The Siren's Remorse

by TheronSniper

Ch. 36 In the Discord You Know

Ch. 36 In the Discord You Know

The peaceful drive through the city soon took the group to what appeared to be a resort type area of the town, a place they never been too before. All around the taxi were tall complexes of dedicated hotels, condos, and resorts which had that freshly constructed feel to them. The sidewalks were pristine white, the roads were solid concrete, new trees dotted the grassy areas and medians, as well as clean parking zones of the nearby buildings and restaurants. Neither an oil stain or bits of old spat out gum to tarnish the thoroughfares. Adagio gazed at the wonderment of crisp clean human dwellings, how they never ventured to this area and what the rest of the world had out there since they moved place to place.

Serak spoke up as he noticed the girls were becoming alert and inquisitive, “You know the strangest thing is? When Yellow amassed half of the group, we found it easy to sleep under the same roof together. Saved bits for us and since we were all from the same place, the trust was sorta there anyways.”.

He chuckled, his English accent tickled Twilight and Sonata, “So your saying you all work human lives to pay for living here?!” Adagio asked putting on that confident hard to discern mask to this Equestrian.

Nodding, “Yes, actually since we’ve only recently gotten the rooms, had a few savings accounts that built up over the years. Amazing how the humans are easily tricked with a few illusion spells and forgeries, they never expect it. Now, we have two of the dwellings in our names and thus I expect all to be awaiting us in Yellow's. Don’t worry they won’t bite, unless you get on Infernos bad side.”

“Lovely… with that name sounds like some kind of hot head.” Aria said stoically with an irritated look, another her wasn't a good thing for what little patience she had.

Twilight knew the sirens in particular the two more assertive ones would be the first to coax hostilities with the power they now possessed, “I'm sorry to ask this in such a way? Are there members of your group we should be... careful around?”

The driver nodded and gave a light shrug, “Inferno’s grown tame over the centuries he’s been here, honestly the reason he was exiled is nothing but dust to the winds of time. Of course he and two others use to share the same body… so I guess they managed to control his rather violent tendencies. Really though, he's a pretty good soul unless you pepper his pride… which I warn to not do Mrs. Blaze.”

The siren in question looked at the rear view mirror and noticed how he looked at her as the taxi pulled into a half full lot, “WHAT??!!”

“You know what he means Aria, anyways, I’ll make sure none of the nuts and bolts here say anything to start a fight. It’s the Rainbooms and Equestria that he should turn that energy and power towards. Not us.” The golden siren held her majesty in the air to which even Serak nodded to, she had the reigns well secured there was no question to.

The true meeting between both parties who would shake Equestria with their goals, which at least the sirens felt they would do. Really, Adagio only had a skim of what Yellow Tail had planned, and only up to the portal. Now they'd get some answers to the questions they've been curious of if only to dispel the mistrust in the group. For Sparkle, it would be a chance to gauge her standing with the man who gave her the knowledge of magic itself and see if she could still abide by both parties in peace and union. She still had issues deep down about Equestria and what part she'd play in releasing these prisoners. She banked on the hope they were mistakenly sent to her world or the majority of them on wrong charges. All that was known was word of mouth and not real proof of anything to quell her worry, she only had loyalty to Adagio because she knew of the crime against her kind. Much like the fate of indigenous people high societies trample over even in the present time, a person of her nature would see correction of wrongs.

'At least I know I have some kind of power I can stop anything from really doing any harm. A chance to not only prevent danger to the empire's citizens if either of them go too far, but I can even experiment how to defend with spells and enchantments. With how violent humans are I'm sure I can think of better ways than using a gun to stop violence. Assuming the other solutions to the world's problems won't end the causes.' she pondered while unbuckling her seat belt.

The taxi parked just as the sliding door activated, allowing everyone to disembark into the fresh crisp air of newly fabricated area. Serak stepped before the Dazzlings who still looked in awe and hit the locking mechanism of the company vehicle. His gray skin matched the dark uniform he had to wear, though he did take off the cap with the logo embroidered above the rim. It was a little funny to Twilight to see that out of all of them she had spent the most time with the former griffon, displaying little apprehension unlike Adagio at the moment.

“Alright, well we’ll be taking the elevator up so stay together otherwise you’ll get lost. It's much bigger on the inside.” he noted as the girls followed him along the walkway, which was finely tended to with the patch of grass bordering the structure and its aqua exterior.

“You would have figured it cost an arm and a leg?” Aria whistled as the group walked to the entrance.

“Sonata, hang onto Twilight till we get to the room. Of everyone here you’re the one I’m worried most of losing in here.” Adagio sighed as the memory of when the girl she stared at pitifully had gotten lost in the grocery store a few years back, there was only an aisle separating them before she asked a worker to help her find them.

“Righty Tighty! Hey Bestie!!” she latched onto the lavender girl’s right arm in a childish manner.

Adagio just shook her head as they stepped through the automatic glass doors under the security cameras, into what put their nice hotel to shame. Fresh air conditioned air blasted the group sending a little shiver across their skin. A faint scent of cleaning supplies hinted to the maintenance which fared well to the sensitive noses of the girls unlike the rather abhorrent strong pine their place used daily. The layout was wide and used as practically as possible, even the reception desk had been designed around simplicity without gaudy counters and adverts. Elegance was far from the proper word to give the design, with lighting from ceiling orbs giving little to shadow.

A cream yellow receptionist simply waved at Serak before returning to her work hidden by the high level sign-in area. The bouncy combed back orange bloom of her hair became the only indication someone was on staff. A lone door behind her Twilight figured was the managers office or the security room, and out of sheer coincidence a uniformed man wearing a policing garb answered that guess. This multi condo building had dedicated security, a fine perk that made the area even more appealing.

Arriving at the elevator doors, the four teenagers and Serak boarded into the classical music playing box. A quiet tune played on a very well designed speaker, no blare from peaks in the music as with their little inn. Something Adagio wished she’d researched better before they set up shop there, as this fine establishment was far more akin to the famous singers. Though it did lack an area to have their morning meals, the lack of convenience did set condos back a par.

After the dinging cue signaled they passed the fourth floor, “So I guess I should at least set you up on a few things. Everyone your meeting has of course been sent here just like you, but as it’s understood for various reasons. As Yellow has probably said, because my memory is a bit fuzzy these days, the worst of the worst have expended their magic and fell into mortality if not into dust. Sad yes, but those of us left were really just in the way of our respective kingdoms or Equestria, and those nobles wanted us gone when our powers or talents proved too much for their little views on how life under their rule should be. Twilight…” he looked to the human girl who had Sonata whispering things into her ears.

"He's kinda cute right? Like Yellow?" the blue siren said in a hushed tone.

"What? How do I know that?!" she replied rather flustered at being asked of one’s level of sexual appeal.

"Mrs. Sparkle?" the man asked again as the elevator reached the eight floor.

“UMMM!! Yes?!” she said with a startle and a mild blush across her cheeks.

The faux human former griffon mage just shook his head not wanting to know what the two were originally talking about, “As I’ve said about myself in general, Griffons despise magic because of its power. Thus, because of their fears I was sent here as soon as my Emperor found out even though I only wanted to help my lord and the kingdom. Probably thought I was going to raid their vaults of bits and such... the limey snobs the bunch of them. You’ll find others like me, so do take everyone here with cup of lemonade as the humans say.”

“Or they could also have been like us, seeking world domination for the adoration we truly deserve?” the group looked to Adagio who shrugged innocently, “What? It’s true?”

