Part 1: http://pastebin.com/85FQLGjy
 
>Be Sunset Shimmer.
>Also be barely alive, because Starlight has completely lost her fucking mind.
>So much for trying to resolve things without resorting to violence.
>Instead, you focus on the current situation.
>Whatever the hell she did to you, you can’t feel Twilight.
>Worse, the damage done has left your current body barely functional.
>You roll yourself over and crawl across the floor towards the collapsed form of Twilight, with only your right leg still attached.
>The version of her that goes by T-4 is kneeling over her, pulling another syringe of what you assume to be cure-all from her labcoat and administering it to Twilight.
>Starlight’s last two shots nearly burned the younger Twilight’s leg off, the beams rendering the limb a mess of burnt flesh.
>It's is only slowly healing as well, despite a shot of cure-all, if the discarded syringe by her side is any indicator.
>Pulling your gaze from her, you crawl forward with all your might, oil trailing from your body’s ruined chest, and reach out to Twilight.
“T-Twi...”
>Your own voice is garbled, stuttering, and heavy with static, but as you touch her, you can just barely feel a pulse with what limited sensors your android body has.
>”S-Sunset.”
>You look over, seeing the high councilor Twilight pull the syringe away from Twilight's arm.
>Her voice shakes from working through the pain, but her eyes are determined and focused on you.
>”We c-can’t lose her.”
>For a moment you think she’s talking about Twilight.
>"W-W-What?"
>She points past you, and as you follow, you see a discarded orange and white portal gun.
>You can only assume Starlight dropped it during the fighting.
>Meaning, hopefully, she was trapped in whatever universe she jumped into.
>You crawl your way over to it as T-4 goes back to patching up Twi and herself.
 
 
>Once the universe-crossing pistol is in your hand, you flick through the settings, seeing the battery is at about half.
>As you watch, however, you realize that it's climbing, albeit slowly.
>The next thing you see is the location, which is written in the apparently more often used U-number classification, instead of the type followed by the number you and Twi had initially been exposed to.
>U-36
>Starlight ported home.
>Your lips twitch into what approximates for a grimace in this body.
>Maybe it actually is; your active camouflage keeps flickering in-and-out.
>Slowly, you turn yourself around, showing the number to the high councilor Twilight.
"L-L-Looooooooo-ok."
>By Celestia, that was getting annoying.
>T-4 glances up from Twilight to look at the device, her eyes slowly widening.
>"Do either of you keep portal guns in your home universe?"
>You pause.
>"N-Not thaaaaaa-t I kn-know of. We-We've been gone a year-year-year."
>Reaching up, you slap your android body's face, going by the old standby of hitting something to fix it.
>The high councilor Twilight winces slightly, looks between you and Twilight for a moment, then reaches for the ear bud still attached to her collar.
>"Suns, Status."
>After a brief moment a voice, presumably one of the Sunsets, replies.
>"MUPPET forces routed and USSR forces either killed by us or took their own lives when S-745 showed up. We've got a lot of wounded, but casualties are minimal. Anons, mostly."
>T-4 frowns, but seems to steel herself before responding.
>"Get a medical team and an android repair technician down to android storage, but prioritize any critical injuries first. I also need T-745, and S-745 if you can communicate with her."
>There's a pause on the other earbud, before a growling voice speaks up.
>"I'm fully capable of speaking. We'll be there in a moment."
>Twi's counterpart only rolls her eyes and goes back to fretting over Twi herself.
>Your grip on the portal gun tightens, just a bit.
 
 
"I-I'm g-going after her."
>Confirming the coordinates, you fire a portal beside you, prompting T-4's head to whip up in surprise.
>"Sunset, you're barely held together!"
>You toss the portal gun to her, watching her fumble with it a moment before shifting yourself a bit closer to the portal's edge.
"There's no no time. If she e-escapes, we'll never find her-er-er again."
>Like Twilight, you had hoped that Starlight would have been different.
>You could see it in her mind, felt it bounce off of and match your own feelings.
>Pain, fear, betrayal, surprise, anger...
>The last one, you will admit, was more your own than hers.
>Still, finally finding her, seeing and experiencing what she had become, fighting her...
>You force yourself up into a sitting position.
>If she broke into Twilight's lab, or had a backup portal gun, or any other number of possible escape routes, then you would almost assuredly be unable to find her again.
>100 universe jumps.
>Over 300 universes attacked.
>Countless versions of Twilight, of yourself, of Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity hurt, or killed.
>Flash, Principal Celestia, Princess Celestia-
>You steel yourself and turn to your friend's high council counterpart.
"I-I'm ending this."
>She grimaces, but, after a moment, nods.
>You return it in kind, before glancing at Twi, then back to her.
"D-Don't let her die."
>"She won't. D-Don't die yourself before we can help."
>You give her a small grin, and then throw yourself through the portal.
>Porting wasn't something you and Twilight did often; your tracking Starlight across the multiverse required an approach that 5D space just made easier.
>As such, you're completely unprepared for what you experience, being confined to a body without Twilight's open mind and body to shield yourself within.
>Normally, a portal would be near-instantaneous; a thousand different glimpses of the multiverse all at once, like what happens when a MAGI field pops, except not lethal.
 
