//------------------------------// // The Dark Song of Adagio Dazzle // Story: Star Knight and the Nine-Tailed Fox // by Rakoon1 //------------------------------// Adagio Dazzle entered the Lord of Chaos’ throne room and, upon reaching the base of the staircase to the throne, she made a bow and asked: "Did you called me, my lord?" "Yes, Adagio, I just want to know if you have a plan for when it's your turn to bring me a Tailed Beast" the Lord of Chaos said. "Your last attempt was not a great success." "I know, my lord" Adagio replied. "In fact, I've already planned my next plan." "I see… And can I know it? Just in case there's some weakness in that plan of yours. At this stage of my great plan, it is for the best that if the captures are… successful." "Trust me, master. This plan will please you immensely. As you know, on my last attempt, I tried to use the power of a Prodigy to seal a Tailed Beast. This time, I will use the power of a new Prodigy, one even stronger with a power still unworked. But instead of using it as a weapon, I will use it to increase my voice’s power." The Lord of Chaos made pensive look and then said: "Interesting... Corrupt the power of Thirteen Note and use it to further increase your power. Sounds like a good plan… if you choose well the Prodigy." "Don't worry, my lord" Adagio said. "I know exactly who is the perfect Prodigy for the job. I will use her own darkness to submit her to our will. The only thing I ask is that you raise the power of my pending for my dark song." "I hope this plan works, Adagio" the Lord of Chaos said, pointing his spear to Adagio. "Otherwise, prepare yourself to feel my disappointment." And, having said this, he launched to her a black lightning that hit Adagio’s pendant that began to shine with a dark glow that later went to Adagio. She could feel her power increasing tremendously. The first days of the new year at the academy passed smoothly, at least for the ones who weren't an athlete. It was always in the first two weeks that the main teams of the extracurricular sports were decided, among them the flying derby team. Star and Gunter felt that would be their year, that they were going to finally become the main team for the flying derby and represent the academy in the competition that year. After all, they had trained a lot for this. The day where the flying derby team would be decided had arrived over the weekend where the sky was cloudy and there was a light breeze. It was a perfect day for a flying derby race. The derby track was being prepared to receive not only the participants but also the audience, which included not only students but also the participants’ families and flying derby fans. Star headed to the cafeteria for breakfast, while some of his friends wished him good luck for the event. He sat down at the table where his three friends were and Gunter asked: "Are you ready for our big moment, partner? This is year we will make to the team.” "Wow, you're really confident, Gun" Jonagold noted. "Why wouldn't I, Jona?" Gunter asked. "I and Star trained for this day, I know we're going to make it." "Gunter, you know that only the two fastest flyers will be qualified" Star said. "There is the possibility of only one of us getting a place on the team." "Hey, if that happens, then at least we know that this year main team will have decent flyers" Gunter said. "Maybe we can win the Wonderbolts Junior Academy this year." The Wonderbolts Junior Academy was an academy for young pegasus foals in Cloudsdale that trained them to be great flyers while it also took charge of their academic education. It had been founded by Rainbow Dash and Soarin as a way to find young promises to the Wonderbolts and also help less capable pegasi to improve their flight. "I'm tired of those self-centered pegasi who are always beating us and bragging about it" Gunter said. "Hey, watch your mouth" Jonagold said. "My cousin Apple Storm studies there." "And they have reasons to brag about" Bramble said. "They are in fact great flyers. No wonder, since the headmasters are two of the best Wonderbolts of all time." "Yes, that may be true, but I know that this year things will be different" Gunter said. "I and Star have been thinking about some tactics to put into practice if we make to the team, right, Star?" But the young alicorn prince was occupied looking for something in his saddlebag. "Ah, did you hear anything I said?" Gunter asked. "Of course I was” Star answered, still looking. "I just wasn't listening carefully. I'm looking for my flying googles and I can't find them." "You must have left them in our room" Bramble said. "Yes, you're right, Bramble" Star said. "I'm just going