Serak just shook his head again as the elevator reached the level they needed to be, stepping out and following the Englishman to the right door of the fifteenth level. Pulling out his wallet he extracted the key card and swiped it, letting the mechanism unlock the girls behind him awaited quietly for the next big thing to happen to them.

Sonata tightened her grip on Twilight as she kept her head between the crook of her neck looking like an inquisitive cat tracking a bird. Aria and Adagio flanked them as the golden siren wondered who’d make up Yellow Tail’s group besides a griffon and what sounded like a former hot head fire thing. They were ready if things did not pan out well, but not that they had any other choice but to trust them; after all they supplied thus far.

Walking into the condo, the girls first noticed the soft warm pallet of color the interior sported. Carpet of an oxblood red covered the immediate floor, which led the eyes into the very simple homely hallways. Much like their hotel at least, there was a closet to the left and a few paces down what appeared to be a bathroom of some sort with the door slightly cracked to verify. Further down the large balcony glass window and door let in the light, easily illuminating everything in the late afternoon sunlight. From what Adagio could tell, the bay lights basked the living room revealing a few recliners and a couch from their perspective. A few more doors to the right of the hallway, a doorless corridor opened up as the last part likely leading to the kitchen no doubt.

“Hey ladies and gents! We’re back!?” Serak called out as he walked in, gesturing with his hand for them to follow.

The Dazzlings did not like how it seemed desolate within the residence, no one responding readily meant something happened or they were focusing on another matter. Adagio gave Aria a silent nod to be ready while the other two stayed behind them. As they followed suit, nothing looked out of the ordinary which struck Dazzle as odd being for who these creatures were. No magical items around, no hanging skins or odd instruments with boiling potions, it seemed alien to what they were expecting. The thick door locked behind Twilight and Sonata as Serak called out again but to no answer.

“I don’t like this…” Aria whispered to Adagio.

“I know.” She replied as Serak reached the living room.

“Hey! Where the bloody hell is every…” the man stopped dead in his tracks as his feet began to slip and slid on what appeared to be a damp carpet.

His arms waved and swung around trying to balance himself as well as grasp for support that did not exist. However, with the sirens too far behind him he simply lost his legs under him as they sailed where his head was. With a loud thud, the former griffon smacked his head not on the carpet, but an ice cream Sunday complete with all the fixings. Even with a whipped cream can appearing over his face as it doused him with a white edible mustache. Adagio and Aria were the first to go on reaction, putting their hands on their gems ready to sing. With their guide ambushed as such, there was a mage in the area playing a prank or gearing up to capture them by incapacitation.

“Now don’t you look sweet?! That wonderful twenties look suits you well!” a voice echoed in the room that startled the girls, it had no source as it just seemed to be coming from all over the room.

“Sonata!! Don’t let go of Twilight! Aria with me!!” Adagio ordered as the two paired up back to back.

“Don’t worry sister, we got this.” Sonata giggled as she too placed a hand on her pendant as she readied to protect her fellow podmate.

A scoff came from nowhere, “Oh pishaw, I’m not here to hurt anyone. I’m actually here to say hello to fellow chaos appreciators from the good ole days of Equestria. So why don’t… you take a seat!” the disembodied voice ended as the girls were instantly scooped off their feet and into clear bean bag chairs clear as day and filled with what appeared to be fizzy soda.

The seats moved without any mechanical assistance, yet they sounded like a go cart that honked with the sound of a goose. Frightened by the experience, the sirens and their human gripped for dear life as they were driven around the large living room and into the dining area as if it were some kind of race event. Though once they got a good view of the place, they saw Yellow Tail and his crew sitting down calmly at the long rectangular glass table with seats still left.

Adagio found her pod and she placed before the others with disheveled hair from the impromptu trek, wondering what was going to happen next. With no immediate culprit to be seen, she had a good moment to look at the others in a better view, the same faces from that day in the veiled house. They all gave her varied facial expressions, but most were calm and seemed at peace.

“So I see we have everyone here! Now why don’t we start with the introductions shall we?” a body popped into existence looking like a dark burgundy noodle above the table, Serak appearing out of nowhere in one of the empty seats clean of debris and dessert.

To everyone’s amazement it moved as if it were the source of a body, as pieces of it apparently spawned around the entire room. Each little extremity walking or jumping up to the long twisting thing where maracas shook by no outside force, they joined once within close enough proximity. A sharp clawed lizard foot and a lion’s paw were the first to assemble on the thing, giving some idea as to its form. Next two antler horns cackled like miniature gremlins as they rode the ceiling fan above before landing down onto an invisible head.

“Come on now, this was supposed to be a celebration of sorts! Enjoy yourselves!?” the voice egged trying to keep a rhythm going.

A long red scaly tail with a tuff of white hair at the end performed an old dance move even the sirens knew as the worm. Eventually appearing out from the kitchen to the back right and leaping onto the table, where it then popped into the bottom end of the reddish tube. Music began playing with the instruments in the air, something from the south if Aria was to guess like those Mexican restaurants they went to for Sonata's sake. Above Yellow’s head, two yellow orbs with red irises bounced like rubber balls to the tune before doing three jumps and making a monkey call as they found their place below the mismatched antlers.

“ARIIBA!!!” the voice shouted as the rest of it appeared, completely at a loss for a description as to what it was.

Adagio stared at the creature as it manifested, it was obviously some kind of troublesome deity by the different body parts it was composed of. A goats head with a dragon’s mouth and a white goatee made up the things face as long neck with a stubby black mane attached the expressive face to the main body. An eagle claw made up the other arm while a gazelles hoofed leg appeared as the sibling to the reptile one. Wings appeared on the back of the serpentine beast, just as odd as the rest of the form which seemed to snap its fingers and silence all the commotion.

Awestruck, the girls couldn’t react fast enough as it spoke, “Welcome to Casa De Discordia!! I am your guest, the Lord… Of… CHAOS!!!” lightning erupted outside even though the sky was clear in the evening.

Aria’s hair stood on end and her skin quivered at the title, chaos was good but not if they were the subjects of its teachings. They made chaos and fed off it, so what was a lord of the energy doing at such an important time here with them? Why was there a lord to begin with when siren kind had none to know of?

“Ahhh… I have to hand it to you four, you’ve caused quite a stir.” He blinked out of existence to appear on Twilight's other shoulder mimicking Sonata, “Ohhh the CHAOS you’ve created has just been the bees knees!”, he clapped happily.

As Sparkle eeped at his proximity, the Lord vanished and reappeared on top of Yellow’s crimson hair dancing about while drinking from a cup. Adagio was unable to react fast enough to see what the being was up to, missing him as he showed up behind them and then on the lead collaborator. Her eyes then stuck to the table as she was sure this was all a show before the real trouble started. A being such as him was a danger of the utmost importance, knowing more about this Lord was her priority.

Tossing the cup away as it detonated against the nearest wall into colorful confetti, “Now now, no need to be so reactive Dazzlings. I’m here on a good will trip really?! Unlike the candidacy which will befell this poor country soon enough.”

The deity showed up sitting on the edge of the table looking at the girls, “As you may have guessed, I am from Equis here on a… vacation of sorts thanks to you.” To which he sported an instantaneous Hawaiian shirt with a straw hat and cotton candy in his lion’s paw.

Adagio tried to speak and ask who he was, but she quickly found a huge shrimp tail shoved into her mouth to silence her. One which Aria couldn’t help but laugh at, of course, before she too receive the same treatment and ended up with a juvenile halibut flopping between her lips.