 
>It was a bit disorienting, sure, but it was near-instant and safe.
>Starlight's portal gun is nothing like that.
>It was a bit slower for one; each glimpse into a universe lasting about a second, instead of a nanosecond.
>The other thing you notice is what your limited sense of touch feels; a crawling, stinging feeling over every crevice, surface, and remaining part of your body.
>It is by no means a pleasant experience.
>Thankfully, it's over before the sensations overtake you completely, dumping you out onto rough pavement and a stormy sky of grey.
>Something tells you that then, not having flesh was for the best.
>A ragged gasp somewhere off to your right draws you back to the present.
>Forcing yourself up, you barely make out the teal and baby blue of Starlight's clothing as she stumbles around a corner.
>Standing is an effort, one that only rolling to an alley wall achieves.
>Somehow, you make it around the corner with a quick hobble, throwing yourself against the walls to stay upright when you're about to lose your balance.
>Starlight has stopped halfway down the next alley, huffing and puffing as she grips her side with the one arm she has left, the blood staining along it becoming thin and distorted by the rain.
>You manage a few more steps, and then in desperation, hurl your body at her.
>The two of you collapse to the pavement in a heap of distorted metal and wounds, your arms gripping tightly to her dress.
>She delivers a savage punch to your jaw, denting the metal inwards and disrupting your active camouflage.
>You return it with a right hook of your own, getting a loosened tooth to the face for your troubles.
>Her next blow is aimed low and fast, catching you off-guard as her hands jams itself into your blown-open chest and twists something within.
>Instantly your vision becomes a distorted haze and your left arm refuses to respond, rainwater and damage taking their toll.
>Starlight shoves you off.
 
 
>Stumbling to her feet, she pulls her revolver from her skirt.
>Before you can move to defend yourself, she stomps hard on your usable hand, shattering the servos within.
>You force your leg beneath your body, trying to stand.
>She levels the revolver at you, hatred evident in her seething face.
>A sharp click rings out, the weapon's ammo spent.
>"..."
>Rage morphs into irritation, before she delivers a swift kick to your stomach, knocking you flat on your back
>Again.
"N-No..."
>The static around the edge of your vision is getting worse.
>In response, she comes closer, raising her foot to stamp on your head, before a ragged cough forces her to lower the foot and cover her mouth.
>Even in your sorry state, you can still see the blood washing away between her fingers in the rain.
>Cursing, hacking up droplets of quickly-dispelling blood in her wake, Starlight tosses her revolver aside and stumbles out of your field of view.
>Your mind screams to act, but the body you're confined to can't respond.
>The very real possibility that you might die, again, begins to creep up on you.
>Two of the fingers on your damaged hand clench.
"T-Twi..."
>Above, the storm rages in a sunless sky.
>You're about to try and force yourself up again, when another, distinct set of footsteps reach your fading sense of hearing.
>"Sunset?"
>You swear you recognize that voice, but everything is awash with static.
>A loch of bright, curled hair resolves for a moment, before your vision sputters and dissolves to black.
>Again, you try to fight the android body you're trapped in.
>Stop Starlight.
>You have to-
>A warm feeling moves across your back and legs, and then there's a sensation of floating.
>Your vision's gone, and you can barely even hear the rain now, but you can feel someone holding you.
>Trying to speak is a wasted effort, since you can only hear gurgling static when you try to.
>Until whoever was moving you decided to repair your senses, you were stuck in this body.
 
 
>At least you weren't dead...
>There's a distant-far off slam, like that of a door, and you're acutely aware of a shift in your balance.
>This was going to take a while.
 
