Celestia was getting ready for a meeting she was going to have at Maria’s place. According to Angelus, they were representatives of the Vatican, and that they were going to discuss working together to defeat Sombra and the Darkness.

Celestia was going through her wardrobe, laying out several different ones as she sat there and looked them over. “I’m really not sure what to wear to something like this?”

\\\/// Don’t worry so much about it, Celestia, I can make us something for the occasion. \\\///

“Oh, thank you,” said Celestia as she turned around and began brushing her long hair.

\\\/// I can sense you’re feeling troubled, tell me what’s on your mind? \\\///

“You’ve seen it through my eyes, the reports from the teachers, the students are afraid that the Sentinels are going to punish them for their hand in that incident.”

Angelus hummed as she thought. \\\/// Well, I won’t say that it’s unwarranted. From what your memories show, the three most responsible for putting Sunset through that hell were punished as severely as you can be punished by a woman in your station. But it was Sunset’s decision not to press charges. \\\///

Celestia smiled as she thought about her pseudo-daughter. “That girl’s made great strides since she first came into my school, especially recently, turning over a new life and striving to be a better person.”

\\\/// I will admit, her behavior in the past does raise my ire, but her recent actions show that she has learned from her past. I guess my Son has chosen his host wisely. But you haven’t forgiven those three girls completely, have you? \\\///

She hated to admit it, but it was true. It was thanks to those three that someone she loved had to suffer so much for no reason, was isolated from the only friends she had ever had, and then was nearly killed, twice, because of it. A dark part of Celestia wanted to put the fear of God into those three young girls, to make them truly understand that such actions had consequences. But, part of her felt that she shouldn’t think that way.

\\\/// Don’t be afraid to feel that way, such transgressions against someone who is clearly repentant does deserve to be fearful of divine wrath. \\\///

Celestia pondered a thought and asked, “You wouldn’t really set the Sentinels on them, would you?”

\\\/// Celestia, please, I said they should be fearful, not dead. They are but children, and have time to grow and learn. \\\///

“And what of the children that are in that Blood Kings gang? I know that your Sentinels have been very draconian in their attacks, hell, it reminds of the Crusades,” Celestia accused.

\\\/// Alas, there are those that are sometimes beyond saving. They threw their lot in with the Darkness, we cannot take the risk that they’ll rise up and become followers. I have had to stamp out such cultists before, lingering dregs of the Darkness’ minions. The fight will not end unless all traces of the Darkness’ influence is gone from this world, that includes those who are willing to follow Sombra King. It is harsh, perhaps even cruel, but when weighed against the lives of the other innocent young ones, it is a far better thing than to have us do it, then to have Sunset sully her hands with blood. \\\///

Celestia bit her bottom lip, Angelus had a point, compared between the two, she would rather have blood on her hands than on Sunset’s. The school principal looked at the clock, seeing that it read “1:50pm”.

“Guess we should be heading there now.”

\\\/// Then let us dress for the occasion. \\\///

A flash of gold and white light went off, and before Celestia knew it, she was adorned in a beautiful white gown. Golden bracers were affixed to her forearms, a gold necklace with an amethyst gemstone at the center, and a golden tiara with the symbol of the Angelus etched into it. Her hair had changed colors, once tri-colored, now it was shimmering like the sun, releasing small particles of light as it undulated, as if an ethereal wind was blowing through her hair.

“Oh my…” Celestia gasped.

\\\/// I do have a knack for this. Now, do you wish to do the honors? \\\///

Celestia had been given some instruction on how to use Angelus’ powers, specifically her teleportation. She envisioned the place she wanted to go, the image forming clearly in her mind. She willed herself to be there, and in a matter of seconds, Celestia disappeared in a flash of light.

Maria Mayor waited in the lobby of her manor. Thankfully the construction crew was able to get everything back to semi-normal, at least she had a front door again. A flash of light went off to her left, she closed her eyes briefly before opening them again, and before her stood her girlfriend, looking just like her namesake, celestial.

“Are you…you? Or Angelus?” Maria asked.

“Just me for now,” said Celestia as she walked over to her lover. “Sorry we haven’t been able to spend as much time together as we used to.”

“Well, that’s understandable. I’m the Mayor of Canterlot City, and you’re the host of a primordial entity of light and a school administrator. We’re both very busy people,” said Maria.

Both Celestia and Maria chuckled at their little joke, but in the end embraced one another.

“I hope to have some alone time with you, if the Angelus permits,” said Maria.

\\\/// I never said you couldn’t be intimate with her, Celestia. I still think you can do better. \\\///

Celestia rolled her eyes. “I’ll work on her. Are they here yet?”

Maria checked her phone and saw that the guard she sent to fetch them sent her an update. “They’re driving up now.”

“Then I guess we’ll switch now, go on ahead, Angelus,” said Celestia as she shut her eyes. When next she opened them, they were glowing bright white. “Okay, let’s see what the Vatican wishes to say.”

