//------------------------------// // A slice of New life with some old // Story: This is what we do // by Foxgear //------------------------------// What we do By Foxgear “Breakfast is getting cold Macintosh! Hurry up with the chores!” Adagio yelled from the porch with Sonata ringing the dinner bell as loud as she could and Aria inside already enjoying the pancakes and scrambled eggs. The two sirens shared a giggle as Mac slogged his way through the thick mud and manure. The farmer could only shake his head, seemed no matter where he went or how much his life changed (and it’s changed a lot) there was always some woman yelling at him to hurry up. Whether it be Granny Smith, Applejack, or in this case his wife to be Adagio Dazzle. Former evil siren turned to a somewhat good-hearted monster hunter. “I’m coming, I’m coming,” He drawled depositing the empty feed buckets by the feed wagon. From the looks of the amount of crushed corn left in the wagon, he needs to get more feed. There was barely any crushed corn left for the remainder of the week, not to mention oats and hay. They would need more straw too; it was late July so that shouldn’t be too hard as it was almost time for wheat harvest. Kicking off his boots at the door Mac sat down with the three and dug right in. He had a busy schedule and he needed to keep it. “Truck filled?” Aria replied, “Yep, fully stocked. I’ll be on my way to the market before noon.” Mac nodded continuing to eat as he went through his mental checklist for the day. There was a bunch of apples that needed picking in the east orchard and some fruit bats that needed to be chased out. After that, he’d have to go to town and get some more feed ordered and see how the markets are doing. Things have been pretty poor lately. “Which one of you is investigating Maddie’s latest case?” “I am!” Sonata said excitedly. “I’m going Cloudsdale to check out a few hot spots for magic portals. The portals there aren’t quite as active as the ones here but they tend to let loose some pretty dangerous stuff when they do decide to open, it’s probably going to be an all-day thing.” “Just be careful, look, but don’t act until you have back up.” Mac cautioned her. Monster hunting has become much more effective than in the past. Maddie is a hard worker; he had to at least give the former evil scientist that. There were times where they had to knock her out just get her to sleep or call Moon Dancer, Maddie’s friend and therapist, for help dealing with the scientist. “I guess I’ll be doing house work then?” Adagio said. The room falling silent as everyone tried not to look at the small bump on the siren’s stomach. Things have really changed around the farm. Mac coughed, breaking the silence, “Right, Applejack will be by this afternoon to help Sunset fix her motorcycle just so you know. I’ll be back by noon.” “I’ll have dinner ready,” Adagio said kissing Mac’s cheek, a devious smirk played on her lips as she put her ring on for the other two to see. “Have a good day, Honey.” Blushing like mad Mac gave a soft “Yelp” and left the house and climbed in his truck. The old girl sputtered to life and he drove out of the yard. In the rearview Adagio waved from the pouch, he smiled and waved his hand out the window. He could hardly believe his life right now. He was eighteen, just out of high school, working his dream job as a farmer, about to get married, and about to be a father, his life certainly has changed since he found his father’s audio tapes a couple months ago. “Sounds like life to me.” “Yeah, it does,” Mac smiled, only to suddenly frown as he turned to the passage seat, the fading image of his father disappearing from sight. He blinked and shivered. That has been happening a lot lately. Turning on the radio Mac continued on his way to town. From the porch Adagio finally stopped waving, letting her right arm drop to her side she squeezed her bicep with trembling fingers. She hoped it was just the hormones making her act this way, but every time Mac leaves the farm, even if it’s not for monster hunting she worries for his safety. Monster hunting has become part of their daily life and even she only a few weeks ago would have thought nothing of the dangers that come with it. Now seemly with every inch her belly grows, so do her fears that Mac will follow the path of his father and not come home one day. “You ok, Adagio,” asked Aria touching her on the shoulder. She gave her sister siren a weak smile and nod and shooed her away. “I’m fine; I’m fine, go get to town and get some product sold. Don’t be afraid to show a little skin either. Sex sells after all,” Adagio joked as Aria rolled her eyes as she climbed into the other truck. “Yeah, I’ll be sure to spray myself with a water hose sometime today.” Adagio chuckled and waved as the pink siren drove off. Stepping down off the porch she rounded the corner of the house to where Sonata was packing her equipment into her new car, well new to her at least, it was really Maddie’s car, a small blue 2007 Pontiac. Adagio smiled and helped Sonata finish loading her gear. “You got everything? Food, surveillance gear, change of clothes, guns, etc.” Sonata rolled her eyes as she got into the driver’s seat. “Yes, mom, I packed everything. Jeez, you been so… touchy feely lately, it’s kind of