 
>Be Twilight Sparkle.
>Specifically, be the Twilight Sparkle of universe designation Star-36.
>Fuck.
>Everything hurts.
>You're currently laid out in a hospital bed, feeling like you got the shit beat out of you.
>Which you did, if you recall correctly.
>To the point your ex-girlfriend ripped your not-girlfriend out of you body, probably just to add insult to injury.
>You hope Sunset isn't dead set on trying to be nice, because now the next time you see Starlight you're blowing her head off.
>Slowly, you open your eyes, trying to take in your surroundings with as little headache as possible.
>You're in a hospital again, possibly the same one, which means that at the very least Sunset or T-4 were able to get you help.
>Over the steady beeping of the heart rate monitor, you hear a gentle snoring, which draws your attention from the plain, sterile walls, down to your bedside.
>A jacket-wearing Sunset is slumped back in a cushioned chair, arm curled around a labcoat-wearing Twilight.
>It takes you a minute, mostly because it had been so long since you'd seen her in anything other than combat armor, but you slowly realize it's Slaughter and Sparkle curled together.
>How long had they been at your bedside to warrant falling asleep?
>You take a moment to look them over.
>Sparkle's got a number of minor cuts and bandages over what parts of her body you can actually see, and at least one finger is in a cast.
>Honestly, you're more surprised that Slaughter looks human again, nevermind that she doesn't have a scratch on her.
>Well, the arm she lost during the fighting is now brass, which at the very least doesn't look molten.
>You furrow your brow, wondering what all had changed now that Slaughter had achieved... whatever Sparkle had called it.
>Apotheosis.
>You think.
>Thinking hurts.
 
>Instead, you focus on taking stock of your current condition.
>You're down three limbs, bandaged like a mummy, and on a slow drip of... something; not cure-all.
>Trying to even so much as prop yourself up is an effort that leaves you panting and exhausted, your breath coming out in ragged gasps.
"F-Fuck..."
>At your curse, you see Slaughter's teal eyes flutter open out of the corner of your vision.
>"Mmngh... Star?"
"Y-Yeah."
>You grit your teeth, trying to sit up properly, but a hand stops you.
>"Don't strain yourself. Medicae's orders."
>Grunting, you abandon the effort and watch as Slaughter shakes her sleeping girlfriend lightly.
>"Hey, babe, wake up. Star's awake."
>Sparkle lets out a tired yawn, stretching out a bit, before she looks over at you sleepily.
>"Hey..."
"H-Hey."
>The two halves of a SunLight disentangle themselves, smoothing out their clothes and looking presentable in short order.
>Probably a holdover from their own universe-
>You wince, feeling another headache coming on.
>Focus on the now.
"W-What.... ngh. What happened?"
>Slaughter lets out a breath as your commissar counterpart goes to a lukewarm pot of coffee set against a counter on the opposite side of the room.
>"Do you want the good news first, or the bad news?"
"Bad."
>"Sunny chased after your Starlight."
>Your heart skips a beat, blood turning to ice in your veins.
>Seeing your shocked expression, Slaughter continues with some level of speed.
>"She's still alive. Apparently your Starlight portaled back to your home universe. T-4 has been keeping an eye on her remotely, but there's a lot of interference."
>You reach forward to grip Slaughter by the collar, but you can barely manage to grip her jacket sleeve.
"What do you mean interference?"
>"They've locked down Star-36."
>You glance up at T-745's answer, finding her holding a mug of coffee out to you.
>You're already trying to get up again as Slaughter leans back in her chair with her own mug.
>"Really?"
 
>Ignoring her, you grab the tightly tucked sheets and haul yourself into a sitting position, brow beading with sweat.
>"Star, c'mon. You're in no condition to fight."
>As you try to worm your way out of the sheets practically pinning you into mattress, Sparkle grabs your chart from the end of the bed and tosses the clipboard onto your lap.
"..."
>You restrain yourself to keep from snatching the mug out of her hand, taking a long drink.
>After draining about half of the contents, you glance at the fallen clipboard.
>Nerve damage, plasma burns, shrapnel...
>You're mostly able to pick through the medical jargon and information from numerous times in the hospital.
>Starlight's weapon had fucked up your nervous system and fried your cybernetics, as well as a minor change in brain chemistry, which you assume is from losing Sunset.
>The multitude of other wounds had piled up, and most of it was fixed with some cure-all, but you were being kept under observation...
>Probably lucky to be alive.
>Fuck.
>Not laid out for months and in need of several surgeries to KEEP you alive, at least.
>You let your body collapse back against the pillows, draining the rest of your mug in three long gulps.
>When you move to set your mug on one of the beside’s tables, your hand shakes, just a bit.
"How long?"
>The two War counterparts share a glance, before Sparkle speaks up.
>"They don't know. There were a lot of wounded from the Gala. Not a lot of casualties, but some serious injuries. The homeworld is on lockdown, and T-4 got Star-36 closed off to keep your Starlight trapped there until the Society can determine the course of action. Beyond that, we don't know; she hasn't talked to us in hours."
>You sigh, putting your hand over your face.
"Fuck..."
>If getting out of bed was nearly impossible, going after Starlight wasn't even a question, let alone getting back Sunset.
>Not even five minutes of being awake, and not sensing her is making you feel... hollow.
 
