The Siren's Remorse

by TheronSniper

Ch. 20 Altruistic

Ch. 20 Altruistic

Sunset and Flash entered the cafeteria doors side by side and walked through the gap between the lunch tables, a few students sat among their specific clicks attempting to lift the haze of sleep. The relative quiet became a note of encouragement to her previous feelings with Flash, she usually received passing glances or the nose up from those who still remembered her past queen bee persona. Being alongside Sentry and the fact that it was still so early in the morning, anyone eating or talking seemed to ignore the pair like they were anyone else.

The school breakfast program gave free meals to the student body which most took readily with a fair assortment of options. The majority of the school tended to get a bite to eat fifteen minutes before the bell and cram whatever they could. The rather docile atmosphere became a pleasing air about them, no one to judged her nor showed cowardliness in her presence. Perhaps it was just too early to care as many students would likely admit.

Once they crossed the waxed tile floor and into the food court, the two separated for a moment to grab trays and pick something from the three service zones. Flash had been drawn to the smell of freshly scrambled eggs and sizzling meats, while Sunset honed in on the scent of buttery cooked oats courtesy of Granny Smith. The white haired woman had taken her retirement years at the farm to work the kitchen, when she heard of what they served as food she was appalled. Applebloom's review had ultimately pushed the school food program into a cleaner and healthy direction with Ms. Smith at the helm. So far she had enough say to bring a few fresh items straight from her family's farm to cut costs and ease the school in, to which the students took to it like ants to sugar.

"Oh there ya are, been quite some time since ya visited. Care for my famous apple and oats? It's mah family's recipe." the grandmother to Applejack announced proudly with the waiting ladle twisting in the air.

"Good morning Ms. Smith, sorry I haven't been around lately. Kinda had a rough few weeks." she chuckled in light of the horrific insomnia she endured.

"Ahhh, so sorry to hear that darl'n. Maybe my power bowl will help ya with that dark cloud above you have." she smiled motherly at her while she prepared the lumpy creamy dish.

Sunset observed the woman as she recalled the tiny apple chunks which were as soft as boiled potatoes, yet firm enough to keep their form. They offered sweet delicious bits to the creamy soft oats cooked with the Apple Farm's own dairy. Steam flowed like a lazy ghost off the surface of the huge steel bowl which sat over heated water, her serving transferred to Sunset's white plastic tray by the woman's shaky hands.

"Got ourselves some seasonal goodies! Early season figs and blueberries with Rome Apples fresh off the trees." the old lady said as she pulled out a small clay cup with the chilled fruit for her to grasp, "Now you take care ya hear? And I want to see you here every morning from now on! Granny Smith won't let you young whippersnappers let go of your own health, not right to see youth feel'n old and all."

The kindness and generosity of the lunch lady always brought a good start to any day no matter how bad the nightmares had been. She also discarded the who incident she had caused either from her old age or she simply couldn't fathom such a thing as a demon. When she did stop by, her power bowl somehow brought the energy she needed to go throughout the day with such little rest. It was a blessing she never took for granted, and often stopped by after school to help her take out the trash or clean up before the curse happened.

"Yes ma'am, trust me I'll be here as a regular customer from now on." she smiled bashfully remembering why that was a promise she'd keep.

Having waved farewell, Flash and her rejoined at the moderately busy cashier line to log in their portion for the program records. An awkward silence pervaded them, though Shimmer was the only one to really focus on it while Flash seemed to tap a shoe to a beat in his mind. She tried to listen in on the beat and to her surprise, it was that one song he use to play when they were together. After three students were left in front of them, he snapped back into reality and looked to what his ex-girlfriend had taken as her breakfast meal.

"So... you got the oatmeal and fresh fruit huh?" her soon to be teammate asked as they stood in line to pay for their trays.

"Ya, good for your heart and quick energy. Not to mention a healthy choice for the gut as well." she smiled to herself.

Flash nodded and viewed his selection to notice the drastic differences in opinion of a good meal, a heavy greasy plate of sausage links, bacon, eggs, and toast halves with two packets of jelly. When those soft cerulean eyes were found investigating his tray, Sunset laughed under her breath.

"Honestly, I'd trust you to help with the team's food regimen. I mean if what you have is the breakfast of champions, I wonder what that makes mine?" a nervous grin crept upon his suave features.

"Its just a habit I picked up from Coach Iron Will, you can always find him arriving for first class with a bowl of the stuff in all sorts of variations. I think it was History two, someone brought it up and he went on this whole story of the latest scientific studies on diet vs lifestyles." she answered as they took the last step up before paying the cafeteria lady at the cashier.

"Well you just proved you know a whole lot more than me on this, I'll get what you have next time." they set their trays on the cashier counter for another old woman to take count.