creepy.” “Well,” Adagio huffed, “If that’s what I get for caring maybe I’ll stop making tacos.” “Don’t even joke about that! Hey Dagi, get back here! Please don’t stop making tacos!” The pregnant siren leaned on the car’s window and pulled Sonata into a hug, kissing the blue siren on the forehead and ruffling her hair. Sonata stared at her with wide deer eyes, looking completely stunned. “Be safe now, Sonata. Be sure to check in every hour or so.” Sonata nodded, feeling really weirded out and really, really hoping what happened was due to hormones. Normal Adagio she could deal with because she loved normal Adagio, motherly and loving Adagio was kind of creepy, mainly because she didn’t know if was genuine affection or an elaborate prank in the making. Sometimes it was both. After waving Sonata off Adagio returned to the kitchen, sighing she began to place the dirty dishes in the dishwasher and sink for cleaning. Grabbing the apron Applejack gave her as a baby shower gift, she began to wash the skillets and pans, cursing the eggs remains that were stuck to the pan. An hour passed and the dishes were about wrapped up when someone came in through the front door, make that two someone’s as Adagio picked up the sound of another pair of feet. “How are you two today,” Adagio drawled sounding bored. Behind her stood Applejack and Sunset, each carrying a big pack back and wearing shorts. It was summer, so nothing strange there, but it was a different look for the two. “We’re fine, need any help, Sis?” “Thank you,” Adagio said moving over to give Applejack room to work. “You don’t need to call me that, I’m just your sister in law.” Applejack looked curiously at the siren, “You got a problem with me calling you Sis? I can stop if you want?” Adagio shook her head, “No, not really, it’s just… weird. Didn’t exactly ever consider I would be getting married in this world or having a child. It’s almost like… like I’ve become part of this world officially now.” “Do you want to go back to Equestria?” Sunset asked, since finally reestablishing her relationship with Celestia, who turned out to be her grandmother. Sunset has been thinking more and more about Equestria. She has gone back and visited with Celestia, but she didn’t feel the need to stay, maybe perhaps because Equestria didn’t feel like home anymore. “Not really,” Adagio answered with much more certainty than she had expected. “Nothing to go back to really, our home is destroyed, all our family and friends are dead, and we’ve been living here for over a thousand years already, longer than we ever lived in Equestria. We even have magic here now too, so really going back is a moot point now, though it would be fun to swim in the ocean in my original form again, maybe for a vacation or something. I would love to show Mac the other side of the portal someday.” (I guess I finally understand why Nico didn’t go home when he could have.) “It’d be nice to see Twilight’s home too, pony Twilight, not human Twilight, this is confusing,” Applejack said scratching her head. During the Friendship Games, the human Twilight Sparkle had shown up and apparently did a Sunset and blew up the front of the school. She and Mac had been in another town hunting monsters, while Aria and Sonata were somewhere else. The ordeal had really gotten Maddie riled as she begged them to let her go check out the site for research. “Well it should come as no surprise,” Adagio said putting away the last of the dishes. “I suppose,” Applejack agreed, pulling a chair out for Adagio to sit in. “Onto another brain scratching subject, thought of any baby names?” “I don’t even know what gender it is,” Adagio deadpanned, “tell granny to give it a rest. I’m sure there will be an apple somewhere in their name.” “Still it’s pretty exciting,” said Sunset reaching out her hand. “A second generation pony/human hybrid, I wonder what kind of magic they’ll inherit.” Applejack’s eyes widen as Sunset’s hand was almost close enough to touch Adagio’s stomach, she opened to mouth tell her to stop, but it was too late. Sunset’s hand landed on Adagio’s belly, the siren’s posture going rigged as her eyes shrunk, turning blood red, while her hand became covered in webbing and her nails lengthened into claws. “SUNSET RUN!” “See ya Mac! Next time bring that pretty little wife your granny’s been talking about!” “She might be a bit much for you Grainy; she’s a bit of firecracker.” Mac chuckled as he left the grain elevator with a truck full of feed. He sighed as he looked at the bill, he wondered if it was worth having cattle some days, but he was still making a profit just not as much as he used to. Hard to believe one month you're making seven hundred dollars for cattle, the next only two hundred. Hopefully, the hogs do better this month otherwise he might have to get rid of one them. Rounding the corner Mac turned onto the main street heading for the plaza to check on Aria, it was getting close to noon, so he could pick her up and bring her home for lunch and she can help him unload the feed and then he can bring her back with some extra product if they need it. Parking the truck Mac walked to the stall only to frown as he took note of a lack Aria or everyone else for that matter. All of the vendors were gone. “Must be something new in town,” He figured dialing