Sunset took over the wheels that afternoon. Her companion was too weak to move a muscle, obviously because he didn't have the benefit of a demon's healing capabilities. Flash slept through the entire journey. His body needed the brief slumber, though it wasn't really doing a great job at easing his troubles. Especially after receiving the message from Thunder.

"I think Flash is dead." Flamepuff said casually, curling up like a cat on Sunset's lap.

Sunset let out a sigh for the tenth time. “It's gonna take more than just a goddamn street fight to bring that bastard down."

Flamepuff giggled. "Yeah, I know. I'm just messin' with ya, bacon strip."

"Just do me a favor and shut your fucking mouth 'cause you've been talking non stop for the last half hour."

“And what makes ya think I'd shut up just ‘cause ya said so? Bacon strip, talking sets up the proper mood. It adds feeling to the atmosphere.."

"Yeah, like chanting weird ancient Latin straight into my fucking ears. Totally set the right mood." Sunset said dully.

“Not really the mood I was trying to create but I'm glad I accomplished that!"

“Congratulations. Now piss off and take your hairy ass with you, tiny Satan."

Flamepuff gave Sunset a big kiss on the lips before vanishing into smoke.

Sunset rolled her eyes, and proceeded to turn her attention back on the road, while stealing a couple of short glances at the GPS on Flash's phone.

"We're almost there." Sunset said to herself before giving Flash a light shove on the arm. "Hey, Flash. Wake up."

Flash let out a tired groan before finally opening his unevenly swollen eyes. "Where are we?" He said in a deep and hoarse voice, shifting in his seat.

"Thunder's retreat house. Man, this guy just never stops rubbing his privileged ass on our faces, won't he?" Sunset muttered bitterly.

Not far away, the two of them could already see the small and minimalistic looking house through the windshield. The place was basically located in literal wilderness as the house was surrounded by tall looming trees.

Sunset parked the cadillac near the other vehicle, which she recognized as Thunder's hummer, Brawly Beats leaning against its enormous frame, clearly anticipating their arrival.

It was Sunset who got out of the cadillac first, and Brawly could barely even look her straight in the eye. It wasn't acted out of fear, but out of disdain. He was clearly upset. And Sunset wasn't stupid to not know why.

Flash got out next, his body was still painful and exhausted from the previous events. Brawly instinctively walked over to his friend and caught him in an embrace as he was about to limp forward.

"Hey, man." Brawly began in his unsure and quivering voice. "My god, what happened?"

"We ran into a bunch of uncooperative assholes." Sunset interjected with a smirk while she played with the car keys in her hands. "Flash clearly didn't took it too well."

Brawly frowned in uncertainty and doubt, but the dislike in his eyes remained. His eyes then trailed on the metal works of the cadillac, shocked as part of its surface was smeared with blood. Especially on its wheels.

"I'm alright." Flash said, pulling away. "Where's Thunder?"

Brawly let out tired sigh, and rubbed the back of his neck. "He's in there," he pointed towards the house. "He had it pretty bad. Already finished two bottles of rum all by himself."

"Shit." Flash grumbled.

The three of them decided to go inside the house, with Sunset tailing attentively a few feet behind. Not that she cared the slightest about the fact that Brawly was being indifferent towards her.

Brawly opened the door to the house, finding Thunder in his melancholic form on the couch, gulping down another bottle of rum. Sunset resisted a laugh as she saw the distressed look on Thunder, his current state stripping him away of his wealthy image. He was a mess.

Thunder's face curled into a look of shock, worry, and horror once he saw Flash, battered and bruised. His face covered in bandages, and a patch of red blood leaking from his shoulder.

"What happened to you?" Thunder asked in concern as he stood up, eyes shifting between Flash and Sunset.

Flash gave a weak smile. "Trouble in paradise."

"His neighbors happened." Sunset added mundanely.

"They didn't give us a choice." Flash defended, yet he wasn't even trying. "They were going to take Sunset."

"This has gone far enough." Thunder said, shaking his head.

Sunset looked at him. "Do you have any idea of the shit that we went through?”

Thunder looked at her with distaste, eyes narrowing doubtfully. "I don't wanna know."

"Good."

"Which brings us to the question," Flash inserted. "Where the hell is Ringo and Micro Chips? They were literally with you last night."

"They were with us, yeah. We got out of that place an hour after you left us, and then we got home. Nothing happened, really." Brawly affirmed. "But then, this afternoon, Thunder received a message; they have Ringo and Micro Chips.”

“And the only way to get them back, is if we hand over Sunset.” Thunder said bitterly.

