Lights, noises, and eccentric people completed the exciting cityscape of Las Vegas. Such place was worth getting people's pockets’ emptied, getting hammered was a privilege, and not being frenzied was almost a crime.

And if that was the law, then Sunset Shimmer would be deemed criminal.

She didn't bother to immerse herself in the beauty of the cityscape, despite standing on the rooftop where the view would be considered jaw dropping by most who witnessed all its glory.

The redhead spent almost ten minutes staring into her phone, contemplating thoroughly whether it was a brilliant idea to call her girlfriend, or it was just another emotional trap.

Sunset sighed, running her thumb against the picture on the screen, pretending as if Twilight Sparkle could feel her touch.

A heavy yet gentle hand rested on Sunset's shoulder, urging her to turn around, unsurprised to see that it was Flash, dressed in a white button down shirt, under a blue jacket that draped around his shoulder like cape.

It was her best friend. And he need not to ask what was up.

“Things still seem a little shaky between you two, I see.” Flash said, his lips pursed to both tease and attempt to bring comfort in the uneasy breeze.

Sunset sighed again. “Yep.”

“Just call her.” Flash urged gently.

“She's still mad at me.” Sunset admitted. “And as a supposedly understanding partner, I should give her the space she needs.”

“Until when?” Flash asked, concern in his voice. “Sunset, you know that pride won't get you anywhere. Did you even try?”

Sunset turned away and leaned against the glass railing. A frown wrinkling her beautiful features, and her fairly sharp jawline seemed to flex in discomfort.

“Hey,” Flash called, lightly nudging the girl. “It's supposed to be fun tonight. It’s our first show outside Canterlot, and I wouldn't want you missing out on the awesome stuff.”

Flash joined Sunset, leaning his weight against the glass railing as he brought his attention to the astonishing cityscape before him.

“As long as I know that Twilight despises me, my soul can never rest and I can never know fun.” Sunset jested half heartedly, fiddling with her red tie.

“Despise you,” Flash repeated, chuckling. “Twilight loves you, Sunset. Just because she's upset about what you did doesn't mean she ultimately loathes you for it.”

“Yeah? Well, I still messed up. I got too jealous and she saw it as me doubting our relationship.” Sunset said, resting her chin against her crossed arms as she frowned.

“She's… sensitive.” Flash commented. “But I think it's understandable. If my girlfriend would ever accuse me of cheating just because another girl worked with me on an important SCIENCE project, I'd be upset too.”

Sunset flashed him a blank look. “You're not helping.”

“No. You're supposed to be helping yourself. I'm just your trusted wingman.” Flash said with a comforting and slightly goofy smile.

Sunset rolled her eyes, yet she did somehow crack a small smile that she failed hiding to herself. Flash laughed and snatched the phone from Sunset's hand.

“H-hey!” Sunset yelled, trying to retrieve her phone from Flash's long arms. Flash ever so playfully shoved the girl's face away before she could even manage to reach his head.

Sunset cursed the boy's generous height.

“I'm gonna call her number and you're both gonna talk this over.” It didn't sound like a request and Sunset could swear she was already pissing herself.

“Oh god.” Sunset stressfully ran her hands through her hair as she started pacing around the balcony in panic.

“Relax. It's your girlfriend, not her brother.” Flash smirked, already looking for Twilight's number in the contacts.

“Honestly, at this point in our relationship, I don’t even know the difference.” Sunset choked, her eyes wide with anticipation.

“Seriously. You need to chill.” Flash said casually, holding the phone near his ear.

“Get a girlfriend for once, then you'll know my pain.”

Sunset couldn't take the internal turmoil for long so she decided to slump down the floor like a troubled toddler.

Flash made a face at her and laughed. “So dramatic.”

The two didn't utter a single word, and let the sounds of busy urban life take over the air, as if the universe was trying to calm Sunset's nerves.

A few seconds later, Flash stooped down to hand over the phone to Sunset, whilst she reluctantly accepted and held the device closer to her ear.

Sunset didn't say anything and turned to look at Flash for some kind of deliverance, to which he returned with a simple wink that didn't do anything.

The last reassurance Sunset received from Flash was him mouthing the words ‘You got this!’ quietly as he took a dozen of step back from where she sat and turned all his attention back to the beautiful cityscape.