the pink siren’s cell. “Mac?” “It’s me, where are you at? Why aren’t you at the stall? Furthermore, why isn’t anyone else at their stall?” On the other side of the line, a bunch of commotion could be heard, making Mac wonder what was going on, “Look that doesn’t matter right now, just get over here quick!” Aria said in a hushed tone and hung up. Mac held up his phone and frowned, “That’s fine, but where is here?” Hearing some chatter down the street he figured that was a good start. Sure enough at the end of the block, a crowd had gathered and there were police lights flashing. Great what was going on now? Hopefully nothing Aria started. “Hey, what’s going on?” He asked one of the elderly women standing on the outside of the circle. “Oh Mac, how are you doing? I heard you got a wife now, pretty young to be getting married, but then again I was sixteen when I married. Oh but you don’t want to hear about that now, do ya. Well, it seems some old miss was spotted with a strange walking cane and it turned out to be a sword of all things. Can you believe that?” Mac blinked, his brain processing the information, an older woman with a sword. “This woman wouldn’t happen to have white skin and hair and dressed in eastern clothes would she?” “Oh, why yes in fact she is! Do you know her?” Shit. Kira was on this side of the mirror! He had to get to her before things get messy. He doubted she would do anything extreme, such as kill anyone, but maim maybe. Pushing his way through the crowd he felt someone grab hold of his hand and pull him closer to the center of the circle. It was Aria and judging by the panic on her face things might be going south faster than he thought. “Whatever happens next just roll with it,” She whispered harshly breaking through the crowd and stumbling right into the police surrounding Kira, who was looking rather calm about everything. Until Mac saw her eyes, which were glowing with a faint amount of magic, meaning she was looking at everyone’s kill spot. That was not good. He was wondering what to do to diffuse the situation, but Aria seemed to have some kind of plan… kind of… “Hi, Auntie!” Aria said suddenly sounding… while the best way Mac could describe it was cutesy mixed in with a little Sonata. “I’m so glad we finally found you! Did you get lost?” Kira looked perplexed, which was good because Mac was too. Where was Aria going with this? He didn’t have time to wonder because she was dragging him by the hand again. “You all know Macintosh Apple right? Of course you do because the Apple family practically founded this town and that means you all know Mac’s father, Nico Vega, right?” The townspeople nodded along with Aria’s words, a play smirk danced on her lips, she had them hook line and sinker; time to bring it home. “Now as we all know, Nico did not have any relatives that we knew off, even after his unfortunate death following his wife, Applejane, it seemed no family came to see him off. Well my fellow townsfolk, may I present to you Kira Perfecta, Nico Vega’s… older sister… and she had just come to visit my dear… brother in law… Mac here and got lost admiring the town.” “What about the sword?” One of the townsfolk yelled. Aria bit her lip, “Right the sword…” “This sword is was a gift from my late husband,” Kira interrupted, catching onto what was going on. “I mostly use it as a cane to help me move around as I like to keep it close. I’m sorry to cause all this fuss over it, but I’m afraid it is all I have right now to walk with. If you fine gentlepon… men would kindly let Mac take me home, I will exchange it for a more suitable cane later.” The head officer scratched his cheek looking rather embarrassed. “Sorry about the fuss ma’am, if we’d known you were with the Apples we’d better conducted ourselves. Just don’t go swinging that thing around unsheathed and we’ll overlook it. We got plenty conceal and open carry in this town, I reckon a sword isn’t much different.” Kira bowed to the officer, “You are very wise and kind, officer. Now please Mac if you would be so kind as to escort me?” “Um sure,” Mac sighed feeling exhausted as he locked arms with Kira leading her back to the truck. His day just got very interesting. They piled into the truck, Mac in the driver’s seat, Aria in the middle, and Kira in the passenger’s seat. Putting the truck into drive Mac took off for the farm, only to have his phone go off. Fishing the phone from his pocket, he read the caller ID; it was from Adagio, “Something wrong Honey?” “Mac help us!” Came a scream over the phone, but it wasn’t Adagio, it was Applejack and from the sounds of it, Sunset too, who was probably the one screaming. A, “I’ll fucking killing you!” Came over the line and Mac instantly knew what happened. “Sunset touched Adagio’s belly didn’t she?” His wife was really and he meant really sensitive about her little bump. Having her perfect figure ruined (in her words) after a thousand years was something she was struggling to overcome, also she literary becomes some sort of she-demon too. They were gonna have to figure that out soon. In the meantime, the key to avoiding her wrath was don’t talk about it and don’t touch it. “Uh, maybe a little…” Was Applejack’s reply. Mac sighed, just another day in paradise. “I’m on my way home. Just try to keep her from crushing