While waiting for her to divvy up their orders, Flash had taken notice of the few students who were peppy enough to be observant, catching a sight of Shimmer they began to talk among themselves. He knew better than most what was likely being said, slander towards his friend simply because they held grudges. He figured after a month things would have died down, she was reformed after all and she regretted her actions. People just had to keep the hot iron on her just to spite, even if her tyrannical hold prior to the incident was technically unforgivable. Having heard the closing ding of the cash register drawer, an idea popped into mind.

"Hey! Why don't we go outside, some fresh air would do us good? I know the perfect spot." he did his best to keep himself between her vision and the scowling students behind him.

"Uhh... sure?" she shrugged and thankfully missed the rabble as they advanced outdoors.

Leaving the air of bacon and smokey sausage for the crisp clean outside conditions, they looked around to see no one else other than a few birds and a squirrel. All around their immediate reach were benches for the the overflow from the cafeteria, beyond them were the sports fields and track. The sun had yet to rise high enough to warm the cool air that flowed through, having passed out of a humid warm zone it was enough to give them goosebumps. The morning grass and dew still lingered as the birds had started their grazing habit and chirping.

Taking the seats closest to them, they set about their little feast, "I'm not going to lie, we'll be up against some tough players. From what I hear they're headlining with the most aggressive girls to be churned out."

Sunset nodded as she blew on her bowl to cool it faster, "I remember last years event, different players but they were pounding us in every round."

"My buddy who graduated took a broken leg from their so called 'honest and fair' tactics. Said they were very aggressive and knew how to play on the edge. The referee didn't catch it though, so it went without punishment." he sighed before spearing a link of meat.

"I remember something about that, though with the popularity of camera phones this year they probably won't risk it. That could only mean they'll be even more fierce in every game, so then those girls will likely be the top tier students." the first spoonful of the oatmeal immediately sent a blissful euphoria through her taste buds which offset the seriousness of what she said.

"Ya, that seems like Crystal Prep alright. Doing everything they can to keep their winning streak!" he grumbled with indignation.

She chewed the thick brewed oats slowly to savor the mixture of spices and apple flavor, smiling absentmindedly at Ms. Smith's cooking. She noticed the soft butter flavor hidden in the initial taste before it gave way to the dominating clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and something else she couldn't figure out. Then there were the pieces of cube cut apple, slightly chewy with the texture of grapes that added a burst of tang with each spoonful. On her fifth spoon of the miracle dish, she hadn't realized she was giving a food enthusiasts moan each time and right before Flash too.

"Wow... I don't think I've ever seen anyone enjoy their food like you do? Is it that good to make you sound like that?" he chuckled as her eyes bugged out and her muscles paused.

Blushing from her moment of ecstasy, she swallowed before turning away to calm down the beating heart punching away at her rib cage. She had forgotten she had been with the boy, as usually she had the girls with her and pinkie was never ashamed of expressing her joy at sweet goodies Ms. Smith churned out. Something from that girl rubbed off on her in a bad way even if it felt natural.

"Hey, chill out Sunset? I'm sorry for laughing, you just looked... adorable. Oh! Wait! I didn't mean to uhh... say it like that." he stumbled on his compliment which did not help Shimmer recover any faster.

She shot him a harsh glare for making her feel bad, "You'd act like that if You tasted her cooking! Here... try it yourself and see if you don't melt in your seat!" she demanded while holding out a freshly scooped spoon she nearly rocketed onto his shirt and jacket.

Seeing her in distress, Sentry knew he had to make it up to her, "Sure, I owe you that much."

He lurched forward over the table and took the sample into his mouth in a very slow ponderous pace once the acclaimed food worked his senses into oblivion. Once his lips sealed on the neck of the spoon, it hit him hard as a rouge basketball tossed into the audience at a big game. The sheer wave of the complex flavors had him humming just as she promised it would, and he even closed his eyes as he inched off the plastic utensil in an almost sensual manner. In all his life, morning meals were always meat based or eggs with toast thanks to how he was brought up. His parents were never big with throwing sweet things his way as a child growing up, sugar was reserved for sauces and dips to accent the cooked flesh especially when Game Day for football season rolled around and his father invited all his friends. Fruit he often partook only during school, but to have it in this manner had blown his perception into the proper light of what healthy food was.

For Sunset, her plan backfired with the explosion of a detonated fireworks factory complete with the colors of the rainbow. How he reacted to Smith's skills in the culinary arts was beyond her comprehension then and there, he took the spoon and practically french kissed it to ensure it was as clean as it could be. It was then she realized she had let him eat off the very spoon she'd been using and would still have to unless she got up to get a new one. If her face could get any redder, she could create a whole new shade of red. What had just happened before her was shocking and oddly exciting to her which made her question her reservations with Flash.

'Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! No no no no no noooooooo!!' she screamed in her mind, 'Take deep breathes girl just take those breathes and suppress... suppress... suppress and forget it.'

"Oh wow Sunny! I can't believe I've been here for two years and missed out on that sweetness in a bowl for this salty greasy crude!" he laughed as he savored the remaining taste in his mouth, "I'm eating whatever you are from this point on, its healthy too so it's a win win right?"