Irritated, Sunset let out a groan. Flash was clearly ignoring her at the moment. Before she could even blare out a curse at her supportive best friend, a voice rang in her ears.

The only voice that could only make her blood run cold for thousands of reasons.

“Hey.”

The sound of Twilight's distant voice made Sunset stiffen, but she didn't dare to remain silent.

“H-hey, T-Twily.” Despite the hopeful sound in her voice, she internally nagged herself for even stuttering. Sunset swallowed while she waited.

“I thought you were performing.”

Twilight's voice was flat and uninterested in every way. And Sunset knew very well it was a sound she wasn't used to hearing.

“Not yet, baby.” Sunset explained, trying to sound normal in the midst of cold sweat.

Even being at a fair distance, Sunset could hear Flash snickering to himself, mostly at how agitated she must've looked.

“Hm.”

Sunset cursed under her breath. She was in a desperate need of growing some major balls. It was now or never.

“Look, Twilight,” Sunset began, exhaling deeply. “I-I was immature for thinking you'd compromise our relationship and... as a result I accidently perverted the professional relationship you have with your colleague. I admit, I was jealous. I still need learn how to cope up with that and I…”

Sunset swallowed the lump in her throat, one that was called pride before finally letting the words crawl out of her mouth. “I am truly very sorry.”

Silence.

“Twi?” Sunset choked.

“Apology accepted.”

Sunset sat still for a moment, a stupid smile growing on her face and a warmth in her heart began radiating throughout her body like a comforting wildfire.

“You… you're not mad?” Sunset squeaked.

“I have to be honest. I'm still a little upset.” Twilight replied, her voice bared less of the weight it had before.

“I understand.”

“Though, I can't really blame you for such behavior, Sunny.” The sound of Twilight addressing the redhead by that nickname was more than relieving.

“Twilight…”

“I know it's hard for you. For us. To cope up with this type of setup.” Twilight continued. “Given the fact that I am painfully miles and miles away from you, and that this distance between us has become a daily challenge for us to battle with, but… it's still for the good of my future. Our future.”

“Twilight, you don't have to…”

“I do.” Twilight almost begged. “I'm sorry too. If only I had a much more flexible schedule to keep in touch with you–”

“Twilight, baby.” Sunset cut off with her reassuring voice. “I understand. And why the hell are you the one apologizing all of the sudden?”

“I… I guess I'm… I'm just guilty.”

“Hey, don't even.” Sunset chastised. “Having to study at your dream university is nothing to feel guilty about. If anyone should be guilty around here, it's me. I made you feel bad just because I couldn't control my jealous rage.”

A chuckle escaped Twilight's throat. “Yeah. You're still such a baby.”

The two shared a brief laughter.

“So uhh… we good?” Sunset asked, hopeful.

“Yes, we're in good terms. I'm bad at holding grudges anyway.” Twilight responded.

“Thank you.” Sunset whispered.

There was silence for a few seconds. Until one of them spoke again.

“To be honest, Sunny. I'm still not used to being far away from you.” Twilight said softly, a hint of longing in her voice, one that made Sunset wished she could just teleport and comfort the love of her life.

“Even after three years of being here in Berlin,” Twilight continued. “It’s still difficult. The timezones, they're hard to manage even now. Especially now. I have too much work I'm not even sure where to start.”

“Just remember that I'm here. And I support you. All of us do. And besides, even if you can't reach out to me all the time, you still have your family with you. To strengthen you amidst your stress and all.” Sunset said in a gentle and comforting tone, even though her voice was raspy in itself.

“Yeah, they do help me out. A lot.”

“Of course they do. As they should.”

“But… I still miss you.”

The pain in Twilight's voice brought another lump in Sunset's throat, one that was called sorrow. But she dared not to show it, even if Twilight could not see her. She dared not to let out a single croak.

“I miss you, too.”

Twilight giggled. Sunset could imagine the girl's already pink face.

“How I wish I could be there with you…” Twilight sounded like she was about to cry. “Just for one second. To feel your touch again, to hug you again, to kiss you again.”

Water began to build up in Sunset's eyes. She blocked them out, forcing an optimistic smile. “Oh don't you cry on me now, Twilight. You sound like one of us is gonna die or something.” She joked.

