Ember was being cautious, she needed to hide from the group of Shadows that were pursuing her. So, she decided to find cover in a little candy shop, and that's when everything went to shit.

20 minutes before the operation began.

A tall man with blue hair with green tips was getting in a taxi. "Hey, can you take me to this new candy shop in uptown?" Asked the man. This is Red, an ex military soldier, that was hired by a private security firm after he was discharged, but right now he's on some R&R in Canterlot.

The cabby looked at his new fair. "Bud, a little advice, uptown isn't like it used to be, so it'll cost you extra if you want me to go into that hell hole."

Red sighed. "Really, I know about the Shadows, but are they really that bad?"

The cabby nodded. "The shootout yesterday killed 6 cops, so unless you have the cash, you better start walking."

Red sighed. "Fine, just drive." The cabby nodded as he drove off. "So, it’s been a few years since I was home, anything new happen?"

The cabby rolled his eyes. "Bud, this whole place as gone to hell in a hand basket, the Shadows and the Centaurs went to war over some bullshit, and the Bloodstones are gone, but a new group took their place, The Dragon Riders. Whole bunch of degenerates if you ask me."

Red was surprised. "Really, someone took over the Bloodstones's turf?" The cabby nodded. "What are they like, I remember the Bloodstones were pretty bad, so if someone took them out, they must be even worse."

The cabby shook his head. "No, they are the best of this whole crime ring in my opinion, I've traveled the city and every time in the Riders turf, I see a real difference. They are cheaper than the Shadows, they don't kill cops, they steal cars and bikes, but I don't hear about it really hurting anyone."

Red was surprised. "Really? Then why haven't the Shadows or Centaurs taken them out?"

The cabby shrugged. "No clue, but I think it's because of the Riders leader, the Silent Dragon Lord. No one knows his face and he's always protected by his crew. Hey, we're here, and it'll be 89.57."

Red shook his head to focus. "Wait...how?"

The cabby laughed. "Buddy, a cabby always takes the longest route to get as much money, but not in this town, here you pay with your life if you do that."

Red sighed as he pulled out 100 bucks and handed it to the driver. "Keep the change."

The cabby smiled at the tip. "Thanks bub, keep your head down." Said the cabby as he sped off.

Red looked at the building. "Bonbon's Chocolate Emporium." Said Red as he looked at the sign of the building, the front window was full of treats, and the window was painted with little chocolate bonbons. "Dual better be waiting for me inside, I haven't seen that dumb ass in years." Laughed Red as he walked into the shop.

While this was happening, a thin teenage girl was running around the neighborhood for her track training. She was listening to some music with her golden yellow hair pulled back and held by a head band, she was dressed in running shorts and a tank top, this is Lightning Dust. She took a breather as her song stopped. "Man, all this training better be helping me in the track meet next weekend." She looked around and noticed that she was in uptown. "Oh crap, I'm in uptown, I need to get back." Lightning Dust started running to get back to her side of town, before anything happens. So, she decided to take the quickest street back. But her stomach growled. "Ok, I'll stop really quickly and get something to eat."

Once again while this was happening, a 15 year old teenager was just walking around. This was Gallus, he had short blue hair and a hoodie on, his parents were gone, and he didn't want to stay with his grandfather all day, so he snuck out while the old man was taking his nap. "Man, this place is boring, and there's nothing to do." Gallus's stomach growled. "And now I'm hungry, great." Gallus looked around to find out where he was. "So, I'm on Gardengrove, wait, I remember seeing that a new candy shop was opening not too far from here." Gallus shrugged. "Might as well." Said Gallus as he started walking to the candy shop.

10 minutes before the operation began.

Red walked into the shop and noticed the crowded eating area. "Hi, and welcome to Bonbon's Chocolate Emporium." Greeted a normal woman with minty green hair and a wide smile. She then wrapped her arm around Red. "Hey a little advice, we only have so much stock, and we're really popular, so you should probably buy as much as possible before it’s gone."

Red looked at the woman, but he was snapped out of his thoughts, when a slightly shorter woman with pink and blue hair, an apron, and a very upset face, walked to her and pulled her ear. "Lyra, what did I tell you about lying to the customers."

