Things looked good on the ground. Wendigos were scavengers, not fighters. Even with only Sunset, Applejack, and Twilight as effective combatants, with strong hearts and automatic weapons they had no trouble dispersing the horde. Those wendigos who survived fled to the clouds, spitting curses and trailing snow from their wounds.
Above the ground… less good.
Sunset swallowed hard, gazing up and up to Tirek’s slow approach. He walked past the concert stage, but that was a small mercy with Canterlot in his path.
“Any thoughts?” Sunset mumbled, not expecting an answer.
A perky voice emerged from behind. “Did you know that if Princess Twilight came to our world, but kept her pony form, and had an accident that injured one eye and gave her a taste for human flesh, she would literally be a one eyed, one horned, flying purple people eater?”
“Cool, thanks Pinkie,” Sunset said, neither looking to the girl nor questioning how, when, or why she had come. “Anyone else?”
Wallflower crouched as she gave first aid to the sirens. She raised one hand, blushing faintly. “I have an idea. But we’ll need a giant killer robot.”
Sunset paused, then turned in time with the others to look at Twilight.
Alas, the girl shook her head. “Mom said no. Also, if we survive this, I need to warn you guys about D–”
“Ooh! Ooh!” Pinkie Pie called, drawing a tolerant-yet-exasperated sigh from Sunset. “What if Princess Luna was annoyed at being left behind as the Celestias go to save humanity, so she bullies Queen Chrysalis for a means to keep her form through the mirror and comes with a weapon capable of destroying Tirek so you and your mom can fight side-by-side in an epic climactic battle for the fate of the world?”
The hunters gave immediate comment on the unlikelihood of this occurring.
Except for Sunset. She just looked up.
Blue wings loomed through the deepening dusk, their passage marked by the silver of hoofcups and armor. Princess Luna sped to the group without pause, descending like dark lightning to the shocked cries of all but Sunset. In a mystic aura, she held a purple crystal lance that looked to have once been a railing, ripped from its supports and quickly hammered into a crude spear-like shape.
Luna dropped the weapon into Sunset’s arms, bellowing without ceremony. “SUNSET SHIMMER! WILT THOU BE SIDELINED AT THE CLIMAX OF THY OWN STORY, OR WILT THOU RISE WITH ME?”
“Story…?” Sunset caught herself and shrugged. “You know what, never mind. I’m rolling with it.”
Applejack gave her a troubled smile. “Ain’t you scared of heights?”
“Terrified,” Sunset said, though strode towards Luna all the same.
Applejack laughed – worried, but strong. “Knock ‘em dead, Sunny.”
“I’m sure that’s the plan.” Twilight checked a gauge on her jetpack. “I’ll fly beneath and try to catch you if it goes wrong.”
Wallflower called out her own end of things. Only later would they all realize it was the first time she helped form their strategy. “The ice horses are still out there. AJ and I will guard the sirens.”
“Sounds good,” Sunset said. She turned back to grace them all with a smile. Twilight, unconscious Adagio, Wallflower… her eyes lingered a touch longer on Applejack, then turned away. She hefted the lance, mounted Luna, grabbed her mane, and–
“Rude,” Luna sniffed.
Sunset hesitated. “How else am I supposed to stay on?”
“Lean forwards, keep balance, and trust me.”
“Fine,” Sunset sighed. She released her one possible grip on the barebacked pony, then braced as Luna rocketed to the air.
Yep. That is something Luna would do.
... What?
Probably the latter.
Only Sunset could grumble about being offered a heroic role.
9830234
Well, part of being a hero means doing what's right even when doesn't benefit you.
So, she has decided what is right is better then her own survival.
“Rude,” Luna sniffed.
--Spade
I approve of Wallflower's idea.
Okay, the throwaway joke about the silly novelty song was peak Pinkie Pie. Also, I'd have to check but you're apparently going with Luna bearing Laughter?
9831677
Hm?
9831682
Most people associate Pinkieness with her Element (although I've seen it applied to the party cannon instead and it's not like making sense is a priority for that sort of thing)
9831690
Hm, okay. Can't say I was thinking about it at the time.
“SUNSET SHIMMER! WHILST THOU BE SIDELINED AT THE CLIMAX OF THY OWN STORY, OR WHILST THOU RISE WITH ME?”
I think "WILT" is the word you're looking for: "SUNSET SHIMMER, WILT THOU BE SIDELINED..."
"Whilst" has a meaning closer to "while".
No head-forming or power ranging, but this works well too. The mother-dqughter tag team should be quite the sight to see... provided that neither Celestia gets distracted out of concern for Sunset. Heads in the game, ladies.
9832079
mmmmsounds right. Fixed.
SHIMMERSQUAD WINS.
ROUND TWO... FIGHT!
Charge!
This story...
They're all genre-savvy... Or at least she's known Pinky for more than a month.
Of course, that's half the point of a spear, innit?
Let's not mention that it's a piece of crystal that can apparently be forged, because equestrian magic just be like that.
Luna's got such a skinny butt Sunset can probably get her legs around her.
Nice parallelism between Sunset and Celestia remarking that they're afraid of heights and have no idea what they're doing.
Let's be honest, it only took discord so long for the hammer due to him having to A) figure out how to do it and B) for the awesome reference.
After that making a new, functional weapon was most likely just a matter of getting a chunk of harmony crystal castle and beating it into a krumpin' stick
Luna, why you so awesome?
Never question Pinkie Pie.
...Also, Pinkie Pie, some of those explosive sprinkles sure would come in handy right 'bout now.
Geez Applejack you literally kicked her off a balcony a few chapters ago, how many times are ya going to open that wound?
And this, is why Luna is Best Princess!
10863008
🎶Go! Go! Power Rangers!🎶
...So is Sunset Louen Leoncoeur in this comparison? 🤔