The doors opened and both Angelus and Maria were treated to the sight of three representatives of the Church. The tall man to Angelus’ left was dressed in red, she knew that signified him as a Cardinal, the one in the middle was obviously a Nun, but Angelus could sense some form of energy about her. And lastly…a young girl garbed in black, red, and gold. Angelus could sense a strong affinity towards the light and she could feel some divinity coming from this young woman. Not only that, but Angelus could definitely sense the presence of something else, an Artifact.

The tall man bowed to the Angelus, with the Nun and young woman doing the same. “Greetings, Angelus, I am Cardinal Neighsay. This is my assistant, Sister Meadowbrook, and our ward, for certain reasons her identity must remain secret, you may call her the Magdalena.”

Maria glanced to Angelus and then back to the three assembled Vatican representatives. Had such people arrived back before all this started, Maria would’ve treated them as religious fanatics, but given the circumstances, those fanatics may’ve had a point.

“Delighted to meet you, shall we talk more privately?” Angelus suggested.

As they walked towards the meeting room, Celestia asked, “Angelus, could you look at the young girl one more time?”

Angelus did as she asked and studied the young woman’s face. She kept her hood up, and wore a gold and black mask over her eyes, the eye holes were slit and had a white glow to them. Her skin was a pale yellow, and from what she could see, there were strands of pink hair.

“Oh my gosh, I…I think that’s Fluttershy!”

Fluttershy you say? She’s one of Sunset’s friends.

“What is she doing here?!”

Guess we’ll find out.

All five entered one of Maria’s many meeting rooms. They sat down, Maria and Angelus on one side of the table, Neighsay, Meadowbrook, and Magdalena on the other.

“From what Maria Mare has told me, you wish to offer your services to my war on the Darkness, please elaborate how you intend to help?” Angelus asked.

“Of course, well, it wouldn’t be the Sister or myself, but our young ward. The Magdalena.” Neighsay gestured towards the girl in question. “Do not be fooled by her youth, she has been trained for many years in the combat arts and in the use of her special abilities. And she has one other asset to bring to the fight.” Neighsay glanced at Magdalena. “Show her.”

Magdalena stood up and took a few steps back. She reached behind her back and pulled out a bronze weapon, it had a sharp blade that was about a foot long, and a hilt that was two-feet long. The young warrior held the weapon out in front of her, golden energy started to flare up from the weapon, and in a split second, the weapon extended out to become a bronze spear, three times the length that it once was.

Angelus raised an eyebrow and grinned, Maria had thought that nothing would surprise her anymore, but then she saw that. Celestia was feeling much the same way as Maria was, but her disbelief was compounded because she knew the person wielding that weapon was the kindest, most gentle girl in all of Canterlot High.

“As you can see, the Magdalena wields the Spear of Destiny. A powerful Artifact that can slay any magical entity, and is particularly lethal against creatures of the dark.”

“I see, and this Magdalena is proficient in its use?”

“Very much, yes,” said Neighsay.

Angelus glanced at the Magdalena again, who remained silent throughout this whole thing. “I would like to speak alone to the Magdalena.”

Meadowbrook seemed to finally find her voice. “With all due respect, Angelus, I don’t think–”

“That will be fine,” Neighsay interrupted.

Maria and Celestia watched as Sister Meadowbrook wanted to say something else, but bit her tongue and stood up ready to leave.

I don’t like this guy, Maria and Celestia thought at the same time.

Once the other adults left the room, only Angelus and Magdalena remained. Angelus studied the girl as she sat there, eyes focused on the table before her, hands folded on her lap as her Spear rested against the edge of the table.

“Calling you ‘Magdalena’ is starting to get real old real fast, dear. Let’s get on a first name basis, right, Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy’s head shot up as she looked at the coy smile of the Angelus. “H-How did you – oh…wait. Um, did Principal Celestia recognize me?”

Angelus nodded. “I’m sure I’m a little intimidating, do you wish to speak to her? I know she has some questions for you.”

“Y-Yes, please,” said Fluttershy.

“Such a sweet girl.” Angelus closed her eyes, her appearance didn’t change, but when she opened her eyes, they were back to being the eyes of kind school Principal. “Hello, Fluttershy, I wasn’t expecting to meet under these circumstances.”

“Neither was I, to be honest,” said Fluttershy. “You look beautiful, if you don’t mind me saying.”

Celestia chuckled. “Not at all. You’re looking rather heroic. If you don’t mind, could you remove the mask? I don’t think it’s necessary anymore.”

Fluttershy blushed at the comment, but then nodded and removed the mask, allowing her teal eyes to be seen.

“Is it true what the man said, that you’ve been training to fight demons?” Celestia asked.

“Yes…” Fluttershy went into the explanation regarding her training, her memory wipe/reset, her lineage, and of course, the part she played in saving Rainbow Dash, and helping Sunset in the battle that occurred over CHS. “Don’t be mad at Sunset, I asked her and the others to keep my secret, it’s not something that the Vatican wants to let out.”

“I see…I guess that makes some sense, you’ve always been quite the saintly person, Fluttershy,” said Celestia.

Fluttershy sighed heavily. “I honestly don’t deserve to be called that. Nor do I feel worthy of the blood that flows through my veins.”