She awkwardly grinned to hide the emotional turmoil raging in her mind, "Sure thing! Oh hey, we should go over the stuff with the team and all that right?! We have plenty of ground that needs to be hammered out!?" a nervous chortle finished her obvious attempt to move their attention to something else.

He nodded and missed her squirming behavior as the sports part of his brain kicked into overdrive. They discussed what could be done and needed to be done to defeat Crystal Prep. Everywhere from looking at old footage of past games to teamwork building exercises along with the basic practice in honing skills. The time they shared together discussing the smaller things until it all transitioned to what she thought about the whole matter had been an pleasant experience. The entire issue with Flash had become nothing more short of a whisper in the back of her head, she welcomed and drank in the social bonding they shared. It was quite different from when she ate lunch with the girls, there was a sense of connection and harmony she felt had been missing since her reformation. Whether it was love or just a male companion she required, little of it mattered under the exchange of opinions and strategy. Her body and soul were in peace for once since the nightmares had begun, and every second of it she ensured would never leave her memory. Not to mention his nickname for her back when they dated, how he use to call her 'Sunny' when she entered a rather bad mood as she did often.

"Well its about to be time for first class, guess that ends our strategy meeting. You will be sure to sign up since we killed so much time talking away?" Flash posed the inquiry as he stood up to throw away the left over plate and trash.

"I wouldn't skip this for the world, there is so much we could do to help Canterlot High. A powerhouse team working together for the greater good can't be defeated so easily." her joyful mood conveyed her high hopes.

With a promise to meet up later, Sunset watched as he walked off into the building while she could admire him for his kindness and generosity. After how she treated him before Twilight showed up, he still held no grudge or regret of ever knowing her. To the opposite in fact, perhaps that had been why she selected him to be her boyfriend back then, a special trait she picked up if not for his looks and popularity for being a talented musician. In doing so, she also recalled how she did treat him like dirt along with the horrible attitude she displayed to all the students. A sweet and admirable piece of time went sour thanks to her past, and which distracted her from hearing Rainbow totter up to her side with a devious grin.

"So... hitting it off I see. I wonder what Twilight would think of that little spooning you just did?"

Dinner with the Sirens

"Sonata, you sure you told Twilight to meet us there? You do tend to forget and I need to know if Yellow sent the details yet." Adagio still had reservations about the pact, with all the variables to juggle she wanted to know as much as possible before the time came.

"Duh!? Of course I did, I even took another photo of us and sent it with the message so I wouldn't forget!" the blue haired girl wore the largest smile as she prided herself for thinking ahead.

"Well, if that ain't the first she's actually thought of anything other then food. I guess the pendants are fixing her brain too." Aria snorted with a smile as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Your just mad because you didn't think of it!" Dusk fired back.

"Once an idiot always an idiot, you realize what you just said right?" the argument had been ongoing since they left the hotel.

"Nnn...no? Whatever, Twilight knows and I made sure if it. So we should be on our way to the sushi net right?" the pounding bass from the sound system of a nearby car nearly drowned her out.

Adagio sighed at the little conflict like a parent would after a long day with children, "Ya, sure... its just a couple blocks down there. Now let's go kids, before the place gets packed and I have to put you two in high chairs." their audible disdain at her warning had them both wince and frown at one another.

Sonata stuck her tongue out to her harasser before falling in line with the leader skipping slightly. She looked like any normal peppy teenager fresh out of school and the sweetest looking child-like joy painted on her face. The humans she passed by would never have known that under that facade was the monstrous form of the Hippocampi, they accepted her as just one of their own with a high cuteness level. The kind of girl who could get away with murder and all would turn their eyes away as if it never happened.

"So oh glorious and benevolent leader, are we going to have some kind of plan in case Yellow's as crazy as Discord?" Blaze ask once she caught up to speed with the others brushing through the foodies and couples in the way.

"No... I've been thinking about this, since we last met that cult I mean." she folded her arms across the dark purple corset.

"And?" Aria rose an eyebrow.

"We can't underestimate them, did you see how many they had? That one who drew out those souls from the gems with magic! It was Equestrian magic! Yellow himself had his own that destroyed those remnants..." she bit her lip just thinking about it.

"Ya that's why we have you, to think around it right?" she waved a hand in a twirl as if to get on with the point.

"They shouldn't have magic is what I'm trying to get at, and until we figure it out we may very well be dealing with the same resistance the Rainbooms had to our song. We're at the mercy of a school of sharks just waiting to attack, and they won't be easy to break if we have to." her sharp eyes glanced around their position as if she thought they were being watched.

"They probably have gems like us! Maybe hidden somewhere where they can use magic if they need it?" Sonata proposed unexpectedly.

"Then that's why Yellow probably played the gambling fool in trusting us with all three of these. They most likely have safeguards in case we turned and fled." she rubbed her chin as she went over the three they knew something about.