>You were so damn close.
>Revenge, or reconciliation, or... or SOMETHING.
>Even if things couldn't ever go back to the way they were, you would've gotten some form of closure.
>Fuck
>FUCK
"..."
>Your hand slide down your face, and you can already feel the wetness of fresh tears forming in your eyes as you look at Slaughter and Sparkle.
>The Sunset you'd spent the last few days with looks as irritated as you do, staring into her mug of coffee and subtly gritting her teeth, refusing to look at anything but the dark liquid.
>Sparkle's drumming her fingers along the jacketed shoulders of her lover, her eyes darting between the two of you and her own drink.
>You let out a small sigh.
"So what's the plan?"
>They both share another glance, more a flick of the eyes really, before Slaughter speaks up.
>"We were hoping you would have one, Star. We've been sitting here waiting for you to wake up because T-4 won't pick up, and the entire Society either can't decide on what to do or are still dealing with all of the information on Starlight that's been brought up to the councils. It's a bureaucratic nightmare worse than the Ministorum back home..."
>You let another sigh pass through your lips.
"...We need to get in contact with Sunset. Make sure she's alright. Actually alright."
>"Tried."
>Slaughter takes a sip of her coffee before continuing.
>"We can't get through the lockdown. T-4 barely can. Unless you have a massive communications array floating around in 5D space you haven't brought up until now, that's impossible."
>A ringtone pulls your conversation to a halt, all three of you looking to the source.
>The doctors must have forgotten to move your clothes out of the way, because your gala dress is sitting in a pile alongside several other items on a nearby chair, opposite Slaughter's own.
>Wait, you didn't bring your phone with you to the Gala...
"Where'd that come from?"
>Sparkle walks over to the pile, digging out your old purple phone and handing it over.
 
>"We went back and checked your ship for anything to try and get in contact with Sunny. We... didn't know your password, so we brought it here."
>You nod, looking over the old beat-up thing from your college days and punching in the password, before checking the caller ID.
>You instantly hit the button, bringing the phone to your ear.
>"Twilight? This is still your number, correct? I was unaware if you had changed since high school."
>Never had you been happier to hear that fast-paced, blunt voice.
"Sugarcoat... Yeah, yeah, it's me."
>"That is... That's good."
>Your old high school sorta-friend takes a breath on the other end of the line.
>"My apologies if now is a bad time, but given the circumstances I felt it was prudent to attempt to contact you. None of us had been able to in some time, but Indigo suggested-"
>You decide to interrupt her, cutting through Sugarcoat's wordy manner of speaking.
"What do you need? ...And how are you calling me?"
>You were at least five universes over, and that's if you remember your old math correctly. You shouldn't have gotten so much as cell service from your home universe...
>"What do you  mean? Are you not on Earth? Sunny stated they had fixed the communications arrays on Mars a month ago..."
"...Sugarcoat, I'm not even in the same universe."
>There's a pause on the other end of the line, just for a moment, before the blunt blue girl speaks up again.
>"...Could you repeat that?"
>Before you can, you hear Slaughter speak up.
>"...Huh. Y'know I'd heard of a Twilight setting up some sort of communications satellite for vox networks, but I didn't think any of that was true..."
>You glance over at her, earning a shrug, before you bring your attention back to Sugarcoat.
"Nevermind. The point is I'm not there. What do you need?"
>"...Very well. One of my coworkers wished to get in contact with you. Apparently she-"
Sugarcoat pauses again, before speaking in a lower, hushed tone.
>"She stated she spoke to Sunset Shimmer."
 
