Sunset groaned as she awoke, she felt like she had just fought someone and was sore all over. That’s when her senses snapped to full alertness as she remembered the fight from last night. Sunset sat up in her bed, but stopped when she saw Twilight sleeping beside her.

The flame haired girl released a sigh of relief as she slowly lowered herself back down on to her bed. Sunset saw that Twilight was holding onto her left hand as she slept, when she tried to pull it away, Twilight would whimper and hold on tighter.

Sunset used her free hand to gently stroke Twilight’s hair as she looked upon the girl whom she saved. Although Twilight said what she said last night, she was still afraid of what Twilight would say or do when she woke up. When they escaped and arrived back at her house, both girls were too tired to process or get into what had happened that night, so Sunset suggested that they sleep. She remembered Twilight curling up next to her as they slept, and how Sunset wrapped her arms around her.

Despite all that happened, she regretted nothing of what she did last night. Not the two of them dancing, not their kiss, and certainly not transforming in front of her. Still, part of Sunset worried that when the adrenaline wore off, and Twilight’s tired mind was able to think straight, would she still feel the same way? Sunset paused when she heard Twilight mumble, her eyelids fluttered a bit, an indication that she was soon to wake.

Well…guess I’m going to find out one way or the other…

Twilight finally stirred awake, her eyelids slowly rising until she beheld Sunset. She looked at her two hands clutching at Sunset’s left hand, and then followed the length of her arm up to Sunset’s face, which flashed her a nervous smile.

“Morning, Sparky,” Sunset greeted with a shaky voice.

“Sunset…? Where…?” Twilight took a moment to analyze her surroundings, she was in a bed, Sunset’s it seemed. They were still wearing the clothes from the rave last night…the rave. Twilight bolted upright as the memories flooded back to her. “HOLY SHIT!” Then she covered her mouth, slightly embarrassed at her cursing.

Sunset got up at the same time, her hands moved towards Twilight and then moved back, uncertain if it was alright to touch her right now. “T-Twilight, calm down, we’re safe! We’re back at my house! A-And just so you know, I-I didn’t do anything to you!”

Twilight touched her body, from her legs, hips, chest, and then head. Her eyes fell onto her chest, she slipped a finger under her shirt and felt around, and sure enough, it was there, the vertical cut in her shirt, the same place where Dark had stabbed her with a knife. “It all happened, didn’t it…me getting stabbed…and you saving my life?”

Sunset lowered her head and said, “Yes, it did.”

“You…You also turned into some kind of fiery being, and then into a dragon, and you killed two Sentinels that nearly killed us, right?” Twilight asked.

“Yes…again.”

Twilight blushed as another memory appeared in her mind. “We…We danced together, and…we kissed, didn’t we?”

Sunset fidgeted, her face blushing to match Twilight’s.

The bespectacled girl glanced to Sunset and narrowed her gaze. “Please, tell me that happened?”

The redhead sighed heavily. “Yes, we danced, got real handsy with each other, and we…kissed, no, actually we made out right there on the dance floor.”

Twilight’s blush intensified as she turned her attention towards her lap. “I…I see.”

“I’m sorry, Twilight. I don’t know all of what you’ve been through at CPA, but please, believe me, I didn’t do that out of some wanton need…” Sunset rubbed the back of her head as she let out a frustrated growl. “Dammit…why’s this so hard?! I…”

Twilight hugged her legs to her chest; her bangs kept her face partially obscured as she rested her head against her knees. “Sunset…do you…do you like me?”

Sunset felt her heart beating hard against her chest. She couldn’t really deny it at this point, without really planning on it, Sunset had found herself attracted to Twilight, first because she was cute and seemed like a nice person. The only nice person among the swarming viper pit that was Crystal Prep, but the more she hung around Twilight, the more she realized that she liked her for more than that, it only got stronger when she learned of the abuse of Twilight was being dealt by the other students. If it wasn’t for the fact that she’d be committing mass murder, Sunset would’ve used the Ember Stone to burn every single one of them to ashes. But, now was as good a time as any, now it could just all be laid out there.

“Yes, Twilight, I…I like you; I really do like you as…as more than a friend,” said Sunset in a serious yet soft tone.

“Why?”

Sunset blinked. “Say what?”

“Why do you like me?” Twilight asked, her face still hidden.

Sunset chuckled as if Twilight had told a joke. “What’s not to like, Sparky? You’re hella smart, you’re dorky in the cutest way possible, you’re kind, a bit introverted but so am I to a degree, not to mention you’re pretty hot.”

Twilight lifted her head just a bit and asked. “Do you want to have sex with me?”

Sunset was so taken aback by the question that it felt like she was just punched in the face. To emphasize the point, Sunset tried to stand up, but her quick action made her stumble and fall backwards onto the floor. “OW!”

Twilight took her head from her knees and hurried to the edge of the bed; her face filled with worry. “Sunset, are you alright?!”

Sunset groaned as she gently rubbed the back of her head. “Fine…Fine…If it was life threatening, I would’ve regenerated.” After picking herself up, Sunset stood at the edge of her bed with her hands on her hips. “Okay, Sparky, w-w-why are you asking me that all of a sudden?”

Twilight sat at the edge of the bed. “I’m asking you, because I want to know if that’s all you really want from me. If that’s all…then…you can do what you want, I won’t fight you.”

Sunset knitted her brow and sat next to Twilight. “Sparky, I would never force myself on you. Would I…ahem…would I like to do that with you? Yes. I mean, we are wearing pretty sexy outfits. But, not if you don’t want to, and why would you think that?”

Twilight hugged herself as she stared at the floor. “Because……that’s what Indigo does.”

The Ember Stone around Sunset’s neck released a small flare, at the same time, Sunset’s eyes blazed. “Excuse me? What did she do to you?!”

“She…” Twilight bit her lower lip.

“Twilight, tell me what that bitch did you?!” Sunset ordered.

“Please don’t make me…” Twilight begged.

The fire died out in Sunset’s eyes, as well as the Ember Stone, and it was replaced with a need to comfort the girl next to her. Sunset gently placed her left arm over Twilight’s shoulders and brought her close into a hug. Twilight didn’t fight it as she nestled into the crook of Sunset’s left arm without hesitation.