"Like that Lich? We certainly can't control anything like that back on Equis." her twin pigtails swayed in the breeze of the wind tunnel caused by the tall buildings along the long stretch of road.

"On Equis yes, but here they're like us. If we ever had to act against them, our combined might could knock a few of them out. These gems likely won't hold out in a battle even as deep of a well as they are. We're not unicorn battle mages!" she pinched the bridge of her nose as irritation flustered her thoughts.

"So... we really are going to play their game no matter what?" Aria asked not particularly fond of the lack of options.

"At best, we could just leave and hope they didn't put some kind of tracking spell or beacon on these. Even then we'd eventually be hunted down, so I'd prefer to dig in and suck out as much dirt as we can as fast as possible. We'll have to act the part as well, and use our hatred of the Rainbooms to get us in close." as she spoke, the smell of the many fine dining establishments flowed around them like a stream.

They strolled past a few bar and grills bustling with tourists and blue collar workers who ate, drank, and talked up storms of noise with each main entrance they passed. Rather than try to talk over it, Aria wore the look of murder with each person or group they had to side step as they walked in and out of the many doors. The flow of vehicles parking along the street and through the alley ways to more parking added to the chorus of annoyance. They were walking by the top five eats and dives of the town which promised further loud ruckus to assail their ears. Street lights were blinking on just as the sun began to paint the sky in vivid purples and oranges, accented by the electric signs and headlights of cars and buses. Aria waited till they made it to the one reason they endured the journey comparable to walking on fire coral or bristle worms.

A simple looking black and white building among the more baroque brick and stone architecture around it. The style of food came from another nation across a large ocean similar to neighpon they visited before Aquestria fell to their beautiful voices. A very awkward visit to be among the Dracony, a part of her life she quickly suppressed and hid under a block of repression and denial. However, their food was to die for in the freshness and art of preparation. Now they were about to test the human equivalent, and this sushi bar had the better prices of the five other nearby.

"Twilight! Over here!!" Sonata yelled and startled Aria from her regretful musings.

The meek little human had no time to reply as she left the bus before she was grabbed and lifted off the ground. The blue siren swayed the human rag doll around like a cat in a little girl's hold. The lulling ruffled her hair bun and tilted her glasses in a lopsided position, all the while Sonata delightfully greeted her with ecstatic welcome that the few bystanders found funny enough to snap photos. Aria enjoyed the pain and disorder being wrought on the human girl, even if it was the one thing they all knew was whatever their cotton headed fool valued. She always took to them like a fish to water.

"IIIt's... goood... to see... you... tooo... ECK!!" the mouse squeaked as her back popped from the embrace.

"Sonata dear, your going to break your friend there. So if your finished, we have a meal to get to." Adagio grinned seeing the enhanced strength the three gems gave them.

"Oppsies... sorry there." the hold released and out fell the schoolgirl gasping for air.

Without time to recover, Sonata took her hand and led her into the restaurant as the other two disappeared through the doorway already. Adagio had casually acknowledged the welcoming server who led them to their table and laid the menus out. Being practically dragged to the table as the last pair, Sonata and Twilight shared the other side of the booth. Her recovery from the energetic siren and her method of greeting took a moment to fix her self back into proper order, while Adagio ordered their water for the table.

"Gosh Sonata, I know your new toy here is fun and all, but don't break her. Last thing we need is to piss off Yellow." Aria's jest earned a raspberry from her counterpart.

Once her glasses were restored to their rightful position, the wonderment and fascination the restaurant prided itself stunned her with its immaculate minimalism. A large single room as spacious as the cafeteria at Crystal Prep had red lights from the globular lights in the black ceiling bathe the area. Their pinks, yellows, and reds created a relaxing mood for the rather calm restaurant as busy as it was. The tan colored walls hung large eastern paintings of farmlands and mountains, a few birds and dragons appeared as majestic as their real counterparts. Adagio noticed that even the Dracony worshiped their benevolent god dragons as much as the humans did their fictional ones, oddly enough the serpent-looking horned creatures had no real deviations.

The entire room had the primary floor covered in fine wood tables and chairs, likely handmade for the aesthetic. Three of the four walls hosted the booths for big groups and those who wanted a little privacy. Their red fabric of the cushions matched the red table cloths that sat in between triangular ceramic serving dishes and small sauce bowls. For the centerpiece of the sushi bar, the preparation and serving area open for customers to watch the artistic and hard earned skill of the chefs. The scene of nearly fresh off the boat seafood gave the air a sea breeze aroma mixed with the few grilled and seasoned items that were offered.

As the girls looked at their choices, Adagio took the moment to study Twilight out of curiosity. She analyzed her body language and eye movement, looking for anything suspicious that a double crosser would exhibit. A minute resulted in no signs of such things, she was the same innocent little human who became involved with Equestria's darker inhabitants.