Sunset’s throat.” Mac’s truck came tearing into the yard with gravel flying and a chorus of female screams. The man himself came barreling out of the truck at a sprint, leaving Kira and Aria behind to check to see if they were still alive. He bound up the front porch in one leap and came crashing through the front door just in time to see Applejack struggling in vain to hold Adagio back. Calmly kneeling beside his wife to be, Mac whispered softly in her ear while rubbing her back with his right hand. Slowly Adagio’s eyes went back to the normal size and color as did her hands. “It’s ok, they’re not here to hurt you. Sunset is a friend, remember?” Adagio took a deep breath and held it; she nodded silently saying she understood. Mac gently picked her up and led her down the hall to their bedroom for her to rest. Whenever this happened Adagio would become exhausted once she calmed down. Laying a blanket over her Mac kissed her forehead and went back to the living room, where the others were waiting. Mac made a sign for silence, ushering them all outside so they could talk. “What the hell was that?” Sunset asked rubbing her throat. “Don’t know,” Mac admitted with a sigh. “I don’t know. Aria and Sonata don’t know, Maddie doesn’t know. We have no idea why she gets like that. That’s why Adagio hasn’t left the farm; it’s too dangerous for other people to be around her. Especially since every woman would want to gush over her baby belly. We’re going to go see Nurse Nyx sometime this week and hope she might be able to come up with some answers, if not, we’re going to go to Equestria and ask Twilight or someone for help.” “Why not just go straight to Twilight or Luna?” “As great of an idea that maybe Sunset, I don’t want to rely on them for help, they got their own problems over there to deal with, we got ours. We maybe not know what’s going on with Adagio exactly, but we got a few theories we’re gonna test at the hospital. Isn’t that right Maddie?” Mac walked over the corner of the house and pulled the mad scientist out from around the corner. “You can stop spying on the way. Everyone here is friendly.” “I very much doubt that,” Maddie deadpanned brushing the crumbs off her shirt. Warily she eyed Kira who was tapping the hilt of her sword with her fingers as if daring her to try something. Hands up in the air Maddie approached the group, stopping at least five feet away. “Please continue, Mac.” Rolling his eyes Mac turned back to the group, “I’m gonna take Adagio to the hospital after she wakes up, unless there is something pressing you’re here for Kira?” “I’m fine; I’m actually just here to vacation,” Kira said, “Perhaps I could help Aria with her work, I’m interested in the culture of this world.” Mac nodded, revealed that Kira’s presence was nothing serious, “Applejack, Sunset, go get whatever it was you came to get and go about your day. We’ll see you at the soccer game tonight.” “Right, we’re just gotta grab some tools,” Applejack said pointing to the shed. “Tell Adagio no hard feelings, come on Sunny. We gotta get going if we’re going to meet up with the other before the game. Oh, don’t forget Applebloom is staying with you next week we’ll were at camp Everfree.” “I remember,” Mac waved, “Yawl have fun.” The Applejack and her friends have been waiting for the trip to camp Everfree for a while now. Mac really hoped they could get away from all the magic and monster business for even just a few days. How likely that was anyone’s guess, but it pays to have hope. “If that’s everything I’m going to check on Adagio. Grab what you think you need Maddie and put it in the truck. We’ll come get you when we're ready.” “Sure, whatever,” the mad scientist shrugged heading back to her shack. Now alone, Mac took a deep breath and let out a loud sigh. Things just kept getting crazier it seemed, yet even that was seeming normal now too. For the most part things seem to be stable. Hopefully human Twilight wouldn’t want to dive back into her magical research anytime soon, the girl seemed nice enough, but they’ve had their fill of magic researching scientists for a while, if not forever. Walking back into the house Mac peeked inside to see Adagio still resting. Choosing to let her be for now he went to the phone and dialed the hospital, after chatting with the secretary he was quickly patched through to Nurse Nyx. “Hello?” The changeling answered. “Yeah, Nyx, this is Macintosh Apple, we’re gonna need to see you earlier than expected. Something has come up and we’re gonna need you to take a look at Adagio as soon as possible. Today even if you can make it happen.” The sound of papers turning came over the line Nyx muttering bits and pieces of information under her breath as she sorted through her files. “Ok, I think I can squeeze you in sometime around five. Will that work for you?” “That would be perfect, thanks, Nyx.” “Yeah, yeah, whatever, try not to burn the place down this time.” “That wasn’t me,” Mac replied sourly, Nyx had already hung up. After the fire girl incident, they entered into a strange sort of business/friendship relationship with the changeling nurse. Basically, they don’t hunt her and she acts as their family doctor of sorts. Checking the time Mac figured he had a few hours before they needed to be at the hospital. He should probably