“Sparky, I will never do that to you. I’m not lying, I really like you. As…As absurd as it may sound, I fell for you on the first day. I know you probably don’t believe in love at first sight…but…there’s no other way for me to explain what I feel for you, Sparky.”

Twilight smiled as she listened to Sunset’s words, they comforted her in a way she didn’t know she needed. These words weren’t like Indigo’s, she could feel Sunset’s emotions behind them, even in her actions. She held her close in a way that was not too tight, but at the same time, gentle enough to express her feelings of protectiveness towards her. Twilight’s eyes began to tear up, finally realizing that Sunset meant what she said, she could trust her without expecting anything back in return, because…she liked her.

“I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to say you were like her…It’s just…”

“Shh, it’s alright,” Sunset nuzzled the top of Twilight’s head with her cheek. “I understand, but Twi, you can trust me. I won’t ever hurt you, and from this day forward, I won’t let anyone or anything hurt you again. I promise on this Ember Stone,” Sunset used her right hand to bring the necklace into Twilight’s view, “that I won’t break that promise.”

Twilight gently reached out and touched the pendant. This same crystal pendant, which glowed with an ethereal, blazing energy, was the thing that transformed Sunset into her fiery form and into a dragon. It gave Sunset the power to beat those gangsters and save her life. “I’m sorry I’m so weak.”

“You’re stronger than you think, Sparky.” Sunset leaned down and kissed Twilight on the forehead, causing them both to blush. “I could breathe the Flame of Life into you, but you had to want to live. Your strong will allowed the flames to revive you from the brink of death. And I’m so glad they did.”

For a long minute, both girls just remained there, seated at the edge of Sunset’s bed as one held the other. Twilight smiled and then looked up at Sunset. “So…I guess that means…I’m your girlfriend and you’re mine.”

Sunset smirked. “Uh, excuse me? You don’t own me, Sparky.”

Twilight spluttered as she said, “I-I’m sorry! I-I didn’t mean it like y-you’re my property, I-I just – ow!” Sunset flicked Twilight in the forehead, earning the redhead an annoyed growl. “What was that for?!”

“For being adorkable. And, I wouldn’t mind being owned, so long as it’s you holding the leash,” said Sunset in a suggestive tone.

Twilight, for the briefest of moments, imagined such a scenario, and it nearly made her have a nosebleed. “Um…well…there is one thing I want to do right now.”

“And that is?” Sunset asked.

“Can I see your lab?!”

Sunset busted out laughing when she saw the sparkling look in Twilight’s eyes when she asked that, not to mention the tone of her voice, it reminded her of a little kid wanting to get to their Christmas present. “Jeez, right to the point, ya dork. Okay, let’s go.”

After giving the grand tour of her lab, Sunset and Twilight decided to change out of their party clothes and into some pajamas, despite it being only ten in the morning. Sunset had decided to wear a baggy t-shirt, and, just to tease, a pair of black lacy panties. Twilight was a bit more conservative, wearing a dark purple t-shirt and blue pajama pants with white star patterns. When they emerged, Twilight blushed upon seeing what Sunset was wearing. The shirt was baggy, it would slide off to either side and give Twilight an unabashed look at Sunset’s shoulders, and part of her cleavage. And it was clear that Sunset wasn’t wearing any shorts.

They both convened in the kitchen where Sunset offered to cook a late breakfast. Twilight sat at the counter while she watched Sunset cook some eggs and bacon, the young genius couldn’t help but blush when she noticed Sunset shake her rear a little, no doubt giving her newly acquired girlfriend something to look at.

Twilight looked away a few times, but couldn’t help but look back and stare at Sunset’s hypnotic hips. It was still surreal to her, Sunset was her girlfriend, they were both each other’s girlfriend. She was in a real relationship with someone, and not because Sunset wanted anything from her, Sunset just liked her for herself. Suddenly a round of anxiety cropped up within her, her mind thinking of all the ways she could botch her new relationship up.

S-Should I be cooking? I-I guess we need to establish who is the…ahem…top and bottom, as it were. Twilight looked at Sunset again, she had all the feminine curves a girl could want, and had just enough lean muscle to indicate that while she wasn’t a bodybuilder, she wasn’t a pushover either. Okay, I’m definitely the bottom…Twilight blushed. I think I’m alright with that. But in that case I should be cooking! Crap, I already messed up and it hasn’t even been a day yet! M-Maybe I should try and act sexy for her? I mean, Sunset’s doing it, I should too, right?

Twilight looked down at herself and back at Sunset. Her girlfriend clearly chose that attire to show off to Twilight, meanwhile, her attire didn’t really show off much of her assets. I could go topless…but…Twilight hugged her chest. I don’t know if she’d get excited from seeing…me. Then again, we were all over each other during our dance…so, maybe, it's okay?

“Foods ready!” Sunset called as she put a plate in front of Twilight.

“I’m a bottom!” Twilight blurted.

Sunset blinked. “Uh…okay…?”

Twilight’s eye twitched. “Ugh…I’m an idiot…”

Sunset rolled her eyes and poured a glass of orange juice for Twilight. “Sparky, don’t concern yourself about that kind of stuff.”

“But…isn’t it important to establish who’s, um, on top?” Twilight asked as she blushed.

“Not to me, I don’t mind switching positions. You can take the reins or I can, just depends on the moment.” Sunset fixed her own plate and placed it beside Twilights. She then walked around to the bar area and sat next to Twilight. “But, personally, speaking, I wouldn’t mind being under you.”

Twilight couldn’t stop blushing, and smiling. She was flirting, or as close to flirting as she could get. The two girls began eating their breakfast, which now they realized how hungry they were after all that happened the previous night. Sunset got back up and decided to make more, but this time, Twilight helped. The two girls smiled happily as they worked together to make their breakfast, this time throwing in some pancakes.

When they were done, they moved to the table and ate there. About halfway through the meal, Twilight decided to address the elephant in the room.

“So…I need to ask, how did you do all that last night?” Twilight asked.