>A bit of relief floods into your aching body, but is just as quickly drowned under a sea of questions and concerns.
>"I had thought you had stated she was with you in a more unconventional sense given your mutual connection to the magical phenomena you both are exposed to, but from what I understand it was not in a science-fiction-like spiritual sense."
>You swallow, trying to chuckle.
"Y-Yeah. I... I managed to save her after Starlight went crazy. I'm sorry I've kept you and the girls from Crystal Prep out of the loop. That was... how many months now?"
>"Over a year."
>Sugarcoat's tone doesn't waver from that usual blunt tone of voice, or have a hint of malice laced in her words.
>"Regardless, I assume she is no longer with you at the moment. I assume that you both wish to speak as quickly as possible?"
"I- ... Yeah, that'd be great. Do you have a number?"
>Your old high school friend repeats it back to you, which you write down on a corner of your chart with shaking fingers, your phone wedged between your shoulder and neck.
"T-Thanks."
>"Certainly, Twilight..."
>Sugarcoat's words drift off, as if she's about to say more, eventually picking up her sentence again.
>"...Did you find Starlight?"
>You take a breath, letting the air out of your lungs in a sigh.
"Yeah. She... she's there, Sugarcoat. I don't know where, but she's with you guys... and she's-"
>The memory of that angry, tear-streaked face as she screamed at you at the gala comes rushing to the forefront of your mind.
"...She's unstable. I-I want to say she's lost her mind, but... there's just..."
>You stumble over your words for a moment.
"...She's dangerous, but something's wrong. She wasn't like she was when things went to hell..."
>"...I see. I don't fully understand what you mean, but if I encounter her, I'll remain cautious. Should I alert the others? Rarity, Indigo... Anon?"
>A weight forms in the pit of your gut, but you swallow back your anxiety for a moment.
"Y...Yeah."
>"Very well."
 
>You take a deep breath, letting it out slowly.
"Thank you."
>"Likewise. If there is anything I can do to help, I will do what I can."
"R-Right."
>Another pause.
>"...I have to get back to work. I've got orders to fill. As I stated; call me if you need assistance."
"Alright. Goodbye, Sugarcoat."
>"Goodbye Twilight."
>You let the phone drop onto the sheets, rubbing the bridge of your nose with your fingers.
>"Got a lead?"
>You glance up at Slaughter, seeing Sparkle already making a fresh pot of coffee; it's not Space Starbucks, but it'll do.
"Maybe. If we've got cell service, I can contact my friends... and hopefully Sunset."
>The woman that shares your friend's face nods, popping her neck and standing up with a stretch.
>"Well, looks like we've both got calls to make, if the vox network's actually up. Must've been a recent thing... Iunno about you, Star, but I owe that Twilight a space beer if I ever meet her..."
>She sets her empty coffee mug on your bedside.
>"I'll be back. Gonna round up the girls, just in case. I trust the councilor, but I trust my own soldiers more."
"A-Alright."
>"Don't die, dear."
>"No offense, babe, I don't think I can at this point..."
>Slaughter gives you a wink, and you swear you can see a flash of that daemonic visage she gained at the gala, before she's out the door and you can hear her fading footsteps down the hall.
>You let your head hit the pillow, letting out a breath.
>"I assume that you're going to need my assistance?"
>You turn your head to the side, just slightly, to find Sparkle offering you a fresh mug of coffee, which you take with a nod.
"Paper and coffee, mostly. Unless you happened to bring a replacement set of limbs from my ship too."
>Your commissar counterpart frowns.
>"I wouldn't let you even if I did. You need to rest, Star. I understand your fear, but if you keep doing this you'll kill yourself before we finish this."
>A frown forms on your lips, but you don't have the energy to argue.
 
>Sparkle sighs, before setting her own fresh mug at your bedside.
>"I'll be back momentarily."
>You just take another long gulp of your coffee, hoping Sunset's okay...
 
>Be Sunset Shimmer.
>You still can't tell who found you, or where you are.
>Over the past hour or so you've only been aware of the far-off sounds of the rain and traffic, doors opening and closing, and the occasional sense of movement.
>You’ve thus-far gone over the events of the past... you think it’s been about 24 hours, but with all of the universe jumping and the fact that you’re pretty sure you don’t qualify as ‘alive’ by this point, so you’re not sure.
>What you are sure of is a rough plan, most of which involves making a lot of calls and getting the help of your friends to figure out where the hell Starlight ran off to.
>Assuming whoever is carrying you is intending to help you.
>From what little you could understand before your vision cut out and your hearing deadened, you THINK they want to help.
>Hopefully.
>They at least knew who you were, so that was a plus.
>You didn't really have many enemies that you left behind.
>You become vaguely aware that the rain has stopped when yet another door closes, or maybe your hearing finally got worse enough to where you can't detect it.
>Honestly you wouldn't be surprised by this point; you were practically falling apart when you chased after Starlight.
>Even with Canterlot High some years behind you, your streak of brash actions and on-the-spot planning still leaves a lot to be desired.
>Then again, things usually worked out then, so you can only hope it does now...
>You can’t really feel much anymore, as even your sense of touch feels deadened, but the place you’re now in feels... warm.
>Cozy warm.
>Almost like-
>The sound of distant, far-off voices focuses your attention.
>"... -Returned-... Droid-"
>Your hearing has definitely gone, as you can barely detect the individual words, let alone the speaker.
 