There was a collective sighing and muttering. Sunset just remained silent as she listened attentively, crossing her arms and let the other boys explain the situation for them.

Brawly decided to continue. "I wanted to believe it was just some stupid prank, so I decided to check on both of them. But they were not in their apartments."

"We tried contacted them but their phones were dead." Thunder added. "Brawly and I both agreed we weren't safe and that sooner or later, these... bastards will come for us too."

“The police won't help us.” Brawly said.

“Sure, they won't." Sunset scoffed.

"But don't you have a bunker in the manor?" Flash asked to Thunder. "Why'd you have to hide here?"

“I’m smart and considerate enough not to drag my parents into this.” Thunder replied, his voice sharp as he side glanced Sunset. “And also it's because they'll kill me if they find out. Seriously.”

Sunset snickered. “Damn, that’s cold.”

“Piss off.” Thunder muttered quietly.

"But you do know that there's no use in hiding, right?" Sunset asked, a sly smirk on her lips.

Everyone looked at Sunset, their faces filled with doubt and fear.

"They'll find us no matter what." Sunset continued, her voice quiet but serious. "These people are relentless. They'll turn people against you. Just to get me."

“But why Ringo and Micro Chips?” Flash asked.

“Because unlike Thunder and Brawly here, no one would notice if they disappear.” Sunset shrugged.

"Ringo and Micro Chips are in this mess… because of you." Thunder nodded in enlightenment.

"No shit." Sunset let out a flat giggle. "Look, Thunder. Flash and I are here to help. Sorta.”

"You don't seem guilty." Thunder said with a scowl. The air inside the room shifted. Flash and Brawly exchanged cautionary glances.

"I stopped apologizing. You know me well." Sunset nodded, a taunting smile grew on her face.

"I know you enough." Thunder shot spitefully.

Sunset clenched her jaw as she broke into a dark chuckle. "Thanks Captain Obvious.”

Brawly then quickly placed a hand on Thunder's shoulder and pulled him away from Sunset.

"Thunder, please sit down. Sunset, just stop." Flash gently insisted.

"You guys must be thinking," Sunset continued as she paced around the room. "Is it worth handing me over in exchange for Ringo and Micro Chips?"

All of them looked at Sunset with pure disbelief. Her voice didn't sound reluctant or thoughtful. Her casual demeanor contrasted the weight of their situation, and Thunder could not bear with it.

"I'm considering it. They're both innocent. They didn't do shit to deserve this." Thunder snarled.

Sunset laughed again. "Sure. Let's just say, I personally hand myself over to them, then what? You think they're just gonna give up those nerds, let you off the hook and pretend like nothing happened?"

"What do you mean?" Brawly asked, frowning.

"Uh, hello! You're all witnesses!" Sunset announced. "This isn’t just something you can easily get away with. They're gonna kill you and dump you all in a lake to rot."

"Sunset." Flash called out, after sensing his friends beginning to dwindle into hopelessness and fear.

"What? It's the truth, Flash." Sunset said defensively.

“Alright. Then let's all be honest.” Thunder said, his voice raised in an alarming pitch. “Our friends wouldn't be taken if it weren't for you and your conniving ass!”

Flash and Brawly tensed as they both witnessed the look on Sunset's face shifted from being her usual snarky charm into straight up murderous.

“Sunset.” Flash called in a caution, reaching his hand out.

Sunset paid Flash no heed and continued to throw daggers at Thunder.

Thunder let out a frustrated laugh. "And also since we can't even call the cops for help for fuck's sake, how 'bout you just transform into a magical horse so we can call you the fucking hero?"

Sunset threw herself forward and grabbed Thunder by the collar, pulling him closer to herself so he could feel her breath in his face.

Flash quickly shot up from his seat. "Guys, that is enough."

"Shut the fuck up, Flash." Sunset growled, not breaking eye contact with Thunder.

"We're not here to fight each other. Let him go and let's settle this peacefully." Flash ordered, with Brawly already standing by his side.

Thunder loudly scoffed into Sunset's face. "No, Flash. Let the bitch talk."

"Thunder." Brawly groaned.

Sunset just continued to stare into Thunder's face, entertaining the idea of ripping his tongue out on the spot. Flamepuff would most certainly love the idea.

"Oh, so now you don't want to talk." Thunder taunted, purposefully provoking Sunset even further. "Then I'll talk. I'll lay out some opinions since we're already here."

"For pete's sake." Flash quietly grumbled, massaging his aching temple.

"How fucking unbelievable you are." Thunder said, his head shaking in dismay.