“Ha hahahaha!!! Oh that’s priceless!!!" Discord laughed wildly for a moment, "Anyways, I’m here on good will so no need to feel threatened by me. I’m reformed see?” he pulled out a badge with a wacky depiction of Princess Celestia in the center of the sheriffs gold star which Adagio couldn't help but sneer as best she could, “I was released on good behavior and have befriended Princess Twilight and the former element bearers since then… saving the world from calamity I’d rather watch, but it’s what friends do for each other. Especially if it’s Fluttershy asking” He sighed as the identification vanished and appeared before the others and Yellow Tail.

“Mmmmph!!” Dazzle tried to speak out.

“Yes yes, I know you all hate Equestria which is why I’m here in the first place. I know about your mission Mr. Yellow Tail or… shall I call you Nickel Flame? I’d rather not see those uncouth things come out of their little corner of Tartarus and harm my little Fluttershy, so I’ve been… helping things along so your time frame fits within the real schedule of space and time! Isn’t that lovely? I’m helping!!” the chimeric creature held his forelimbs to his face looking proud at his so called help.

The seafood vanished from the two sirens as they coughed, Twilight and Sonata playing it smart and not saying a thing as the two shared the soda filled bean bag chair beneath them. The cerulean siren embraced protectively around her human friend, wrapping her arms around the girl so she couldn’t be ripped from her grasp. The Lord of Chaos noticed this and scoffed seeing fear still being brought to his presence even as he tried to be as accommodating as possible.

“Tough crowd then… well you can’t please them all! Anyways, my name is Discord, title and yada yada. You know Flame, that little Saandie spell you put on Shimmer really did a number on her. I wonder if that’s what you planned? Either way it was fun to watch her go crazy with little sleep. I can see even the big bug butt here, Empress what’s her face knew what was going on and wanted it to stop. Oh I’m sure Twilight Sparkle the human has some interesting news to share with you too, I believe one of your daughters has been going on a rampage letting every pony know about the changeling threat!” he giggled evilly as a white gloved hand appeared over the human girl and patted her on the head for a moment as it disappeared shortly after.

The older woman Twilight recognized from the museum had kept her cool, if not a twitch of the eye lids which were clasped shut. A feeble attempt to block out the god before them who could easily change that, regardless the effort to remain calm was admirable. Of course Yellow showed no signs of recognizing the development, he simply kept his eyes glued to the Lord of Chaos like a hawk hunting its prey in the sky. Discord seemed to pick up that he wasn’t getting an easy start, and thus he became even peppier to alter that outlook on himself.

“Well, so on and so on, I wanted to stop by and see all of you in person since you’ve been such a great show. I’m glad season two is kicking up in Equestria, you all are going to get one nice ending. I hate to say spoilers, but oh BOY will season three blast even season one out of the ratings!” he summoned clones of himself as they all held thumbs up on recliners of pink clouds while shoveling what appeared to be popcorn into their mouths.

“I’ve been watching each and every one of you since the curse you put on Sunset beckoned to be watched, I got to say you nearly ended that heroine before she could serve her purpose Nickel. Might want to lighten…. Up on the hexes in the future.” Discord transformed his head into a light bulb.

Everyone else remained quiet as if afraid to speak and have the same thing that happened to the sirens occur to them as well. Even as Adagio desired deeply to use their voices to entrance him, she knew that a chaos avatar was beyond their capabilities. Yet the urge to protect her pod was more than enough to register on the Lord’s radar as he grinned to the four and teleported before them.

“Ahhh… and we have our femme fatale, the Adagio Dazzle! My, are you ever rustled in the jimmies. Don’t you worry your pretty bouncy cotton candy hair, I’m really as I say I am.” He laughed pulling a part of her hair away and chewing at it.

“HEY!!?!” she cried out and inspected the missing chunk of her orange yellow locks as it reappeared, like it was never harmed from the get go.

“And the Aria Blaze, once a hot headed hard to please siren of the Oranna Coast all because of a little over attentive mother and harassing kids or pups of your species… whatever you call your youngsters. Now you’re just barely covering up the siren you wish to be… a normal… accepted… Aria… Blaze.” He patted her head as she attempted to bite his eagle’s claw with her teeth.

Ruffling her hair he made a tsk noise to fault her for the misbehavior, moving onto the last two. Both of whom were rather on edge, especially the blue vocalist who looked ready to protect her friend regardless of the danger before her. It made Discord chuckle as he wondered how that would play out in the next chapter for the group. Knowing she was yet to be even as close as vicious as the purple siren, he decided to coil around the girls like a snake and hold them together as he squished his face between them.

“Aren’t you two just adorable?!! Inseparable best friends! Just like me and Fluttershy, except one of you is a fish witch and the other a homo sapien? How marvelously chaotic friendship can get am I right?!” he pinched their cheeks and stretched their skins far before letting them go with a snap.

The girls winced and reacted to the treatment, but Dusk did not let go of Sparkle as Discord vanished and reappeared on the table again. The glass surface sprouting flowers and vines wherever he stepped.

“Now Nickel and friends, the fantastic what was is… eleven? I am looking forward to the magnificent chaos you’re planning on bringing to Equestria. I fear Fluttershy will soon realize I’m not all there and I really don’t want to get into any more trouble anyways. So before I leave…” he summoned a flying chalkboard and pulled out a baseball bat to write with, “You should know that things will go horribly wrong, and there are powerful forces in the human world you don’t even know about. So don’t stay here if you don’t want to find out anymore.”

Yellow looked inquisitively at the deity, unsure if to trust any word from the god or not. Then he was presented with a diagram on a paper scroll that appeared far beyond any age the group could fathom. It had the depiction of an upside down star in a circle. Below it held the form that looked like Grogar, only it possessed a human body with the ram’s head.

“You see, I actually saved Sunset when she first lost her magic from one of the fallen’s minions. They are quite tenacious if I do say so, but my magic is far too complex and wacky for them to work around. They can be very clingy and very powerful if you let them get attached to you. Don’t let them through the portal once you go through, as a fair warning. They’re content to hold for control over this world, but if they get even a wiff of Equestria… well... it’s not chaos I like myself so let that be a lesson.” Discord wagged a finger as he finished writing a silly picture of horned goatman trying to encompass Equis.

“How do we know?” Flame inquired.

Discord popped a bushy white eyebrow, “Simple! Once you pass through, destroy the portal! As long as the connection is severed, then they cannot get through, and if you think the demons under Tartarus are bad… ho ho ho!!! You haven’t lived till you’ve seen the nightmares these ones can make. Ever seen those cheap dime store movies Paranormal Activity? Insidious? V/H/S/?" he offered with a smile and wagging eyebrow only to be met with unassuming looks, "What about the Haunting of Deborah Lynn? Really!!?! No takers? Not even The Possession?!!! Oh come on you uncultured group of… FINE!!” he vanquished with the props and took back his full shape with a huff of annoyance.

“Destroying the portal was our intended objective anyways Lord of Chaos, we don’t wish to be sent back if we should fail. Too many have… gone with the wind.” Yellow sighed.

Though Discord still seemed miffed at the missed examples he banked on, even his powers could detect the linger souls of the long banished, “Quite true, though not all will be missed though, however it is a tad bit sad those mages did end up… finalizing the condemned’s sentences. Regardless, I’m glad you were already on the… box!” he stood upon a cardboard cube as if the solemn fact was never brought up.

“Lord of Chaos, Discord, our aim is to stop the demon race from coming back and nothing more. If your able to see the future, but refuse to say anything of it then I’m going to assume it will be a rough road ahead for us. Though we won’t try to cause Equis problems beyond our intended purpose, if it pleases you we will do some things to… entertain you if it means satisfying your enjoyment? We do not wish for any trouble from someone like you.” Nickel looked to his group who all nodded to some extent.