>”...Very well...”
>The warm touch leaves your body, quickly replaced by frigid cold and the close-by grind of metal-on-metal.
>You officially have no idea who the hell is trying to save your life, because most of the ideas you had just got tossed out the proverbial airlock.
>Had things changed so much in a year?
>You're moving again, more opening and closing doors, and the faint shuffle of feet and the occasional clack of... some kind  of foot; not quite heels, not quite hooves.
>Before you can run through the list of ideas on who could be helping you now that you have a bit more information, you feel a warm touch on the back of your neck-
>Light.
>Light and warmth and knowledge and vision springs back into being in an instant, leaving you nauseous despite your lack of any flesh and blood.
>"There. Not the most ideal setup, but at the very least you will be able to converse with her.”
>"Thank you, Countess."
>You focus on the voices, now clear and distinct.
>The former older, well-mannered, but carrying the weight of experience that only a long life or experience hopping between multiverses could bring.
>The latter...
>Your mind eventually picks up on what it's seeing, and a shuddering gasp leaves your android body.
"Adagio?"
>When you speak, it comes out as some vaguely feminine text-to-speech, but by this point you're too surprised at seeing the former Siren to care.
>Adagio Dazzle, your Adagio Dazzle, lets out a shaking breath, and then wraps your damaged form in a loose hug.
>Before you can begin to think of how to start questioning her, the woman who you now realize had carried you here (wherever here was) breaks her contact with you and starts furiously typing away at a golden yellow laptop at your side.
>"Sunset, we both have a lot of catching up to do, but right now keeping you from falling apart is higher on my priority list..."
 
>She glances back, drawing your attention to the three others scattered around the small side room, all robed in some manner and keeping their hoods low, save one.
>"How much longer are you willing to stay here?"
>The older voice from before comes from the tan-cloaked one standing behind Adagio, just enough for you to see the vague silhouette of feminine lips and eyes like burning fire.
>"Long enough. I recommend retrieving any necessary materials and leaving with all haste. Unless you both would be willing to join us on our departure?"
>It's only now, still getting your bearings, that you become aware that your body is still falling apart, shoved onto a workbench you don't recognize... yet, the cream-colored walls, the warmth... you're definitely in Adagio's apartment.
"Adagio, what-"
>"Sunny, I swear I'll explain, but right now I don't have time."
>Not waiting for a response, Adagio pulls a chord from the back of your head, stuffs the laptop into a backpack, and shoulders it.
>The former siren then turns to the white-cloaked figure leaning against a wall, arms crossed over their chest.
>"General, I'll be back. If anyone hostile comes over..."
>She glances at the final, black-robed figure sitting on a perpendicular workbench, then the tan one, then back to the white-cloaked one.
>"...Just don't get blood on the carpet. That goes for all three of you."
>The General, apparently, gives a grunt, before speaking with a thick rasp.
>"Very well..."
>Adagio then turns back to you, giving you a peck on the cheek.
>"Sunny, I'll be back. We'll talk, have coffee, catch up, but I need to get some things from work. Don't die."
>You swear you heard her say 'again' at the end of that sentence, but before you can be sure, she's already left the room, and when you hear the front door close, the apartment as well.
>As one all three of the figures pull back their hoods, white and black tossing theirs off with something between a growl and a huff.
 
>Be Adagio Dazzle.
>It took you coming close to setting a new record for the amount of traffic laws you've broken in one trip, but you made it back to work with ten minutes to spare before they closed up.
>The bright blue neon sign declaring 'Sugar's Aesthetic Prosthetics' hurts your eyes compared to the dreary grey you've spent the last few hours surrounded by, but right now it fills you with relief.
>You quickly stride in, heels clacking against the tile floor, bell jingling loudly behind you.
>"We're about to close."
>Ignoring the voice, you quickly pass through the shop's showroom, where a number of designs (more than a few of them your own, you note with a touch of pride) are still hanging on the walls.
>You duck behind the counter and into the back room.
"It's me."
>At your words, your partner looks up from her workbench in the back room, pulling a pair of welding goggles off of her face.
>You match Sugarcoat's gaze with one of your own, still huffing from your jog to the shop.
"I need help."
>Your coworker's eyes harden, her lips forming a small frown.
>"Which one of your men failed to keep his limbs this time?"
>You scoff, not having time for this.
"None of them. This is... this is personal, Sugar."
>Her gaze softens, just a bit, as she sets down the welding torch and goggles, standing up and throwing her hand out towards you as she walks.
>You quickly pull out your laptop and pass it to her, watching her hands fly across the keys.
>"This is a lot."
>You don't respond, following her from the back room into the supply room, rows upon rows of wires, circuit boards, and various odds-and-ends needed for both of your line of work.
>The blunt blue girl almost, almost walks towards the hidden trapdoor into the building's foundation, where you keep your off-the-books materials, but stops, her fingers no longer moving across your laptop.
>"...Adagio, who is this for? This isn't a list for one of your inefficient patchjobs."
 