"I think I know what suits someone like me, Unagi Nigiri. Those sea snakes were so tasty back when I was a small fry." Aria announced before putting her menu away with an air of ego.

"I'm liking the dinner sashimi assortment." Dazzle added and ignored the vagrant next to her.

Unlike the usual menus, there were strange names for the ways to prepare the food that Twilight had to assist Sonata with. In a simple way of explaining how each method would be presented, she soon caught on to the odd names and quantity of each was to be expected. The rather comedic responses of the blue siren were charming to say the least, much of how it was like when they visited that lone island nation ages ago. Adagio had good memories being among those strange equine-dragon hybrids and their equally strange ways, it was a shame they couldn't gather negative energy from them due to their ancestry. As she fondly remembered that part of her pod's history, Sonata had made headway when she found something close to her stomach.

"Guess I'll go with the Spicy Shrimp Maki, and you?" Twilight glanced over to what the eager girl pointed to.

"Hand Rolls, spicy tuna hand rolls!" she salivated enough that a bit of drool escaped out of the corner of her mouth, "They remind me of something tasty, only packed with everything they could have like that one Caribbean place we went to before coming to this town."

Sparkle giggled to herself while the headstrong girl across the table could only groan in embarrassment from being near the simple minded fool in a public place. Adagio however, found it rather entertaining for how well the human and a siren had gotten along in a short time frame. Even better, they were aggravating the usurper next to her which added garnish to her night. Bursting her bubble meant she was not giving herself the image of being the matriarch, something she would have applauded the human for if she did not have the heavy task at hand to carry out. The tapping of shoes signaled the onset of supper to come which drew the golden siren away from the comedy.

"Hello, my name is Gentle Shores. Are you ready to order? We have a special tonight on Chinook Salmon if your interested?" the young copper haired woman asked.

"We're fine with what we want, we'll be on the same check." Adagio replied without meeting eye contact.

"Gentle Shores? Is that really you?!" Twilight called out as she adjusted her glasses to see clearly.

"Ahh... if it isn't the top student at Crystal Prep! How are you!?" the waitress broke away from Dazzle as she was about to tell her what she wanted.

Sparkle stood up as best she could in the awkward position of being close to the wall in the booth, which Sonata soon found herself unknowingly squished between both girls and their chests as they hugged above her. While annoyed at being denied their food by a few moments longer, Aria snickered as Dusk had her bear hug returned to her and she couldn't even process the experience. A short embrace was all they needed before they went on a dive into each others lives.

"Girls, this is Shores! She's a foreign student who transferred here a year ago to attend the university nearby. She spent her last year of high school at C.P.!" she joyfully mentioned as she sat back down.

"Without her, I would not have been able to graduate due to language barrier and culture shock. She was my tutor for a couple months, helped me pass the finals. Are you her friends?" she asked.

"Ya! She's My best friend!" Adagio felt the instinctive protectiveness her subordinate exuded, stress pheromones only sirens could pick up.

"Were you two friends by chance? Because she never mentioned anything about you." she asked twirling around a curly lock of orange hair.

"Oh no, we were just study buddies. I had crash course into every class, but Principle Cinch was the one who paired us up so I could pass valedictorian. I already worked hard back home. Can't say we hung out unless you count homework and reading." Shores seemed oblivious to the assumption the siren were casting and Sonata's troubled face.

"Ah, so just another student then. Well if your done recapping with each other we'd like to eat soon." she tapped her menu with a slight bit of irritability.

"Oh! I'm so sorry about that, Twilight we have to catch up soon! I could use a tutor with classes as they've been?" soft teal skinned waitress waved before she dutifully listened for their food choices.

Having placed their orders, the time came to discuss matters as well as look into this new person who was never spoken of before. Knowing Aria, she would have been content to sit and ignore everyone until the food arrived unless the Gentle Shores topic grew intense. She only hoped the simpleton across from her would let her speak and subdue the possessiveness she still fermented in.

"Sooo... Twilight, anyone else you know we might be privy to? Anyone from Canterlot High you forgot to mention?" her piercing eyes speared the girls attention like a harpoon through an unwary fish.

The sting of wavering trust forced the student to flinch, "I was only a tutor once! I had just finished my studies in other languages and Cinch figured I'd be the best one to get her the highest grades. I'm sorry I didn't mention her before, we only studied together for two hours a day at best."

"Hmmm... You didn't answer the question." her uncaring face showed her discontent.

"Like what does it matter? They barely knew each other right? She wasn't from C.H., not like she'd be friends with anyone from that awful place. Right?" Sonata unfortunately butted in when she picked up on Adagio's machinations against her little buddy.

"It does if there is any chance anyone was from C.H. or transferred to her school. If they even spent an hour with her, they might just decide to look her up and remember us!" Dazzle squinted her eyes at the rebelling siren in front of her.

"Adagio, you never asked for a list of anyone I've been in contact with. Why are you suddenly coming after me about it now? Not that I know anyone from C.H. anyways." Sparkle answered with a little hurt surfacing at the lack of association to anyone that didn't need something from her.