“Oh please, you don’t need to butter me up!” he summoned a stick of dairy and lathered up as if it were sunscreen, “Your already going to turn Equis up from off its feet and give Celestia a good ole shake down of reality. No need to cater to me specifically…”

Discord appeared before Yellow and looked at him in the eye, “Because I really hate brown nosers…” the warning in that hiss of words of course failed to move the man from his stoic gaze.

“No offense meant Lord of Chaos, you can understand our position can you not? We've been here for a long time, excuse our... way of wording things.” to which the draconnequis simply squinted into the golden irises of the man for a moment longer, then flashing himself at the other end of the room.

The soda bean bag seats vanished with the snap of his taloned fingers, “Yes quite, you lot are going to be a riot for me to really kick back and enjoy a nice vacation of sorts. Because once the magic is all gone, all that will be left is Soul, Dark, Black, and Chaos magic! Of course Celestia won’t know the difference and believe it’ll all be gone. To sulk in the despair of her kingdom as the great tide overcomes them!”

Adagio's bravado collapsed as the god confirmed what she thought was nothing more than a deranged psychopath, “So he was telling the truth!”

“Well I best be off, I think I’ve overstayed my welcome and I believe Fluttershy is calling me with a tray of fresh poison joke tea and crumpets. Ta Ta my little Chaos Makers. Have fuuuunnnnnn….” He snapped himself out of sight as his voice lingered for a few seconds longer.

The voice faded away, with its gritting nature the occupants at the dinner table all finally fell to the table exhausted from what it seemed. The Dazzlings of course had fallen flat on their behinds and thankfully not on their tailbones. Everyone was in some sort of pain, though Yellow seemed to hold it more steady than most. As for the first of the mysterious group to rise was the woman Twilight had spied on, she wobbled her way over and shoved past Adagio and Aria with ease as her very willpower fueled her movement.

Grasping Twilight out of Sonata’s grasp, she held her up and stared into her own eyes with a level of anger even she nearly wet her underwear from. The perfect features of the woman seemed to hide that very maddened side of her as a growl emanated from her lips. A true definition of natural beauty and it led her down a path of utmost horror for her own life.

“What did he mean?” she asked in a not so angelic way.

Sparkle fidgeted in her hold as her clothing tightened on her body while gravity did the rest, “I don’t know what… you mean?!”

Throwing the girl onto the ground, “What that bumbling idiot said, one of my daughters! What has she done to Changeling kind!?!!”

To the human girl, she was at a loss to answer as the term did not register. She had a very agitated being before her and no one trying to help, so she had to ask again.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about! What are Changelings?” Twilight begged as she held an arm up to shield herself.

With a heavy snort of air, “I may not look as my children, on Equis we are glorious creatures who specialize in adaptation and love harvesting… it’s what feeds us like how your siren girlfriends feed on negative emotions. Our sleek black bodies can mimic any form or shape to infiltrate and take what we need to live…”

Besides the blush Twilight sported at the woman's choice of words, she withheld her response for a moment longer. As the Dazzlings noticed the wide eyes bug out completely. It was that portal she saw, Discord must have been there when the device triggered the spell and that thing she saw giving orders to a subordinate?

“Under the benches… the… the scanner must of opened a way over to equestrian to wherever your kind are. I saw someone or something… talking about capturing… the princesses and the element bearers so that… all would know what it was like to fall to changeling kind?” she hesitantly answered before a blur of color resulted in her once again under the woman's ire.

"WHAT!?!!" the older woman shouted in Twilight's face just as Adagio and the others overcame their shock and rose to aid.

Aria and Dazzle's gemstones began to glow brightly, their eyes tinged with a hue of red. By the look of Serak's face, everyone else who could actually notice the devolving scene was either in the process of intervention or taking cover. Yellow had been the only one to avoid reacting as the others, though he loudly sighs as the Lord of Chaos got his lovely wish of nature to unfurl. To his chagrin the first meeting for both sides to actually come together had become something all together more like Tartarus on a serving dish.

With the iron grip of the older woman holding Twilight off the ground, "I... I... I...." she stuttered.

Sonata lept off the floor, her ruby alight with power as the woman soon blinked and found a vice around her right forearm. A blue hand connected to a blue skinned arm which exerted enough pressure she actually felt pain shooting through the limb. That was when her tunnel vision dissipated and the reality of the situation came into focus, two of the sirens ready to fight her and the other held her in place.

"Let... her... Go!" Adagio warned as she readied to use her vocal ability to toss her away.

"I never cared about this whole group and your stupid mission, so I won't have trouble squashing a peon like you!" Blaze growled.

They observed their offender look to everyone and behind her, finding the barrel of the gun aimed right at her pretty little face. The others of her troop had put their distance and gave no hope to assist, how could they against the might of three rather threatened sirens?

By now, Sparkle felt nothing other than terror since she really saw the face of the Aphrodite figure who demanded explanation. She would have told her everything she wanted, but the emotional response was overwhelming and that elicited the dangerous standoff between the two parties. Her vision teared up as panic crept up, even though she saw Sonata's hand on the aggressor's. Someone was about to get hurt and this wasn't how they were suppose to get to Equis, they shouldn't have been fighting. They all were in this together and nothing could or should stop them, not with the guardians out of the way. In her mind, she shouted out her fear that the Dazzlings would lose their chance to go back if the group found their reaction to be hostile even if it was warranted in some way.

'We're too close to be fighting! No more fighting! No.... MORE!' a bubble of magic erupted from the only human in the room and expanded outwards before bursting just slightly past the tall goddess and the girls.

Every part of the body was held stay, as was evident when Adagio's face lost the energy from the gem and exhibited confusion to utter astoundment. Aria seemed to be fighting through the spell while Sonata kept her eyes glued to the offender not even attempting to move. The royal female's eyes betrayed her former angered state, Twilight caught her off guard with her magic probably assuming to the fact that she hadn't told Yellow yet.

A clap in the back of the dining room came from the very man who sat reclined in his seat, "Thank you Mrs. Sparkle. I was hoping we'd avoid destroying this place since we're just a little under a day away from the most important moment in all our lives. One which I ask the rest of you to remember and refrain from going at each other’s throats." he looked to the men and women around him.

The group seemed to appear slightly relaxed, seeing that Yellow had a grasp of some kind over what was happening. If he felt safe, then they had no reason to be nervous, a few fixed themselves up or straightened out their posture to look more dignified. Taking up position behind the man save for the elderly woman who had remained at her seat since the start.

"Empress Pandinus, if you would not start a war here? I understand there is something going on that is important to you, but angering our keys is neither productive nor becoming of you. And you know how possessive I can be over MY gems...." Yellow warned as he crossed his legs and set his hands still on the knees giving the order with a featureless face.

It took only a moment before Sparkle determined that the woman would comply, her eyelids dropped as the fire she had smoldered away. Giving a safer feeling to release the spell over everyone and herself, to her credit she now has an example that everyone bore witness to concerning her problem. Though the undertone of worry how the rouge magic would act if it was allowed to progress even further or even harm those that were threats. Could it lash out with deadly force to even the smallest offenses at her?

'Who... whoever is there, please release the restraints on my friends and the other one? Please?' her mind beckoned, the same bubble seemingly appeared around the five and absorbed back into Twilight as if nothing ever happened.

