Chapter 8
On the Clock
"They took Sonia?!"
Principal Aleena's question hung in the air as her two sons explained the encounter. Sonic's theory that they would use Sonia to get at Sunset Shimmer was a good one, but the problem was finding her before they could make a move. And Westside Island wasn't small. And Aleena had a very bad feeling right now.
"Sonic, go tell Father Michael, then try and meet up with the Ghostbusters. They're at the hotel. Manic… go check on the emergency shelter at the school."
"What about..."
"Father Michael knows the Island better. He might be able to find Sonia and free her."
"Right..."
Twilight Sparkle was going through the box of grenades, trying to figure out if they should start carrying a few on their next patrol of Westside. In her mind she was working out various strategies that could try if and when they do find and confront Sombra. If they were somehow able to find that source of Magic on the island, which was where she figured he would most likely be, that instantly ruled out crossing the streams. The uncontrolled release of that much protonic energy could trigger a devastating chain reaction. In short this time it was just too risky. They may have survived once, but they weren't on top of the magical equivalent of a nuclear reactor at the time they did it.
She closed her eyes, leaned against the side of the Ecto-Van, and sighed. Bringing a hand to her pendant, the one made from the Geode that gravitated to her at Camp Everfree and imbued her with magical telekinetic ability, Twilight tried to relieve some stress that had built up since confirming who they were up against. Back during the Nightmare Moon Incident, any downtime she had was eaten up by working to improve the Proton Packs. She had been busy and didn't have time to think about what they were up against. This time, however, she didn't have that luxury. All the research in the world wasn't going to do anything right now, and there really wasn't much else to do to the Proton Packs. Also she didn't have her equipment or a work space anyways.
Opening her eyes, Twilight took a chance and used her magic to pull out a slime grenade from the box and examine it from various angles before dropping it into her hand.
"What is our next move?" she sighed.
Putting the grenade back in the box, Twilight closed up the Ecto-Van and looked up into the sky, noting that it was starting to get dark.
"Guess there's not much we can do right now," she said to herself. "Best to try in the morning when we've got a full day and some rest."
With a stretch, Twilight headed back into the hotel.
"Sonia was possessed by a spirit?" Father Michael asked.
"Yea… and I don't know where she is," Sonic replied.
Taking a deep breath, Father Michael stood up from behind his desk and went over to a cabinet. Opening it up, he pulled out some items that he would need to perform an exorcism on the go along with some magic artifacts to help restrain Sonia.
"Starlight… stay here," he said.
"I can help!" Starlight Glimmer protested as she reached for a staff, only for Father Michael to cut her off.
"A descendant of Merlin you may be Starlight, but you don't know how to deal with a possession. Stay here where it is safe. If anything happens, the spirits cannot enter the Church because it is sacred ground. Sonic… stay here. Starlight can protect you."
"Oh no. I am not gonna sit around and do nothing while my sister is out there!" Sonic protested. "I'm gonna go find the Ghostbusters..."
"They can't help us!"
Father Michael pointed at the blue haired athlete after snapping at him. It was clear the preacher was under a lot of sudden stress. He said that this was a matter for the Order to deal with. Outsiders, even those who showed some skill like the Ghostbusters, would only get in the way when it came to Sonia. He fully intended to find the young woman, even if it took all night to do it.
The sun was just about down when Sunset Shimmer heard a knock at her door. Throwing on her favorite brown jacket, she opened the door and found Sonia.
"Isn't it getting a little late Sonia?" she asked.
"Its not a school night," Sonia replied as she put a hand on her hip. "Come on. I know a good spot to do some stargazing."
Sunset narrowed her eyes. While Sonia had made attempts to get her out, this was a bit more forward than the last time. Not only that… something just felt off right now. And why did Sonia's eyes seem a bit different?
"I don't know," Sunset finally said. "I mean I'm still kinda the outsider here and with everything going on..."
"Sunset… when you're not at school, you're cooped up in this stuffy, little house," Sonia countered. "You really do need to get some fresh air."
After a moment, Sunset closed her eyes and sighed.
"Aye..." she replied. "I am kinda getting antsy just sitting around."
As she stepped out and locked up, Sunset didn't notice the smirk on Sonia's face. Sunset still couldn't help but feel something was off about all this as they walked down the driveway towards the street. That feeling was confirmed when the pair were suddenly surrounded by ghosts and… Sonia didn't react at all. As Sunset tried to bolt for her house, Sonia suddenly grabbed her and spun her around. It was at that moment that Sunset finally got a good look at Sonia's eyes. They were green rather than the usual blue. And the look on her face went from friendly to aggressive.
"You're not getting away this time Gwenevere," Sonia said in a dark tone. "King Sombra would very much like to meet you."
"Let me go!" Sunset protested as she tried to pull away.
"Not going to be saved by some preacher or Teenage girl with a magic pack this time."
Sunset tried again to break away before noticing the ghosts were closing in. Gritting her teeth, Sunset braced herself and shifted her stance.
"I'm sorry Sonia," she said.
"For what?" Sonia replied in confusion.
"For this."
Sunset suddenly shifted her weight, and threw Sonia completely off balance. The desperate act was enough to throw both girls to the ground, with Sunset on top. With her free hand, she swung at Sonia's head in an attempt to at least disorient the magenta haired young woman. Sonia Hedge had been the closest thing to a friend Sunset Shimmer had on Westside Island, and having to attack her like this hurt. But whatever was going on… whoever this was… it wasn't Sonia Hedge.