to pick them up." And he got up and headed to the exit of the cafeteria. Star started heading the male residence when he began to listen someone singing. He had never heard such amazing voice. It was like listening to the sweet sound of the ocean in a beautiful summer day. Star's mind felt so good... it was as if he had entered in the paradise. Following that voice, Star found himself approaching Melody’s classroom. Opening the door, he looked inside. Inside was Melody, but she wasn't the one who was singing. It was Moonlight. Her voice was sweet and smooth, singing at a leisurely pace and perfectly in tune. The nature of that voice fit perfectly in Moonlight’s natural beauty, seeming to be enveloped by a beautiful luminous glow. Star didn't know how long he just stood there looking at Moonlight, but he woke up to reality when she finished singing. Not wanting them to know that he was peeking, Star closed the door quietly, even though his will was to continue to contemplate Moonlight. "Very nice, Moonlight" Melody congratulated. "You're getting better." "Do you really think so, Melody?" Moonlight asked. "Yes" Melody replied. "Your control over the Thirteenth Note is getting better." "I still can't believe I'm a Prodigy" Moonlight said. "It all seems so… unreal." "But believe me that it is all quite real" Melody said. "And, if you ask me, you have an even greater potential than Sweetie Belle. And she has a particularly strong control over her voice. Moonlight, with your voice, not only you can calm the most agitated ponies, but also you can make the deepest feelings of the ones who hears you to come up. It is quite similar to Heartbeat’s power." "Yes, it's pretty amazing" Moonlight said, getting then slightly discouraged. "It's a shame I can't enchant myself." Melody, understanding what Moonlight said, asked: "This is about what you feel about Prince Star Knight, right?" "I know I have to be brave and tell him what I feel, but..." Moonlight started. "But it's a task that is not as easy as it sounds" Melody completed. Moonlight waved. "I know you're afraid to express your feelings, Moonlight" Melody said. "A lot of fillies at your age feel the same. But if you really want Star to notice you, then it's only a matter of time until you have the courage to confess your feelings." Although Moonlight was not sure if she would ever be able to declare herself to Star, she smiled to Melody, as if thanking her for her words. At some distance from the academy, watching it from afar sitting on the branch of a tree, was Adagio with her cloak with hood over his head. "Soon, the most talented of the prodigies will be under my will and, with her power, I'm going to be more powerful than ever before" Adagio said. "Even Melody will feel the pain that my voice can inflict." And she dropped an evil laugh. Star was wandering through the halls of the academy, still thinking about Moonlight and her beautiful voice. With the exception of Melody, he had never heard such beautiful voice. However, he could not understand how her voice affected him like that. His heart was beating as it had never beaten before and he was feeling a knot in his stomach that seemed not to want to disappear. Was he... His thoughts were interrupted when he crossed with Gunter who told him: "There you are! I've been looking for you everywhere when you didn’t come back." "Come back?" he repeated, a little confused. "From where?" "From your room, where you would take your racing googles glasses" Gunter reminded. Remembering the reason that led him to cross the Enchanted Music classroom where he heard Moonlight’s voice, Star said: "Oh yeah..." Gunter, noting Star’s distracted look, asked him: "Are you okay, Star?" "Me?" he asked. "I'm fine... Why do you ask?" "Well, you seem a little... moony" Gunter replied. "This is not like you." "Don't worry..." Star started, trying to invent an excuse. "I was so focused thinking about the race that I lost track of time. Don't worry, I'm going to my room in no time. We meet on the track." And, having said that, he took flight, with Gunter watching him. "That was weird" he said. In the flying derby track, students and other guests sat in the tribunes in order to watch the selection of the new team. Sitting in the royal tribune was King Aspen, accompanied by a beautiful doe with a grayish gamboge fur and moderate cerulean eyes. She also had a small barrel on a necklace. Twilight and Blue got there and the former greeted: "King Aspen, how nice to see you!" "Princess Twilight, Prince Blue Sword, the feeling is mutual" King Aspen answered, making a slight compliance with the head. "Allow me to introduce you to my wife and Bramble’s