Read The Bridge
 
Irys peeked through one of the tent’s seams. The interior wasn’t very well lit, though her eyes could see just fine. Only one soul was inside, a teenage female about Sunset Shimmer’s age. Heck, had her hair not been so outrageously poofy there would have been a resemblance. But it wasn’t the hairdo bigger than the person that got Irys’ attention, it was part of the attire. The young woman was singing into some sort of machine that played back her voice, and all the while the red gemstone on her necklace was pulsing with a red light. The magical source couldn’t have been more obvious if there was a spotlight and blinking road sign on it.
 
Almost on instinct, Irys analyzed the situation in a predatory manner. The target was alone, probably not well armed. She could get the gemstone easily. The young albino’s lip curled up slightly, small fangs in the place of canine teeth baring themselves. A flash of red and yellow in the corner of her eye stopped that action however.  
Concealing her fangs and averting her vision, Irys looked over to see the familiar form of Sunset Shimmer standing about ten yards away. Almost on cue, the latter party noticed Irys. A smile crossed the highschooler’s face, holding up her arm to wave at her new friend; as if beckoning Irys to come closer.
 
The kaiju was stuck. Easy prey, or new acquaintance. If she went after the magical source, the master might reward her. She might be cured soon. But with Sunset… Doing what she was about to do and attacking the artifact’s holder, there was no way she could get away with something like that around her. But if she didn’t do that. If she walked away from the tent right now, there would be no reward. She couldn’t say she found nothing now… What if the master caught her lie? If he could cause every fiber in her mind to surge with pain at a scream, what could he do if she defied him and he knew? Was that voice telling, conscious or an observer, telling the truth?
 
Sunset’s expression changed to slight confusion and worry as Irys looked down, closing her eyes. There was risk and reward if she went to the left towards the tent, there was risk and reward if she went right towards her friend. Crossroads were always something she particularly hated.  
Irys took in a deep breath, zoning out the world around her as she exhaled. All tension in her body was banished with her breath.
 
….No, there can always be another attempt… Missions can be repeated… The risk is worth it… I only have three more hours here  
The albino looked up to Sunset with an small, honest smile; walking through the small crowd to rejoin her.  
And I know where I’m going to spend it…
 
Irys passed Sunset her food as they slowly walked off into the crowd side by side. The pale kaiju was a predator, a killer, and a villain. But for now, for these few hours, she was going to be happy.
 
Just as the two departed however, a colorful group of five walked out from between the fair booths going the opposite direction. Two of them talked amongst themselves, two more were looking around in a confused manner; and the fifth was rapidly typing out the same message over and over again on her phone. Fluttershy nudged Applejack, glancing around the fairgrounds.
 
“Um.. Wasn’t Sunset supposed to meet us here?”
 
“Ah’ thought so. Any luck with the text Pinkie?”
 
The aforementioned Pie shot up between them, her fingers typing away so quickly they were a blur.  
“I’ve texted her about 534 times now! This phone is a phony!”