"Thunder. That's enough." Brawly called demandingly.

Thunder ignored him. “I can still remember the times when you had my respect more than anyone."

Sunset grip on Thunder's collar tightened, her knuckles trembling under her own strength. But Thunder's drunken self failed to succumb to her intimidation, as he continued to spill every ounce of truth from his mouth.

“Now it’s just heartbreaking to see you like this. Being the Sunset we all despised at one point. My, how the mighty have fallen. Again.”

The air in the room felt extremely heavy. Brawly and Flash wasn't sure what to do, but they knew they couldn't let the situation escalate even further.

Thunder harshly removed Sunset's grip as he felt them slowly loosening.

“Twilight really did a number on you.”

Sunset swung her fist straight into Thunder's mouth, causing him to stagger backwards. She grabbed the empty bottle of rum from the coffee table and smashed its bottom. Yet, before she could lunge the broken bottle into Thunder's face, Flash caught her in a tight embrace from behind and pulled her back.

"Let me go! When I get my hands on you, I'm gonna fucking smash your face in real hard, you're gonna have to dig it out of your fucking skull!" Sunset belted out ferociously, lashing out in Flash's tight hold, while Brawly shielded Thunder with his muscular frame.

"Sunset, enough!" Flash yelled as he tried to carefully yank away the broken bottle from Sunset that she kept waving around.

"Thunder, what the hell?!" Brawly castigated, his low voice bellowed loudly into the house.

Thunder didn't answer. He just wiped the blood off of his face and continued to walk out of the living room, leaving Brawly in a confused daze.

Brawly looked back at the two. "I'm sorry." He said, before following Thunder's trail, leaving both Flash and Sunset alone.

When Flash successfully grabbed the broken bottle away from Sunset, he let her go.

Sunset spun around on her heel, her face fuming with hatred so intense.

And the Devil was already rolling on his back, laughing.

"Suns–"

"Don't!"

Sunset stormed out, hitting Flash on the shoulder. She slammed the door open. Flash chased her in the untrimmed grass and grabbed her hand before she decided to run away and do anything stupid.

Deciding she didn’t want to hear another of his sermons, Sunset punched Flash by the chest. "Fuck off, will you?!"

Not wanting to worsen her temper, Flash went back to the house, leaving Sunset to slump down on the grass.

"Well, that was rich!" Flamepuff's voice echoed into Sunset's ears. She looked around and saw the little demon hovering near her face. "Drunk people are very entertaining to watch! Hahahaha!"

"Fucking rich asshole." Sunset grumbled to herself, lighting the cigarette and began inhaling the minty air to calm herself.

“Still hate rich dudes?" Flamepuff asked with a cheeky smile, sitting on one of her folded knee to meet her eye.

Sunset merely rolled her eyes as a response.

The little demon laughed softly. "I understand you, bacon strip."

Silence.

"But you see... you're not really upset about Thunder. Even if he was your friend." Flamepuff whispered into Sunset's face, breathing in the cloud she blew.

"Friend..." Sunset scoffed. "Forgive me and my rotten standards."

"It's Twilight Sparkle that's pissed you off. Her name never fails to make you crumble!"

"Say that name again and I will fucking cut someone." Sunset said through gritted teeth, her knuckles trembling as her hands balled into fists.

“Careful with all that edge, bacon strip. You might slit your wrists."

"Don't start with me!" Sunset irritatedly threw her cigarette stick at the little demon. Flamepuff only laughed.

"Let's put that rage into good use." Flamepuff hopped away from Sunset and landed on the cement near the hummer's wheels. The demon stood his ground on all fours, while his tail swayed in anticipation.

Sunset's eyes narrowed in intrigue and surprise when Flamepuff began contorting in his place. With every disturbing crack, a part of him grew twice his original size.

Flamepuff's comically short limbs stretched into long mighty legs, and at the tip of each, grew red murderous nails. His small bean shaped body formed into a formidable house for a black beating heart, his chest broad and strong, with ten of his ribs popping out his black fur, decorating his void of a body with white streaks of menacing bones. His mouselike tail extended into a merciless whip, ready to tear into skin should they land on a helpless victim. His head once as small as a bunny's, lost its innocent curves and gained sharp and elongated shapes. His face grew a firm snout, lined with sharp menacing teeth, and at its tip, two perky nostrils fuming with smoke.

Large cartoonish eyes transformed into a pair of narrow crosses, beaming the brightest red light that could make a man's eye bleed. His batlike wings were no more. His ears grew long and sharp that pointed to the sky. Two curled horns crowned his head along with the red bloody mane that grew down to the end of his spine like a raging fire that held the reputation of Hell itself.