Aria flailed as she was unprepared for the cancellation, cursing as she fell backwards on her rear and wincing at the sharp pain coming from her tailbone. Her anger defused and she concentrated on what had just happened then, was it the woman or Yellow perhaps even Twilight herself that just stopped the fight from happening? Something held them in place and then just let go, a very dangerous power if the cabal before them had at their fingertips to counter their gemstones. A sure way to stop a siren was to disable their mouths, a great thing that those Rainbooms hadn't even thought to try or Starswirl for that matter.

The golden siren caught herself and steadied her balance, "Okay, let's not do that again. I really hate not moving around like that."

Sonata however kept her grip, letting go only when the fingers around Twilight's uniform opened up and dropped the unfortunate human to the ground. Staggering for a moment before immediately cowering behind Dusk who kept a stern gaze at the creature they finally knew as Pandius and an Empress at that. They had royalty indeed before them, which begged the question as to who the rest were and of what rank they possessed. More so how much power this Empress Pandius had at her fingers if Yellow Tail was the bar to go by.

Sonata stood her ground and splayed her arms outward to prevent any further actions to her friend, which Adagio found rather adorable. Seeing the lesser of her pod actually be useful for a change, and perhaps with her strength from the gem she'd be able to do some kind of defense at a later date. She'd need to explore that part of the cerulean siren, especially when they went back home where the real dangers existed.

"I saw something elongated, black skin that appeared shiny in surface texture with a rather large ratio to the servant they spoke to... a Captain Scarab? I can't say I can pinpoint the voice, however, it sounded as many spoke at once. They sounded rather feminine in nature and... possessed some kind of structure on their forehead I can only equate to a unicorn horn only twisted and jagged. All I saw was the inside of some underground system with a large crafted structure the unidentified female sat on. Or at least that's what I believe I saw." Twilight said to the woman who leered at the two with a guarded expression before examining where Sonata grabbed that left pressure mark visible even then.

Sparkle continued, "The other being I think was pony-like if ponies still resemble the illustrations in your manuscripts Yellow? Black skin as well but covered in some kind of indigo armor... the two of them had what I think were wounds to their extremities save for the head and main body. That's all I know other than what I said before of what I heard. I'm... sorry I don't know anymore." with that the other girls flanked Sparkle and Dusk, giving off a very miffed air about them with their rubies still alight.

Yellow in the back seemed to chuckle, giving a curt yes with a head gesture to the young woman about her query. Even the older woman known as the Lich of the group seemed to give a broken laugh as she looked at the empty mahogany dinner table before her.

Pandius held her head up high, angling her height over the younger bodies to give the air of superiority, "That my dear sounds like my youngest daughter... Chrysalis Imperator. She was always the more spontaneous schemer of my brood... perhaps the only one who had a hard time with the concept of covert feeding." she sighed as if a migraine were coming on, "Without my guidance, she's gone on some kind of power trip... and judging by her appearance she's grown quite well since I was exiled. Seems she's betraying my lessons I gave her on how to be a proper royal, and now... she's leading her own Changelings into an all out war. Likely has been since she ascended past the proto phase."

Twilight could visibly see the sliver of sadness in the woman, a mother of multiple offspring by the feeling that was given off. Whatever kingdom she was host to had probably seen some rough patches up till now. Knowing these beings were likely here for ages, the human reaction of a mother getting to meet her children after so many years, the psychology was never anything to toy with. There was another case she could involve herself in, a problem she could solve and bring peace to. Thus gaining another ally to guard Equis and the innocent should this entire journey prove truly evil.

"It happened today, so there might be time to still help her? I... I know we don't know who we are to each other and perhaps you don't care to know us. However, it sounds like you and your other daughters strove for a peaceful existence with others right? You survived without conflict? Just like the sirens Adagio, Aria, and Sonata came from?" Sparkle asked hoping to hear something good.

"We don't need to dive into others issues, we have enough by ourselves. Come on Twilight, we're only here to do our job, not be some punching bag for luggage." Adagio stood up front and projected her dominance.

The Empress gave a very displeasing glance at the matriarch, but she did nothing. Instead she rubbed her arm and looked out the balcony window as if a memory came back.

"You speak of me as if I'm some lowly peasant... but you have no idea how powerful I really am. Young siren, tread carefully who you speak to, least you know the full might of a Changeling Empress. I've outlived many lives and sired many daughters who lead their own hives around the entirety of Equis. I care not for your reasons or hatred, I aim to go back home and see that my daughters are healthy and going the right path, the Changeling Path." she looked to Yellow Tail behind her, "For giving me the knowledge of my offspring's intentions, I thank you Mrs. Sparkle for what to expect. When I go back... I have a severe punishment to give to my youngest. That also means you'll be getting a sizeable army out of it Yellow Tail, she will lose her hive and forfeit it all to me. As my gratitude for providing such an opportunity, you've yet to disappoint me still to this day young mage."

The crimson haired man bowed curtly still sitting and then smiled at Pandius, and then to all the others who unlike him gave approving looks to the new development. Adagio hissed beneath her breath, armies were now on the board and now they really had to play it nice. Even if the older woman was of royalty, it mattered not if she could still fall to the siren's song if it all came down to it. Seeing the Empress walk to the dinner table and avoid further words with the Dazzlings, the four eased up on their alertness and awaited the next move.

"Now seeing as Lord Discord of Chaos has made himself known when we'd least like it to happen. I believe it is time for a break... for everyone here. The tension left to our air needs to be dispelled and thus I call for a nice homemade dinner. Inferno, Monet, and Oak would you care to help me lighten the atmosphere with the wonderful smells of a freshly prepared meal?"

A light vermilion skinned man with a few scars along parts of his skin stood up, brushing back strands of violet blue spiked hair that lazily had fell into his vision. He did not register anyone else and simply strode around the table and towards the kitchen scoffing as he went to talk to Yellow.

"Finally, you guys always make the food so bland! I keep asking for some heat and you put those measly little peppers instead. Bunch of sods that can't handle some flare to your food." Inferno disappeared behind the wall with Yellow.

Certainly he was no royal if they carried themselves like that, "Mrs. Sparkle and Mrs. Dusk? Would you like to join us, we could always use the extra hands?" Yellow asked.

Sonata's guardian mode flipped like a switch as the idea of food took over her mental facilities, "OHHHHH, come on Twilight! I bet we can get some tacos brewed up with them! And if they have hot sauce.... ahhhh my mouth is watering already. Come on!"

Before Twilight could respond, she was dragged by the hand with the cerulean girl into the kitchen at the behest of Adagio. Surprisingly enough, it was a rather large area for a condo given the dimensions, the floor space, counter top areas, appliances, and cabinets. Seven people could easily fit into the kitchen and move around without bumping into everyone. The layout was rather effective to Sparkle's eyes, the white sterile walls popping the dark bistre drawers and doors sporting silver handles. A porcelain twin basin sink embedded in the reflective cream tiled counter hosted a couple bowls. Sitting with fresh vibrant greens and meat, separated into their own units. Oak was already handling the vegetables, preparing them into what Twilight assumed could be used for cooking or as a salad. Havoc busied himself in the chrome plated tall refrigerator grabbing things while Monet set up the cooking tools nearby.

The siren and human girl stood dead center with Yellow nearby as he cleaned his hands with sanitation wipe by the sink, "Nothing soothes the quarreling spirit better then hot dish served with the freshest ingredients. Mrs. Twilight you can help Old Oak over there, give you the chance to know each other to start things off. Mrs. Sonata, care to help me and Havoc cut and season the meat, I know sirens are carnivores right?"

As giddy as a child given a new toy and a candy bar, Sonata had such a shine her in wide eyes, "Would I!!"