Lyra winced at the feeling of her ear getting pulled. "Bonny, please let go, it hurts. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Bonny sighed as she released Lyra's ear, she looked at Red. "Sorry about my wife, she's a little over enthusiastic, my names Sweetie Drops, but Bonbon is more me."

Red smiled at the woman. "Red, and don't worry, some of my old squad, make her look like a monk."

Bonbon smiled. "Really you're in the military?"

Red shook his head. "Not anymore, got discharged about a year ago, I'm working with a private security firm now, but I'm looking for an old friend of mine, he told me to meet him here."

Bonbon hummed, but before she could say anything the door to her shop opened. "Sorry I was late Red, just got off an 8 hour patrol and I kinda fell asleep in the showers." Said a man with a pair of glasses over his brown eyes, messy dark black hair with blue tips, a black opened zip-up hoodie with a white t-shirt, blue jeans, and black sneakers.

Red turned around to see his friend. "Dual, as I live and breathe, you look like shit man." Smiled Red as he pulled his friend into a bro hug.

Dual laughed at his friend. "I look like shit, at least I don't look like I was a dogs chew toy."

The two guys separated and laughed. "Man, so you got into the academy?" Asked Red.

Dual nodded. "Yep, I'm actually a full officer of the law now."

Red laughed. "Ok, who'd you have to pay off to get a cereal box badge?"

Dual smirked as he pulled out his real CPD badge. "Trust me, it was a really big box."

Red smirked. "But seriously, congrats man, wish I was here."

"Red, you went into the service, I'm just a cop, and I'm glad your back in one piece." Said Dual.

Red laughed as he pulled up his shirt showing Dual a large scar on his side. "Well, more like 4 pieces. Took some shrapnel home during my last mission, been in rehab while I've been back home, thanks to my new job at the firm."

Dual looked at his friend. "Red, does Dash know?"

Red sighed as he shook his head. "Nope, Mom and Dad don't know I'm home at all, I've been waiting to go see them, but I want to be back to 120% first."

Dual sighed at his friend. "Please see them soon?"

Red groaned. "Fine, but candies on you."

Dual laughed. "I'm pretty sure you owe me like 800 bucks from your deployment party, I had to pay the tab."

Red looked away as he whistles. "Oh, look, costumers." Said Red.

Gallus opened the door for Lightning. "Here you go."

Lightning smiled at the kid. "Thanks kid."

The two walked in to the shop and noticed the 4 adults. Red looked to Bonbon. "Hey, Bonbon, I believe this is still a shop, sorry for taking you away from it."

Bonbon smiled at Red. "Don't worry, now what can I get for you?" But before Red could ask for an assorted fudge pack, a sound that Red was all too familiar with echoed in the streets, gun fire was being exchanged.

Red pushed everyone to the ground out of instinct. "Duck." Yelled Red, not wanting to have injured.

Once everyone was on the floor, Dual looked to Red. "Red, what's going on?"

"Gun fire, everyone stay down and stay away from the windows." Yelled Red to the crowd of 15 people in the shop. "Dual, where's your gun?"

Dual sighed. "In my car safe, I didn't think I was going to need it for this, but I have your gift." Dual pulled out a spring assisted, collapsible karambit from his pocket.

"I have a pistol under the counter." Said Bonbon. Red and Dual looked at the sweet maker, she shrugged. "What, I knew where I was setting up shop, and like hell I wasn't going to be ready."

Red nodded as he got off the pair and ran to cover behind the counter. He searched around and found the gun, it was a Kahr Arms CW380 .380 ACP Pistol and next to it was an extra magazine. That gave Red 14 rounds, so he needed to make every shot count. Red got back to the group. "Ok, we need to find cover, move everyone to the basement or the second floor." Dual nodded. But then Red noticed that there was green gas filling the streets. "Shit, tear gas. We need to move now." Ordered Red. Everyone was worried for their lives now, so they tried to scramble for the stairs that led up to the office and home of Lyra and Bonbon.

