//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Three Sirens and a Sunset // by Shadowsnake89 //------------------------------// Deep inside the dilapidated structure that was once the cities classic opera hall three voices ring out in disharmony as if haunting the abandoned building. This, however is only slightly true as the source of the whaling is not phantoms but sirens, albeit de-powered as the trio of Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze and Sonata Dusk attempt their mesmerizing song to no avail. Since their defeat and the destruction of the amulets which empowered them the three found it impossible to sing a song that didn't make dogs a mile away howl. Fed up with the effort Aria cops out of the pathetic attempt. “That's it! I can't take this anymore Adagio. We've been at this for a week and nothing.” She shouts out in frustration. “I don't know I think we're getting better.” Sonata chimes in with her usual enthusiasm. “Mi mi mi!” Her voice shrieks loud enough to shatter a nearby glass. “Without the amulet's power we can't control anyone.” “It will work!” Adagio shouts, clutching the shattered remains of her former source of power as the two others have been in an effort to get even a fragment of their singing abilities back. “And all you have to do is follow my lead.” “We've been following your lead since day one and look where that's got us.” Aria steps up to her leader poking her finger into her chest. “Stirring up trouble in Equestria, your idea. Where did it get us? Banished here by that Starswirl guy. Oh and lets not forget your brilliant plan to start that battle of the bands that got us stripped of all our power. Now we have nothing but this dump.” “Lets not forget, we have each other.” Sonata comes between the two to try to break the tension only to be pushed aside by Adagio. “At least I had a plan. Without me you two idiots would be nothing but a smear in the history books.” “Well guess what? Now we are nothing thanks to you.” Aria turns away and begins to walk off the main stage. “Aria where are you going?” Sonata asks with a worried look on her face. “I don't know and I don't care. Just don't follow me. And you can keep this piece of junk.” She throws the remains of her gem on the ground as she storms out of the building. Adagio throws her arms down, dropping her pieces as well as she balls her fists in rage. Sonata approaches her slowly, trying to place a hand on her shoulder. “Adagio, are you alright?” She only receives a cold response as her leader slaps her hand away in anger. “I don't need either of you! I would have been better off if I'd never had sisters in the first place.” Sonata's eyes begin to tear up as she hears this. “What do you mean?” Even in this intense moment she still attempts to keep a smile on her face. “Get out! I don't want to see you faces ever again!” Sonata finally breaks down from this verbal assault, running away in tears, dropping her amulet fragments. Adagio, finally alone, gets to her knees to collect all the pieces, once again attempting her siren song. One Week Ago In the frozen tundra a lone figure soars through the sky amidst a furious snow storm. The winterized Pegasus lands down at a tiny outpost shake and clacks a hoof against the door. Slowly opening the door is a stallion with a brown coat, purple mane and a cutie mark of a set of pliers. “Thanks for coming.” he says as he invites the guest in. “The names Cut Off. These are my friends Double Down and Boogie Night.” He introduces his friends, the first a white unicorn with a red mane and a cutie mark of a deck of cards, the second a brown stallion with a black puffy mane and a cutie mark of a disco ball. As the introductions finish the visitor removes their mask. “The names Lightning Dust. Spitfire sent me to investigate something you said you found.” The Pegasus looks on as the three get their winter cloaks and guide her through the blizzard. “Can't believe they sent a Wonderbolt all the way out here just to investigate.” Double Down says as they trek through the field of white, following a trail of orange markers. “Yeah right, the Wonderbolts.” She hated to admit it even to herself but Dust couldn't believe she wasn't a member of the elite flying corps. She had been passed over time and again despite her remarkable abilities and talents. For this she blamed her one time friend Rainbow Dash who had gotten her stripped of her lead status. Since then Dust had pushed herself twice as hard to make the cut, seemingly to no avail. She'd only taken this assignment in hopes of impressing her superiors to show them a more humble side by taking the lowly task of checking on something that was probably nothing at all. “So how did you guys manage a sweet position like this.” She asks sarcastically. “Oh you know. Cause one little accident in Celestia's palace, one wrongly place sign and boom. Half the guards are out of commission and Luna's private quarters are charred beyond recognition and you end up out here.” Boogie Night explains. “One little slip up and they'll never let you forget it huh?” “You have no idea.” “Actually I kind of do.” The conversation ends as the group approach the last marker. “Here it is.” Cut Off shows the Pegasus a crater in the ground. “We found it right down there. We didn't want to get too close until we knew what we were dealing with.” Inside the hole lay what appear to be bits of armor but the most noticeable item is the red glowing horn imbedded in the ice. “A horn?” Dust looks puzzled as she jumps down to get a closer look with the others holding back, not daring to get a hoof closer. “It's like its still alive or something.” “I am alive.” A voice echoes to her. She looks around then back toward the others. “What did you say?” She asks them. “We didn't say anything.” Double Down says as the three trade stares. “I am Sombra.” She turns her attention back to the horn as it begins to glow brighter. Her eyes become fixed to it as the voice continues. “I am the rightful ruler of the Crystal Empire. Help me and you will be rewarded with your heart's desire.” Lightning Dust begins to see images of her, not just as a member of the Wonderbolts but as the teams leader, the most famous in history. She kneels before the severed horn as the other three try to get her attention. “What do you need me to do?” “My power is faded. But I sense another, a disturbance from another realm that can help to regain it. I will seek to make contact and once we are aligned and my power restored I will reclaim my rightful place as king and you will be greatly rewarded. But first, release me.” Dust complies by stomping her hooves down hard enough to shatter the ice around Sombra's horn. It begins to levitate out of the crater and proceeds to zap the three onlookers. Dust gets out of the crater to witness the three she has just met being transformed into pegasi by the energy. “Every great leader needs an army. This will be the first, your Shadowbolts.” She looks over the the group with the darker version of the Wonderbolt uniforms with a confident smirk. “Where are we headed King Sombra?” “Take me to the place they call Ponyville.”