Sunset gaped at Flamepuff's new form like how she would at a new bike. His growls shook her very heart and his gazes were no longer worthy of awe, but instead could potentially make the bravest of men shake in their knees.

For some sickly reason, a crooked smile formed on Sunset lips.

"Wow, I endured days staring at your shitty rat face when you could've been a decent looking dog creature instead." Sunset commented, half amused. “Show off.”

"Exactly. I can't annoy you in this form." Flamepuff simply answered, in his voice low and loud it could be considered as the command of the Boogeyman.

“I highly doubt that.” Sunset deadpanned.

Flamepuff tilted his head tauntingly. “Do you want me to turn into a pony instead?”

“Oh, fuck off.”

The demon laughed.

Sunset scoffed. "So, what is this about?"

Flamepuff prowled forward and loomed over Sunset, who was still sitting on the grass. "I know where the boys are." He said, his perking nostrils flared with smoke.

Sunset's raised an eyebrow. "You do?"

"Yes. I can smell them. The stench of their blood is coming from the east side of the city." Flamepuff announced, smoke puffing out of his mouth as he spoke.

Sunset's nodded nonchalantly. “Huh. So they're dead?"

"Not hardly. But the mongrels who blew out your brains are definitely alive."

Sunset's blood boiled in seconds. "Shit. Hell, what are we doing here then?" She shot up, almost ready to tear someone’s throat out.

Flamepuff's smile stretched impossibly to his ear. "First, we should give the boys a proper invitation."

"Who? Flash and those two punks?" Sunset asked in annoyance.

"Come on. Let 'em join the party, bacon strip." Flamepuff's bone rattling purr vibrated into Sunset's being, rubbing himself against her body as he circled her.

Sunset's face wrinkled into a ridiculed frown.

"Tss. Whatever."

Sunset walked over to her cadillac, parked beside the enormous hummer. She paused as she took a good look at the beastly vehicle, quietly admiring its quality like a piece of artwork.

Flamepuff stood by her side. "That's a really nice car."

Sunset looked back at the demon, and returned a smirk. "I know."

Meanwhile, back in the house, the boys gathered in the kitchen, resting in the already pacified atmosphere devoid of any influenced aggression. But none of them were relaxed, no. They were all worried. Covered in the air of trepidation.

"That was so unnecessary, Thunder." Flash said calmly, though his voice was evidently disappointed.

"Of course, you'd take her side. What's new?" Thunder scoffed, gently applying cold compress to his bruised face.

"There is no side here, alright?" Flash responded in aggravation, his composure slowly dwindling. "For god's sake, Ringo and Micro Chips are taken. The last thing we need is for someone to start pointing fingers."

"You sound like you have a plan, big boss." Thunder muttered. "How exactly are we going to get ‘em back?"

"I don't know. I'm not sure yet." Flash admitted.

"We don't have much time, guys." Brawly reminded. "Remember, we only got twelve hours."

"Shit." Thunder audibly cursed. "Please stop reminding us.”

Silence drowned them and it lasted for a whole minute. They were all just tired. Flash just slumped on the counter, holding a can of beer that he barely even paid attention to. Brawly quietly leaned against the fridge, chewing his cheek and lost of any good thing to say.

"If you lost a very good friend to misdeeds, you would be hella mad too." Thunder spoke again, breaking the silence. "Because she didn't even try."

"She did try." Flash said, trying to sound confident. "I was there.”

"And apparently you weren't enough." Thunder retaliated simply. It successfully kept Flash's tongue to himself, as he failed to respond and let his words die. "I told you she wasn't worth fixing. And now, whatever got to her is biting us all in the ass."

"I agree." Brawly nodded. “We actually thought you were done with this dangerous crap.” He said quietly.

"I am." Flash weakly nodded. "Guess I'm just... still hoping after all these years... I can make her–."

"I'm sorry, Flash but..." Brawly paused. "I can't agree with you this time. I mean, look at yourself..."

It was extremely degrading to think that Thunder and Brawly were slowly losing their utmost respect for him.

There was no question. Sunset was right. He was a hypocrite for trying. In reality, he was just as bad as she was. Probably worse. And his stubbornness to accept the fact that Sunset was no longer the person she used to be had resulted in a heavy conundrum that was currently eating him alive

He wasn't a noble friend. At least, he failed to try. And thinking about it was jarring.

“What I really don't get is how the fuck are you still tolerating her." Thunder's seemingly pissed voice broke into Flash's mental walls, and when he met him, his eyes said it all.