get some of his errands done before then. Adagio needed her rest anyways. Climbing back into the truck Mac went to over the barn where Aria and Kira were bringing out some more products for the stall. Together they quickly loaded the truck and were back on their way to town. “Is this really necessary?” Adagio asked as Nyx circled around her sticking little sticky devices all over her body. She was still a little tired from her nap and she didn’t like being the center of attention (for once) in a room full of people with her belly out on display. Her hand tightened around Mac’s as Nyx continued her examine with Maddie off in the corner taking notes and looking way too eager about this whole thing in her opinion. “Well your vitals look normal,” Nyx said ignoring her question. “As far as human technology can tell you’re just a normal healthy pregnant woman.” “Well, that’s confronting. Can you take these damn things off now?” “Not just yet,” Maddie said getting closer. “Now we gotta test the non-human elements. Mac if you would please let go of Adagio’s hand.” Reluctantly Mac lets go or more accurately pried his hand from her grip, taking the feeling of confronting and safety with him. Suddenly she felt very alone. Like a hawk she watched both Maddie and Nyx, the former slowly reaching for Adagio’s belly. The siren sucked in a breath and hissed the closer the hand got, Maddie’s hand resting only an inch away from her belly. Beside her the machines they had her hooked up to started beeping rapidly. “Heart rate is up, adrenaline is spiking,” Nyx sounded off saying a bunch of things Adagio was ignoring, her sole attention on Maddie’s hand. “Mac, please touch her hand again.” Mac’s fingers interlocked with hers and the beeping slowed and quieted. “Hmm, that’s what I thought,” Maddie said moving her hand away. “Thought what?” Adagio demanded, not liking being talked around. Maddie laughed as she flopped down in a chair, “First some questions. You are a siren correct?” Adagio nodded, not sure where they were going with this. “Ok, and sirens are a part fish, correct?” Again Adagio nodded. “Good, good, now how do sirens normally give birth?” “We lay eggs, the male fertilizes them, and then we wait for them to hatch. Where is this going?” “Bare with me, now when the eggs are laid what do the female sirens do?” Adagio snorted, rolling her eyes at the question, “Obviously we stay around the nest and protect the eggs… oh… I see now. I go berserk because my nest is inside me and my magic changes me on instinct to protect my offspring.” “Correct,” Maddie cheered, “And when Mac is nearby his presence calms you because he’s your mate and all that and thus your body doesn’t feel the need to transform because you trust him to protect you and the kid.” Adagio let out a sigh of relief at the news, it was just a natural instinct, not something left over from Maddie’s experiments or her dark magic days. She was fine. Her child was fine. Everything was fine. “So, I just need to hold Mac’s hand in public and no she-devil appearance. Good to know, right honey?” She teased interlocking her fingers with Mac’s. A bright blush appeared across Mac’s cheeks as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed him on the cheek. “Ok, you're fine, now out, out. No mushy stuff in my examine room, please. Unless you’re gonna share some of that love. You two are making me hungry,” Nyx chided the two, shooing them out. “At least you didn’t have to sit between them,” Maddie chimed in as she followed the two love birds out. “It’s not fun being the person in the middle in regular cab truck with them. Now if you every feel like…” “I have a boyfriend, thank you,” Nyx interrupted pushing Maddie out the door. Only for the mad scientist to force her way back in and say, “I don’t see a ring!” “Get out!” Nyx yelled slamming the door in Maddie’s face. “Well, she was rude and kind of cute too. I like her. Think she would let me… umm… what’s with the glares you two? Oh… oh, never mind, I get it. Sorry, sorry.” Maddie patted her shoulder where the seal to keep her in check was located, it was beginning to burn and itch, probably because of Mac and Adagio’s mood towards her. “Calm down already, I know, I know, don’t do bad things and all that. Can you two stop before my shirt catches fire?” The burning stopped, much to her relief. Continuing through the hospital Maddie’s eyes cast glances at all the machines and patients and felt that little twitch that need to dissect. With Mac and Adagio busy with the front desk, Maddie decided it was for the best she gets out of here quick. “I’ll be in the truck.” She told the couple quickly running out into the parking lot and practically jumping into the truck cab. Inside she held her twitching right hand, biting down on it to try to get it to stop. Images flooded her mind. Bodies cut open, organs on display, a sharp knife in her hand… “Maddie!” “Huh! What?” Mac and Adagio were in the truck, staring at her, understandable really. She was acting strangely. Not that she was going to let them know that… yet, “Sorry, I zoned out there. What is it you wanted?” Adagio sighed looking disgruntled, “We were asking if you wanted to go to Rainbow’s soccer game tonight, get away from the farm for a bit and all that.” A warm feeling appeared in Maddie’s