The sun was shining bright and the birds were singing as the girls met for the afternoon, going into Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie Pie came out of the back, taking off her apron. She dropped a quarter in the jukebox and an old Gloria Gaynor song began to play.
Pinkie sat down with Sunset Shimmer, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy. She assured them, “The goodies should be ready soon.”
Sunset smiled briefly. “Thanks. I think we all might need a pick-me-up.”
“So horrible,” whispered Fluttershy. “Two disappearances in a week.”
“Three, technically,” Sunset pointed out. “That park ranger vanished the same night as Microchip.”
“And the two murders over in Crystal City,” Rarity pointed out. “Even for Crystal City, that’s a bit much for one week. I’m not saying they’re connected to the disappearances of students from Canterlot High, but it certainly seems suspicious.”
“Something’s up,” Rainbow agreed.
“That’s why I called you here today,” said Sunset. “Something’s happened to our classmates, and to other people. We can’t let this go any further.”
“What are we supposed to do?” said Applejack. “We ain’t exactly the the planet’s official defenders of truth, justice, apple pie, and love.”
“Speak for yourself,” said Pinkie.
Sunset raised her hands. “I know, I know, this is a matter for the police. But I think we should all keep our eyes open. Kidnapping and murder is a little more serious than even magic mind control. But, if it came down to it, who else is better qualified than us?”
“Sorry I’m late,” said Twilight Sparkle, rushing up. She sat down and adjusted her glasses. “What did I miss?”
“We were just getting started,” said Sunset. She briefly summarized the problem.
“I think my brother’s working on that,” said Twilight. “As a police officer, he probably shouldn’t tell me the details, but maybe I can convince him that I could be useful as a consultant, like any number of fictional detectives.”
“When you put it that way, this doesn’t sound like such a good idea,” said Rainbow.
“Well, who else would know better than the police what is going on?” said Sunset. “I agree that Shining Armor probably has rules against giving civilians details, and I’m sure he doesn’t want his sister or her friends getting involved, but knowledge is power.”
“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” said Twilight. She frowned. “I’ll just have to convince him.”
“Hold on,” said Rarity. “Are we really doing this? Taking on murderers?”
“I just want to be informed,” said Sunset.
“So do I, but isn’t this illegal?” said Applejack, lowering her voice.
“So is vigilantism,” said Sunset. “I understand. I’m not saying we should hunt down killers. But what if we were the only ones who could? We have something that nobody else does.”
“The power of friendship,” said Fluttershy.
“Exactly,” said Sunset. “I wouldn’t want anything to happen to any of you, or anyone else.”
In the background, the jukebox played I will survive! Oh, as long as I know how to love I know I’ll stay alive.
“Protecting people is what the police do,” Twilight reminded Sunset. “I’ll ask Shining a few questions, just to see if there’s anything we can use to help keep us safe. If he won’t tell me anything, then, well, there isn’t anything we can do to force him.”
Sunset nodded. “I understand. Even if that’s the case, we still have each other. As long as we’re together, there’s no problem we can’t solve.”
“There! Problem solved!” said Sonata, showing her sisters the bloody, aborted baby that she’d ripped out of Diamond Tiara.
Adagio spun and vomited all over the floor. Aria seemed to collapse into herself, covering her face with her hands and turning her back.
“I guess Diamond was telling the truth about being pregnant after all,” said Sonata. She licked a little blood that trickled past her mouth, her whole head being covered after sticking it inside Diamond’s abdominal cavity to eat her from the inside out.
Sonata turned and lined up on the kitchen trash can. She gave the fetus a toss and it went straight in. “Nothing but net!”
Adagio was on her hands and knees, heaving. It looked like there wasn’t anything left in her stomach, though. Aria’s legs had collapsed and it was only by splaying her upper body across the kitchen counter that she was still vaguely upright. Neither one of them would look at Sonata.
“The fuck’s wrong with you two?” Sonata asked.
It was perhaps ten seconds before Aria was able to get up. She took a deep breath and demanded, “What’s wrong with you!?”
Sonata spread her hands, blood dripping everywhere. “Just, y’know, generating fear that the three of us need to get our power back and take control of this little marble called Earth. Pardon me for doing what you couldn’t.”
“There has to be a better way,” Adagio muttered, finding the strength to stand. She wiped her lips.
“Well, we tried picking up guys at bars and you didn’t like that either. I can’t keep carrying you two.”
“You aren’t,” Adagio protested.
“I’m sorry, but which one of us masterminded a return to glory and is willing to bring her sisters along? Who’s the stupid, incompetent one now?”
“The truly clever don’t announce it with the grace of a freight train raping a barrel of monkeys!” Aria shouted.
Sonata raised an eyebrow. “Did you hear that one on the internet?”
Aria flushed, but she still glared at Sonata. Adagio piled on. “I have never seen something so disgusting in a thousand years! What kind of utter abomination are you?”
“You think I’m…” Sonata stared, too stunned to speak. Then, she abruptly stepped forward and slapped Adagio so hard that it took her sister right off her feet. Adagio hit the floor, cheek splashing in her own vomit.
“Let me tell you how this is going to go,” growled Sonata. “I’ve shown you the way. If you won't follow me, I’m glad to leave you behind.”
“We’re sisters,” Aria breathed.
“So?”
Several seconds passed in utter silence.
Adagio got up quietly, wiping off her face with her sleeve. Sonata was pleased to see that the smirk had finally vanished from her face.
“Just because you two did such a good job selecting the last morsel, why don’t you pick again?” said Sonata. She grinned.
Adagio and Aria traded a look.
“A man,” said Adagio. “F-for the challenge.”
“What, you think I can’t handle a man?” Sonata said.
“Just something different,” said Aria quickly. “Someone who can run and fight. A challenge.”
“I’m actually impressed,” said Sonata. “So who do you think we should pick?”
Adagio and Aria again glanced at each other. Sonata threw her arms around them. Both cringed. “Look at us, working together! Dagi, Ari, and Soni ready to take on the world. I think we should absolutely go after someone like that. And I know exactly who.”