"I'll act as I see fit for the good of MY pod human... remember what we are and why we are in this world. Anyone from that school could easily squeal on us and we may not survive the next battle." she sat back into the cushioned seat, "We have Sonata's stone that needs to be filled and the big difference between us and those talentless hacks! Is their ability to perform magic without a sea of listeners."

Twilight could sense something had been troubling the alpha of the group for awhile it seemed, "I understand the limitations Adagio, and your concerns are well warranted. But how come this was never an issue when you feed?"

She touched the gemstone hidden in the corset, "These gems, they have the ability to wipe memories to an extent. So if we told you to forget we existed then you'd do just that." her hand gestured a swipe, "The problem comes from our need to travel around, we will never be forced into hiding but that doesn't mean we need to get to draw their attention. If you know anyone that could potentially rat us out... then you can see where I'm going with this." she sipped her ice water to quell her parched throat and swelling frustration.

Their conversation had been kept to a low tone to avoid eavesdroppers, but they were starting to get loud enough that it would become a problem. Aria noticed Twilight had no aura of submission, instead she pushed back and questioned Adagio in the same way she wished she could. The little girl probably figured it out as well, either Yellow's mysterious agenda or the security issue while they still fed in this world were stressing Adagio. The fear of losing the rubies weighted far more upon her shoulders as the matriarch, the mentality ensured it.

"Look, I know this is big for you and you don't want to lose your powers again, but I'm on your side! If there is anything you need to know to feel safe I'll be happy to meet your requirements. But lambasting me won't help, I have as much of a stake in this as you do." Sparkle spoke with a shaking confidence.

"You know nothing whelp!" she hissed, "Just because we're suppose to bond doesn't mean we're friends, we're to work together until this all ends when the deal is done." she recomposed herself when her hearing picked up the whispers from a nearby family.

"Wow Adagio... could you ruin the plan any further? And here I thought you were the most level headed of us." Aria quipped with a devious smirk which she growled at quickly.

"Don't mind her Twi, she's just being a meanie. Give her some food and she'll calm down." the blue siren put a hand on the girl's shoulder with a friendly face of support.

Twilight felt the need to forgive and forget, yet a fire flared within her heart, "I've done nothing but be helpful and well mannered with you. I told my whole life to strangers, put my reputation on this new science, and trusted a stranger who in all rights I should have ignored out of my own safety. We all saw what we did in that house, and if anything I'm in more danger than you... I'm only human in the face them or you." she trembled a bit as the adrenaline started to peak.

"She's right you know." Aria spoke up again, "I have nothing to care for these monkeys, but even an earth pony has some magic to defend itself. She's just an ant, like how you said you felt before the screwball league. So what's got your panties in a bunch? Oh Matriarch." Aria teased as she leaned onto the table with her elbows.

"Ya, you've been like me after trying that ghost pepper sauce and the hot stays in your mouth hours after eating." Sonata added.

All three had suddenly turned on her, sapping away her domination like a wave of water over a fire. Her eyes darted between the three noticing she had little recourse but to relent her pursuit on Sparkle. Dejected, she sat still in her seat and stared at the table top where her glass of water left a small puddle of condensation around the foot. Of all the ways she figured the night would go, having her two pod mates argue if not resist her motives had been unexpected. She failed to maintain control, failed to keep a consensus among themselves, and she failed to not feel for what she just did to an ally.

"What's wrong Adagio?" her eyes twitched with her thoughts severed at Sparkle's sudden question.

"W...What do you mean?" she barely stuttered.

"I... I saw you last night after you woke up, from what I presume you had a nightmare." she calmly looked at the golden siren as her eyes portrayed mixed emotions.

'It wasn't a dream that I woke up after that... oh nooo!' she thought with a sad groan.

"You can trust me, you can trust us. We're in this together, even if these Rainbooms come barging through that door this instant." she technically lied having never met them nor seen their own powers in action.

"Ya, your like the one brain who does all the stuff, even if we came up with little all the other times." Dusk shrugged.

"Listen to the nerd, otherwise... I might just consider taking your spot and judging by your condition, it would be a steal." Aria grinned as she aimed to rustle the distressed girl back into life.

"Over my dead body!" she glared to the usurper before losing energy.

"Is it that bad that you won't tell us why?" Sparkle pressured.

"Come to think of it, she's never said anything from where she came from. You basically came across my pack and snatched me away, but its not like I wanted to stay with those fat manatees." the twin pony tailed girl cursed in silence.

"Ya, you just swept me up because Cavatina wanted me out. None of you guys even asked about me other than my musical skills." Dusk fiddled with her fingers trying to join in.

Adagio looked away from everyone trying to avoid what was coming, "I just wanted to find out anything else on Yellow, not have the table turned on myself." she murmured under her breath.