But the door was opened again, and in walks 4 large men, each with a MP5 in their hands. "Well hello, as you can see, there is a little commotion going on right outside, so me and my friends have decided to pop in." Said the leader, they all pointed their guns at someone. "Now, be good little hostages and maybe you'll be able to leave."

'Fuck, the guns too risky now.' Thought Red, he looked over to Dual, he was holding his knife in his hand. Suddenly there was a loud clang from downstairs. 'What was that?' Thought Red. That was the question going through everyone's heads. "Chuck, go see what that was." Said the leader.

One of the goons nodded and walked to the back of the shop to investigate. "Hey, it came from the basement, I'm heading down." Yelled Chuck.

Back to Ember and her sticky situation. "Ok, Micro, come in."

"Hey Ember, you want the good news or the shit news?" Asked Micro over the coms.

"Wait, there's good news?" Asked Ember surprised that there was some good news.

"Nope, it's only slightly less shitty, I have found a signal in your location, it's a smart phone, I'm hacking into it now to see what's going on." Said Micro.

"What's the shit news?"

"Those guys that were in the ally are looking for you, it won't take them long to figure out that you're there." Said Micro.

Ember groaned. "Great." Said Ember in a sarcastic tone, then she heard someone coming downstairs. "Micro, I got to go."

"Stay safe Ember." Said Micro.

Ember pulled out her knife and strapped her rifle to her back. 'Clean and quiet.' Thought Ember. She hid against the wall waiting for her chance. Soon Chuck got to the floor and started searching. "Ok, I'm not seeing anything down here." Yelled Chuck.

"Keep searching." Yelled the leader.

Chuck nodded as he kept looking in the basement, but Ember decided to get some information first. She got behind Chuck and pulled her combat knife to his throat. "Keep quiet, say one word and I make sure it's the last one you say." Said Ember as she pressed the knife onto his skin. Chuck gulped. "Put the gun on the table to your right." Ordered Ember. Chuck did so without question. "Good, now how many are upstairs?" Chuck stuck out 3 fingers. "Good, now you're going to tell them that you found a safe or something and you're going to try and take it. Nod once if you understand."

Chuck nodded once, and Ember let him speak. "Hey, I found something, it looks like a safe or a hidden compartment in the wall down here. Might be the money stash."

"Great, check it out." Said the leader.

Ember nodded. "Good."

Chuck sighed. "So, you're not going to kill me?"

Ember smiled. "No, but this is going to hurt." Ember then grabbed the MP5 and used it to hit Chuck in the head, knocking him out. Ember moved to the stairs. "Micro, a little help?"

"Ok, I'm in, it belongs to a kid named Gallus, it's in his pocket, he’s on the ground with a bunch of people, hostages, and I see 3 sets of shoes that are moving."

Ember nodded. "Ok, any plans?"

Micro groaned. "Not many, even with your skills, you couldn't take them all before they open fire, if you’re willing to take a bullet, maybe we can come through this clean, but..."

Ember sighed. "Ok, how is the street going?" Asked Ember as she quietly made her way to the shop counter to see the situation.

"We're winning, but the moment the Shadows notice it, they'll cut their losses and kill the hostages." Said Micro. "Wait, someone is getting up..."

Dual was trying to break off an arm from his glasses, and once it was off, he slid it to Red while the Shadows weren't looking. 'On the count of three, I take the first guy, you stab the second, and we take the third together, take the gun and take care of the fourth.' Mouth Dual.

Red nodded. 'Ready.'

'1...2...3...NOW.' Mouthed Dual. Both Red and Dual shot up. Red grabbed the closest goon and stabbed him in the chest with Dual's shiv, and Dual popped open his knife and slashed the goon’s neck. But they didn't see the third goon.

Thankfully Ember was quick enough to notice him. She rushed the goon before he knew what was going on and shattered his left leg with a powerful kick, then she stabbed his arm with her knife, making him drop his gun, and to make sure he wasn't going to get up, Ember stabbed the goon in the heart.

Red and Dual looked at Ember, and she looked at the 2. "Sup." Said Ember.

Everyone looked at Ember. "Really?" Asked Lyra. "You just pop out of nowhere, kill a guy like a bad ass and say 'Sup'?"