“Silly!” Twilight chortled, like she was sobbing and laughing at the same time. “Of course none of us is gonna die.”

“Shhh, stop crying, baby.” Sunset cooed.

“I'm not crying!”

“Sure, you’re not.”

The next thing they knew they were giggling and laughing again. Sunset was thankful that the swelling lump in her throat had subsided, and that her Twilight had forgiven her, giving her the peace she needed for the rest of the night.

“Even if people had already drifted away, especially after high school, I'm staying here. I'm staying for you to let you know that you have someone willing to wait for you, Twilight. No matter what.” Sunset said with severe sincerity.

“You… really mean that, don't you?”

Sunset chuckled softly. “You know, Twi, I'm an excellent liar. The best liars always tell the truth.”

“Yeah, you said that.”

“Things are still tough. But once you're ready to come back, I'll be the first one to welcome you with open arms.”

“What did I do to deserve you?” Twilight teased.

“You're my light.” Sunset answered in a loving whisper. “You always have.”

“You're mine.” Twilight whispered back, smiling.

“I know.” Sunset nodded. “I love you, Twilight.”

“I love you, Sunset.”

“I wish I could talk to you more but, I have a gig tonight.” Sunset said with that familiar cocky grin.

“Oh, right! Well, I hope you have fun! Be sure to behave, okay?”

“Oh, please. You say that like I'm a troublemaker.”

“You’re not. You're too smart for that.” Twilight chuckled, causing Sunset to bite her knuckle in attempts to silence her shrieks of glee.

“Go kick some buttocks, babe.” Twilight urged.

“I will. Goodbye, Twilight.”

“Goodbye, Sunset”

As soon as the call ended, Sunset let out a big sigh of relief and collapsed on her back, a huge idiotic smile plastered on her face. The sky met her gaze, it's navy blue canvas filled with specks of shimmering stars, greeted her back with the same joy and sadness she had within her.

“So, I suppose that ended in a positive note.”

Flash voice echoed in Sunset's ears. She sat up and saw him standing a few feet away, smiling like a proud father would.

Sunset's goofy smile only grew, as she couldn't resist a chuckle escape from her. “You sly dog.”

“You’re welcome.”

Flash reached out his hand for Sunset to grasp on and helped her get back on her feet. They eyed each other in silence, a mutual understanding present in their gazes.

“There you are!”

Thunder Bass’ voice echoed from the glass door, one that lead back inside the hotel. With him was Brawly Beats, Ringo and Micro Chips, all of them donning their fancy suits for tonight's performance.

“So, how's our damsel in distress?” Thunder addressed to Flash, smirking.

“She found salvation!” Flash yelled back like a proud knight, earning a playful smack on the arm from Sunset.

The boys erupted into a series of chuckles andp snickers.

“Alright, knock it off, you mongrels.” Sunset demanded.

“You heard the gal, gentlemen.” Thunder said. “Cut it.”

The laughter receded, replaced by boyish grins.

“Show's about to start in an hour.” Thunder announced happily. “And Sunset?”

“‘Sup?”

“No distractions tonight, yeah?” Thunder asked, a teasing look prominent in his expression, added by two wiggling brows.

Sunset waved a careless hand. “It's all taken care of.”

“Yeah, everything's fine, brother.” Flash inserted, sharing the same slyness that Thunder had.

“Good.” Thunder smiled. “Dad brought his friends to watch our show so no pressure.”

As Thunder and the rest of the boys went back inside, Flash turned to his friend and offered his elbow.

“Shall we, partner?”

Putting up her coat and combing back her sleek hair, Sunset looked at Flash with her feminine allure, ready to embrace the night's promising offers of fun and delight.

“I think we shall.”

“Tell me, dipshit. Are there any fuckers I should be worrying about?”

Sunset put on a black cap, and a hood. She zipped her leather jacket close, where she hid two guns for safe keeping.

“I’m betting all of them. But nothing you can't handle.” Flamepuff answered casually.

Sunset shrugged as an answer.

The redhead made her way to the other side, the dim and flickering fairy lights welcoming her visit in the charmingly hostile territory. Though, Sunset wasn't a fool. She wasn't welcome. She knew that.

But Sunset being the hardheaded and fearless soul she was, she still persisted, and dared herself to enter with no hesitation. She kept her head low as she did, her heavy boots making faint thuds into the wet and greasy ground.