"Sure" Twilight nodded as the others began to focus on the flesh being pulled out of the fridge by Havoc, so she turned to the gentle woman who smelled of fresh rain and myrrh, "How can I be of assistance Mrs. Oak?"

The older livid woman slowly passed her vision to the newcomer, "Hmmm... have you ever used a cutting knife?" she tiled her head as she ceased organizing the types of plants that were in the yellow bowl.

Twilight gave a frank smile of pride, "Well I do work in a laboratory and create all sorts of equipment and tools, I've used miniature soldering kits to lasers, experimented with all sorts of chemicals since middle school, and crafted unique devices to simplify life and ease consumption of resources through longevity and hardiness of the product." she felt pride and smiled at her track record.

The hippie giggled, "Well then I suppose we don't need to worry about you. So here you go, and cut the leaves off the stem on those greens while I handle the denser ones." she pointed to swiss chard, lettuce, and purple kale leaves all stacked neatly on each other.

With the small tomato knife going to work, Oak pointed to a square ceramic vessel for the stems to go. Once she was sure the little human had the gist of everything, her hands worked over the radishes and carrots before the onion was diced. Some other stranger vegetables were at the bottom of the container, exotic looking things that might even be fruit. If Twilight had to guess, this woman was vegetarian of some kind or just had an affinity with plant based foods. With the name Oak and her garden she tended to, perhaps this unique creature was a plant based life form?

Wanting to burst the bubble and learn about these people or creatures looking like people, Sparkle posed the question as she cut away, “So uh… you know my name and probably who I am? Could I get your full name?”

The thick mint green locks jiggled as the woman looked up from her ministrations. She appeared to be quite happy for some reason. Rather the most receptive one she’s met thus far other than Serak, which did give a sense of hope for her future expectations.

“Little one I'd be happy to, I am Old Oak of the Gragermire Forest, protector of the old ways before societies and kingdoms rose to power. I am a Belldensia within Druidry.” nodded as she returned to the items before her.

“Druid? Wow! Just like the druids of my world… or this one?” the connection was to be expected, but it was the Equis equivalent that drew her full attention and what such a being could be and do.

The woman giggled, “In some ways we are the same, and in others we are vastly apart. For the ways we share in common, it is the guardianship of all that is of nature, preserving the culture of the time when all things were at peace. Times such as when machines were not even in the minds of ponies, griffon, or even the minotaurs. An era when all the children of our mother, the caretaker and maker, lived without kingdoms and… loud smoky things.”

Sparkle seemed to get the jist of what the being in human skin eluded to, “I see… we have folks like that and programs at historical sites which do just so. I believe there’s a camp over by the Everfree forest that offers traditional methods of living off the grid?” Twilight tapped her chin as she went about remembering a couple news articles she visited.

Oak went back to her machinations, “Its… much more than that, but we have plenty of time tonight to learn of each other. Though I do know what you mean, I helped someone who works there handle a very... turbulent situation. A very kind and caring young woman she is, I can almost hear her in my heart even now.” she paused as if to recollect, “Okay, well we have a meal to prepare to soften up all that are here. So that our hearts are one and united, let us resume post haste shall we?”

With a good start with this particular member of Yellow's group Twilight felt overjoyed to learn about this person and the fact that she seemed to have helped another human. Tossing a few blood red Chard stems into the stoneware container, a loud clatter came from behind them as Havoc appeared to be losing the idea to put peppers into the oiled pan to season it to Monet. He did not like the resistance, but he seemed to accept having two put into the final moments of the dish. Monet noted that it could be used like garlic and still give him something to feel while not melting the others tongues.

“Ohhh that tasted nice and hot! Havoc you made this spice rub? It tastes like the BEST taco seasoning I’ve ever had!” Sonata shouted with glee as she kept putting a finger in the plastic wrap bundle containing the red seasoning mix to taste again and again.

Yellow piped up, “Inferno she actually can stand your mild mix… astounding isn't it?!”

“What? I told you it wasn’t that hot, its mild for a reason!” the gruff man sounded offended as he walked over to the two and looked at their labor to which Monet gave a thankful sigh.

Though she looked over her shoulder as she went to the fridge to pull a metal can of ale to drink, “Ya if you call putting Paradox in the emergency room for a stomach ulcer. Ya nonce…”

“IT had ONE habenero!! There are plenty of humans around that can handle that and more!” The perturbed Inferno slammed a fist on the counter top near Sonata who continued to dip her finger into the spice rub seemingly unaffected by his irritable nature.

“I once had a ghost pepper hot sauce from this mexican place like in the first ten years we spent here. Now that was hot and spicy. Not sure why they put dead peppers in hot sauce though? Can you eat the dead souls of plants?” Dusk asked innocently enough, gaining a moment of silence before Yellow was sent into a laughing fit which even Inferno couldn’t help but chuckle at her adorable cluelessness.

Sparkle gave a little giggle as well before returning to the leafy greens, nearly halfway done and Oak just then tossing the root veggies into the yellow plastic bowl. Monet had popped open the lift tab of the beverage and set it aside. She went to the largest cabinet to pull a couple more pans for the stove and turning on their burners under them. Oil was soon added while the first pan began to smoke a little as it eagerly awaited the food.

The final coughs of laughter abating, “Tis likes her steaks to be really seasoned, so make sure you stab away so the sauce you’ll be pouring on gets in there. Otherwise… she gets cranky…” Havoc groaned showing Sonata how to stab with the fork in a rough pattern, “Doesn’t need to be turned into ground chuck, just… riddle it. You understand?”

On the two white plastic cutting boards, three decently sized slabs of beef were moderately coated with sprinkles of several spices. Containers of all sorts of colors and sizes sat opened against the wall before them having been used, while the custom rub appeared to be only touched by the girl’s hungry tongue and wet finger tip. Yellow massaged what appeared to be parts of some kind of fowl, those chunks were also coated in seasoning and a few drops from some kind of bottle he produced from his person.

“Okie Dokie! Just stab enough and not into mashed potatoes.” Sonata answered as she stuck her tongue out the left side of her mouth to focus in an attempt to perform the same process the man showed her.

“That onion ready over there Old Oak?!” Monet asked from her side of the kitchen.

Scooping up the now diced white bulb with a tear inducing aroma, “Just finished, which go where?”

As Twilight moved onto the lettuce, “A little in the two large pans and the rest in the hot one, I’m making a sauce.” The sound of sizzling food crackled and spat from the hot oil it touched.

The smell of cooking onions soon filled the room as the eruption of vaporizing moisture and aroma sang the sound of cooking. Twilight felt rather content and at peace as she realized how calmly human these beings were. A big happy family of friends of some sort all who formed a brotherhood out of their shared predicaments. Sonata looked very happy to learn how to cook, to which Sparkle assumed was a rare thing for the Dazzlings to do anything human if it had not pertained to gathering negative energy. They had lived like jungle pythons, feeding as needed and resting away any spare time so Adagio could think of new ways to get their power. How they never truly lived if but to feed that hunger, that need for power only their gems could give. Their need for security with might, like a man who knew a gun could protect his life from those who’d harm him. Fearing and jumping at the shadows, letting the sunny skies outside and society go by with time till he eventually lived nothing but a shell of who he could be.

‘These sirens do need me, they need to be given a shot at living. Once they’ve handled that Empire for the betterment of all, I’ll make Adagio see there is more to life than control and adoration. Even Sonata here could see it…’ she thought to herself as she put the cut up butter lettuce into the heaping pile of the salad bowl.

“Onions ready, Yellow care to add the duck? Havoc and Sonata! Feel free to start adding the steaks on the right side pans.” Monet went through the nearest draws by the stove for the cooking utensils she’d need to flip and move the flesh.