Sunset took a swig of her orange juice, put the glass down, and then reached into her shirt to pull out the necklace. “This is called the Ember Stone. It’s a mystical Artifact crafted a long, long, long time ago. It contains a powerful flame that embodies the undying flames of life itself. Only a chosen few can wield it, and to those who can, in bestows great strength, vitality, regeneration, fire creation and manipulation, and the ability to summon armor and turn into a thirty-foot fire breathing dragon.”

Twilight blinked. “So…it’s magic?”

“Yep.”

Twilight shook her head. “I’m sorry, but, y-you can’t tell me that that’s what it is? Magic doesn’t exist. It’s just a word ancient man used to describe scientific phenomena that they couldn’t explain during those times.”

Sunset let the Ember Stone rest against the chest. “I won’t lie, Sparky, I was the same way. But…the moment I took up this Artifact, my worldview was changed. I’m a woman of science, but even I can’t explain the power this thing has. I brought you back from the brink of death after you were stabbed through the chest, and your wound was healed.”

Twilight unconsciously rubbed the spot on her chest where the knife had plunged itself. She could also remember the feeling of the heat that rose in her body when Sunset breathed life back into her.

“I’ve been thinking, Sparky. What if these energy readings you’ve been detecting, what if they’re actually magic? Just hear me out, ‘cause we have demons, angels, and another me running around out there in skimpy symbiotic armor. What if all of this is connected? Magic, according to ancient texts, has existed since the beginning. I believe science came into existence to try and explain these phenomena away, but not all can be explained. I mean, my transformation into a fire breathing dragon defies all the laws of mass and energy.”

That, Twilight agreed, she could not deny. Neither could she deny that her body was healed, rapid cellular regeneration was not something easily done, medical science had not come that far, and yet Sunset was able to do just that in a matter of seconds with a flame. Not only that, she was shot multiple times, and yet she healed herself. The flames that protected her were able to harden into almost diamond-like structures, but still retained their fiery energy, also defying more laws of physics.

Twilight took a deep breath as she tried to settle her mind. “Okay, recent events in the last three months would suggest the existence of a supernatural force, magic. So, your Ember Stone was forged of magic, does that mean…that Witchblade’s armor is the same?”

Sunset shrugged. “Hard to say. I don’t know what my double’s weapon can do, but at the very least she’s using it for something good. Ugh…” Sunset rubbed ran her hands through her hair. “My double’s out there giving people a show with that skimpy ass armor! She’s practically flashing everyone!”

Twilight blushed at the thought. “Um, I-I’m sure she has her reasons. But maybe this is something we can use?”

“How so?”

“We have common ground now. She has a magical item, and so do you. Perhaps we should consider confronting her and getting some answers as to who or what she is,” Twilight suggested.

While Sunset wanted to get some answers regarding her double, she was also reluctant to see her again. The first time was shocking to say the least, when Sunset first laid eyes on her, she was stunned, if it wasn’t for Twilight being there, she might’ve gotten off her bike and approached her. But, she was afraid of what this other Sunset Shimmer might do to Twilight, so her choice was made. However, Twilight now knew of her powers, and was okay with seeing her in her stronger forms. If the other Sunset Shimmer tried anything, at least she wouldn’t have to hesitate about changing and protecting Twilight should it come down to that.

“You may have a point, we’ll just play this by ear right now,” said Sunset.

“That’s okay, I don’t want to rush you,” said Twilight.

Sunset nodded, but then her face grew serious. “Sparky, there is something I need to know. What has Indigo been doing to you?”

Twilight dropped her fork and stared down at her plate.

Sunset reached over with her right hand and gently squeezed Twilight’s left. “Please, tell me, I can’t protect you if I don’t know what’s happening.”

Twilight had been keeping this from her parents, Cadence, and her big brother. Indigo was from a wealthy family, like many of the kids in Crystal Prep, and was the star athlete of the school. Twilight had no doubts she was a shoe in for Crystal Prep’s Friendship Games team, but that kind of fame and adoration brought with it some protection. Honestly, who would believe that Indigo Zap, the star athlete of CPA, was secretly raping a mousy girl like Twilight Sparkle? Twilight glanced to Sunset, ready to see a look of anger to compel her to tell the truth, but when she did, all she was concern and worry.

“It’s…It’s been going on for at least two years now…Indigo Zap…she…she likes me. I don’t know why, but she does. I don’t feel the same for her, but that doesn’t seem to bother her. I’m not as strong as her, and with nobody really liking me, there was no one for me to turn to.” Twilight confessed.

“It started out small…a wink here, a shoulder touch there. Then it escalated…Pretty soon, she’d start slapping my butt at gym class during any team sports we did, but when she did it, her hand would linger on my rear for longer than I was comfortable with. She’d take any open spot next to me in the showers, she made it a point to show off her body to me, and expected me to do the same. I did…but only in the hopes that she wouldn’t do anything else. That changed quickly…”

Twilight squeezed Sunset’s hand.

“The first incident happened during study hall, I was in an empty classroom and Indigo tracked me down. She approached me, touched me, and then kissed me. I didn’t know what to do…I didn’t know how to react…I just let her do what she wanted, hoping that she’d stop, but it only encouraged her. She felt up my body, and touched me down there…she kept going until I reached orgasm and…made a mess on the chair.”

Sunset listened as Twilight recounted the numerous times that Indigo molested her, and with each telling, Sunset’s eyes burned brighter with hatred. But what really set her hair on fire, literally, was when Twilight recounted what happened when she was waiting for Twilight to come out that Friday. Sunset released Twilight’s hand, got up and began pacing, her hair was releasing small embers as she did, the Ember Stone glowing a little brighter.

“That fucking whore! I swear to god, I’ll burn that bitch alive in front of the whole damn school!” Sunset threatened.

Twilight shot up from her seat with fear in her eyes. “Sunset, please don’t do that!”

“Why not?! I’ll go full dragon and just burn down her house with her inside it! Tell me why I shouldn’t?!” Sunset argued.

Twilight walked up to Sunset and placed her hands on her shoulders. “Because I don’t you turning into a murderer!”