“Huh. Smells like Cerberus’ buttcrack.” Flamepuff said, sniffing the air in mild amusement.

Indeed, the place was hell, in total contrast to everything Canterlot was typically known for.

The smell of cigarette mixed with weed was enough to entice Sunset to pursue her way deeper into the maze-like alleyways, sharing brief side glances with a few dirty thugs, and under her feet were rats scurrying around the littered ground, clearly overstaying their welcome.

Some insignificant punk hit Sunset's shoulder as she walked by, and a mocking laugh followed. Of course, Sunset wouldn't let a scumbag have his way without paying the price.

After a preperatory popping of her knuckles, Sunset turned around and grabbed the man's collar from the back, stopping him in his tracks. As the man swivelled around, Sunset jabbed her fist into the man's nose, then followed by a knee to the gut and an elbow to the spine, before she drew her final blow; a large swing to the jaw that sent him face first to the puddled ground.

Bystanders were unfazed, as it was just another normal sight to behold. So, they watched continuously, others just walked away with no interest, while Sunset started kicking and beating the life out of the man until he was knocked out unconscious completely.

“Psh, fucking lowlife.” Sunset huffed, spitting at the man's body before turning to walk away, wiping off her bleeding knuckles.

“Huh. Not bad.” Flamepuff whistled in awe, looking back at the body.

“Well, it'd be fucking injustice if I just let him step on me, wouldn't it?”

“Nice! You're finally learning!” Flamepuff cheered. “Can I take out his spine?”

“Go crazy.”

Flamepuff made a giddy dance. “I'll come back for ya!”

The lack of proper ventilation brought a certain heat in Sunset, urging her to pull out a stick from the zippers of her jacket and put one in her mouth.

“You sure you don't need a sniffing from me?” Flamepuff asked, lighting up the cigarette with his tail.

“Nah, I know my way around here.” Sunset declined with a wave of her hand.

“Of course.”

Sunset inhaled the smoke in hopes to cool down her warm body, then blew a few puffs in the air, obscuring the space with her cloud.

“And besides, I have all night,” Sunset said with a careless smirk, eyeing the group of hookers standing by the poorly lit entrance of a crude shanty-ish bar. “If we're lucky, Flash might actually come and join me, if that bastard’s balls haven't deteriorated yet.”

“Don’t worry. They're near.” Flamepuff announced in a sinister tone, followed by a low giggling sound.

“Good.” Sunset responded in an excited grin, watching as one of the hookers approach her in the shadows. She was younger than most, dressed in a black crop top, a red leather jacket and a purple knee high skirt.

Even from the shadows, Sunset recognized the girl’s features. The tattooed arms, the bubblegum blue hair cut into a side mohawk, the thick eyeliner painted around the girl’s eyes, and the purple lipstick staining her puffy lips.

“Hm. This one smells familiar.” Flamepuff whispered to the redhead, both of them looking at the girl.

“Don't worry. She's harmless.” Sunset assured, smirking.

Without any warning, Sunset was pulled into the dark corner by the girl, the air surrounding them smelled more unpleasant than before. And under them they could feel rats and roaches scurrying at their feet, but both of them were unbothered.

“Slow down, hot legs.” Sunset chuckled as the girl released her from the protective grip.

“Are you kidding me right now?”

“Hello, Azure.” Sunset purred, walking closer to the girl, hand snaking into her curves.

Azure slapped Sunset's hand away before she could even reach her skirt. “Don't touch me!”

“Don't touch you?” Sunset snorted. “Like I've never done that before. Did your daddy tell you to stay away from me again?”

“He told me everything. You stirred up trouble in Muck Alley.” Azure said.

Sunset covered her mouth as she let out a dramatic gasp. “Oh my gosh, I did?! Wow, news does travels fast!”

“Yeah! News travels fast. And it's only a matter of time before someone recognizes you and turn you in.”

Sunset cocked her head to the side, eyes squinting in curiosity. “Are you gonna turn me in?”

Azure looked up, hesitance in her eyes. “As much as I would like to screw you over, no. I'm not gonna turn you in.”

There was a pause between them, as they continued to look into each other's eyes.