chest, she wondered what emotion it was supposed to be, gratitude, joy, or maybe even happiness. The list was long. That much was for sure. Perhaps there was no one word to describe feelings. Whatever the case, if they were being generous with her freedom, then perhaps she could lobby for something she would actually want to do or rather someone she wanted to see. “Thanks, but I would prefer to spend time with Moon dancer if you don’t mind, I have a lot of making up to do for her still and I would like to settle my debt of grief as fast as possible.” “That’s a round of about way of saying you want to see your friend,” Mac chuckled as he started the truck. “I don’t see any reason why not; I’ll give you till midnight to be back at the farm. Make sure to keep a cell phone on you just in case, wouldn’t what the seal burning you alive when you still far from home.” “Sure dad,” Maddie replied sarcastically. Really she was older than both… ok, older than Mac at least, he didn’t have to treat her like a child that didn’t know better, but what was really bugging her was the fact they were holding hands again, completely disregarding her personal space in the process! “Can you two please not do that when I’m between you? Also if you’re gonna do it why don’t you just sit in the middle!” Adagio laughed as she pushed Maddie’s pointed finger away, “I can’t lean against the window in the middle silly.” Cheeks puffed out in frustration Maddie sat silently between the two lovers for the remainder of the trip. “This looks like a good spot,” Said Adagio as she and Mac moved through the crowded bleachers that lined the side of the soccer field, carrying a bounty of snacks and drinks with them. Mac kept a firm grip on Adagio’s right hand to keep her calm in the crowd. Normally the siren didn’t much care for sporting events or another public get to gathers, but after being trapped on the farm for the past month it was nice to get out and see other people, to hear them talk, and to just share the experience of being in an excited crowd. Though she wished Mac could have taken her to concert or movie instead. Mac nodded as he settled down beside her, “As good as any. See Applejack or the others?” She scanned the crowd looking for her soon to be sister-in-law and her merry band of annoying friends. Spotting a wildly waving pink hand on the opposite side of the field Adagio grimaced and waved back, glad the chatter of the crowd drowned out Pinkie Pie’s words. “Found them.” Chuckling Mac pulled her close and waved back at the six, taking note of the purple girl with glasses mixed in with the group, “She does look just like her, that human Twilight.” “You mean Princess Twilight looks like her. Remember the princess is originally a pony, thus when she comes here she looks like human twilight… you know what let’s just drop it and enjoy the game, this is way too confusing to be thinking about on a date. Who are we playing against anyway?” “We,” laughed Mac giving his fiancé a playful poke, “Since when are you a Wondercolt fan?” Cheeks puffed and burning red Adagio pushed away Mac’s finger, crossing her arms in a huff, “Since now, so who are our opponents? I wish to throw jeers and slurs at them.” “You’ve been hanging out with Luna again haven’t you?” For some reason, Adagio and Principal Luna have become pen pals of sorts, with Adagio picking up Luna’s strange way of speaking at times, specifically when she was playing roleplaying games. Something he would get to the bottom of that later. “We’re playing the… griffons from Griffonstone valley.” “Griffons huh, I know some good slurs for them.” “Please don’t. I think we used up all our luck today with not letting Kira get arrested and possibly sent to an insane house.” Adagio playfully hit Mac in the shoulder, “You’re no fun sometimes.” An ear piercing whistle broke through the chatter, signaling the start of the game. The crowd erupted into a frenzy as the players took the field. At the head of the pack on the Wondercolt side was a rainbow blur that could only be one person, Rainbow Dash, she seemed to be soaking up the attention like a sponge as she waved and blew kisses into the stands. “Hopefully she doesn't grow wings,” mumbled Mac as the players lined up for the first play. He had no idea how his sister and his friends have gotten away with keeping their magic secret from the rest of the world. The entire fricken school knew for Pete’s sake! Strange the kids weren’t spreading it around town like wildfire, he might have to visit the school and find out why that was, not that he wasn’t glad the kids were keeping it on the down low, it was just… strange. “Why don’t you corn peckers go ram your beaks into a donkey’s ass!” Mac blinked, his musing disturbed by his wife’s… taunts… “What happened?” “Those feather lickers just foaled Rainbow and the referee let it slide! They probably bribed him, griffons always bribe for the advantage. Greedy little ass lickers, I hope you cough up hairballs!” This… this was a different side of his wife to be. “Calm down Adagio, it’s just a game, a high school soccer game at that, it’s not like it’s football or basketball.” Adagio gave Mac a dead stare, “You know in the rest of the world soccer is football right?” “I am aware, but I just don’t care. The rest of the world can go