Celestia raised a confused eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“I abandoned Sunset when she needed help the most. Instead of believing in her, I doubted her, I bought into Anon-A-Miss, and chose not to believe her. I chose to disregard all the good she had done, and her struggle to redeem herself. A true saint wouldn’t have turned their back on her, and I should’ve stood by her side no matter what the others said or did!”

Fluttershy slammed her fists onto the table, slightly startling Celestia.

“So please, don’t call me a ‘saint’, because I’m not worthy of a title like that…”

Celestia reached out a hand to Fluttershy, but stopped. Fluttershy was a sensitive girl, in all honesty it surprised Celestia to hear that someone as kind as Fluttershy shunned Sunset as well. But one couldn’t blame her completely, after all, during Sunset’s reign, Fluttershy received a good amount of attention from Sunset.

Angelus, can you say something to help lift her spirits?

\\\/// You don’t want to? \\\///

Fluttershy’s sensitive, and now after hearing about who she is, I don’t think my words will hold much weight. I don’t like that another child has to fight against evil, but she needs to hear from someone of divine light, someone like you.

\\\/// I understand. \\\///

Celestia’s eyes shifted back to glowing white, now with Angelus in the driver’s seat. Angelus got up from her seat, walked around the table and sat down in the chair next to Fluttershy.

“Dear child, you have nothing to worry about. Despite your divinity, you are still human, not an infallible god. Humans make mistakes, some learn from them, and others don’t. And that’s what makes the difference. Did you learn from your mistakes?”

Fluttershy looked to her right, the Angelus’ expression was like a mother trying to comfort their child. “I did, I learned that I should never doubt my friends, to trust before distrusting. I won’t ever make that mistake again.”

Angelus nodded. “So long as you learn, you can always better yourself. I know you’re probably not a fan of how I’ve handled the fighting between myself and the Darkness, correct?”

“I just wish that you weren’t so violent towards those who have strayed,” said Fluttershy.

“Hmm, Celestia asked me the same thing. As much as it pains me to do so, they are tainted, Fluttershy. The Darkness is an evil as old as the universe itself. Those who follow it might someday come back together and form a cult around the Darkness. I’ve seen it numerous times, and each one is harder to stamp out than the last. If this isn’t done then the next generation will be infected by its evil. But, with your help, that could be avoided, you could deal a death blow to Darkness.”

Fluttershy didn’t like fighting, but she also didn’t like the thought of others falling into the vices of sin that the Darkness would let loose upon the city, and then the world if left unchecked.

“I would like to help, but can I ask that I try my way of converting the tainted ones?” Fluttershy asked.

“Of course. I’m open to new methods to make this war end quicker. If you don’t mind, I’ll need to speak with your handlers, bring that unpleasant fellow, Neighsay in here.”

Fluttershy giggled. “Yes, Ma’am.” After putting on her mask, Fluttershy got up and walked towards the door, but stopped as she looked back at Angelus. “Angelus, Ma’am, there is something I’d like to ask.”

“What is my dear?”

“There are three girls, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle. I’m sure Principal Celestia knows who they are,” said Fluttershy.

“Ah, yes, I’m very familiar with those three thanks to her.”

Fluttershy fidgeted. “Well…they’re afraid your Sentinels are going to kill them, or send them to hell. I know they made a big mistake, for a stupid reason. But they’re deathly afraid of even stepping out of their homes. I know you’re busy, but…is there anything you could do to assuage their fears?”

Inside, Celestia felt her heart ache, she didn’t know that those three girls were feeling such fear and terror. She felt ashamed for thinking that they needed to be more fearful about the retribution they could face, when right now they were feeling it, more so than she thought.

“I see, I will speak with Celestia about how best to approach the matter.”

Twilight and Sunset were in the living room, Sunset had put on a cheesy sci-fi movie that was pure rubbish, but it made them laugh and that’s all that Sunset really wanted. The two of them were sitting on the couch, with Twilight curled up next to Sunset, and Sunset draping an arm around Twilight’s shoulders.

This was such a natural state for them, it’s hard to believe that the two girls had only become friends, and now girlfriends, in little over three weeks. For Twilight, one whose life was ruled by science and logic, this was pretty illogical. The idea of falling in love so quickly upon meeting someone, she knew that it was only due to hormones and pheromones working in combination to produce a chemical reaction to induce feelings of attraction. But, after experiencing it firsthand, she was starting to see that there might be more to it than just a simple chemical reaction in the mind and body.

For Sunset, she never planned on falling for anyone. Much less this late in a school term. But the moment she laid eyes on Twilight Sparkle, it just clicked, she liked her. At first she became friends with her because Twilight seemed to be less uptight than the other students, but as she got to know her, she realized that was dorky, excitable and passionate about her love of science, and a general nerd like she was. However, when she learned of the abuse Twilight was getting, her protectiveness came out. Twilight was probably the one good thing in that school, and she’d be damned if she let anything happen to Twilight.

Turns out I was too late in that regard…fucking Indigo…the next time I see her I’m going to cunt punt that bitch through the roof!

Just then, Twilight’s cellphone rang. She reached into her pajama pants pocket and pulled it out. “Oh, it’s Shiny!”

“Your big bro? Something wrong?” Sunset asked.

