//------------------------------// // Chapter 11 // Story: Three Sirens and a Sunset // by Shadowsnake89 //------------------------------// Aria wakes up on the ground of the courtyard, still dazed from being rocked by Adagio's attack. She looks to her left to see Sonata attempting to get up. “Are you alright?” Her sister gives her a weak nod as they look up to see the third siren descending upon them. “Stay down Sonata. I'll handle this.” “No, I'm okay, really. We can do this together.” She says with determination in her eyes as she gets up, the facing Adagio who levitates above. The two release their siren song in a blast that shatters the nearby windows in the castle. Adagio counters with her own augmented voice that nullifies her sister's attack. The two charge toward her only for armored siren to fly higher as the three engage in an aerial duel. From inside the castle Twilight and Sunset look on. “This could bad. I'll stay here and help where I can. You should go find your friends. Something tells me we're going to need them for this.” Sunset says as she looks out one of the broken windows. “Right. I'll be back as soon as I can.” Twilight says as she teleports away. Sunset rushes down the palace stairs as fast as her hooves can carry her, heading outside to see not only the battle between the sirens but the other between the Wonderbolts and Adagio's controlled servants. “I just hope they can hold out for that long.” As the respective Bolt teams do battle, Lightning Dust is having a field day, defeating flier after flier of the rival force in an attempt to find Rainbow Dash again. “Oh Dash come out and play.” “How about you tangle with me first.” Spitfire says confidently a short distance away. “I've waited a long time for this.” “If you could follow orders as well as you fly you might actually amount to something.” “Sorry mom but I'm no mood for a stern talking to.” Dust says sarcastically before the two engage in a brief but fierce duel. “Come on Captain. Don't tell me you're actually having trouble keeping up with little old me.” Dust continues to chide as she is suddenly surprised as Spitfire breaks off her chase, turning off to the left. “Knew it.” She says smugly, failing to notice that the Wonderbolt has changed her trajectory, deciding against chasing her target directly, instead moving on an intercept course. This move catches Dust off guard as she is struck from the side, spiraling out of the air. Spitfire, seeing that the Shadowbolt is not slowing her descent rolls over into a dive and grabs her by her front hooves. “I got you rookie.” Lightning Dust looks up at her rescuer. “You...you saved me? Big mistake.” She breaks away then presses Spitfire into the sky, trapping her in a relentless storm of attacks as she uses her amazing speed, hitting her from every angle possible. She stops in front of the Wonderbolt who is barely conscious now, grabbing her by the front of her uniform. “Now whose the best flier in Equestria?” “Why is it so important to you?” “Why? All my life I've wanted to be a Wonderbolt. I trained harder then anypony else just so I could have a shot. I pushed myself beyond my limits in everything just so I could impress you and show you what I could do. And then you shut me out of the program. Then the groveling I had to do just to get back in, no thanks to you.” “You're wrong about that Dust.” Spitfire says. “The board wasn't willing to give you another chance after what happened. But I pushed for you to get back in. After what happened that day I knew you weren't headed in the right direction but after a while I started to think that maybe you just needed the right coach to get you back on track. You have potential, just as much as Dash does but it's all about what you choose to do with that potential. That's what makes you a Wonderbolt.” Lightning Dust is stunned by what she's heard and is confused on how to react. “I...No! You're just trying to trick me, to keep me from getting what I deserve. I am the greatest flier in all of Equestria. Say it.” Her eyes begin to glow a crimson red. Spitfire manages to mutter a few words. “The greatest flier in Equestria is right behind you.” Dust turns her head to see Dash right behind her. She drops the captain as Scootaloo flies down, struggling to keep herself and Spitfire up as Fleetfoot comes in to help her, the two taking her down to rest on one of the castle towers. “Well you wanted me. Here I am.” Dash goads as Dust rushes her. She easily evades by moving to the left as Lightning Dust almost spins out trying to turn to get another pass at her. She continues this for several more passes as Dust keeps increasing her speed, hoping to catch the rainbow maned Pegasus with one good hit. After so many passes she begins to tire out and Dash makes her move, speeding away from her opponent, who gives chase. “Is