“I hate to break this to you, Sparky, but those guys from last night, I pretty much killed them!”

“That was different!” Twilight countered. “They were armed and dangerous! One of them was with the Blood Kings and turned into a monster! Indigo is just…she’s just a…a b-bitch! You don’t need to kill her! Please…Sunset, I don’t want that from you!”

Did Twilight dislike a large number of her peers? Yes, she did. Did she shed a tear when Suri died or when Fleur was sent to jail? Not in the least bit. In fact, as much as she hated herself for it, she was glad that Suri was dead. But, that was only because she turned into a monster, no, worse, Suri allowed herself to be possessed by a demon and killed because she wanted to. The same went for Fleur, both of them wanted to be monsters. But that was the difference, they became monsters in the literal sense of the word, Indigo was a monster, but only figuratively.

“Sunset, please promise me you won’t kill anyone at school. I don’t like them either, but they’re someone’s daughter, son, brother, or sister. I don’t want to be the one responsible for someone grieving for them,” Twilight pleaded.

Sunset’s hair returned to normal as the Ember Stone’s glow faded. The fiery redhead hugged Twilight close to her and said, “Okay, for you, I won’t do that. But I won’t let you out of my sight while we’re in that school, I’m going to make it a point to show them, you mess with my girlfriend, you mess with me.”

Twilight happily blushed. “Thank you, Sunset.”

To say that Fluttershy was not pleased would be an understatement, she was very displeased. Last night she had gotten a call from Sister Meadowbrook to come to the church early that morning, and was warned that Cardinal Neighsay was there and wanted to speak with her. Thanks to the released memories of her training, Fluttershy remembered Neighsay.

He would often oversee her training, always looking at her with a scrutinizing gaze, and upping the ante on her training. If she did well, he wanted her to do better, and if she did better, he wanted her to be greater. In a way, you can say that it helped her to get stronger as a Magdalena, but it was harsh. Now that Fluttershy was able to recall, she remembered the numerous times her body was roughed up, broken bones, lacerations, and bruises, gunshot wounds. If it wasn’t for her healing factor and the power of the Spear, she would’ve died a long time ago. And that’s just the physical portion of the torturous training he put her through, the mental was just as bad.

The training courses he made he go through drilled her in understanding how to pick locks, hotwire, break into simple security systems, rig traps, and various other things that a warrior for the Church needed to know.

The induced repression of her training also repressed her disliking of that man, so when Meadowbrook mentioned him, it brought it all back to the surface. Which was why her trip to the church was a lot slower than usual, she wasn’t in any real hurry to see the man. Unfortunately, Sister Meadowbrook didn’t give her any heads up as to what Neighsay wanted to speak to her about, but she already assumed it wasn’t good.

Before Fluttershy knew it, she was at the doors to the church, she opened it and made her way towards the back as the priest gave his sermon. She made her way to his office and then knocked on the door.

“Enter.”

Fluttershy flinched when she heard his voice. She steeled herself and opened the door, and there, sitting in the office chair was Cardinal Neighsay, and sitting in the chair across from the desk was Sister Meadowbrook. The Cardinal nodded towards her and said, “Please, have a seat.”

Fluttershy shut the door and sat down in the chair opposite Meadowbrook. “I was told you wished to see me, Cardinal Neighsay.”

“Indeed, I’m sure you’re aware of the situation the city is in, I’d like to hear your perspective of the matter,” said Neighsay.

Fluttershy glanced at Meadowbrook.

“Do not look to her for direction, I want to know your thoughts,” Neighsay stated sternly.

Fluttershy managed to keep herself from making an annoyed expression. She inhaled and exhaled calmly as she spoke, “Honestly, Cardinal, the city…it’s become dangerous. I’m afraid, not for me, but for my friends and their families.”

Neighsay raised an eyebrow. “That so? If that is the case, then why have you not requested to be dispatched to slay the minions of the Darkness? Or aid the Sentinels in their eradication of them?”

Fluttershy clasped her hands together. “Because…with all due respect…I don’t like how Angelus and her Sentinels are dealing with the situation. They’re…killing a lot of people, not just the ones who change into monsters, but also those who haven’t. I can understand the former, but the latter…with all their strength and power, surely they could easily disarm and detain them, rather than kill them.”

Neighsay nodded. “I see…so that is your position on the matter?”

“It is.”

Neighsay stood up and turned his back to look out the window of the office. “While you may have a point, the fact remains that these people have aligned themselves with an entity that is pure evil. The Angelus is a being of God, and as such, we have a duty to fight alongside her. Sister Meadowbrook knows this, as of last night, I am overseeing all operations in Canterlot City regarding your use.”

Fluttershy’s eyes widened with shock as she turned to Meadowbrook. “Is this true?!”

Sister Meadowbrook nodded slowly. “It is, my child…Cardinal Neighsay has brought a letter with the official seal of the Pope himself. And as such…his Eminence wishes to set up a meeting with the Angelus to offer our aid to them, more specifically, to offer your services to her.”

“It is as she says, if the Angelus will have us, you will fight for her and hopefully, increase the rate of weeding out this evil from this city,” said Neighsay.

Fluttershy was at a loss for words, she still wasn’t sure what to do here. She knew through Sunset that Principal Celestia was host of the Angelus, but she wasn’t sure how much influence the kindly school principal had over the entity of light. She feared that the Angelus might ask Fluttershy to do something that she couldn’t do, to kill someone that she couldn’t kill. But…she also knew that she didn’t have a choice in the matter, neither did Meadowbrook, as Fluttershy could see the same dislike in her eyes.

“I…I understand…when will we meet the Angelus, if you don’t mind me asking?” Fluttershy asked.

“Hopefully sometime today while there is still daylight. Sister Meadowbrook sent a clandestine request to the mayor’s office, so we might soon have a reply,” said Neighsay.

At that moment, Fluttershy bolted from her chair and got into an attack stance. Neighsay and Meadowbrook looked at her with shock until she said, “Something’s here, I can feel a presence.”

“That is quite the uncanny power you have. Not many are able to sense me unless I want them to.”

