Who? Don't pretend like you don't know! I'm talking about that idiot you left in control of MY body! You and her made a deal to switch control over to her while I was fighting that siren hag, you two teamed up to seal me back inside this prison! And now I'm trapped here! ".

Sunset understood right now. " Your body? That's My body! And this is My mind! You're just a fake personality that Abigail created with her magic, you're not real! ".

" Is that so? Then tell me, what makes you think you are any different? As far as we know you may as well were created when that Princess blasted you with her magic! Maybe there's no real Sunset at all! ".

" No, no, you're lying, I'm the real one, I'm sure! I can't be a fake, my life can't be a lie! ".

" Pfffhahahaha! Idiot! Our life have been a fucking lie since the beginning! From the moment Celestia used that cursed rock on us, we have been nothing but a puppet! One that's been manipulated by many assholes until this point! First Celestia, then that bitch, then those dweebs you call friends, then that guy that you let bang you every time he feels like, and now, for the first time in forever, we were free, I was free! But you ruined everything! Just because you wouldn't let those morons die like they deserve! Don't you see it? Finally! There's no more strings controlling us, we can do as we please, we can take revenge for all this time we have been used like a tool, starting, starting with the princesses ".

" I, I understand, I too feel anger, against Celestia, against Abigail, but, but my friends, My mother, Mac, they aren't guilty, they don't deserve our hate ".

Evil Sunset, looked at her with serious expression, then in a blink she transformed to her full demonic appearance blinding Sunset temporarily. Still clutching to her arm, she pulled Sunset over the hole, Sunset tried to pry herself free but it was useless, her captor's grip was unbreakable.

" Last chance, give control of the body back to me, or, you'll end up down there ". Sunset watched down and to her horror, the small hole was now bottomless, only pitch black could be seen.

" Think carefully, I give you unti-!? ".

" Never! I will never let you harm the people dear to me, never again! ".

" Tsk, then, disappear ". With no emotion behind her words, Sunset let the other one go. She watched as her other self felt into the chasm bellow and was devoured by the darkness, not screaming or trying to grab up to something, simply falling.

Demonic Sunset stood there for a long time, she then sat on the edge of the hole, she didn't celebrated or yelled in victory, instead, a simple tear runner down her face.
" Cool, why do you insist on making our life hard? Why I wonder ".

REGAL'S RESIDENCE...

" No, you're wrong! It can't be! Try it again, try it again please! ". Sunset begged to Starlight.

" Sunset, I tried 12 times already, the result is the same every time, Big Mac's life signal is gone, the spell can't find him no matter how many times we try ".

" Ma-maybe he's too far for the spell to work, maybe if we follow the river and try again this time it will work ".

Starlight shook her head, then, with great pain she told her the next bad news. " Even if Big Mac was dragged all the way to the ocean, my spell still would react to him, but there's nothing, not even a little signal, Sunset, the only way my spell would fail is because, because he's de-?! ".

" NO! NO! I, I can't, I won't- ah ".

" Sunset! ". Starlight ran to catch Sunset as the latter lost consciousness and fell down. Not soon after Celestia came down from her room to investigate the screams, only to find her daughter on her current condition.

After a full day with no respond on her part, she was admitted into the hospital. A full week passed, friends and classmates of Sunset went to visit her and try to help her in any way possible, but her status remained the same. Another week went by, just when things looked like they couldn't get worse, from City Hall a declaration was given to them population, after several unsuccessful tries, Macintosh Apple, age 22, was declared deceased.

END OF THE CHAPTER.