“Well…I’m pretty sure my parents may have told him about you, especially since I’m staying over. That, and he’s probably worried since it is my first time since I was little that I was at someone else’s place. Oh boy…”

Twilight swiped the “answer” button and spoke calmly.

“Hi, Shiny,” Twilight greeted.

{Hey, Twily…listen, uh, there’s something I need to talk to you about.}

Twilight groaned inwardly, she knew this was coming. “What about?”

{Is it true that you’re with a girl named Sunset Shimmer.}

“Yes…”

{Can you put the call on speaker, there’s someone who’d like to talk to her, and you.}

Twilight got nervous, something that Sunset noticed right away.

“What’s wrong?” Sunset asked.

“I’m…I’m going to put the phone on speaker.” Twilight pressed the button on her phone’s screen. “Y-You’re on.”

There was some shuffling in the background, but then both Twilight and Sunset heard a voice that made them freeze.

{Hello…Twilight, and…well…Sunset.}

Twilight dropped the phone on the couch as both girls went to different ends. They looked at the cellular device as if it were possessed, and then cast looks at themselves. Sunset made a few gestures for the other to answer back.

{I’m pretty sure this is a bit of a shock for the both of you to hear my voice, but…this isn’t a joke. My name’s Sunset Shimmer. Another Sunset Shimmer. And I’m pretty sure the other me is sitting there wanting some answers.}

Sunset narrowed her gaze and scooted closer to the phone. “I do. But I don’t want them over the phone.”

{I figured as much. I just want you to know I’m not a threat to you, or Twilight. I consider her a friend, and if you give me time to explain you’ll understand why.}

Sunset glanced to Twilight. “Okay, but the meeting place will be somewhere neutral.”

{That’s fair, where do you want to meet?}

Sunset was really thinking on the fly here, she knew that she’d have to meet her doppelganger some time in the near future, but not right now.

Twilight could see that Sunset was having trouble picking a spot, so she blurted out, “The observatory and astronomy museum!”

There was light chuckling coming from the phone. {That’s good, we’ll go with that. How long?}

“In one hour, and…” Sunset glanced at Twilight, there was a look in the young genius’ eyes that told Sunset that Twilight wasn’t going to be left out of this. “…and I’m bringing Twilight along with me. You have a problem with that?”

{Nope, but if you don’t mind, I want to bring someone with me too.}

“Oh, who?”

{Me silly!} A new voice answered. {Hi, I’m Pinkie Pie! Wow, I still can’t believe that there’s another Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle! Double the hotness and double the adorkableness!}

Sunset and Twilight both had confused looks upon hearing the bubbly voice from the other end.

Wait, did she just call me hot? Sunset thought.

Wait, did she just call Sunset hot?! Twilight thought.

{Down, Pinkie. Anyway, yeah, Pinkie will be there. You’ll like her, trust me. Guess we’ll meet you there soon.}

“Right…see ya.” Sunset reached towards the phone and ended the call.

Twilight watched as Sunset stared at the device for a long moment. She scooted closer and placed her right hand over Sunset’s left. “Are you alright?”

Sunset sighed heavily. “I knew this was coming at some point…I just didn’t expect it so soon…”

Twilight gave Sunset a reassuring squeeze. “It’ll be okay, you know she’s Witchblade, but you have the Ember Stone, if she tries anything, you can fight back.”

The confidence in Twilight’s voice made Sunset smile. “I’m more worried about you, and this girl she’s bringing, she sounds…off.”

“Kind of, but…she didn’t sound dangerous.”

“Either way, I’ll protect you, but are you sure you’re up for this?” Sunset asked.

“Are you?”

Both girls thought a moment and then said in unison, “No.”

Sunset and Pinkie Pie waited in the parking lot of the observatory. Sunset wore a turquoise blouse, black leather jacket, and a pair of denim jeans. While Pinkie wore white leggings, a pink frilly skirt, and a white sleeveless top. Sunset was pacing back and forth as Pinkie leaned against Sunset’s bike, watching her go back and forth with her head.

“Sunset, relax, it’ll be okay,” said Pinkie.

Sunset didn’t feel that it was. “I want it to be…but…what if she gets super pissed at me?! I mean, I did so much bad shit, I might’ve ruined her reputation! Or screwed up her credit score, or something?! I’ve been operating for years under the assumption that I was the only Sunset Shimmer in this world, who knows how I’ve impacted her life?!”

Pinkie Pie got in Sunset’s path and made her bump into her to stop the pacing. “Okay, first, if you keep pacing, I’m pretty sure you’re going to bore a hole. Second, she didn’t sound angry. So it might be okay.”

Sunset loved that optimism, and honestly she hoped that she hadn’t negatively impacted this world’s Sunset Shimmer, too much at least. Her wondering would soon come to an end as both girls heard the noise of a car coming up towards them. Sunset immediately recognized the car and gasped.

“That’s a Corvette ZR-1! And it’s red!”

The ZR-1 pulled up in the spot next to Sunset. The roar of the engine died as the car turned off, Sunset flinched when the doors opened, and then she froze.