“Das is gut” Yellow chimed as he walked over with his cutting board and set the pale pasty morsels over the then translucent white diamonds, making even more steam and smoke fume.

“There, should be enough now and see how much I put on? Too much and you’ll just burn it, too little and well you get it. Now bring them over so I can place them.” Havoc gestured as they joined the grouping around the cooking area.

In the dining room, Adagio and Aria had isolated themselves at the farthest end of the table. Left alone with the others who were still on edge after the Lord of Chaos made himself known by the flavor of their emotions, they were at a loss for what to do. It should have been a time of meeting everyone to judge them as threats or allies for future cataloging, or possible tools to take down Equestria. Then Adagio would do some digging to and determine who they were in terms of their reason for exile, if they were really dangerous or would draw too much ire from the ponies if they affiliated themselves with them.

Aria however showed no true care for what her leader seemed to be fretting over, she was far more concerned over that chimera who seemed to be a very powerful god of some kind. Could their songs even affect such a mighty dimension hopping entity or just make him laugh?

‘Guess we have to keep him happy, I mean the trouble we'll stir up should be enough for him right?’ The pastel purple skinned teen closed her eyes and gave a scornful face despite knowing the others at their seats would notice.

It had been nearly ten minutes of quiet air between both parties, it became something of an issue to Adagio. They were here and now was the time to utilize these pawns, even if the proceeding events made the waters churn they were not the subject of that. What better way to make things easier to handle than a common enemy?

Adagio looked over to who she figured was the most approachable in a conversation. A rather bulky upper body individual, the sherbert orange skinned man with dark gray hair had a calm air about him as he typed away at his phone like Sonata would do often. He had taken a seat three chairs away from her, where a very bony faced stern looking woman, the quippy business man in his suit, and a red headed bearded squat male filled in the space. On the other side of the table a gauntish looking gentleman wearing a simple casual dress attire and the one known as Serak sat quietly.

Taking a deep breath, the golden siren willed her tendrils away, “Though I wish this could have happened under better… conditions, I believe sitting here doing nothing but waiting for food won’t do us justice. If I might ask, since we’re all in this together and all how about we get to familiarize each other for strategic purposes? Seeing as we have this Lord of Chaos watching us, I think it is safe to assume there will be quite a few characters to contend with together.”

The awkward atmosphere grew thicker, as all the eyes of the others soon locked onto the matriarch of the Dazzling pod. She couldn’t have cared any less, her gem was full and she needed to know about these things before her. They would know who was in control from the get go, they all likely had no magic on them or very little if she assumed right so much as they had to endure upon arrival.

With the magenta eyes locked upon the one she wanted to begin a talk with, the muscle bound male took the hint, “I had expected this to be done while we all ate, but I guess it couldn't hurt to expedite the inevitable.” He gave her a single gaze with his aqua irises before resuming his activity.

“We're all victims of the Equestrians, how can be all be so apprehensive to each other? I mean you all did start with a nice little Veil to lie to us as if we needed to be hand held into this. Now, how about we chat and amend shaky bridges, it's all under the water now right?” Dazzle rested her chin on her interlaced fingers giving a sultry smile.

The muscle man cocked an eyebrow as he put away the flat phone, “Adagio Dazzle, leader of a group of sirens, famed for using their enchanted songs to sow discord and feed off the resulting negative emotions. My lord made it top priority to inform every bull, cow, and calf know of your kind as your powers could easily affect sales and the economy effortlessly. Word spread after that unicorn wizard published a book about your kind, did you know that everyone went on wild hunts for sirens? Looking for prizes for how many they could bag and tag?” his sullen stoic eyes beheld her stifled anger and boiling rage she so desperately kept under the surface.

‘Oh boy did he ever hit the wrong nail with the hammer. Then again, that pisses me off too, curse that Starswirl to Tartarus for all eternity!’ Aria plotted her own revenge now that this piece of information was made known.

Adagio bit her lower lip to control the coming outburst, succeeding just barely seeing how far Starswirl was willing to go against her kind. They never hurt anypony, they just wanted to be adored and loved through the power of their dark magic. Dead ponies and such were not what they would have ever wished for, and they dared to hunt sirens? Innocent peaceful families who strove to keep secretive and out of the lives of others? How low did Equestria go to save its little world of peace and harmony, casting out others out of a grudge?

Swallowing the lump in her throat, “What we did what sirens do, but… no siren should have been put out on wanted notices for cash! We were the cause of a little turmoil and we were punished... Pray tell, do you know if any were ever found? I… I’d like to know.” her energy fluctuated, revealing her desire to know if any others were affected by others than the Arcana they'd hunt down.

“The names Frozen Heart, and the good thing is no, no one ever caught a siren for the reward. Fact was, they were hard to even find or get a bead on last I remember before I was sent here. Even my Lord had spread out the papers the Equestrian nobility gave out, seeing that if his bovinians could amass the riches of hunting the creatures who almost brought Equestria under their control. It would have boosted the economy very well.” Frozen took the moment to rest his thick arms on the table and await further input.

Dazzle appeared to calm down a bit, glad no others were harmed from their wake towards power and fame. Where her hands attempted to form fists of pure hatred for herself and the ponies that dared seek siren kind as if they were timberwolves to be removed.

“Frozen Heart right? I’m glad my own were never caught… this is our battle… they do not deserve the ponies resentment of us… but they struck first blood and I will have justice." the man smirked, to which Adagio kept a stern glare at him for doing so.

Heart scoffed lightly and brought a hand to rub the stubble of his beard, “So, that whole mess you created five hundred years ago… it was true. Not just some witch hunt of the scared onies, you had an aim didn’t you?”

She switched to a sly grin as her disparagement flipped into the good she felt of the coming revolution, “Smart one you are, but yes I had a plan with a purpose. Though I’m not sure what you all are here for, just know the ponies have blood on their hooves and I intend to deal with them. What say you?”

Frozen laughed for a few seconds, “You are something else aren’t you?”

“I can feel the emotions behind those breaths… she speaks the truth. She's been wounded in some way by the Equestrians..." she whiffed the air like a hungry snake, "An injustice of some kind that has taken lives that did not deserve the end they met.” the woman who wore a simple black dress had a very demonic gleam in her eyes as she looked to the Dazzlings studying them.

“Reasons, reasons, we all have them so it means nothing more so long as it opens up a new way forward right?” the businessman stretched and cracked his neck before resuming his still stance.

“If Tis says that then I guess I feel a little more easy talking to them. Well seeing that you want information Adagio Dazzle, I was once the first minotaur to gain magic ability. I use to be able to wield mana like any unicorn pony and help others when in need. My… king thought I could use my magic to acquire wealth through manipulating the markets, a farfetched idea really but it landed me here because he was so paranoid. Maybe he was jealous of what I could do? Wanting notoriety to himself, I can’t say for sure other than the nice continent of silver Honor Guards he sent for me.” Heart remained as still as a boulder, never letting his eyes leave the siren who seemed hungry to know so much more.

Adagio nodded and tilted her head, “Would by chance a convenient group of unicorns be there to exile you here?”

Frozen did not blink, “If your referring to the Arcana then yes.” His affirmation linked two of his compatriots together with his way of being sent here, this Arcana needed more studying before they’d arrive home.

“We all were sent here by those blasted mages, and they’ve all been in someway conveniently nearby as if they were tracking magical affairs of other kingdoms.” The neatly dressed male fixed his tie again the woman next to him sighed at the annoying action.