Flamepuff popped from the shadows, his crimson eyes widened in an overreacted surprise, and a mouth covering his hoots. “Ooooooh. What's this?!” He asked, as if he was ready to stretch his ears for a gossip.

“If you're gonna start reminiscing about it, stop. This is not the time and place for some sappy confessions.”

“Forget it.” Azure grumbled, crossing her arms. “Why the hell did you even come here? Does Flash know?”

“Kinda.” Sunset shrugged. “You know, you're just like him.” She said as she began circling around the other girl like prowling snake.

“Oh, please. Don’t patronize me.” Azure groaned, rolling her eyes.

Sunset stopped behind Azure and leaned in close until her lips were close to her ear. She blew a wind, and smiled.

“You, young lady, are stubborn and hard to get rid off.”

“Don't even compare me to your sidekick.” Azure spat as she spun around to meet Sunset with a disapproving look.

Sunset grinned. “You’re close enough, though. A clingy and attention seeking whore.”

“Says the cold hearted bitch.” Azure retaliated.

“Look, what we had,” Sunset said, gesturing between Azure and herself. “That was nothing serious.”

“Really, now? You're gonna rub the fact how I'm just your typical past time? Yeah, well, maybe I am though. But unlike most, I care about you, Sunset.”

“That's what they all say.”

“Because it's true, dammit.”

Sunset's face curled, as if what she was heard was a mere joke. “Az, we were reckless young adults. Had an impulse for fooling around. And come to think of it, you were barely even legal when we met.”

“Well, if you grew up in a household like mine, you wouldn’t know crap about legalities.”

Sunset was mildly amused by the girl’s statement, but quickly shook it off. “The point is, you were attached to me. You really shouldn't have.”

“Damn right, I shouldn't have.” Azure said. “You’re unbelievable.”

Azure stepped away from Sunset, pacing around thinking of all the things logical. All while Sunset still didn't give a shit about the other girl's emotional conundrum.

Sunset had the option to leave and never speak to the young girl again, but the Devil had another interesting route preferable for her to take. She stood there quietly, breathing into the minty air to dampen the heat, listening to the little demon's relentless and charming whispers.

After an internal debate with the Devil, Sunset made a subtle nod and exhaled a large puff of smoke.

“I'm not here for you, Az.” Sunset said softly, “But I'm here for something else.”

“Oh no, don't even say it…”

Flash had taken the wheel for his friends, as they drove down the highway that lead to the east side of the city. If he was going to sum up the emotions he was currently feeling, he was in total hell. The dark night sky seemed to reflect Flash's sentiments as they hid the shimmering stars with its thick gloomy clouds, hiding away the joy and hope they were supposed to inspire.

Inside the hummer, Thunder had been muttering expletives during their venture, obviously fed up about their current situation. While Brawly and Flash kept quiet and turned to focus on their poorly conceived mission.

At several occasions, Brawly took minimal glances at Flash. Brawly wasn't always the one to say things out loud, but there was truly something wrong with his friend. Something terribly wrong that he couldn't bare to ignore.

“Flash, pull over.” Brawly insisted. “I'll drive.”

Flash shook his head, tired and swollen eyes remained darted into the road. “Let me handle this.”

“Flash,” Brawly sighed, concern in his voice. “You’re not well.”

Flash didn’t answer. He wasn't sure what Brawly meant by that statement. Was he not well mentally? Maybe. Physically? He felt like hell. He hadn't check up on his bullet wound yet, but the smell coming from it was becoming putrid.

“Flash, you're bleeding.” Brawly said.

“And you smell rotten, man.” Thunder cupped his nose from the backseat.

The hummer stank. Something was incredibly wrong with Flash. He was aware of it, the throbbing pain that invaded his every muscle since the incident in Muck Alley, his conscience constantly castigating him, the fear creeping into him, the anxiety slithering into his nerves, it was nearly unbearable he could swear he was slowly losing his sanity.

“Flash, look out!”

Brawly managed to swivel the wheel just in time before another car crashed into them. Flash was transported back from his erratic mental assessment and he parked the car on the side of the road. All of them froze in shock from the fact that they had escaped instant death.

“That was close!” Thunder sighed in relief, clutching into his seat. “You, big guy, need to sit back and let Brawly drive.”

“I said I can handle this!” Flash ever so stubbornly barked.