Human Sunset wore a leather jacket, a different style from Alter Sunset. She had black, fingerless leather driving gloves on, ripped jean pants, and a magenta tank top. While Twilight wore a blue blouse, and a purple skirt speckled with stars and a six-pointed pink star.

Both Sunsets looked at each other, the air filled with tension as neither one knew what to say or do at a time like this. Twilight didn’t know what to do either, it felt like just the snapping of a twig might set something catastrophic off.

Pinkie decided to fix that. She slipped in between both Sunsets and took Human Sunset’s hand into her own, shaking it and Human Sunset. “Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie! I’m this Sunset’s,” she thrust a thumb towards Alter Sunset, “girlfriend!”

Human Sunset’s hand was finally released, and after the world stopped shaking, she replied. “O-Oh, uh, nice to meet you.”

“Wow, I know my Sunset’s hot, but so are you! But I guess that’s a given since you’re both Sunsets, and I guess it’s a general rule that all Sunset Shimmers are hot!” Pinkie spouted.

Both Sunsets blushed from the compliment, Twilight blushed as well, but at the same time, there was a twinge of jealousy.

Alter Sunset decided to shift the conversation. “S-So, is that a Corvette ZR-1?”

Human Sunset smiled. “Yeah, it is. This bad boy’s got about a thousand horsepower under the hood. I sprung for the extra speed. And I guess speed demon is a trait we share, that’s a Honda Valkyrie, right?”

Alter Sunset smiled as she rubbed the throttle. “Yep! I just got her too, and I’m loving every second of it! My last ride became a mangled mess…”

Human Sunset cringed. “Ouch, looks like you managed to get out of that without a scratch.”

“Heh…not quite, but I guess we can talk about that further inside, it’s a story.”

Human Sunset nodded and both counterparts moved towards the entrance, lagging behind them were Pinkie Pie and Twilight. Pinkie was humming a happy tune as she kept her hands behind her back. Twilight kept hers held out front, her head tilted downward just a bit, every so often she’d glance at Pinkie, making sure she wasn’t up to something. Although, unlike the kids in CPA, she didn’t get a bad feeling around this girl, it was almost similar to how she felt around Sunset, different, but similar.

“Guess we had the same idea, huh, Twilight?” Pinkie asked.

“W-What?”

Pinkie giggled. “You know, letting our Sunsets walk ahead of us to give them space while we hang back and watch them.”

“Oh…! Yes, I guess we did have the same idea…”

“Well, while they’re getting to know each other, why don’t you I learn about each other?! I mean, I know about the other you, but I don’t about you you.”

Twilight cocked an eyebrow. “Wait, what do you mean by ‘other you’? You’ve seen me before? Wait!” Twilight rounded on Pinkie and grabbed her by the shoulders. “Are you telling me there’s another me walking around the city, too?!”

Pinkie blinked and then smiled. “Nope, she’s back home in her own dimension.”

“A-A-Another dimension?!” Twilight gasped.

“Hey, you okay back there, Sparky?” Human Sunset asked.

Twilight and Pinkie looked ahead and saw both Sunsets were staring at them. Human Sunset looked worried and a little on edge.

“We’re fine! But I think I need to talk to Pinkie Pie!” Twilight reached into her skirt pocket and took out a notepad and pen. “Come with me, you’re going to explain some things to me!”

Before Pinkie Pie could reply, Twilight grabbed Pinkie by the wrist and began dragging her off somewhere. “Okay, guess I’m being kidnapped! Have fun Sunset!”

And then they were gone.

Human Sunset glanced to Alter Sunset, seeing her double had an amused smile on her face.

“You don’t seem too worried that Twilight just dragged off your girlfriend,” Human Sunset observed.

Alter Sunset shrugged. “If she’s how I think she is, I have nothing to worry about when it comes to Twilight. And you don’t have anything to worry about from Pinkie. All that girl wants is to make people happy, I mean, she broke the tension between us.”

Human Sunset smirked. “Okay, I’ll admit, I like her.”

“She’s mine though, just remember that,” Alter Sunset replied.

Human Sunset put her hands behind her head as she continued walking along. “Cool, just remember that Sparky is mine and we’ll get along fine.”

Alter Sunset blushed. “W-Wait, y-you mean you and Twilight are…a couple?!”

Human Sunset stopped. “There are problem with that?”

“Not so much a problem, as it is kind of awkward.”

“Guessing there’s a story.”

“Oh there is…”

The two Sunsets walked through the observatory, stopping by different little exhibits. When they did, Alter Sunset explained her past to her human counterpart. It was the typical stuff Alter Sunset expected Human Sunset would want to know, where she came from, why was she here, what had she been doing all this time. Of course, Alter Sunset told her everything.

From her time as a filly in Equestria’s Canterlot, to her apprenticeship under the ruler of the land. To her arrogant act of rebellion against her teacher by crossing over into this world. Then came her time as the school’s bully, her fall from grace, her rise to redemption, and the story of how she wrecked her bike.

After the third or fourth exhibit, both Sunsets sat on a bench while Human Sunset processed everything that Alter Sunset said.

“I’ll understand if you don’t believe what I’ve told you, I know it’s pretty out there,” said Alter Sunset.