mother, Fyr." "It's an honor to meet the rulers of the wonderful Light Kingdom" Queen Fyr said. "The pleasure is all ours, Queen Fyr" Blue Sword replied, while he and Twilight sat. "It seems that you decided to come and see who will be the representative team of the academy in the flying derby." "Aspen has always been a sports lover" Queen Fyr said. "And it's always nice to get out once in a while a little away from all the royal duties." "I understand you perfectly" Twilight said. "The only thing I hope is that my son Star can finally make the team." "We feel the same thing about our son" a voice said. And Gael and Greta landed on the royal tribune. "After all, they've been training so hard for this" he continued. "Gael, Greta, I'm glad you could make it" Twilight said. "I guess you still don't know King Aspen and Queen Fyr." "No, but our son Gunter already told us a lot of your son Bramble" Greta said to King Aspen and Queen Fyr. "And the same happens with Bramble" Queen Fyr said. "Hello, Twilight" a voice said. Twilight looked to where she had heard the voice and saw Rainbow Dash and Soarin nearby. “Rainbow Dash, Soarin, what are you doing here?” Twilight asked. "What do you think?" Rainbow Dash asked. "We came to see the race." "In my opinion, you have come to see the competition" Blue said. "Yes, it is precisely that the reason why we came" Soarin said. "Soarin, try not to turn us in" Rainbow Dash said. "Sorry, Rainbow, but is a little obvious, given that we are the headmasters of the last year winning team and you're its coach" Soarin said. "Yeah, yeah…" Rainbow Dash said, blushing slightly. “Well, we better go find seats. See you later, Twilight." And the pegasus couple pulled away. The participants began to get in the track, each one starting to warm up to the race. Moonlight, who was sitting next to Galena, couldn't stop looking at Star. To her great surprise, he looked back, what made her swerve quickly. "You couldn't be any more obvious?" Galena asked to Moonlight. "What do you mean?" she asked back. "You didn't stop looking to Star since he went on the track" Galena replied. "If you go on like this, those who have not yet realized that you have a crush on him are going to notice." "Yes, I guess you're right" Moonlight said. "But I can't help it." The race was about to start and all the competitors went to the starting line. "Will he get the place on the team?" Moonlight asked. "I sure hope so." "Don't worry" Galena said. "Star is a great flyer. The representatives of the last year team have already graduated from the academy and they were the only ones who could be considered competition. It's almost guaranteed that he will be qualified this year to the main team." "You're right" Moonlight said. "And I bet Gunter will also make the team. He worked as much as Star for today." "Yeah, I wouldn't count on it" Galena said. "Gunter still has a lot to work to be considered a great flying racer." "Galena, I know you and Gunter don't get along, but you can't deny that he has a chance to be qualified" Moonlight said. It was then that Star returned to look at Moonlight and that caught Galena’s attention. "That’s weird" she commented. "What?" Moonlight asked. "Star hasn't stopped looking at you since he went on the track" Galena said. "I guess you didn't notice because, each time your eyes crossed, you swerve. Don't tell me that..." "What?" Moonlight asked again. "Is Star interested in you?" Galena asked. That question left Moonlight overwhelmed, but then she dropped a laugh and said: "You're kidding, right?" "No, I'm talking quite seriously" Galena said. "He was looking at you in a way that he never looked before." Realizing that her friend Griffin was telling the truth, Moonlight began to feel her heart bumping harder. Was Galena right? The time had come. The three fairy headmasters emerged flying and Knotgrass said: “Welcome to the flying derby tryout race. As everyone knows, the first two riders to cross the finishing line earn their place in the Three Great Fairies Preparatory Academy flying derby team. And, without further ado, competitors, on your wings…” “Get set…” Thistlewit continued. “Go!” the three fairies exclaimed, while they sent sparkles from their wands. The competitors took flight and started the race, passing through several obstacles while surrounding the track. During the race, Adagio appeared in a corner, looking to the stands where her target was. Melody, who watched the race along with the other teachers, noticed Adagio moving away quickly. The General of Music became concerned when she saw her there. Was she trying to capture Prince Star Knight? She couldn't let that happen. The first thing she