There was a brief silence, and for a moment the two looked at Flash with severe worry as the patch of blood seeping from his shoulder grew larger and larger.

“No, you can't, Flash.” Brawly said in sincere whisper, gesturing at his bloodstained shoulder.

“You guys hate me.” Flash said with a small and forced chuckle.

“Oi, will you cut it out?” Thunder yelled, annoyed at his friend's sudden drama.

“I want to fix this.” Flash said in a low growl, his grip into the wheel tightening.

Brawly and Thunder exchanged looks, letting out sighs of understanding.

“Flash, please.” Brawly asked. “Let me drive.”

“Wait,” Thunder interjected. “We have to check whatever the hell is happening to him first.” He mentioned at Flash's bleeding shoulder.

“You know first aid, right?” Brawly looked at the Thunder.

“I always dabble.”

It took a lot of persuading, but Brawly managed to get Flash out of the car. After reluctantly stripping off his shirt, Thunder joined in to inspect his wound.

What Thunder found was something that made his stomach churn in extreme intensity, a bile rose into the walls of his throat.

“Oh my god. What the fuck happened to you?” Thunder asked, eyes shrouded in genuine horror and suspicion.

Brawly walked over and was shocked as well. “Flash?” He called out, uncertainty in his voice.

“It's just a bullet wound.” Flash hissed.

“Just a bullet wound?” Thunder repeated, in a loud and ridiculed tone.

Flash looked down, sharing the same horror that Thunder had. The stitches were partially loose, letting blood and a foamy white substance ooze down from its slit, its fleshy edges were coated with yellow pus that smelled like rotten fish.

Brawly leaned in to take a closer look, eyes frowning in morbid curiosity. He took a q-tip from Thunder's kit and gently dabbed the oozing white foam. Slowly, Brawly brought the q-tip closer to himself.

“I’m no doctor but I'm pretty sure that's not supposed to come out of there.” Brawly said, before flicking away the q-tip.

“What in the actual fuck is this? Fucking nasty. It looks like something that would come out of a rabid dog's mouth.” Thunder gagged. He pulled out a couple of cotton balls to wipe off the foam leaking from the wound.

“I-I’m not sure.” Flash said quietly.

“I’m no doctor either, but bullet wounds don't do that.” Thunder joked, dabbing a bottle of iodine into the wound.

Flash clenched his screams of pain as the liquid stung his flesh like a thousand bee sting.

Thunder wiped the wound dry with a piece of tissue, then proceeded to close his wound with a staple, releasing loud growls from Flash who held his breath the whole minute.

“Let's just take you to a doctor.” Brawly suggested.

Flash eyed him sharply. “No.” He barked. “We need to find Sunset, then take back Ringo and Micro Chips.”

Thunder handed out a bottle of painkillers to Flash, who immediately gulped down an unhealthy amount.

“Fine. But you're not driving.” Thunder said firmly, before returning inside the vehicle.

Flash abided his friend's words and finally let Brawly take the wheel, taking his seat next to Thunder in the backseat. Once they were back on the road, Thunder spoke to Flash again.

“I don't hate you, Flash.” Thunder began.

Flash listened to his voice but his eyes were occupied into staring sternly into space.

“I was afraid and upset, and I took it out on Sunset, which I shouldn't have.”

Flash swallowed, and remained quiet.

“I, of all people, should have remembered that. As I said before, I've been here since the beginning. It's practically a crime to mention her ex's name.” Thunder jested.

Silence.

“And I'm sorry, too.”

“You're right, though.” Flash responded, his voice almost quiet. “About everything.”

Thunder cleared his throat. “What are we really planning to do once we get them all back, assuming that we know how?” He asked, his eyes laced with the determination to help, and none of the condemning like he did.

Flash turned to look at him, unsure yet desperate to choke out the answers. “If we make it through this night, we will leave this city as soon as possible.”

“And go where?” Thunder asked, eyes squinting. “You thinking about that cabin in the mountains up north?”

“Exactly.” Flash nodded.

“Am I actually hearing this right?” Brawly interjected from the driver seat.

“We don't have a choice. If we stay, then god knows what else the mob is going to do to us all.” Flash said to him.

Thunder buried his face in his hands, letting out a groan of exasperation. “I can't believe we're actually acting like a bunch of fucking fugitives. And lemme guess, I'm gonna have to type out some documents again. Identities?”