“If it weren’t for the demons and angels running around I’d probably think you were insane, well, that and other reasons why I can’t dismiss what you’ve said.” Human Sunset leaned back against the wall and sighed. “Honestly, one of the parts of your story I’m having a hard time grasping is that Mom and Dad became assholes.”

Alter Sunset shrugged. “They weren’t always like that, we were just a poor family of unicorns, and when I became the protégé to Princess Celestia, we got instant status and money. They pretty much left me in the hooves of the Princess. I spent more time there than I did at my real home, and Mom and Dad would often try to get me to marry some noble’s son or daughter.”

“Total opposite of my parents. Guess it’s my turn to share?” Human Sunset asked.

“If you want, I didn’t expect you to give me any info on you, I came here with intention of full disclosure to you,” said Alter Sunset.

Human Sunset smiled. “Well, Mom and Dad were rich, but neither of them were like snooty or made fun of people who didn’t have it as good. They were pretty down to Earth. I was an only child so they dotted on me, a lot. We used to take trips around the world, visit exotic places, and get souvenirs from whatever country we were in.”

Alter Sunset didn’t like how her human counterpart was speaking of their parents in the past tense. “Su – uh – jeez, how should we, you know, address each other?”

“Not to sound vain or anything, but, can I call you Shimmer and I’ll take up the first name?”

Shimmer nodded. “That’s fair, you were here first. Anyway…the way you’re talking about Mom and Dad, are they…?”

Sunset nodded solemnly. “About a year and a half ago, we were in an accident. They died and I survived…” Sunset placed her right hand over her chest, feeling the Ember Stone that was tucked under her shirt. “Since you told me you’re Witchblade, I’ll tell you something about me.”

“Okay…”

“Last night, you came across a dragon that torched a couple of warehouses and fought some Sentinels, right?” Sunset asked.

Shimmer’s brow knitted a little. “Yeah…but I didn’t tell you that, yet. I know you were there during the rave, did you see me?”

“I did, but I was the dragon.” Sunset pulled on the necklace until the Ember Stone was now on display, resting against her chest outside of her shirt. “It’s called the Ember Stone, a powerful Artifact that grants me the power to control and create the Flames of Life. It’s also how I survived the accident that killed Mom and Dad…Last night was only the third time I’ve had to go full beast mode, and I did it to save Twilight.”

There was a pregnant pause between them, with Shimmer thinking and Sunset waiting to hear her reply. After a minute, Shimmer unknitted her brow and said, “Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re not going to challenge me to mortal combat or something?” Sunset asked.

“Why? For saving someone you care about? Why would I fight you for that?”

Sunset shook her head. “I just thought you might be on Angelus' side. Those Sentinels I fought, they tried to kill me and Twilight.”

“WHAT?!” Shimmer exclaimed louder than she had meant to.

“I might’ve killed a group of gangsters who were going to rape Twilight, one of them changed into one of those Blacknight things, and got blasted by two Sentinels. Then they turned on us and killed us cause they thought we were a couple of hookers or something. They didn’t even bother to listen to us!”

}}} Typical of Mother, strike first, ask questions never. {{{

“Witchblade and I have a…stable-ish relationship with her, but after this, I’m not so sure how stable it will be after I have a talk with her,” said Shimmer.

“On that note, do you have to wear such revealing armor?” Sunset asked.

“You wanna argue with him?” Shimmer brought up her right wrist to show her bracelet. “Go on ahead, I’ve had this conversation a dozen times.”

}}} I make no apologies. {{{

Sunset sighed as she said, “So, it’s not your choice to go around in that skimpy armor.”

“Not at all.”

“That’s good, the last thing I need is for another me to go around flashing people. I don’t want to kink shame or anything, but…”

Shimmer blushed. “I’m not a flasher!”

Sunset chuckled at her double’s reaction, but then remembered she had to check in. “Hang on a sec, I need to check on Twi.”

Shimmer watched as Sunset texted Twilight, about a few seconds later, she replied that she was fine and that she was having fun with Pinkie. Sunset smiled and put her phone away.

“You really care about Twilight don’t you?” Shimmer asked.

“I do, she’s…she’s put up with more than she’s willing to admit at CPA, and she doesn’t say anything to her family because she doesn’t want to bother them,” said Sunset. “But now that I’m here, I’ll protect her.”

Shimmer held out her fist to Sunset. “That’s something I can relate to, I’ll fight to protect Pinkie, and all those I love.”

Sunset smirked and fist bumped Shimmer, acknowledging their mutual feelings of protection.

“Look, I know you’re probably worried that I want you to go back to where you came from, but then I’d be the biggest bitch in the world to do that to you, especially when you have a cutie like Pinkie. So don’t worry about it,” said Sunset.

Shimmer looked at Sunset uneasily. “You sure? It might get weird when someone sees us, we can get away with being twin sisters, but having the same name?”

“Separated at birth, and a filing error, you know how people can be when entering important documents, sometimes things get botched up. That, and I have enough money to make it true,” said Sunset. “You know, why don’t you and Pinkie stay over at my place tonight, that way we can get to know each other better?”

“I don’t mind, but are you sure?” Shimmer asked.