Ember nodded. "Yep, now, shut up, get to a safe location..." Suddenly there was a loud clang from the basement. "Ok, get a gun and run." Said Ember. She tossed Red, Chuck's gun. "Don't shoot your eye out." Said Ember.

Dual grabbed a gun, as did Lyra and Bonbon. This was their home and shop; they were going to protect it. "Ok, everyone upstairs now." Yelled Bonbon.

Red pulled out the pistol and handed it to Lightning. "Kid, take this just in case." Said Red. Lightning nodded as the rest of the hostages including Gallus, ran to the second floor.

Ember looked at Red. "Ok, we need cover." Ember looked around; they didn't have much to work with. "Micro, what's next door and how hard would it be to bust through a wall?"

"Looks like it's a bar, it'll open in 4 hours, looking at some live feed of the place. Large bar, lots of room and lots of furniture. Pulling ups plans....Ok, no bricks, they share the wall." Said Micro.

Ember nodded as she grabbed Dual and Red. "On 3 we punch through. 1...2...3." Said Ember as she and the 2 guys broke the wall down to the bar. There wasn't time to make sure everyone was ok. "Move, the door won't stop them."

Micro chimed in. "They got it open and are moving up." Said Micro.

Ember nodded. "Move." Red nodded as he positioned himself behind the bar. Lyra and Bonbon hid behind a booth, Dual was near the hole with Ember on the other side.

"Find her, she took out Chuck and the others." Yelled a Shadow, Ember waited for the right moment. "You 2 head upstairs and check it out." 'Shit!' Thought Ember. The sound of 2 goons going up the stairs was heard.

Lightning Dust and the rest of the hostages were huddled in the living loft of the shop. Lightning was holding the pistol tightly and shaking like no other. "Why is this happening to me?"

Gallus walked over to her. "Give me the gun." Said Gallus.

Lightning looked at the teenager. "What, why?"

Gallus sighed. "I know how to use it. My mom has the same model back at home, in case of burglary, and she made me take a class on how to shoot."

Lightning Dust looked at Gallus, he was calm, even during all of this. She handed the gun over to him. "Thanks." Said Gallus.

"How are you so calm?" Asked Lightning.

Gallus shrugged. "Being scared doesn't mean shit, when there's a gun pointed at your head. Now grab a lamp or something heavy and get ready." Lightning nodded as she ran to the kitchen and found a cast iron skillet.

Soon the group heard 2 people running up the stairs. They busted through the door and Gallus without a second thought shot the man in the chest. He then ran from the sight line of the door, not sure if it was going to take the guy down. It didn't. "Little bastard, I'm going to kill you." Said the goon as he and his companion ran after Gallus.

Lightning took this chance to smash the skillet into the second goons head with all her strength. She swung it so hard that the man’s skull caved in and killed him. She saw what she did and dropped the pan. "I...I killed him." Said Lightning as she dropped to her knees.

The first goon noticed the sound of the pan hitting the floor and pointed his gun at Lightning. "Fucking bitch." But before he could shoot Lightning, Gallus shot the goon 3 times in the back, making sure that he hit his heart.

Gallus ran over to Lightning and gave her a hug. "It's over." Said Gallus.

In the bar, Ember was waiting for the right moment to attack, but then they heard Gallus shooting the goon. 'Fuck.' "Open Fire." Ordered Ember. She and Dual popped out from cover and unloaded on the group of goons. Killing 6 of them, but still they had 8 to deal with. Ember pulled out her shotgun, and she ducked back to the booth with Lyra and Bonbon. Dual ran to the bar with Red.

"Fuck, she's in there, get her." Yelled the group's leader. They all ran into the bar and opened fire, not caring about anything but killing Ember.

Thankfully the solid wood bar was thick enough to stop the bullets and the booth seats had a metal frame that stopped the bullets aimed at them. Lyra and Bonbon shot their guns from cover, killing 6 of the remaining goons and wounding the last 2. "Fucking hell!" Yelled the last 2 goons. "Come out Dragon, you're all out." Ember didn't respond. "Fine." Said the goon as he walked over his dead companions and started searching for Ember with his last remaining partner. They walked up to the loft of the bar to search there.