“I'm sorry.” Flash placed a sympathetic hand on Thunder’s shoulder.

Thunder shook his head. “No. Don't be. My father is gonna cut me off anyway so I'm considering the cabin is our best option to get away from this mess.”

Flash was taken aback by the confession, which it really shouldn't have. Given that Thunder wasn't the most decent person but still.

Thunder smirked at him. “Surprise.”

“You sure your father can't help us out?” Brawly asked.

“I’m the prodigal son.” Thunder said with an ironic smile. “I have my father's name but none of his power. Plus, he hates me so we're fucked.”

Brawly searched for Flash's eyes in the mirror. “Well, then we're left with Clyde here.”

Flash clutched into the dog tag that hung from his neck and eyed it intently, putting all the tiny bit of hope he had left

“Oh yeah, Clyde.” Thunder smirked, turning to Flash.

“One last time, Flash.” Brawly said. “You can take one final peak into hell before saying goodbye. But we'll join you this time.”

Flash eyed them, quite confused.

“I can't believe I'm saying this either, but fuck it. If you're going to hell, might as well drag us down with you.” Thunder sputtered, apprehension was present in his tone, but the genuine and faithful look in his eyes was reassuring.

“I'm not going back to that life again.” Flash said. “Why the change of thought?” He asked.

Brawly laughed from behind the wheel, and Thunder did the same.

“We all have our dirty secrets. I admit, I was acting like this mighty and untouchable son of a bitch this whole time but I figured it's a bit unfair. When it comes down to it all, none of us is innocent. We're all just a bunch of hypocrites trying to project an image. In the end, we're all goners. But it doesn’t matter. Right, B?”

“Amen, brother.” Brawly nodded.

Flash couldn't resist his smile. All of his optimism died inside of him and yet having two of his friends, laughing with him like they were accepting their doom put a special warmth in his chest. Thunder was right, as always. He was an asshole but he spoke only truth.

“Of all the times the three of us truly come together.” Flash chuckled in his amusement.

As the sight of the dirty and illuminated pile of shacks and crammy establishments came to their view, Flash knew with deep familiarity that they've come to the right place.

“Looks like she’s here.” Brawly confirmed, pointing at a dusty cadillac parked at an empty lot on the other side.

They all got out of the hummer and stood before the infamous territory so named Barbatos’ Paradise.

Brawly took a knowing look at the scenery before him and commented, “Barbatos, the duke of hell, the eight demon of Clavicula Salomonis Regis, The Lesser Key of Solomon.”

“Look at you, someone knows their demonology.” Thunder remarked.

“Barbatos has four kings leading his army. And if this is his paradise, well, we are in pretty deep shit.” Brawly humored.

“Four gangs run these parts. So yeah, we are in deep shit.” Flash said, putting on his brown jacket to hide his bleeding wound.

Brawly’s eyes shot wide. “Is that so?”

Flash walked over to the cadillac to find three guns still lying in backseat, along with the supplies he and Sunset bought earlier. Of course, the door was locked.

“Need a hand?”

Flash turned around to see Thunder standing behind him, a sly smirk present on his lips. Smirking back, Flash stepped aside and let Thunder do the work. He pulled out a knife from his pocket and began his tinkering.

Soon after, the door popped open.

“Can you tell me where you got these?” Thunder asked, inspecting the gun that Flash gave to him.

“Stole them.” Flash answered then added, “Sunset's idea.”

“Of course.” Thunder nodded.

The three of them hoisted their guns into their waistbands, walking their way inside the alleys, crammed with all kinds of bottom dwellers, stealing glances at the trio.

Brawly and Thunder felt themselves shrink behind Flash as they continued, but Flash did not falter. Swallowing all his emotional turmoils inside and locked them in a cage where no one could find, he bared a stoic expression on his face; a face that they all recognized, and some wouldn't even dare to challenge.

The two gained back their confidence as soon as they noticed some bystanders averting the blue haired lad’s gaze.

Clyde was back in Barbatos’ Paradise and he was on the hunt for his Bonnie.

Author's Notes:

Early update but who cares? Have some fluff and edge!

Also, people, your feedbacks keep this thing going. Feel free to leave your thoughts!