Fluttershy looked at the desk, causing Meadowbrook and Neighsay to do the same. The air at the center of the desk began to distort, and in a matter of seconds, a shimmering, armored bird appeared.

“Peace, I am a messenger of my Mistress. I am Zofiel.”

Fluttershy released the tension in her body as she approached the bird, becoming fascinated by it’s plumage and beauty, her inner animal loving nature showing as she stared wide eyed at the bird.

Neighsay straightened himself and said, “We are honored to have an emissary of the Angelus come to meet us. Has your mistress heard our request?”

Zofiel turned to Cardinal Neighsay. “Indeed, she has, you are to come to the Mayor’s Manor this afternoon at two 'o'clock, there you shall make your case before my Mistress. And all three of you are to be there, in particular, the young one is to be garbed in her fighting attire and her weapon.”

Neighsay bowed. “It will be done.”

Zofiel nodded and then flew right through the walls.

Neighsay smiled. “Well then, it seems we must prepare.”

Fluttershy and Meadowbrook glanced at each other, wondering exactly how this meeting was going to go.

Last night was a bit heavy, which was why Sunset called ahead to Pinkie and said she was going to sleep in for a bit. At around eleven she awoke, recalling the events of last night, the ruthless way the Sentinels killed that gangster, and then there was the fire dragon.

“You’re sure it wasn’t something the Darkness made?” Sunset asked.

}}} Positive, it didn’t reek of my Father’s power. It was something else, I felt a connection to that power, a strange sense of familiarity. {{{

“Hopefully it’s not about to cause more trouble, we already got a gang war going on in the city, the last thing we need is a fire breathing dragon to torch the whole place.”

Sunset turned onto her left side and saw that Ray had awakened and was happily staring at her from his terrarium. “Morning, Ray, want to get some exercise?”

Ray nodded.

Sunset scooted to the edge of her bed and opened the lid, she stuck her left hand in and let Ray crawl up her arm and onto her shoulder. The little lizard nuzzled Sunset’s cheek, making her giggle from the show of affection.

“I probably don’t say this enough, but thanks, Ray,” said Sunset.

Ray tilted his head in confusion.

“I know I said that having Pinkie back helped me from up and leaving this place, but before her, you were here to listen to all my bitching and comfort me when I needed it.” Sunset used her right index finger to gently rub Ray under his chin. “So, thanks for being with me.”

The little lizard released a trill, sounding out his appreciation to her. Just then, Sunset’s phone vibrated, she reached for the device and saw that Pinkie had texted her. When she opened the text thread, she grew worried by the message.

[Uh, Sunset, don’t be alarmed…BUT LIMESTONE AND I ARE COMING AND SHE’S NOT LOOKING TOO HAPPY RIGHT NOW AND AS I’M WRITING THIS SHE’S LOOKING LIKE ME LIKE I’M A TRAITOR BUT SHE’S STILL DRIVING MAD! Oh, and…we should be at your place in ten seconds…heh, heh…]

“Uh…?”

A series of knocks came from her front door, forceful and angry. Sunset looked to Ray, both mirroring a hesitant look, with a sigh, Sunset got up from her bed and walked down the stairs and to her front door. Steeling herself, she opened the door and before she could utter a word, Limestone barged her way in, with Pinkie Pie waiting in the doorway.

“Uh…hi, Limestone?” Sunset greeted.

“Don’t ‘hi Limestone’ me! You got some explaining to do Shimmer!”

Sunset, Pinkie, and Ray, shared confused looks.

“Limey, I’m usually the one saying and doing random stuff, but this is random even for you,” said Pinkie.

“I’m with Pinks on this one,” said Sunset as she crossed her arms. “What exactly do I need to explain?”

Limestone glared at Sunset and stated, “The fact that I saw you cheating on Pinkie Pie last night with some skank!”

Pinkie’s eyes widened, and Sunset’s narrowed into a glare. The former unicorn took a few steps forward as she crossed her arms in front of her.

“Okay, I know you don’t like me, but don’t make up shit like that! I would never cheat on Pinkie!”

Limestone strode up to Sunset and stood in front of her, both tough girls stared each other down, daring the other to flinch first. Pinkie Pie was getting worried, she knew Sunset could handle herself in a fight, but she really didn’t want Lime to fight Sunset. Unfortunately, with the amount of tension in the air right now, it seemed that that might actually happen.

“I was out last night, yes, and Pinkie knows this, but it wasn’t to cheat on her. So, you better have some damn good proof to back up your shit, because, quite frankly, I’m tired of getting falsely accused!” Sunset spat.

At this, Limestone smirked. “Oh I got proof, Shimmer. I don’t go off spouting shit without somethin’ to back it up.” Limestone reached into her pocket and took out her cellphone. “I was at a rave last night, had a pretty good time, but while I was havin’ a drink, who should I spot but you and some – admittedly hot – looking nerd dancing together. Grinding on each other, and then having a make out session right there for all to see. Thankfully everybody was too busy with their own crap to pay much attention to you two. But, hey, don’t take my word for it, see for yourselves.”

Limestone swiped through a few files before pulling up the video file she needed. She handed the phone to Sunset and gave her a look that was daring her to delete it. Sunset wasn’t stupid, she was sure that Lime had a copy somewhere else on her phone, and deleting it would just prove that she was guilty. Not like Sunset cared, she was out fighting Blood Kings and a dragon, not something you forget doing. Without blinking, Sunset pressed the “play” icon. Pinkie Pie stood close to Sunset and watched the video play out.

The camera adjusted to the low light, but once it did, the screen clearly showed, among all the other teens, Sunset Shimmer, wearing an admittedly revealing outfit.

“W-W-What the hell?!” Sunset exclaimed.

But that wasn’t the only thing that shocked her, the girl whom she was dancing with was the spitting image of one Princess Twilight Sparkle, although this one had her hair in a ponytail and was wearing glasses, but there was no doubting that that was Twilight Sparkle.

Pinkie’s mouth hung open in shock as well, especially when they both witnessed how the two were dancing, grinding on each other, and holding each other. Then they watched as the two of them kissed and how Twilight pawed at Sunset’s body. The music was too loud to understand what they were saying, but it seemed bad as Twilight rushed out, leaving Sunset standing and stunned.