Brawly himself was slightly alarmed by Thunder's change in tone. He perked up, eyes attentively switching between two of his companions.

"I can't help but feel as if... i-it just doesn't make sense anymore, does it?" Thunder continued, his voice sounded tired and angry at the same time. “And don't give me the whole friendship bullshit. That crap's old and tired. Now, before we all lose our minds to the gutter, I want you to confess something."

Flash stiffened and his grip on the beer can tightened. After swallowing the swelling lump in his throat, he asked. "What?"

Thunder's gaze dimmed with determination and void of all the respect intended for him. "What else did Sunset do?"

Flash blinked. "What do you mean?" His voice quivered and he failed to hide it.

"You really think that by stealing that fucking car, the mob would go apeshit on trying to catch her?"

A guilty frown formed on Flash's face. He couldn't answer.

Thunder grimaced at Flash as he walked closer until they were a feet away from each other. "She knows what she did. You know what she did. And you let her turn us into godforsaken scapegoats. How far would you go to defend her, Flash?"

All Flash could do was to bow his head as he let the shame eat him up.

The sound of an engine roaring to life startled all three of them. Flash recognized the sound as the cadillac's engine, and before he knew it, the wheels screeched against the road along with the engine's roars diminishing in the distance.

Flash sprinted out of the house hopes to still catch up to the cadillac, but as soon as he opened the door, the cadillac was gone.

Thunder came out of the door along with Brawly.

As Thunder's eyes roamed towards his hummer, what he saw caused his elbows to drop.

"What the fuck..." Thunder grumbled as he chewed on his cheek, while shaking his head.

The hummer's hood was engraved with words. Flash immediately walked closer to inspect the the markings.

"It's an address." Flash confirmed, looking back to the two. “I know where she’s headed!”

“Oh no.” Brawly choked after reading the address.

Thunder looked over him. “What?”

Brawly looked at Flash. “No, Flash!”

“Am I missing something here?” Thunder snapped.

“Barbatos’ Paradise.” Flash answered.

“Is she suicidal?!” Brawly sputtered.

Thunder sighed in exasperation, slumping on the grass. “Fuck this shit.”

“We have to follow her.” Flash insisted, standing next to Thunder.

Thunder looked up with a face indicating that it was a very bad suggestion. “And why the hell would we do that?”

The bloodstained cadillac zoomed recklessly into the streets with Sunset behind the wheels, her constant hoots of excitement muffled by the cacophony of melodies blasting through the car's radio. The sun was nearly sinking into the horizon and the night was promising, at least to Sunset.

The cadillac's loud roaring engine was competed by the thundering growls of Flamepuff, who was speeding alongside the vehicle. His red fiery mane left a glowing trail as he dashed into the road, guiding Sunset to their destination.

The large panther like demon let out a bellowing howl that echoed loudly into the night, while Sunset to laugh a hearty laugh.

"Oh, what a time to be alive!" Sunset cackled, recklessly navigating the busy streets, and purposely startling the other passing vehicles with her alarming speed.

The sun was no more and the dark gloomy clouds replaced its glory.

Sunset slammed for the brakes and parked the car on the side of the road. Flamepuff stood beside her and both their eyes roamed towards the place.

And there it was. Barbatos’ Paradise. Just how she remembered it.

Despite the ghetto setup, Sunset admired the colorful retro lights that helped beautify the not so luxurious location. It was crammed with multiple establishments.

Flamepuff took a sniff in the air. “Mmm, fornicaters, drug dealers, thieves, and murderers. What are we cooking tonight?” He said, smiling in his deep and monstrous voice.

Sunset let her eyes linger at the place for a moment. Smirking as she reminisced the old days. “A nice little party.”

Flamepuff morphed back into his smaller form in a matter of seconds, then sat on top of the cadillac’s roof.

"You know what I realized about Canterlot?" Sunset voiced out.

Sunset brought a cigarette to her mouth, before facing the demon and looked at him straight in the eye. “It's not as magical as many people perceive it to be. Not even close."

Sunset fiddled with her gun, lightly running her fingers against its barrel.

“And I'm gonna show them, what madness this fucking city truly holds.”

An evil smirk grew on the demon's jagged lips, watching his favorite human finding gratification in the wicked ways.

“Be my guest." Flamepuff said, gently breathing into Sunset's ear. “Enforce what you please.”

Author's Notes:

Well, this came out too soon. But screw it, have some of the calm before the storm, shall we?

Feedbacks are always appreciated, people!