had to do was to warn Golden Paladin. The race was coming to an end when the competitors were in the lead approached the finish line. Among them was Star, who held undoubtedly the lead, while Gunter competed the second place with a pegasus student. "Wow, Star is pretty good" Rainbow Dash said to Soarin. "Yes, it looks like we will have some serious competition this year" he agreed. "You know, it is rather ironic that someone so clumsy in flight as Twilight has a son who is pretty good on that" Rainbow Dash commented. Star eventually crossed the finish line, making everyone cheer for him, especially the fillies of his age. Moonligth was overjoyed to see Star finally get into the main team, feeling that was shared by his parents. Gunter, however, was still fighting for the second place, but when they were just a few hooves from the finish line, the young griffon prince gave a last thrust with the wings that put him in front enough time to cross the line in second, being qualified for the team, much to the pride of his parents. The two new members of the flying derby team began to receive major accolades from the public while Knotgrass said: "And the new members of our flying derby team are... Prince Star Knight and Prince Gunter." "Well, it looks like Gunter actually managed to make the team" Galena said to Moonlight. "You were right, Moonlight, I gotta hand it to you." She turned to her friend, but she saw her trying to get out of the bleachers. Galena smiled because she knew that she would finally tell Star what she felt for him. Moonlight was already on the runway, smiling, wanting to go hug Star and confess her feelings, but something made her stop. Star was surrounded by other fillies, all being fans of him. Seeing that, Moonlight’s courage and hope were virtually wiped out. The young prince tried to get rid of his fans the best he could, but this seemed to be a very difficult task to do. "It seems that our son is very popular with the fillies" Blue said. "He must have gotten that from his old man." But Twilight had her attention focused on Moonlight, repairing the way she was looking at Star. The alicorn princess began to feel sorry for her. After all, she knew that Moonlight had a crush for Star and it should be difficult for her to see that. In fact, Moonlight couldn't handle seeing that and got out from there flying, to great sadness of Galena who observed getting away. Star, seeing Moonlight going away, began trying to get through the crowd around him. Moonlight landed on a remote area of the academy and tears flooded her eyes. She was about to confess what she felt for Star, just to be intimidated by his fans. Maybe he wasn't for her... or love was an illusion. "You look so sad" a voice said. Moonlight shuddered and turned. Adagio approached, with her hood hiding her face partially. "Such pretty filly like you don't deserve this" Adagio said. "Who... Who are you?" Moonlight asked cautiously. "My name..." Adagio said, lowering her hood. "... is Adagio." There was something different in Adagio. Her ears had turned into red fin ears. Recognizing her as being one of the Sirens, Moonlight started to retreat, saying: "You... You work for the Lord of Chaos. You're one of the Sirens." "You don't have to be scared of me" Adagio said, trying to short her distance. "I'm not going to hurt you. In fact, I've come here to release you of all your troubles." "I don't believe you" Moonlight said. "Melody says you're evil." "Melody don't know anything about me" Adagio said. "And I'll show you ... with a song." And, having said this, Adagio began singing. It was a song different from all those she had sung. It was a truly dark song, where each note was full of dark energy. Moonlight tried to protect her ears, but as soon as she started listening the song, a sense of numbness has taken control of her. She felt her eyelids close and her mind getting cloudy. Star had finally managed to scrounge from his fans and started looking for Moonlight. Flying through the grounds of the academy, Star looked everywhere, but he couldn't find her. "Where are you, Moonlight?" he asked. "Please, I have to tell you what I feel for you." It was then that he began to hear something... It was a song with a dark nature which began to leave him drowsy. But his will was such that he managed to overcome its effects. With this, he felt a bad feeling. He felt he had to follow the music. Adagio was singing her song for Moonlight, which continued under its effect. A darkness began to involve Moonlight, while she let herself be carried away by the music. The Siren finished the song and then said to Moonlight: "It won’t last for you to see things as they