“I thought about getting up there and beating the shit out of you for that, but I thought it would be better to do this with Pinkie here. ‘Cause now she can see that you’re…uh…hey, you alright?”

Sunset looked pale, really pale, her legs were wobbly and the room felt like it was spinning. “P-Pinkie…catch me please.”

With that warning given, Pinkie hurriedly got behind Sunset just as she fell backwards, hooking her arms underneath her armpits. Ray looked upon his owner with worry as he placed his claw against Sunset’s cheek.

“Sunset! H-Hey, it’s alright, you’ll be alright!” Pinkie shot a piercing glare at Limestone that made her big sister flinch. “Help me get her to the couch, now!”

“Uh…y-yeah, sure,” said Limestone nervously.

Lime grabbed Sunset by the ankles and helped Pinkie lay her down on the couch.

“Get a cold dishrag and a glass of water, too!” Pinkie ordered.

“Y-Yeah!”

Limestone rushed into the kitchen and grabbed the requested items. When she came back, Pinkie took the dishrag and placed it on top of Sunset’s eyes, and placed the water on the table.

“W-What’s wrong with her?” Lime asked.

“I knew it…I knew there had to be another me here…but…but I never imagined…oh Faust…” Sunset mumbled.

Pinkie Pie took Sunset’s hand and gave it a light squeeze. “It’s okay, Sunny, it’ll be okay, just take some deep breaths a-and calm down.”

Limestone was starting to worry, she didn’t mean to make Sunset react like that, she just wanted her to tell the truth, not this. “H-Hey, Pinkie, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make her freak out like that…”

Pinkie Pie sighed. “Lime, I…I need you to go. I need to take care of Sunset right now. I’ll try and explain this to you later, but right now, you need to leave.”

Limestone hesitated, she really didn’t mean to do that to her. “I…I’m sorry.” Lime walked towards the door, she stopped for a moment to look at Sunset, who was still being looked over by Pinkie. “Sorry…”

Pinkie watched as Limestone closed the door and left. She then turned her attention back to Sunset, who was still having an existential crisis. “How are you feeling now?”

Ray had taken to perch himself on Sunset’s stomach, he watched with concern as his owner took up the rag from her face and placed it at her side.

“Not as bad as I was earlier…thanks, Pinkie,” said Sunset.

Pinkie Pie smiled at her girlfriend. “No problemo. But now what? That girl…it was you, or the human you.”

“And that girl was definitely this world’s Twilight Sparkle…shit…where has she been?! Where have both of them been?! Celestia told me that there was no trace of another me anywhere in town!”

Pinkie thought for a moment. “Maybe…Maybe she never lived in Canterlot City? She could be from another city, or another country!”

Sunset scooted up so that she was in a seated position. “That would make sense, if she was a continent away, there wouldn’t be any record of her being born here…but, another Twilight…” Sunset rubbed her chin as she thought. “Pinkie, do me a favor, go up to my bed and open the drawer under Ray’s terrarium and bring me the journal.”

Pinkie stood up and gave a salute as she rushed up the stairs, found the journal, and brought it back to Sunset. Ray crawled up Sunset’s arm and found his perch on her shoulder as she laid it on her lap. Pinkie took out a pen from her massive curly hair and gave it to Sunset.

Sunset opened to a blank page and began writing her message.

Dear Princess Twilight,

I…I know this is a strange question to ask, but you mentioned to me once that you have an older brother. Can you tell me his name?

Please write back as soon as you can.

Pinkie, Sunset, and Ray waited for a couple of minutes, but their patience was rewarded when the page began to glow and letters began to form.

Oh, I’m sorry I never told you! His name is Shining Armor. Although, sometimes I call him Shiny and he calls me Twily, sort of a thing in our family.

Sunset and Pinkie both had shocked expressions, Shining Armor, as in Detective Shining Armor. Sunset remembered when he mentioned to her that he had a little sister, and the pajamas that she borrowed that time were the same as what Princess Twilight wore during their sleepover.

Sunset, is there something wrong? Why did you need to know my brother’s name?

Sunset glanced at Pinkie and showed a devious smirk. Pinkie Pie returned the smirk and nodded.

Oh no reason, I was thinking of expanding into a herd and wanted to know how good Shining was before I tried to seduce him~

It took all of five seconds for a reply to come.

W-W-WHAT?! I…I…S-Sunset I know he’s not MY Shining Armor, but I-I don’t know if you’d be a good match for him…

Oh, Twilight, that’s not fair, I’m sure I can persuade him with my feminine wiles, if you catch my drift.

……You’re teasing me, aren’t you?

Boo, you’re no fun.

Ha, ha. But, seriously, why did you need to know?

Something came up and I’m trying to figure out what to do. I’ll tell you later once I get more information.

Okay…well…I’ll keep the journal close just in case.

Thanks, Twilight.

Sunset closed the journal and glanced at Pinkie. “Well, now I know what I need to do.”

“What?”

“I’m going to make a call.”

Sombra found himself walking through a village, it looked like one of those villages from a long forgotten fairytale, with armored sentries walking through the streets, and a main road that led to the imposing castle in the distance.

Sombra walked down the street, seeing the various people going about their business, hocking their wares, and some of the children were running around, giggling and laughing. However, Sombra’s attention was drawn to one young man, he wore attire that reminded him of a friar. Beige colored robes, tied by plain ropes around his waist, bowl cut blue-green hair, and aquamarine colored eyes. He looked to be about in his early twenties, at least that what Sombra determined.

For some reason, he felt compelled to follow this young man, and so he did. Sombra followed him along the long road to the castle keep. A pair of guards eyed the friar looking young man, but then stepped aside and let him pass.

Inside the castle walls was a different story compared to out. There was a small city, unlike outside, where the houses were made of cobblestone, mortar, wood, and straw, these houses were made of ivory colored stone and thick wooden roofs.

Haves and have-nots, thought Sombra.

At this point, Sombra wasn’t sure if he was dreaming or having a vision. No one acknowledged his presence, but he seemed to be able to touch the objects around him.