"Seriously, I don't want to lose these gems again Adagio. So you better cough up what's been bugging you, because she's not the only one whose seen you talk in your sleep." Aria frowned as she heard Gentle Shores walking towards them with their food.

Shores arrived with a large black tray brimming with select cuts and carefully prepared cuisine. She went about setting them to the proper customer. With two other tables waiting to order, she had little room to notice the tension in the air around the table and solely focused on her duty to the restaurant. She merely bowed before dashing off to the new patrons across the room. That left the group to continue on with food before them, the fresh fish and crustacean permeated the air and quickly pacified the befuddled goldy locks. She had been both tired and hungry after the day of practicing and errands, the few times the others bickered she was not in the best condition to mediate. Regret spread through her spirit as she dealt with the same reoccurring mess, she should have waited before dealing with Twilight until the last moment. That error lead to the present and her in the spotlight with her pod watching for her next words.

No one else touched their food, they wanted to know what caused her to be overzealous with Twilight. They would not cease from the way they eyed her, even with the gemstone at her disposal to ease the experience of being mortal. She couldn't control it with that dream bothering her like a goblin on her back hitting her with a stick none stop. The cursed creature had been there for some time too, she usually was able to tune him out for a time. Perhaps this was it, the day she couldn't ignore the abuse any more, and she had support before her who wanted her to remain the matriarch for some strange reason beyond the natural way of the siren. Any true leader of any pod would die to earn such dedication from their members, but it was a give and take situation. Thus far, she had given every minute of her life to finding power for them, then surviving as humans, only to go back to power seeking under the threat of a set back at a given notice. She took their lives for every run and loop to get back to Equestria or seek to control this world they'd been trapped on. After so many failed attempts, had she really given enough? Did she really sacrifice enough for them to call herself a Matriarch?

"Please, reconsider the chance to deal with the problem that burdens you. Just like I did with Sonata and myself, opening up to one another and finding common ground.. I'm sure you've noticed how she's been since then?" she gestured to the spontaneous girl who waved meekly.

Her words echoed in the siren's mind, bouncing around like a ricocheting bullet inside a giant bell. It competed against all she knew of what a siren should act and behave as, how one would lead them with strength and wits. She hated the very feeling, trying to treat it as nonsense even as it asserted itself as something palatable. A mere ape trying to help her, trying to ease her worry and fears she tried so hard to hide. As long as she had battled the coming compiling variables, this person was willing to forgive her for overreacting. A Matriarch giving in to a lesser being, taking their plea to accept their help which seemed valid and right, but disgusting at the same time. If she had a saner mind, the siren would have tossed her away and sought new grounds to which to build upon. However, Adagio had herself and only herself who decided the fate of the other two who followed her word to the letter. No matter how she felt, this was something bigger than her. If the others saw it fit to agree with a different persepctive, then she had to do so to; especially in the circumstances they were in.

"Alright! Fine! But this doesn't leave this table, we never speak of this again. Am. I. Clear?" the scorn she exhibited had been born out of fear, fear of seeming weak in front of everyone especially Aria.

"Ohhh, so we finally get to be the audience to the Matriarch's dilemma?" the purple haired teenager chuckled before jumping in her seat from a kick to the shins, "You prick!"

Sonata held a hand to her mouth as she giggled from silencing the troublesome one. She may have been dull witted, but she knew when something important was occuring and needed no interruption of any kind.

"Since the two of you know about it... guess there is no hiding it anymore. And I'm not going to let YOU take the reins I so rightfully had from the start." she pointed aggressively to the leather jacketed punk girl with her chopsticks then in hand.

Sonata took her first bite of the food as the show started, while Twilight waited with baited breath for the newest information on the lives of sirens. Aria would have been great to have sought out, but the Matriarch was the catch of a lifetime. She ignored her food with a mind hungry for more knowledge despite disobeying Yellow's orders to avoid sensitive ordeals with the girls.

"If anyone breathes this to Yellow, I will end you." she threatened with a lackluster in her fervor, "I..."

"Wait? She's been sleep walking!" Aria grumbled into the palms of her hands at the cerulean fool's bubble bursting ability.

Twilight touched her closest arm suspending the roll to her mouth, and shook her head to the vocalist who looked at her. Adagio proceeded to throw down five small morsels and swallow without chewing, letting the tasty flesh forego her taste buds and sink into her stomach. Sonata always seemed to shine her best when it was in the most inconvenient moment, and usually she was the lone target. With a deep breath she closed her eyes and let the memory come back, memories of defining moment in her life that made and broke the illustrious singer.

"Every night I dream... when I'm worried or afraid. I remember my family... I remember why I had to leave them." she began while moving the remaining pieces of edible art around on the plate, "We were poisoned by those tartarus born ponies! Our Matriarch trusted the river side town and fed off them just enough to sustain us, and in turn like Sonata's pod we protected them from Muck Dwellers and the roving sea serpent. Seven generations we lived with them in relative peace... then they opened up that coal factory and flooded the river and coast with whatever came out of those accursed places!"