really are. Love is an illusion, only power matters. And you're going to help me have the power that I want and help my master to fulfill his plan." "What are you doing?" an angry voice asked. Adagio turned and saw Star, who was shocked when he saw Moonlight under the effect of Adagio’s voice and becoming increasingly involved in darkness. "Look who's here" Adagio said. "Sorry, my dear, but today I'm not after you." "What are you doing with Moonlight, Adagio?!" Star asked, with his anger growing even more. "None of your business" Adagio replied. "After all, I'm not the one who was assigned to capture you." "What did you say?" Star asked. And his eyes turned red with slit pupils, while fangs and claws appeared and his coat stood bristling. "I see..." Adagio said. " You're starting to release Nine-Tails’ energy. But, if I were you, I'd be very careful. I know you don't want to hurt little Moonlight." Hearing that, Star tried to relax as much as he could, since he didn't want to hurt Moonlight with the power of the monster inside of him, but that wasn't enough to relief the red eyes. "Good boy" Adagio said. "Adagio!" a voice exclaimed. And Twilight landed ahead of Star, with Blue Sword and Melody appearing at her side. "Step away from Star" Twilight said. "You won't be able to capture him, Adagio" Melody said. "Please, as if I were trying to capture him when we still have just the One-Tail" Adagio said. "My aim today is another." "Twilight, Melody!" Blue exclaimed, pointing. Twilight and Melody then noticed Moonlight, who was involved completely by the darkness. "What are you doing to Moonlight, Adagio?" Melody asked. "Just showing her a better way" Adagio said. "It won’t last for me to have the power of Thirteenth Note and when that happens, no one, not even you, Melody, will be able to stand against my power. And, so, I'll be able to catch a Tailed Beast to my master." "We're not going to let that happen" Blue ensured. "But how will you do that?" Adagio asked. "You can't stop me. She is mine... and thanks to your dear son." "What do you mean?" Twilight asked. "Love is a powerful force, that is a fact" Adagio said. "But the disappointment, the fear, the conformity... all that can dim the light of love. Who would have thought that the only thing I had to do was to wait for Moonlight to be in her most vulnerable state, after her love for Prince Star Knight suffered a big blow." Hearing that, Star was petrified. "She likes me?" he asked. "And if it wasn't for you and your dear fans, she couldn't have been an easier prey" Adagio said. A sense of guilt began to invade Star. It was because of him Adagio got Moonlight. "Don't listen to her, Star" Twilight said. "She's just trying to get to you" said Melody. "That's what she does. She messes with the minds of others." "In part, that is true" Adagio said. "But I don't need that anymore... when I already have everything I need." And at that moment, the darkness surrounding Moonlight dissipated and she came out. But she seemed different. Her natural and sweet beauty had been turned into a rougher and colder one with fin ears like Adagio’s, but in blue. "Moonlight..." Star said. She looked to Star, but her eyes, instead of transmitting goodness, didn't do anything but to show cruelty and coldness. "Hello, Star” she greeted her calmly and making a little evil smile. "Do you like my new me?" Everypony got astonish seeing Moonlight like that. "What did you do to her, Adagio?!" Melody asked. "I turned her into a Siren… just like me" Adagio answered, while Moonlight placed herself by her side. "And, with the power of the Thirteenth Note, my power will be a lot bigger." "I'm not let you do this" Melody said, stepping forward. "I'll bring Moonlight back." "I want to see you try" Adagio said. And, having said this, Adagio and Moonlight pointed their hooves to Melody and released sonic waves that hit her and threw her back. "Melody!" Twilight exclaimed. "I'm okay, princess" Melody said, rising up. But the truth was that she was very worried. Moonlight was the prodigy with the most powerful form of Thirteenth Note that she had met and, with it, Adagio now could affect her with her voice. "Very well" Adagio said, turning to Moonlight. "I see you have a lot of potential. I'm glad I could bring you to my side." Star was boiling with rage and frustration, seeing how Adagio was using Moonlight as a mere weapon. Everything he was feeling was such that the young alicorn prince was unable to control himself anymore. The demon fox cloak began to appear over him, bubbling and glowing with intense red. "Oh no, he's entering in the first phase..." Twilight said. "No, Star, you have to control yourself!" Blue