As they continued to walk, the young man stopped. His gaze seemed to linger on someone, Sombra followed his gaze and smirked when he saw what the young man was looking at. It was a woman, she seemed around the young man’s age. She wore a purple dress, a symbol of royalty, with a long purple cape with white fur fringing. Her skin was porcelain white, completely flawless. Her hair was a shimmering platinum color, and her eyes were like a pair of sparkling sapphires. All in all, Sombra had to admit, she was quite the looker, he couldn’t blame the young man for stopping to admire her.

The young man was then slapped upside the head, making him fall forward and nearly face plant onto the stone walkway. Sombra narrowed his gaze at a guard in silver armor, a cocky smirk was plastered on his lips. He had seen guys like this, musclebround dumbasses who were all brawn and brains, thought themselves big shots because they could down someone in one punch.

Sombra was no stranger to guys like this as a kid and when he was a teenager, but those guys learned quickly what happened when you underestimated a scrawny kid with more smarts.

“Oh, Stinky, you admiring the view are ya?”

The young man slowly got to one knee and cast an annoyed glare at the knight. “You know my name is Stygian, Gallant, although I can say that you’re not really living up to the name of which you were given.”

Gallant picked up Stygian by the collar of his robe, getting in his face. “You had better watch your tongue you little urchin! Just because you’re in the good graces of Master Star Swirl–!”

“More than his good graces, he is the young apprentice of Master Star Swirl.”

Stygian, Gallant, and Sombra turned to see the princess looking young woman appear, flagged by some of her handmaidens and a pair of royal guards. She had a cross look on her face as she stared directly at Gallant.

“Y-You’re Highness, Princess Platinum…I-I was just…”

“You were just gently releasing young Master Stygian, correct.” Princess Platinum’s tone was less questioning and more ordering.

Gallant did just that, carefully letting Stygian down until his feet touched the ground. Sombra crossed his arms and smirked as he looked upon the princess. “I like this chick, reminds me a lot of you, Hope.”

“Master Star Swirl does not take many apprentices, his last protégé, Clover the Clever, has already set out on his journey and has become quite the notable mage. So it stands to reason that anyone chosen by Master Star Swirl is warranted some respect, correct?” Princess Platinum asked.

“O-O-Of course,” he answered.

“Good, then you’ll understand why you’re going to be on the sundown to sunup shift starting today, on the castle wall.”

Gallant looked at Princess Platinum with incredulous eyes. “B-But your Highness, that’s a job for trainees, not a decorated knight!”

The royal guard to Platinum’s right glared dangerously at Gallant as he stepped forward. “Are you disobeying a direct order from the Princess?”

Gallant flinched under his gaze. “N-No I wasn’t I was just merely–”

“You were just going to bow your head and report to your post, isn’t that right?” the second royal guard finished for him.

Gallant could see that he was not going to get any support. In the end, he bowed to the Princess and took his leave, but not before giving a death glare to Stygian.

Princess Platinum turned to the guard on her right and said, “Make sure the Captain is aware of his assignment, and make sure that if he is not there for said assignment, then a worse punishment will await him.”

The grinned. “Happily, Princess.”

Once the royal guard was off, Princess Platinum turned her attention back to Stygian. “Are you uninjured, young Master Stygian?”

“I am, thank you, Princess,” said Stygian as he bowed to her.

Platinum rolled her eyes. “We can forgo formalities, Stygian, we’re friends aren’t we not?”

Stygian blushed as he rubbed the back of his head. “Well, um, yes Platinum, we have been since my apprenticeship. But, in all honesty, you probably shouldn’t do things like that too often. People may suspect that you favor me.”

Platinum placed her hands on her hips and gave a haughty “humph” as she said, “I am a Princess, I’ll show favoritism to anyone I choose. Especially cheeky little boys who didn’t know I was the princess and rough housed with me.”

Some of the handmaidens and one royal guard looked dubiously at Stygian.

Sombra chuckled as he shoulder tapped the young man playfully, only for his shoulder to pass through Stygian.

“W-Well, it didn’t help that you…ahem…dressed as a boy back then!” Stygian countered.

Platinum had a playful smirk on her face as she approached him. “Oh, yes, I do remember that. I also remember how you found out I was a girl, if I remember correctly…” Platinum leaned in close and whispered, “It was when your hands landed upon my budding royal bosom. Perhaps we should roughhouse again sometime in the future?”

Stygian turned bright red and Sombra was laughing, holding his sides as he watched and listened to this whole thing. “Kid, you know how to work! Hahahah! Oh man, you need to put a ring on this girl and quick!”

Stygian stammered and spluttered as he tried to come up with the exact words to reply to Princess Platinum, but that wasn’t happening any time soon. The young Princess pulled back and giggled impishly. “That really is a good color on you, Stygian. Do not be a stranger, though, I would like to hear how your lessons with Master Star Swirl are going.”

Stygian finally snapped back to his senses and managed to say, “Oh, yes, I-I can – I will – yes!”

Platinum clapped her hands together. “Wonderful! Just speak to one of the royal guards or flag down one of my handmaidens to relay the message to me.”

“U-Understood,” said Stygian.

With that exchange, Princess Platinum and her entourage left to go on about their day, leaving Stygian behind to wave his goodbye and continue to admire Princess Platinum’s retreating image.

“I see our young princess fancies you.”

Stygian jumped turned on his heel. Standing behind him was a tall, lanky old man. He wore blue robes, a cape that had stitched star patterns on it, a wizard’s hat, and bells that were sewn onto the hat and cape. He was light gray skin tone, with a long white beard and intense sky-blue eyes.

Sombra looked upon the man and asked, “Who’s this Gandalf-Dumbledore knockoff?”

“M-Master Star Swirl, I-I’m terribly sorry if I’m late – oh what am I saying, I probably am! My apologies,” said Stygian as he bowed before his teacher.

Star Swirl stroked his beard. “No need, I saw what happened. I must say, you exercised good restraint. I know I taught you a number of spells that would’ve rendered that of a weeping mess. Or at the very most broken a bone or two.”