that all you got Dust?” Her inability to keep up with Rainbow Dash frustrates the Shadowbolt, who makes sure not to lose sight of her target as they weave through the battlefield. Feeling she might not catch her illusive prey, Lightning Dust gives it her all gaining on Dash more and more. Just as she is about to reach her, Dash stops on a dime, putting her hoof out, causing the yellow maned Pegasus to slam right into it, knocking her out cold. “I learned that from my pet tortoise Tank. Slow and steady can be just as effective as super speedy.” As Dust begins to fall, Boogie Night and Cut Off soar in and fly her into the clouds. As Dash is about to give chase Twilight appears in front of her. “Rainbow come with me, we need to get the others while they can still hold out here.” “Right, let's move.” The two teleport away as the battle continues. As Twilight and the others move to implement their part of the plan, Aria and Sonata are fighting an uphill battle against Adagio, whose raw power is proving a very real challenge. “Look out!” Sonata shouts as the two avoid another blast from their sister. Adagio follows up by lifting several large boulders from the ground below hurling them at her targets. Sonata and Aria come together, letting loose with their voices as the stones crumble in and explosion of fragments. Adagio charges through the debris, ramming the two as all three tumble through the sky. Aria reaches her hoof out in an attempt to pry the pendent from her sister who responds by blasting the two into the ground with her voice. “You should have stayed out of my way.” Adagio says as Sonata fires another concussive blast at her, only to be deflected by a force field around the armored siren. The field fades as she launches her own blast of energy from her horn. Sonata attempts to deflect it as Aria, still on the ground joins in, deflecting the blast into the sky. “And you shouldn't have underestimated us.” Sonata says as she channels her energy for a powerful shot that knocks Adagio away, causing her to crash land a few hundred yards away. “Are you two alright?” Sunset says, galloping toward the two. “What are you doing here?” Aria asks. “Twilight and the others are on their way but it might take some time. I'm here to help if I can.” “I'm not sure there's much any of us can do. She has a force field up whenever she sees one of our attacks coming.” Sunset stops to think before realizing a possible solution. “But what if she didn't see it coming?” It takes a moment for Aria to follow before she turns to Sonata. “I can buy you two some time for this to work.” Aria struggles to get up only for Sonata to stop her. “You haven't recovered yet. I'll distract Adagio until you're ready.” “No, Sonata it's too dangerous.” As Aria protests Sonata can see Adagio rising. “I'm not a baby anymore Aria. I'll be alright, promise.” Aria silently agrees as Sonata flies off, attacking in a flurry in an attempt to keep Adagio pinned down. Meanwhile, Sunset does her best to help Aria up as the two prepare. “Alright, if Sonata can keep her distracted long enough we can use my invisibility to sneak up on her and catch her by surprise.” “And that will give me a chance to get that pendent from her.” Aria follows up as the two are startled by the sudden appearance of Twilight and the others. “Sorry we're late.” Twilight says as the others are in shock at Aria's true form. “What exactly is that?” Rainbow Dash says. Aria gives a sigh at the reaction. “You can see where it was hard for us to make a good first impression in this form.” She says as the others slowly calm down as they realize who she is and Sunset Shimmer explains the plan. “We're in a bad spot. No matter how powerful our attacks get, Adagio has a force field powerful enough to deflect them. It's like her power keeps getting stronger the longer she's here.” Sunset explains. “But Sunset has a plan. If you can help Sonata to distract her it'll give us a chance to get her when her guard is down.” Aria finishes. “Alright girls you heard them. Let's give them some cover.” Applejack says as Sunset uses her power to turn herself and Aria invisible and they make their way toward Adagio. “You don't really think our elements won't be able to penetrate her force field do you?” Fluttershy asks with a concerned look. “I'm not sure but we have to try.” Twilight says as they make their way toward the battle as Adagio has overcome her sister, beating her back again and again. Having knocked her sister out of the way, Adagio sees the others coming toward her. “If you want something done right do it yourself.” She charges a blast and aims it directly toward Twilight and her friends. “No!” Sonata shouts as she rams her sister, causing her shot to miss, lobbing it over the horizon as it crashes into a mountainside. “I warned you.” Adagio hits Sonata with a shot