Ember crawled to Red and got behind the bar. "So, is this how you show a good time?" Asked Ember.

Red chuckled. "No, we're missing sand and some hard booze."

Ember chuckled at the statement. "Well, there's plenty on the shelf. Take some once we're done here."

Red nodded. "I'm still good, what about you?"

Ember popped open her shotgun and checked her shells. "2 triple shot." She then pulled out her other shotgun and did the same. "And 2 buck shot."

Red nodded. "Ok, let’s move up and take them by surprise." Ember nodded as she noticed 2 bottles of booze.

"Hold up, these 2 are high grade, worth a ton. I'm not going to let these get damaged, Boss can have a drink tonight." Ember grabbed the bottles and stowed them on the floor.

Red looked at Ember. "Boss?"

Ember nodded. "Yep, I'm a Dragon Rider, names E."

"Redsopine Dash, but Red works."

Ember nodded as she closed her shotguns and moved to the staircase, Red following her. "Ember, Zecora won, so you better hurry up." Said Micro.

Ember groaned. "Really, Z won, but what about the redo of 4,7, and 8?" Ember sighed. "Micro, how many left outside?"

"None, the crew is moving up, now." Said Micro.

Ember nodded. "Cool, we have 2 above us, so we'll take care of them and I'm get a move on."

"Ok, take care Ember." Said Micro.

Ember looked at Red. "Last 2. Move up." Red and Ember moved to the second floor and found where they went. It was a copy of the loft in next door, but this one looked like a single guy lived here.

"Shit, she must've slipped out through the back." Said one of the goons. "Yeah, lets head back down." Said the other.

Red and Ember got to the goons and pointed their weapons. "Surprise Fuckers." Said Ember.

The 2 goons grabbed their guns and turned around... only to be shot with a shotgun and SMG in the chest. Ember sighed. "All clear, pull up the cars and get ready to move." Ordered Ember.

Red looked at Ember. "Ok, I'll take care of the people in the shop." Ember nodded as they moved back down stairs.

"Ember, Thorax and Chrysalis have arrived, Boss isn't far behind." Said Micro.

Ember groaned. "Shit." She looked at Red. "Red, sorry to cut and run, but I'm late for something, it was nice meeting you, and if anyone askes, I wasn't here." Ember ran to the bar, grabbed her prizes and ran out of the shop.

(AN: This is where Ember's story ends.)

Red watched as Ember high tailed it out of the building. "Dual, Lyra, Bonbon, all clear." Said Red. All three fighters popped their head's out. "Let’s go check on the others." Said Red.

When they got to the candy shops loft, they saw Gallus, he was still holding Lightning as she shivered. "Is it over?" Asked Gallus.

Red walked over to the 2. "It's over." Red looked at the dead goons. "You both did great." Said Red as he hugged the 2. They didn't need to feel bad about what they did, they did kill, but only in self-defense, they saved themselves and the others as well. "Dual, call this in."

Dual nodded as he walked to his car to make the call. "Everyone, please stay here and wait for the cops to arrive, I'm sorry for all of this." Said Bonbon. Everyone nodded and started to calm down after this ordeal. "Lyra, let’s go get some stuff from the shop and give them to everyone to help." Lyra nodded as she and Bonbon left to get some treats.

Red looked at Lightning. "Kid, what's your name?"

"Lightning Dust."

Red looked at Gallus. "And you?"

"Gallus."

"Redsopine, but just Red is fine. Hey about what happened, I want you both to know that you shouldn't feel bad, this was in self-defense and you chose to survive."

Lightning cried. "But I killed someone?"

Red nodded. "But you did it to not only save yourself, but everyone else." Red then pulled Lightning closer.

Dual walked back up to the loft. "Ok, a squad should show up as soon as possible. Looks like the whole of uptown is in chaos."

Red nodded. "Damn, I think the city is going to change, but if that's good or bad, I don't know."

Author's Notes:

Hey, this is Ember's story, but I've talked with the writers of Rise of the Wolves and they decided to help me merge the stories into one story. Everything will be the same, but 3 people trying to write 2 different stories is harder than 1 guy asking for information and opinions from the other 2 about 1.