//------------------------------// // Stricken // Story: Return of the Dazzlings // by Fluttercordforever //------------------------------// Adagio stood and leaned on the counter in the kitchen of their apartment, quietly drinking a grape soda that had been one of the few things left in their refrigerator. Her hoodie had been replaced by an oversized, orange and white t-shirt. She was lost, deep in thought of the idea of getting their powers back. "4 A.M," she said. "Better go back to bed." She threw out the can of soda and decided to sleep on the couch instead of her room. She sprawled out on the couch and thought about things. 'Hmph, if we are going to be carrying out this crazy plan, we might as well find a cheaper place to live,' she thought to herself. She reached for a laptop that was lying on their coffee table. If there was one thing humans were good at, it was entertainment. She typed up: Apartment buildings in Canterlot. A few things popped up. She saved the search, closed the computer and fell asleep. ************************************************** Adagio awoke to the smell of pancakes being cooked. "Aria are you cooking?" Adagio asked in awe. "Yeah, I guess. Sonata was practically on her knees begging for me to make her pancakes with extra syrup," Aria replied. "I can't wait to taste them! Eeeeeeeee!" Sonata was jumping up and down in blue and purple pajamas. Adagio tried to sit up, her mess of poofy, orange hair sticking out everywhere and getting in her face. She proceeded to get up and sit in one of the chairs in front of the dining table. A few minutes later, the pancakes were ready and they were all eating silently, well except for Sonata who was covered in syrup and devouring pancake after pancake. Finally, Adagio broke the silence. "I found a few cheaper places in Canterlot here, so we can move there while we execute our plan." "I don't care, as long as we don't stay here. This place is the worst," Aria said with a huff. After their pancakes, they cleaned up and changed into their day clothes. They each packed up all of their belongings in three suitcases and went out the door. "Uh, excuse me. Mr. Filthy Rich? We're moving out so here's our key. Bye!" Sonata said as they walked out of the apartment building. Adagio led the way for about 10 blocks until they reached their destination. "Cherry Jubilee's apartments, eh?" Adagio said. They walked in and were greeted by a lady with red wavy hair, green eyes, and a dress with a pink scarfed wrapped tightly around her neck. "Why hello young ladies! Can I help you? I'm Cherry Jubilee by the way," the woman said. "Why yes, we are looking for an apartment. Money is quite tight at the moment, perhaps you could squeeze us in? We'll pay rent of course," Adagio said sweetly. "Well, we did have a person just move out yesterday! It's apartment 4B. Just a tip, um, the young lady next door can get kind of wacky sometimes, so just don't mind her, ok dearies? Heh heh," said Cherry with a forced smile. Sonata looked about as confused as ever. "Well, um, right this way!" Cherry nervously exclaimed and led the former sirens to their new apartment. "Here's your key! I'll let you unpack." "Wait! What's our crazy neighbor's name?" Sonata asked. "Uh, Berry Punch," Cherry Jubilee replied. *************************************** "WHERE DID I PUT IT!? WHERE IS THE WINE! I KNOW I LEFT IN HERE! AHHHHHHHHH! IF I DON'T HAVE IT I'M GONNA' DIE!" Berry Punch screamed while throwing empty wine bottles at the wall. "Ughhhhh," Adagio groaned as she stood in the kitchen fixing up the last of their belongings. "Um, Adagio? Can I stay with you?" Sonata said sleepily. "Why?" "I can't sleep because of that loud neighbor," she replied. "You and me both," Adagio sighed. **************************** "I propose we make Sonata go first," Aria said as they were discussing who would be the one to carry out their test plan. "Sure! I can go to the Cake's bakery!" Sonata gleefully said. Sonata walked into the bakery with her hood on her head, the book, and the red shards of her broken gem in her hands. She gently placed the book on the table in a booth and reassembled her pendant's shards into what looked like her gem, but severely cracked. She noticed Flash sentry, Trixie, and a group of other Canterlot High students. "Hi guys! Haven't you noticed how delicious Trixie's peanut butter crackers are? Don't you want some?" Sonata said awkwardly. "Aren't you one of the dazzlings? You tricked me into being mean to Twilight," Flash said in a mix of anger and sadness. "You tricked the GREAT AND POWERFUL TRRIXIE! Nobody tricks Trixie! Only Trixie tricks others!" Trixie yelled. "YEAH!" screamed the other teenagers in agreement. "I say we give this girl a piece of our minds!" said Trixie. They each cornered Sonata, pulled up their sleeves, and balled their fists. "Sonata has been gone for an awful while now," Aria said. "What? Are you worried about the little airhead?" Adagio replied. "Well, I just want to see what the hold up is," Aria replied. "Fine, come on we'll go see what's going on," Adagio said as they locked their apartment and headed towards the cake's bakery. As the girls walked in they noticed Trixie and other teens walking out of the exit chattering nonstop. "Sonata?" Aria yelled. They finally found Sonata lying on the floor covered in bruises. "SONATA?!" screamed Aria. She ran over to Sonata Dusk and picked up her head. Her body was limp. "No, no, no, no!" "I-i-i'm sorry I was so mean and called you and airhead and- and-" Aria didn't have time to finish her sentence before crashing into Adagio. She buried her head in Adagio's chest and cried. Adagio hugged her in response and soon couldn't hold back her own tears. *cough* *cough* *wheeze* "Sonata?" Aria said weakly. "Last time I checked," Sonata smiled and struggled to stand. "What happened?" Adagio said. "Well, I tried to cause a commotion but I did it wrong and a bunch of kids from the Battle of the Bands attacked me!" Sonata explained. "Let's just get you back to the apartment," said Adagio. They each lended a shoulder to Sonata as they carried her to the apartment. ***************************************** Adagio gently wrapped the last of the bruises in bandages and all three girls sat on the couch in silence. "Maybe we shouldn't go along with this whole book thing, it was a dumb idea from the start," Aria said while rubbing her arm. "Yeah," Adagio said while looking down at the floor. "No," Sonata said softly. "Huh?" the other two said in unison. "I said no. We are going on with this plan, and I might be an airhead but I'm serious this time, for realz," Sonata said louder. "Well, Adagio? The airhead has spoken," Aria said. The three of them shared a laugh. "Ok, ok. Sonata you win. We'll go on with the plan," Adagio said. "You bet your tacos we will!"