exclaimed. "Remember that if you attack Adagio, you’ll also attack Moonlight." "She's going to pay for this..." Star said, unable to focus on anything but his anger towards Adagio. "She's going to pay for this…" And the demon fox cloak covered his tail. Looks like our dear Prince wants to play" Adagio said. "Let's see if a song makes him change his mind." "Good idea... sister Adagio" Moonlight replied. And the two started singing a song together. It was a song even darker than the last one that, when it was heard by the present ponies, began to cause them immense pain which made them take the hooves to their ears, including Melody. Star seemed to be the most susceptible. The pain that music was giving him was not only agonizing, but was also boosting his anger, as if he was a wild animal being prodded. It was then that the second tail appeared. "Star..." Twilight said, trying to deal with the pain, while her son was being increasingly consumed by Nine-Tails’ energy. Adagio and Moonlight ended their song and the former said: "This is amazing. Finally, I have on my side a power capable of affecting Melody. Now, I will be able to get even for all the centuries I was locked in a cell handling the rantings of Aria and Sonata." "And I will help you, Adagio" Moonlight said. "Yes, I know that" Adagio answered. Unable to control himself, Star was able to recover from the effects of the song and, with a great speed, he advanced towards Adagio and raised one of his front hooves, where the cloak that involved it took the shape of a claw. Suddenly, golden chains emerged from the ground and surrounded Star, pulling him down and holding him. They all looked and saw Golden Paladin, accompanied by Heartbeat. "That's enough, young prince" he told to Star. "You're not going to solve things acting this way." "Golden Paladin..." Twilight said, while she, Blue and Melody get up. “Heartbeat... I'm glad you came." Adagio, realizing that she and Moonlight could not face the two most powerful Generals alone, said: "We better get going, Moonlight. It is for the best if we let this battle for another day." "Yes" Moonlight agreed. And they disappeared in a wave of darkness. "NO!" Star exclaimed, with the energy that was involving him getting more intense. "MOONLIGHT!" Acting quickly, Golden Paladin made his chains begin to absorb the energy Star was releasing. It didn’t last until the energy was absorbed completely and Golden Paladin released Star. After this, his parents went to him. "Star, are you okay?" Twilight asked, hugging him. Although he seemed exhausted, Star seemed fine, at least physically. But his heart weighed a lot, after seeing Moonlight being corrupted and taken. Heartbeat, feeling this, approached him and said: "I know what you're feeling, Star. But you can be sure of one thing: we'll retrieve Moonlight. Don't worry." Heartbeat's words calmed Star down, but he couldn't help but feel as if somepony had stolen something extremely valuable, as if they had caused a hole in her heart that could not be filled. Later that day, Star was in his room, sitting on her bed looking out the window, lost in his thoughts. Twilight and Blue were saddened by the their son’s state of mind. "Son..." Twilight said. "Mom, can I ask you something?" asked Star, without taking his eyes off the window. "Sure" she replied. "Adagio said they captured One-Tail" Star said. "Is that true." "Yes…" Twilight said. "But don't worry. Chief Strongpaw is alright. We managed to save him in time." "We wanted to tell you, but we didn't know how you'd react" Blue said. "I understand..." Star said. Twilight and Blue exchanged a look. They realized it was better to leave Star alone so he could organize his thoughts. Watching the clouds moving quietly, while the sun was going down to make way to the moon and the night, Star came to a conclusion: he wouldn't rest until he released Moonlight from Adagio’s control. In Discordia, Adagio entered in the Lord of Chaos’ throne room, followed by Moonlight, who observed her surroundings quite surprised. They reached the base of the staircase leading to the throne, where the Lord of Chaos was sitting, and they knelt down before him. "My mission was a success, my lord. We now have a powerful ally, someone with a power that will help me affect even Melody." "I see..." the Lord of Chaos said, looking at Moonlight. “Good job, Adagio. As for you, Moonlight, I count on your services." "Of course, my Lord" she replied. "I will do everything for you and for Adagio." That made the Lord of Chaos let go a laugh. Not only he had another villain to help him in the capture of the Tailed Beasts, as that had also caused a severe blow in Star.