Sunset smirked and threw her right arm over Shimmer’s shoulders. “Totally, ‘Sis’, I’ve always wanted a sister, why not make it official?”

Shimmer mirrored her smirk, she wouldn’t deny that she did always want a sibling, and apparently the universe had given her the best kind. “Okay, let’s do it.”

With that decided, both Sunsets headed towards where Twilight said she and Pinkie were sitting. When they arrived, they saw that the bench was littered with note after note of paper that Twilight had scribbled on, she had apparently now run out of paper and was now using her cellphone to jot down everything that Pinkie had told her, and running theories and equations in her cellular device.

Twilight’s head snapped up and she cried out, “SUNSET!” The teen genius got up and swiftly made her way to Sunset, bouncing on her heels like a child on a sugar rush. “You have to tell me what Alter you told you! Pinkie gave me so much information, we need to compare notes!”

Both Sunsets glanced at each other as if expecting something like this to happen.

“Well, you’re in luck, ‘cause I invited them to my place,” said Sunset.

Pinkie Pie zoomed up next to Twilight, acting in the same sugar high manner that Twilight was, but then again, Pinkie was always like that. “Are you saying we get to have a Slumber Party at Human Sunset’s house?! Double Sunset Slumber Party?!”

“Yes, Pinkie, Double Sunset Slumber Party,” Shimmer confirmed.

Both Pinkie and Twilight jumped around repeating “yes” over and over again. At one point they held hands and jumped around in a circle.

“Thanks,” said Sunset.

“For what?” Shimmer asked.

“For helping me to get Sparky to smile.”

To say that Shimmer and Pinkie were surprised to see Sunset’s mansion of a house would be a huge understatement. Their jaws nearly broke through the asphalt upon riding up to the main gates.

Shimmer parked her bike in the garage and was led inside by Sunset and Twilight. Pinkie Pie immediately began zooming around the house.

“This house is soooooo big!” Pinkie exclaimed as she threw her hands into the air.

Twilight giggled at the pink girl’s childlike demeanor.

Sunset crossed her arms and smirked at her double. “She must be a handful.”

Shimmer shrugged. “Eh, sometimes, but most of the time, I love her energy.”

Sunset tapped Shimmer’s shoulder and said, “I’ll bet you do.”

Shimmer blushed playfully shoved Sunset. “Not like that you perv!” Shimmer slapped her forehead as she chuckled. “Oh damn, now I know what it’s like on this end of it.”

Both Sunsets chuckled just as Pinkie arrived. “Where’s your room?”

“Upstairs, c’mon, let’s all get more comfortable, can’t have a Slumber Party in these clothes,” said Sunset.

Sunset and Twilight led Shimmer and Pinkie upstairs to Sunset’s room. Once inside, Sunset, with a playful smirk, took Shimmer by the wrist and dragged her into the walk-in closet, shutting the door behind them.

“What’s up?” Shimmer asked.

“I got a lot of clothes here, along with sleepwear. We look alike, but I wonder how similar our proportions are,” said Sunset as she flexed her fingers.

Shimmer covered her chest as she shot a glare at her twin. “Oh no, you aren’t feeling me up!”

“Yoink!”

Sunset reached up and Shimmer hugged her chest tighter, but it was a feint as Sunset aimed lower. She managed to hook her thumbs into the waistband of Shimmer’s pants and pulled them down. Shimmer’s face blushed furiously as her lace panties were on display for her double.

“SUNSET!” Shimmer growled.

Sunset laughed so hard her eyes teared up. “Oh man, I’ve always wanted to do that if I had a sibling. Hey, it could be worse, I could’ve done this in front of other people!”

Shimmer lunged for Sunset and knocked her to the floor, once on the floor, Shimmer grabbed for the hem of Sunset’s tank top and began to pull up. “If that’s how it’s going to be, let’s see if your girls are as big as mine!”

“Good luck! You ain’t getting it off!”

“Oh I beg to differ, ‘cause if you’re the same as me, then your weak spot is riiiiiiiiight…here!”

Shimmer’s hands released Sunset’s shirt and began tickling her sides. Instantly, Sunset was sent into a laughing fit that had her writhing on the floor.

“S-S-Stop! Mercy! Mercy!”

“Say, ‘Shimmer’s the best sister in the world’!”

“S-Shimmer i-is th-the – I’ll die before I admit it!” Sunset forced out.

“If you insist.”

Shimmer continued her tickling, all the while, she worked her hands under Sunset’s shirt, and right when Sunset’s arms went up, Shimmer grabbed the hem and pulled straight up, removing Sunset’s tank top in one go and revealing her double’s lacey black bra.

Sunset panted heavily as she tried to catch her breath. “Y-You…ch-cheated…”

“You pantsed me, I think we’re even, ‘Sis’,” said Shimmer with a smirk.

“Oh, I’m getting you back for this,” Sunset replied.

Just then the door to the closet opened up.

“Sunset, we were getting worried when we heard that thump, are you…all…right?” Twilight squeaked.