“Emerath, you’ve already quit your job! You don’t need that body glove of humans anymore so quit messing with that forsaken TIE!!” she shouted and earned a barely registered sign of having heard her.

“So uncouth Mrs. Tis, a scholar such as myself still must look his best. Even after all these years here, human clothing I can never get use to. I’ll be happy to have my traditional garb the gods have deemed worthy.” He responded, as his hands settled down then placed on his thighs at rest.

Aria figured this circus show of idiots mirrored almost a little of her own group, she could find common ground with the woman she now knew as Tis. Reminding herself of the times Sonata couldn’t stop with her obliviousness and say the most ridiculous things. The memories were there from their arrival up till now, how the aloof siren grew ever more annoying as if her mind dumbed down after the first century. However, Emerath seemed to have been a very smart thing or whatever he was, and likely possessed enough intellect to survive the rigors of this world like Adagio. Though that lent to everyone else, and of course Aria let it all go in favor of not caring any further. What use was it to fret over these peons once they were back in Equestria?

“Emerath, Tis? Might I inquire as to you two as well?” Dazzle piped up, seeing another window of opportunity just as the sound of steaks hitting the pan in the kitchen.

“I’ll never get use to being able to consume meat in this body, and yet that wonderful smell… only Old Oak can resist.” Heart looked longingly at the stove just barely in his sight, distracted from the others as it seemed he hadn’t eaten in a while.

“Speak for yourself, I use to be a unicorn and I dabble in a little meat here and there. A finely roasted boar… I’m not sure if I’m hungry or getting nausea. By the old gods I can’t wait to get back!” Emerath’s face had distorted into a rather unpleasing scorn inwardly.

Though she felt her words might have been lost in the rather glorious smells coming in aided by the air conditioning system, Tis sneered at her comrades and looked over to her. Her gray white eyes studied the siren leader as if considering a way to handle the negative energy sucking singer, Adagio did not relent her posture or the air of confidence. Far be it for her to give them any signals that they were anything to be trampled on much less used beyond the agreed deal with Yellow.

“I know about sirens young pup, I am likely the oldest of any being here. Your gusto is admirable to say the least, but don’t push your luck. I’m not someone you want to insult.” Tis said in a tone of warning with her head held high, even the Empress on the other side of the table caught wind and looked away.

“Why is that? Are you something akin to that awful combination of body parts you all were afraid of?” Adagio prodded the bull, wanting to ensure she was no child by heart if those predators she survived through in her youth were anything to go by.

“I vouldn’t make her angry youngster, she’s not like any of us but correct in your assumption.” The man wearing a very casual attire she’d seen older human fathers opt to equip, a simple red collared shirt and kaki pants. Evident he was balding to an extent as a human, a tad chubby with a soft teal skin tone and earth brown hair.

“May I ask who you are kind sir?” she kept one eye on the miffed female as she put her questioning at another of Yellow’s troupe.

He bellowed a laugh, hard enough that the flesh on his bones jiggled slightly as his mustache spread out with his boisterous holler. Whatever was deemed funny had completely missed the girls and they looked to each other confused and needing input. If there was anything wrong with how Adagio appeared before them, it was nothing Aria could discern with her eyes.

“Ha hahaha ha! Oh ve got ourselves live ones here!” Emerath huffed at the man’s loosened restraint they all tried to maintain.

Shrugging and putting her hands down onto the table, “I’m sorry did I miss something?!” feeling indignation thinking she was the one being laughed at.

“Schrodinger likes it when someone shows… purpose in their actions. I’m going to assume...” Emerath started to say before the chuckling oaf slapped the table with one hand and wiped away the tears from his eyes.

“Okay, even I’m more lost at this. It's Sonata level lost.” Aria sat up in her seat as her interest peaked, curiously confused and did not very much appreciate this new show of behavior.

“Names Paradox, Schrodinger Paradox und I absolutely love to see fresh attitudes besides zese dummkopfs. It’s obvious ve don’t share common interests with ze end point, but to be fair it vasn’t likely. I’ve been vatching you since ze day ve all met when you saw through ze veil. Your quite ze card fraulein, you und zat hungry mind ever keen to know ze vorld around.” He leaned onto the table smiling much to Adagio’s frustration, “You act like your surrounded by uberwolves, searching for power to defend yourselves vith. Can I guess zat your… background vasn’t ze pleasant life foals ought to have? If the illustrious und beautiful Tisiphone has eluded to?”

The woman mentioned closed her eyes for a moment and looked back at the siren, sniffing a little as if picking up on ques her bewilderment let off, “I'd rather hear her story first, but revenge for loss is strong with this one. Assuming she can even fulfill that drive and sate her anger without becoming the very ones who wronged her.”

Adagio felt their eyes all upon her, they were digging more than she was trying to do herself. Admirable to get around her, but she supposed living around barely interacting with humans was the downside of her strategy for all the years past. A mistake she'd avoid in the future where she could easily be the one interrogated, easily opened like a book. They were no Sunset Shimmer that was a fact, and it appeared they were also very much older than her with more experience than warranted.

“Ya so what? Those stupid ponies did something to the water her family lived in, killed off an entire pod except for her. Ya we’re considered young compared to our folks, but that doesn’t mean squat when you have the power we can amass!” Aria growled at the three despite the fire in the eyes of Tis who did not like it when someone stood up to her.

“Oh mein gott… zey really did that? My own fellow ponies... an accident it had to be? Right?” Paradox had lost all humor and seemed genuinely horrified at the news.

Adagio would have shouted at her subordinate, but seeing the reaction it received put her back on level ground. Havoc in the kitchen cursed out loud as he seemingly burned himself with splashing hot oil when the meat was turned.

“Twilight said it was probably some kind of coal factory or something, said it happens here all the time and kills rivers and all life around it. Heavy metals or some crap like that.” Tis scowled intensely after hearing Blaze reveal more information about Adagio’s loss.

“Oh dear, looks like someone’s riled up now.” Emerath whistled as he seemed to push his chair a tad away from the female who simmered with what appeared to be outrage.

By now Adagio held her tongue as Tis hissed air through her clenched jaws and barred teeth before calming down again, “I’ve been away for far too long… so much injustice and wrong done and their souls went on to live! I’ll have to scour the world for years to make up the erroneous evil I’ve not been able to punish. As if I did not have enough to find the children of those who vanquished my sisters and I!!” her burning words came with her shooting up off the seat and grabbing the chair which was then flung into the living room thankfully missing anything important. Of course it sailed over the sirens who ducked in time, though they were the only ones worried by her outburst.

Yellow soon poked his head through the entry way of the kitchen to see what the commotion was about, the angry woman had avoided destroying the glass table thankfully. While the others simply acted as if nothing had happened, he could see that the sirens were downright terrified and so were the girls behind him wondering what the noise was about like house cats who heard the vacuum start. Havoc and Monet seemed to ignore the events outside their immediate area, further befuddling the girls.

Comments

[Raistlin]

The Human World is under the control of Satan? surprise surprise

You aren´t planning to add Hell to the list of the factions in play, are you?

[TheronSniper]

7711822 Well I never eluded to control, but I had made a segment in a previous chapter to include what Sunset went through. But I removed it because it seemed a bit much. In a future chapter before the last one I will have something on the matter that will make sense. However that's not to say the demons of the EG human world won't have a part in this. You'll just have to find out.

[Raistlin]

7712037

I´m curious about Discord´s involvement. While he is by definition a wild card, he may be actually trying to save his world (in a twisted way) even if that´s mean the fall of Equestria as the ponies know it.

Can you talk us about the others types of magic Mister D mentioned: soul, black, dark and chaos?