suck it and so can the metric system.” “I bought you the wrong wrench set, I’m sorry! I didn’t know it was gonna cause such problems! All those stupid nuts and bolts look the same!” They glared at another with mock intensity before breaking out into chuckles and continued to watch the game, eating popcorn and other treats as they cheered for Rainbow and the other players. At half time Mac noticed Adagio began to shiver and removed his coat and placed it around her, the coat’s massive size completely covering her like a blanket. “Thanks, honey,” said Adagio planting a kiss on Mac’s cheek. Mac blushed and nodded as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close, further warming her. Now it was Adagio’s turn to blush as she snuggled closer to her mate. They continued to sit like that watching the game with mild interest until during one the plays Rainbow was tripped by the other team’s striker, Gilda. “Oh, that looks bad,” commented Adagio as Rainbow held her leg, even from their seats they could see the traces of blood trickling down the blue girl's leg. “Yeah,” said Mac as he watched Rainbow argue with the referee and then couch Spitfire, seems the wanted her leave the field, which was too bad as it was the last quarter and they were down by one, Rainbow being the only one to score the entire game so far. “She’s not taking well.” On the field Rainbow argued with the referee, she pointed at the player that tripped her, number five Gilda, the referee crossed his arms and shook his head at her prompting Rainbow to stomp her foot in anger, her injured foot. The blue girl hissed as she held her leg with blood seeping between her fingers. Finally, Rainbow’s couch Spitfire ran out on the field and grabbed Rainbow by the arm and dragged her off the field. Mac had a feeling she would be benched for the remainder of the game. “Well, there goes our star player, won’t be much of game now,” Adagio pouted resting her chin on her hand. “This is gonna be a wash, I’d rather go home then watch this, it’s really sad.” “Probably for the best,” Mac said looking up at the sky. Black clouds were rolling in fast, looks like a storm was coming. Strange because the weather channel had no rain predicted for the entire week. “Come on, let’s get go to the truck before the rain comes and we’re stuck wading through the crowd. Ushering Adagio though the crowded bleacher as quickly he could Mac walked arm and arm with his wife to be to the parking lot. Opening the door for her and helping her inside, not because she needed the help (yet), but because he knew she liked it when he acted gentlemanly towards her, which was all the time. In the distance, the sound of the final buzzer going off signaled the end of the game, with a loud groan from the wonder colt’s side of the field. They lost one to three. Mac shook his head, wondering why some folks put so much energy into a high school game but decided it better to just leave it be. Games were fun and they proved the community a chance to get together and cheer on their school and let the players know they were appreciated. As Mac climbed into the truck waiting to clear out before the crowd got to their cars, a sudden chill traveled down his spine as thunder roared overhead. The black clouds were looking worse than before as flashes of lightning danced in the sky. The storm was certainly a lost worse than he had been expecting, why hadn’t the news seen this coming? Turning the key Mac let out a curse as a soft “tink, tink” sound hit the window. There was hail on his hood. “Better find cover before it picks up, we might not make it home before it gets bad,” he said to Adagio who nodded in agreement, her hand snaking across the seat to his. Mac smiled and squeezed her hand in reassurance. He was about to put the truck in gear when an ear-shattering scream cried out. He looked to Adagio, who only nodded. “Go, I’ll be here.” “Thanks, honey,” He said quickly exiting the truck and running for the source of the scream. Hail pounded against his skin as he ran through the rushing crowd of people as they tried to get to cover. Another scream cried out and he ran towards it, it was coming from the trees at the bottom of the hill below the field. Mac ran down skidding through the mud as he did. The girl that tripped Rainbow Dash come running out of the bushes, screaming and crying her eyes out as hail, the size of his fist come flying down at her and not normally he might add. The hail was acting like a homing missile dodging trees and following her where ever she ran. One socked her right in the knee, making her tumbled to the ground. Mac ran over and shielded her, meeting the fist-sized hail with his own fist. He hissed in pain as icy shards scratched and blistered his knuckles. “You ok,” asked Mac, the girl, Gilda was her name he thought, gave a shaky nod, though clearly, she was not ok. “I’m not dead,” she replied standing on shaky legs. There were cuts and bruises all over her body, specifically her legs, it looked pretty bad. Her entire knee was black and blue. “Stay behind me, and if you could close your eyes, I would appreciate it,” said Mac as more hail came flying at them. “What close my eyes and chant this is just a dream and hope it stops?” Gilda sneered; though it was clear to Mac she was scared. “Whatever