Stygian cleared his throat. “As you’ve instructed me, Master, magic is not be used for petty vengeance, but only in the defense of one’s self when their life is in danger, or that of another’s life.”

Star Swirl nodded. “Very good. I know some in the court are not happy about my choosing you among some other ‘gifted’ young mages of the noble houses. But my choice is not made by who’s coffers are bigger, but by talent and potential.” Star Swirl leaned down and said, “And I see great potential in you, young Stygian.”

Sombra had to admit, he liked this Star Swirl guy. “Wish someone like this was around when I was in that orphanage.”

“Now come, let us go, we have much to learn.”

“Yes, Master!”

Sombra watched as Stygian and Star Swirl walked away, but then Sombra’s eyes caught sight of Stygian’s shadow. It seemed to wiggle, growing tentacles and then retracting them, along with multiple pairs of red eyes that would open and close at different intervals.

<^> Yes…potential…so much potential…Soon, Stygian…Soon… <^>

Sombra watched as Stygian glanced over his shoulder, looking back and forth for someone or something. The older man narrowed his gaze as he slowly started to walk towards Stygian.

“Wait, you heard it too?! You heard the Darkness?!”

The moment he uttered those words, the world around him started to get swallowed by the shadows, Stygian, somehow, seemed to be aware of what was going on, but didn’t flinch.

Stygian looked directly at Sombra and said, “Find me again, Sombra…”

“WAIT!” Sombra pleaded as he reached out toward Stygian.

But he would never reach him, as the world around him, and Stygian himself, were completely engulfed by the shadows…

Sombra awoke with a start, he looked to his right and saw his former girlfriend, Radiant Hope sleeping next to him. She was bare before him, sleeping soundly. Her hair cascaded down her back, a milky-blue color, like moonlight. Her flawless burgundy skin captivated him. Everything from the impressive swell of her mounds to the curves of her hips, she was perfect Well…not everything.

When Hope opened her eyes, instead of the bright aquamarine color that he remembered them to be, they were yellow, and shimmered in the dark room.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

Sombra ran his hand through his jet black hair and said, “Bad dreams.”

“Are you feeling stressed?” Hope took her left arm and ran her hand up and down Sombra’s muscular left arm. “Tell me about it?”

“Cut the crap, you’re not really her,” Sombra spat.

Despite the harsh tone, Hope didn’t recoil or get angry. “I am her, so long you believe me to be. Although…” Not-Hope stopped stroking his arm and sat up. “I have to ask, why don’t you change the color of my eyes?”

“To keep me from believing that you’re really her,” said Sombra.

“I see…”

Sombra and Hope turned their heads when they heard the knock at the door.

“Guess our time is up,” said Hope.

“Guess it is.” Sombra got out of bed and put on a pair of boxers. He took one last look at Radiant Hope and waved his hand.

Hope’s body changed to a dark version of herself, and then faded into nothingness.

It was the unfortunate setback of playing host to the Darkness. It granted you unprecedented power, and made you practically immortal. The only catch was that having sex with any woman would end up with you dying. Well, not so much sex in general. The Darkness was passed on from father to son, that’s how it continued to exist in the world. When the host bedded a woman and his seed took to her, that is the moment when the Darkness slips from the father and enters the unborn child. This process always ends with the previous host dying soon after, which is why previous wielders of the Darkness create constructs to, ahem, take care of business, until they find an adequate wife to produce a heir.

Sombra was no different, he could recreate any girl he saw on the street, even some from a few porno mags and movies. But…his heart still belonged to Radiant Hope, part of him hated himself for creating her with the power of the Darkness, but the nights he could spend with her, even as a construct, soothed him. Although he never changed the eye color, it was a way to remind himself that this wasn’t the real her. It may talk like her, sound like her, and yes, think like her, but it wasn’t her. And it never will be.

Sombra walked to the bedroom door and opened it. The blackout curtains kept a good amount of light from entering the room, but he still turned on a lamp or two as he made his way to his front door. He peeked through the peephole and then opened it.

“What’s goin’ on Blood?” Sombra asked.

“We were raided by Witchblade,” said Young Blood.

Sombra raised an eyebrow and let the young gang leader enter. Young Blood took a seat at the small dining table as he wrung his hands.

“Cliff took three vials of Tar last night so he could fight Witchblade.”

“Goddammit, I told you guys no more than two of that shit or you’ll go berserk!” Sombra growled.

“I know! But she torched the supply we were going to hand out to the recruits, and plus, it’s Witchblade! The one that saved this city from those demons! If Cliff hadn’t done that, we’d be dead or in handcuffs!” Young Blood slammed his fist on the table. “And now he’s dead. Sombra, the others are starting to ask me why you haven’t gotten into the fight, and I’m starting to wonder myself.”

Sombra took a seat across from Young Blood as he fixed him with a neutral expression. “For the same reason the Angelus hasn’t shown its face. We both know at what times we’re stronger, me at night and her in the day. I can’t use my powers except in a dark place, and she gets weaker in the dark. It’ll take something major to make her leave her ivory tower, the same for me to leave my dark hole.”

Young Blood couldn’t argue that logic, neither side had a clear advantage, one was stronger in the day while the other was stronger at night. If either one was caught out during the time that was disadvantageous to the other, it would be game over.

“What are we going to do about Witchblade? She hasn’t made a move against us in over two weeks, if she’s working with the Angelus and those Sentinels…it won’t matter if it’s day or night, she’ll tear into us!”

Sombra thought about that for a moment. Witchblade was a problem, he had hoped that she might not show allegiance to Angelus since the weapon itself didn’t seem to like either of its parents, but if the host was persuaded then that was a different story.

<^> There might be a way to drag my petulant Son into our grasp. <^>

What do you suggest?

Young Blood looked at Sombra his face would morph from one expression to the other, and give a nod every so often, as if he were having a conversation in his head. Finally, Sombra closed his eyes and then looked at Young Blood.

“I think I have a way to solve our Witchblade problem, but it’s a real gamble.”

Next Chapter: Drawing Battle Lines Part 4 Estimated time remaining: 9 Hours, 24 Minutes