Sonia recoiled, looking dazed, but her grip loosened enough for Sunset to break free. With the ghosts blocking her path back home, Sunset bolted down the street. If she could just reach the Church…
She felt something grab her, and her feet were no longer touching the ground. Crying out in defiance, Sunset tried to lash out at the offending entity, only to discover that there were two of them carrying her now.
"Take her to King Sombra at once," Sonia ordered after recovering. "The rest of you… lay siege to the town. That should distract the mages and those… Ghostbusters."
"By your order Commander."
As the ghosts flew off, Sonia had a dark smile on her face.
"It has been a long time since I took part in a siege..."
Spike yawned as he stretched out on the arm of the couch in the hotel. There hadn't been much for him to do after the girls arrived on Westside Island besides trade glares with Slimer. Speaking of the spud, Slimer was actually sleeping on Applejack's stomach while the country girl was asleep herself, her hat pulled over her eyes. The consensus had been to hit the street hard in the morning, so the girls decided to get some sleep.
Rolling his eyes, Spike stood up and shook himself before preparing to jump down to the floor. It was going to be a long, boring night from the looks of things, and Spike was kinda thirsty right now. At least Slimer wasn't interested in dog food, otherwise the spud and Spike would have even more issues.
Just as he jumped to the floor, there was a flash of green from outside. All thoughts of looking for his water dish left his mind as Spike narrowed his eyes and walked over by the window. Hopping up onto the nearby chair, and from there onto the windowsill, Spike looked out at the island landscape. It was certainly a lot different from Canterlot. As he was starting to think he was seeing things, another flash happened, followed by several more.
Something was wrong. VERY wrong.
"Ooooohhhh..." Spike trailed off before jumping down and rushing into the bedroom where Twilight was sleeping. The act caused Slimer to open an eye and watch the dog before muttering and closing his eye again… until he too saw the green flash from outside. Grumbling, Slimer floated up off Applejack's stomach and over to the window, and saw what was going on.
Spike jumped onto the bed and started pushing against the resident science girl.
"Twilight! Wake up! Something's happening!" Spike pleaded.
"Not now Spike..." Twilight groaned, still half asleep as she rolled over.
Growling a bit, Spike bit into the blankets and yanked them off, causing Twilight to try and grab for them. Spitting out the blankets, Spike started barking.
"Somebody shut that dog up!" Applejack protested from the other room. "Ah'm tryin' t' sleep here!"
"Spike! What the hell are you doing?" Twilight snapped as she sat up and reached for the blanket, only for Spike to pull it farther away.
"Something's happening Twilight! Look outside!"
"Spike… if this is about some squirrel outside taunting you..."
Just then Slimer flew in waving his arms and babbling before pointing towards the window, looking a little freaked out. Narrowing her eyes to try and focus, Twilight reached for her glasses and got out of bed.
"Seriously guys… we're trying to sleep. I swear if its a squirrel you're both sleeping in the van..."
Twilight slipped her glasses on, brushed some hair out of her face, and adjusted said glasses before walking out and looking outside.
"Nothing..." she deadpanned. "You woke me up for..."
A green flash happened again, and Twilight blinked in surprise. As more happened, she managed to pinpoint that the flashes were coming from the town. It took a moment for her brain to catch up to what she was seeing, and her eyes went wide. Twilight turned towards Applejack, who was still trying to sleep, and levitated the blonde's hat off her head.
"Hey!" Applejack protested as she glared at Twilight. "What th' hell ya doin'?"
"Wake the girls," Twilight said. "We got a problem."
A few minutes, and one pissed off Rarity later, the girls were all gathered in the big room watching the flashes from town. Slimer had taken the liberty of waking the fashionista up himself… by kissing her full on. Waking up to slime on the mouth was not fun, and she made sure to vocalize her… displeasure. But the moment she saw the flashes from the town, Rarity forgot about the violation.
For several minutes, the girls just watched in shock before Sunset clenched her fist.
"Girls… get your gear," she said. "And get caffeinated. Its gonna be a long night."
Pinkie Pie, who was in nothing but her underwear for some reason, saluted and bolted out the door. Rainbow Dash facepalmed as she voiced that observation. Just as Pinkie returned with bottles of soda, Applejack pointed out her current… situation. The party girl took one look at herself and just gave a sheepish grin before rushing back to her room. As the rest of the team went to get dressed, Sunset looked out the window, a determined look crossing her face. Sombra was making a move. And it caught the Ghostbusters completely off guard.
Several minutes later, and at least two donuts for Pinkie Pie, the girls were rushing down the hall and through the lobby. Slimer and Spike were right on their heels, the spud actually scaring a few people on the way. Without slowing down, the girls vaulted into the Ecto-Van, and Applejack fired up the vehicle. As they pulled out of the parking lot, the lights and sirens went on. Barreling down the road, Applejack saw something up ahead and called it out.
"Roadblock?" Sunset asked.
"Maybe," Applejack replied. "Ghostly one at that too."
Rarity released her seatbelt and climbed up between the front seats and raised a hand.
"Blow through," she said. "We don't have time to play around."
Biting her lip, Applejack stepped on the gas. As the Ecto-Van sped up, three diamond shaped barriers formed in front of the vehicle. Rarity grit her teeth as she struggled to keep the shields moving at the same speed as the van. Just as the ghosts were about to attack, the Ecto-Van blew through their blockade, the ghosts themselves going splat against Rarity's shield and sliding off and away. As soon as they were clear, Rarity released the shields and slumped against the passenger's seat a bit.
"That was a thing..." she said.
"Yea… I guess..." Sunset started to say.
Without warning… the world went sideways.