Pinkie and Twilight took a moment to look over the scene before them. Shimmer, sans her pants, was straddling Sunset, sans her tank top, and Sunset was panting heavily. Both Sunsets blushed heavily as they looked at each other and then back to their respective girlfriends, understanding exactly how this might look to them.

“Uh…Uh…W-We can explain…” Both Sunsets stated nervously.

Pinkie Pie didn’t wait for an explanation, she just took out her cellphone and began snapping pictures as fast as she could. “If this was one of those anime shows, I’d have passed out from a nosebleed! Thank goodness I didn’t ‘cause then I’d totally miss out on snapping these pics!”

Sunset glanced to Twilight. “S-Sparky, I swear I’m not doing anything weird!”

Twilight took out her cellphone and began typing away as she looked from the phone, back to them, and then back to her phone. “Fascinating, Sunset, when did you begin to feel sexual attraction towards your double?”

“IT’S NOT LIKE THAT!!!”
“IT’S NOT LIKE THAT!!!”

Shining Armor went into the station that night, although his thoughts were lingering on how his little sister was doing, as well as Sunset Shimmer. It was still surreal to learn that there was another Sunset Shimmer walking around, heck, it was still surreal to know that there was another Twilight who was just a portal jump away, one who was older and more well adjusted than his little sister. But, in a way, that also gave him hope. If that alternate universe version of Twilight would be okay when she was older, then there was hope for Twilight.

Currently, the young detective was typing away at his computer, filling out reports and sifting through tips about possible Blood Kings hideouts. Shining looked up from his computer and took notice of the Sentinels that walked about the station, Gaghiel was there, taking a catnap in the middle of the office. The others that were walking about was a female Sentinel, she looked as old as his little sister, but was obviously older than everyone in the building combined. Her skin color was bright green, a toned body with lean muscle, with golden armor fitted around her forearms, chest, and shins. The Sentinel’s eyes were a bright emerald green, with long green hair to match, her name was Araquiel, the “Earth Tiller”. She was apparently popular with the male and female officers, often cracking a joke and lifting their spirits, kind of like a big sister.

The third was a Hadriel, the “Bringer of the Winds”, he was lithe and learned Sentinel, he often gave advice to the officers and was more approachable than Gaghiel. Hadriel had silver colored skin, white hair, and white eyes.

The fourth and final of the four who were assigned to their precinct was Ayil, she was…an angelic centaur, and “Archer of the Stars”. Her lower half was that of a mare, dark brown color, while her upper, human half, was a lighter shade of brown. Her eyes were an amber color and her hair was bright shade of autumn. Her mare half and human half were fitted with golden armor, and slung over her left shoulder was her bow. She didn’t need a quiver as upon the moment she pulled on the drawstring an arrow of light would appear. At first many didn’t think the archer centaur would be that fast on the draw, but they were proven very wrong when they first saw Ayil loose forty arrows in less than a minute. Despite her height, she was quite demure in her actions.

It was hard to believe from just watching them that these beings could so ruthlessly cut someone down without batting an eye. Gaghiel he could see, but the other three, didn’t strike him like that. Until he saw them in action.

Shining Armor didn’t know whether to be disturbed or suspicious of how his fellow officers so readily accepted them, sure, he did initially, but as time went on, Shining could see that their methods were too draconian, but his fellow officers didn’t seem to mind too much.

I hate to admit it, but Gaghiel had a point. They’re not going to complain so long as they get to come back to their families and live another day…

While Shining Armor was typing up a report, his cellphone went off. He looked down and saw that it was Cadence, with a smile, Shining answered the call. “Hey, Cady.”

{Hey, Shiny, how’s it going?}

“‘Bout as well as it can get, provided there isn’t any crazy shit, I should be home soon.”

{Don’t go jinxing it now!} Cadence admonished.

“Sorry.”

There was a sigh from the other end, and Shining could feel that his girlfriend was smiling. {So, are you worried about Twilight?}

Shining switched to a Bluetooth headset and continued working as he talked. “A little…I mean, this is all so weird…What were the odds that my baby sister would run into the Sunset Shimmer of our world? God, that’s so strange to say.”

{Tell me about it…When I first saw her, I nearly bolted from my office chair. But, I’m not worried. The Sunset we know is a good person, even you know that. But Twilight seems to trust her, so I think we should too.}

Shining hummed a little. “I do trust her, but you know Twily, sometimes she doesn’t get a lot of social things, and I don’t want her to be used.”

{If she was, I’d like to think she’d tell us. God, I don’t want to imagine that she’s going through something like that and not telling us.}

Shining Armor stopped typing and asked, “Do you think she is?”

{You know how CPA was even when we were going here. I’ve tried to stem some of that, but…}

“But what?”

Before Cadence could answer, an explosion went off outside of the precinct, after that, another went off, and then another, each one shaking the building and making the officers get down with their weapons drawn.

The Sentinels inside all rose as a look of anger appeared on their faces, and not long after that, all four rushed out of the main room of the precinct.

{SHINY, WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!}

“I…I think that was an explosion, a lot of them!” Shining Armor got his gun out and hurried to his window to look down and see what was happening. “Oh shit…”

Next Chapter: Drawing Battle Lines Part 5 Estimated time remaining: 8 Hours, 53 Minutes