that knocks her a good distance away before charging up for another shot for Twilight and the others. As she prepares her shot Sunset and Aria are in position just above her. “Sunset Shimmer are you ready?” Aria asks her as she dives, tackling the elder siren and forcing her to the ground. Sunset leaps away as the two wrestle for control of the pendent. “I'm sorry it had to be this way Adagio. Take care of Sonata.” “What are you...?” This comment takes Adagio by surprise as Aria manages to pry the pendent away from her, stripping her of her armor and horn. The sudden lose of power drains Adagio as she can only watch as her sister begins to absorb the energy. Aria soon begins to scream out in pain as the power she has just acquired begins to flood her senses all at once as she tries to hold it back. “The power, so much power.” Aria begins to embrace Sombra's raw energy along with the combined power of her sister's pendents. “I can...no, have to fight it.” She says in a strained voice as she fights against the force that is attempting to seize hold of her. “What is she doing?” Sonata asks. “She's giving us an opening.” Sunset explains turning to Sonata. “Sonata I know this is hard but Aria is giving us a chance to end this. I'm sorry.” Sonata fights back tears as she turns to Twilight and the others, giving them a confirming nod. The six ponies focus their energies, preparing to fire. As she strains to keep the power contained, Aria calls out to her sister. “Sonata. I'm gonna be alright.” She smirks as Twilight and the others unleash their attack. The massive resulting blast obscures everything in the area. In the skies, the ripple throws many of the pegasi around as well. As the fliers regain their balance, Lightning Dust finds that her Shadowbolt army has reverted back to their original forms, many of them very confused by what has happened. “Watch it. Careful.” She hears the familiar voices of Cut Off, Double Down and Boogie Night, who have been changed back to their non-pegasi forms and have been rescued by the Wonderbolts and placed on the ground. “Could this day get any worse?” She says to herself before looking up and seeing a large group of Wonderbolts behind her. “I really need to learn when to keep my mouth shut.” She darts off as fast as she can, screaming as the group gives chase. As their former leader is chased off the trio attempt to make their escape as well. “Looks like it's time to hit the road before all this confusion turns into the blame game.” Cut Off suggests. “Yeah let's beat it.” Boogie Night agrees as the three begin to slink off, only to bump into a recovered Princess Luna and the freed palace guard who look none too amused. Cut Off once again takes the lead. “Oh, Princess Luna. How good to see you again. You remember us. We worked in the castle guard and we accidentally destroyed your room in the castle. Good times, huh? Well we can explain this whole thing if you'll just let us...Everypony for himself!” The three gallop off at full speed, hoping to outrun the guards. “Out of my way, out of my way!” They are caught mere seconds later as the guards trap them in a force field. “Aw horseradish.” As the three are apprehended Luna looks off to where the battle has taken place. “Take some of the other guards and see what has happened.” “Yes your highness.” In the debris laden area Sunset Shimmer is one of the first to awaken, joined shortly after by Sonata. The siren wakes up and instantly heads to the large crater where Aria lays motionless. A short distance away Adagio is frantically digging through the rubble to find the pendent. “Where is it? Where is it? It has to be here somewhere. This isn't over.” She slowly stops as she hears her sister's cries, eventually ceasing all together and making her way to Sonata. As she moves closer her youngest sister shows her no malice as she nuzzles Aria in an attempt to wake her. The two are surprised as she weakly opens her eye. “Sonata, you're okay.” She says with a pained smile. “And Adagio?” “I'm right here.” Adagio moves closer so that she is visible to her. “I don't understand. Why did you do that?” “You're my sister. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you.” Aria strains to get up but finds that she can't. “Aria please, don't try to get up.” Sonata pleads. “Is everyone else okay?” “Yes, they'll be fine.” “Good.” Aria jerks in pain, crying out, causing Sonata to move closer. “Aria, are you okay?” “Yeah, I'm fine. I...just need...a little...rest.” She slowly closes her eyes as she once again lies motionless. Adagio, overcome with emotion, attempts to stir her again. “Aria? Aria? I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't want this. Please Aria, wake up. You can't....” She lays her head on top of her sister as Sonata does the same, with Sunset Shimmer bowing her head in the distance.