helps,” he replied, “Just close your eyes and I promise this will be over.” She did as he asked, muttering a little chant as she did. Looking around for anyone else Mac was satisfied to see no one else around, giving him the chance to end this quickly and quietly. Taking a deep breath Mac called up in his magic, growing pony ears atop his head and gaining a ponytail of hair that he could have lived without. Fists glowing with red magic Mac bashed the hail to pieces and fired a ball of magic at the sky. A bright flash of red blew the clouds apart and with it the storm. “It’s over,” he said powering down. “I’ll take you to your couch for some first aid. Do you need me to carry you? Your legs…” “It would be appreciated,” said Gilda tightly, clearly not liking the idea of being carried, didn’t stop her from snuggling up close against his shoulder, though. “I’m about to be married before you ask,” he said as she opened her mouth. She quickly shut it again looking disappointed. They walked only a few feet before she said, “Got a brother?” Mac returned to the truck after dropping Gilda off with her team, with a list full list of names and numbers he was to give to his bachelor cousins. He would be tempted to just throw it away if some of his cousins weren’t so hard pressed to meet girls. Not that they had a hard time talking to them, they were just so busy working it was hard for them to find the time for them. Maybe this would at least help them speed through things and hopefully things work out. “So what was the problem,” asked Adagio, eyeing the note with suspicion, “Monster attack?” “Maybe,” Mac replied pulling out on the road. “It was strange, hail was the attacking that girl that tripped Rainbow Dash, almost like it bore a grudge against her. She’s lucky to still have legs with how beaten up they were.” “Sounds like a curse or a spell, maybe even a hex, guess we’ll have to do some investigating.” “Yeah… hey has Sonata check in?” “Let me see,” Adagio flipped open her phone; there was a missed call and a voicemail from Sonata. “Damn cell services around here, better check this. I’ll put it on speaker for you.” Adagio opened her phone and played the message, “Will someone fucking help me already!” Gunfire came over the speaker followed by a monstrous roar. Mac and Adagio looked at one another for second before Mac stepped on the pedal and Adagio frantically dialed on her phone. “Sonata? Sonata, are you there?” No answer, the line was dead. Adagio quickly flipped through her contacts and dialed Aria. “Hello?” “Sonata’s in trouble, we need you ASAP in Cloudsdale, bring Kira if she’s nearby!” “Roger that,” Aria replied hanging up. Adagio closed her phone and nimble on the wrist strap. Muttering “Please be ok, please be ok” Over and over again. Mac remained silent as he sped down the highway towards Cloudsdale. Sonata cursed as her phone battery died, just as Adagio’s call connected. She was in the woods, her shirt torn to rags as were her pants. She leaned against a tree for support trying to catch her breath. Her body was covered in scrapes and bruises, a giant hand shaped bruise on her waist. In her left hand was her gun, empty, not that it had been useful anyway. The monster hunting her was like nothing she’s ever seen before. Heavy stomps drew closer, followed by an ear-piercing roar; she quickly ducked as a beam of fire traveled overhead cutting down trees in an instant. Scrambling into the brush Sonata looked at the beast hunting her. The monster was a cyclops, but it wasn’t just a cyclops, it was cyclops with the skin of golem and a unicorn horn atop its head. She had no idea what it was or where it came from in Equestria only that it seemed to be impossible to kill. Her bullets bouncing off the monster’s stone skin leaving little to no damage. “He really got me good,” hissed Sonata as she held her ribs. Their health insurance probably didn’t cover cracked ribs. As she limped into a clearing Sonata’s legs give out from under her and she toppled into the grass. Her bruised ribs hit a rock hidden in the tall grass and she screamed in pain while coughing and hacking up blood. The sound of heavy foot stomps made her curse and she looked to a nearby brush for a place to hide. Gritting her teeth she pulled her body across the ground, leaving a red trail of blood in her wake, Sonata rolled into the brush enduring the thorny branches for the leaves protective cover. A large stone foot stomped where she had just been a second ago. She held her breath not daring to breathe as the monster dumbly looked around for her. That was the monsters one saving grace; it was as smart as a bag of rocks. “Go away, go away, please,” she begged in a soft whisper, hoping beyond hope the monster would go away and leave her be. For a moment it seemed her prayers were answered as the golem cyclops stepped away, giving her some much-needed relief. Sonata quickly realized her mistake as she let out a soft, yet too loud, sigh of relief. The bush shielding her from cover was ripped away and she was left staring into the golem cyclops burning magical eye. The golem licked its stoney lips, running it’s tongue over its small sharp teeth as it grabbed her by the waist and lifted her up towards its mouth. She struggled and screamed, but she could not break free.