"..."
>A million ideas, most of them lies, are running through your head by this point.
>You tried not to involve Sugarcoat in anything that didn't involve this job; your relationship was strictly around customizing and personalizing prosthetics when so many people nowadays needed them.
>After so many people had to live without their limbs alongside their loved ones.
>After you-
>You clamp down on that thought and strangle it, sucking in a breath you had become unaware you were holding.
>Sugarcoat lets out a small sigh, grabbing a few heavy-duty bags off of their pegs on the wall.
>"You owe me."
>You both quickly start filling them with the parts and materials you'll need to finish Sunset's repairs.
>Before you're even done, you know that this is one job you can't keep her out of.
>As you finish, Sugarcoat grabs you by your good wrist.
>"Adagio. What's going on?"
>You look up at Sugarcoat.
>That pretty young face you met after Canterlot High has hardened from years of being dragged into far too many unpleasant things, most of them involving you.
>Almost all of them involving you.
"Sugar, I-... Do you have any plans after closing up?"
>The (much) younger girl's expression hardens, before she shakes her head.
>Good enough.
"I need you to call Twilight Sparkle. Let her know I've found Sunset and need to talk to her. Give her my number if she asks. I'll have one of the boys pick you up and take you to my apartment."
>"...Very well."
>A small smile graces your lips.
"Thanks."
>She just nods, already moving to close up shop even sooner.
>You don't spare her a glance back as you wind your way out of the prosthetic repairs that served as your workplace for the last some-odd months, hop back into your car with parts in hand, and start the drive back to your apartment.
>Flicking open your phone at a red light, you punch in the number of one of your boys and hit the call button.
>"Ngh... Boss?"
 
"Bulk, I need a favor. Not a business favor, a personal one."
>There's a pause on the other end of the line, and you can already hear the big lug getting up out of bed.
>"Where to Boss?"
"Sugar's. I need you to pick her up and bring her to my place. We've got some catching up to do; an old friend of ours dropped by. Oh, and call the club staff and tell them we're opening shop early tonight."
>Pick up Sugarcoat, bring her to the apartment; don't let anyone follow. Not business related yet, but something's wrong and someone's hurt. Wake up the boys and tell them to come into work ready for war.
>Normally you wouldn't speak code to Bulk, he hates being subtle, but you're not taking any chances.
>Whatever happened to Sunset is still out there, and if it, or they, want to finish the job, by Tartarus you're going to make sure they don't get the chance.
>"Gotcha Boss."
>You hang up without a reply.
 
>Be Sunset Shimmer.
>Also be freaking out, because you have no idea what the fuck's going on.
"What the fuck's going on?!"
>Your senses are back, and you've readjusted to having sight again, but you still don't believe what's in front of you.
>It can't be them.
"S-Sonata?"
>At the name, the formerly black-robed figure's face twists into a frown, pulling at the skin of a shaven head and color-drained eyes that lack any of the youngest Siren's joyful spark.
>"Technically, but no. We aren't Dazzle's sisters."
>"Which is the only reason we even bothered to accept her request in the first place."
>The formerly white-robed figure, some spindly cyborg nearly taller than you by half your height, lets out a slight cough after speaking.
>You can tell from the voice alone that it's Aria.
>"General, Dusk, now is not the time to be further confusing our host's guest."
>An older, much older, version of Adagio readjusts the clasp of her robe against the black cloth of her outfit.
 