Everyone could tell she was choking back for the sake of their presence in the busy sushi bar, her gem blared to life as it was used to aid in her restraint. Aria seemed to lose her muster and watched on without letting her eyes leave the golden curls. For her kind to forcefully bottle anything as she was doing now, meant the truth and pain in their word which was concrete proof to them of its legitimacy.

"We knew nothing of the toxic sludge until it was too late, and by then all the others were too sick to do anything... mom... she gave all her remaining magic to protect me from the runoff as did father." she gritted her teeth in pain as it became harder to maintain control.

Twilight swallowed the lump in her throat, Dusk put her meal down when she heard the doomed pod's coming end.

"They told me to leave and start my own... to get away from that place without them. No matter how much I protested... my father used what was left of his strength to throw me out and onto dry land. He was always the type to get things done... that stupid fool..." She clenched her right hand and nearly bent the metal chopsticks from the pressure before she relented.

"Their last words never left me since then, and I've vowed to conquer Equis to exact the same pain as they did to my family!" she hissed under her breath, "Their allies and themselves, we'll make them fight each other while we feed and grow far past the status of a god! No mage will be able to stop us... and our pain will never be forgotten. No foal will ever be born without knowing what happened to my family as they watch their own fight and war one another" she waited for the spectacular feeling of letting a well kept secret heard.

Her body felt alive and yet in pain all at the same time, she broke the code of Matriarchs outright just to save her soul from more torment. If there were any other sirens in the area, she'd be relentlessly attacked for her weakness and control of the pod. Just like Sonata's old Matriarch before Cavatina, only she gave her status up because she failed to hold off the pirates. What kind of alpha was she if she couldn't bare the pain of the past, having to give way to a mere human and her subordinates?

"I'm so sorry for you loss, if whatever used coal as a power source they may not have been aware of the heavy metals that silently kill. Every so often the news will show a disaster where an entire river essentially died because of mismanagement of waste byproducts and cutbacks to save bits. I don't think eve magic could handle arsenic or mercury in high enough concentrations." Sparkle iterated before the pieces of the puzzle came together right at that moment, "Your afraid... aren't you?"

Adagio pushed back the buckling gates, "What are... you talking about?"

"You've been too afraid to fail, and its dragging you down isn't it?" she looked at her with empathy.

"Wow, ponies killed off an entire unit like that?" Aria looked like she'd seen a ghost.

"That's... so sad." Sonata lamented.

Before the bookish girl could continue in her analysis, Adagio cleared her throat and left the booth calmly. Without saying a word, she held a hand to cover the illuminated gem in her dress and made for the restrooms. It became obvious that her moment had been heard throughout the restaurant by the many eyes that looked at them with confusion and curiosity. Even Gentle Shores at another table wore that look of intrigue as she glanced at her former tutor.

"Sonata, you know the drill." Aria sighed as she straightened her posture.

Her colleague frowned before following in toe, both girls put their hands to their concealed pendants and began to hum. A short little tune they both knew escalated into sustained notes with varying pitches to their sultry sound. The entire human attendance had ceased eating or working once the music snagged them, they appeared frozen in mid motion. Twilight caught on to the quick memory wipe as Adagio spoke about, barely containing her amazement at the hypnosis of some kind being enacted upon the unsuspecting people but herself. In her mirth, her ears gauged the emotion behind the girls, it seemed hallow compared to what she'd been privileged to hear.

The act was quick and painless as the two closed the song beautifully, but the experience fell back to their missing comrade. She removed herself from the scene in such a rush, any emotional outburst could spell trouble for them if she acted out of pain. Taking it upon herself, the human girl tapped Sonata on the shoulder who had just been looking at the vacated seat of their friend.

"I'm going to see if she's alright, I'll be back." Sonata nodded wordlessly as she never let her eyes off that one spot, she scooted off the seat to allow passage.

"An entire pod... poisoned... and she was the only one to make it out?" Aria breathed just below a whisper as she tossed away the bravado.

"Ya... poor Adagio." the blue girl forlornly commented as she remembered the morbid pain of her own loss.

The two sirens lost their hunger for the pricey fish, the flavors were muted by their own awe at the atrocity done to a pod. How monsters and predators were not the only things to fear, but the advancements of the ponies who directly affected the environment on such a scale. The worst part of the reality to it, sirens were often far and few from other pods having a huge territory swathe which meant Adagio's unit would never be mourned or avenged by others. All this time, they had been going along with her as part of her plan for revenge, all the fruitless endeavors in the world they were trapped in were all to exact what was long due to whoever she designated as the prey. A pissed off siren was no joke to anything titanic or pony sized, if Cavatina was an example to go on by.

Comments

[Krovgor Warhawk]

I always enjoy stories that try to give an explanation for why the Sirens did what they did. Keep at it man.

[TheronSniper]

7425282 Evil is always born from evil, glad you like how its developing.