>"My apologies for the nature of our meeting. Pleasantries are in order. From all three of us."
>Sonata and Aria (not Your- Adagio's Sonata and Aria) let out a pair of something between a growl and a groan, but don't retort beyond that.
>It sounds so odd hearing Adagio's voice from her; so much older, and lacking any of that sensual tone she kept up right until-
>...
>Still, it keeps you focused on the fact that you're now in a room with three sirens from another universe.
>While you're damaged, and unarmed.
>The Adagio before you gives a slight smirk, possibly catching your realization, even without your active camouflage showing far more than a busted android’s face would.
>"You control your fear well, but it is unnecessary. Were we here to kill you, then much like my counterpart of this galaxy, it would already have happened.”
>She steps forward, eyes passing over your body.
>”I must say, however, that I am impressed. My counterpart stated that your Twilight Sparkle had managed to pull off a nearly insurmountable task in pulling you from the brink of death, but I did not believe her...”
>You level your limited frame’s best approximation of a glare at her.
>”Regardless..."
>She takes a step back, out of your personal space, and gives a slight bow with a flourish of her arm.
>"I am Countess Dazzle.”
>She motions to the two behind her.
>”My sisters, in bond if not blood; General Malice, former commander of the Separatist Droid Army..."
>The cyborg only scoffs, or at least what you assume the coughing sound that rasps from her throat counts as a scoff.
>At the very least her personality was similar to Aria's dour attitude.
>"...and Sonata Dusk, my apprentice.”
>The other Dazzling, probably only a few years older than you, gives a smirk.
>The name isn't pronounced the same; the emphasis is altered in some bastardized form of English that hurts to consider.
 
>Still, once you look her over, you can see it; the shaven scalp shows the barest hint of silver-blue hair, possibly starting to grow out again, and her posture is relaxed, almost carefree, but more coiled.
>She isn't Adagio's sister, but she's close enough.
>That only begs the question, however, of what the hell happened to their Aria to force her to take on even more cybernetics than Twilight had crammed into her.
>Given that Twi took most of the force from a bomb to the everything, you're not sure you want to know.
>Realizing that you're staring, you flick your gaze back to the Countess, running your tongue along lips that don't even need the nonexistent saliva to function perfectly.
"Sunset Shimmer, universe designation S-36... How much did she tell you?"
>The Countess only raises an eyebrow, but there's a hidden mirth to it.
>"She did not go into much detail, but my counterpart did state that you had relations before your... current status."
>The General lets out that hacking scoff again.
>"If you two are going to banter until the child is back, I'm going to go make a pot of tea."
>Stooping low, the cyborg just barely clears the doorway, white cloak floating behind her.
>The shaven-headed Dusk gives what you think is a smirk, before she quickly follows after.
>"I'll make sure she doesn't burn the place down."
>Your ex-girlfriend's counterpart only hums at their departure, pulling up a wooden stool and steepling her fingers.
>For a moment, you just stare each other down, your eyes tracing along the lines and noting all of the differences between her and Adagio.
>Despite obviously being in her elder years (and having much straighter hair), there's a sort of gracefulness to her features that confirms that she's Adagio's counterpart; the air of superiority and self-confidence Adagio practically radiated before everything went to hell.
"What did you mean?"
>The older siren cocks an eyebrow.
 
"Ari- General Malice said that the fact that she wasn't Adagio's sister is why you all accepted her request to stay and watch me. You said so yourself that if you were here to kill me, then you would have already done it. Either you're all assassins, or you came here for a reason and didn't find what you wanted."
>You look the Countess up and down.
"And most of the assassins I've heard about are bounty-hunting Trixie's about a quarter of your age."
>Your ex's counterpart lets out a genuine chuckle at that.
>"I would certainly hope so, given what I have seen of your kind's skills with a blaster, let alone a blade."
>Her mirth slowly fades, a frown forming on her lips.
>"Nevertheless, you are correct. We came for the young Dazzle and her siblings, but from what I understand, you took away what we've been searching for years ago."
"What?"
>The older siren doesn't answer immediately, instead shrugging off her cloak and pulling at the collar of her attire, revealing her bare neck.
>"Unlike your former lover and her siblings, my Sisters and I lack the pendants that granted them their... unique abilities. Manipulation without reliance upon the Force. Decelerated aging, if not outright agelessness. The ability to ensnare and enrage others with only a few hummed notes, as well as feed upon the rage and hatred of others to fuel their abilities, rather than that of themselves."
>She pulls the fabric back against her skin.
>"I have aged with all of the grace and dignity that I am able, Sunset Shimmer, but my connection to the dark side can only do so much. After the death of my former master, my departure from the galaxy I called home, the bond I had formed with my apprentice and subordinate, and the fact that I was still on the run from my former compatriots, I became distinctly aware of my own mortality..."
>The older Adagio's gaze seems to drift off for a moment, eyes flickering away from you.