//------------------------------// // Carefully Laid Plans // Story: Sirens of the Night II // by The Crazed Werewolf //------------------------------// Luna looked up from her morning coffee to Aria, who had just sat down at the counter with a smug look on her face. "Good morning Aria," Luna said nonchalantly, "and what prank are you pulling on your sister this morning?" "I let Tiberius into her room." Aria answered with a sly grin. Luna went back to sipping her coffee. Of the three Dazzlings, Adagio was most definitely not a morning person. "And where is Adagio," Luna asked, she was sure that she already knew the answer. "In the shower," Aria replied. "Don't hide behind me when your sister comes to kill you." Luna said. "Damn," Aria thought aloud, "I didn't think about that." Aria walked into the living room only to return moments later. "Where is Sonata?," she asked, "it's Saturday morning and she isn't watching cartoons." After Luna had adopted them, Sonata's Saturday morning routine had quickly become to waking up early on Saturday mornings and filling a large mixing bowl with the chocolatest cereal she could find and then drown it in milk, she would then proceed to eat it throughout the morning while watching cartoons. At least she and Pinkie had stopped experimenting with taco flavored cereal. "She hasn't come down yet," Luna answered, "could you wake her up, Raven is meeting us at the park around lunch time and I have some news I need to tell you girls." "I knew it," Aria said, "you and Raven are getting married!" "What," Luna laughed after nearly choking on her coffee, "no, that isn't it." "Well what is it?" Aria asked, unaware that Adagio had crept down the stairs and was standing behind her. "You'll just have to wait and see," Luna said as Adagio used her towel to whip Aria from behind, which elicited a squeal from Aria. Luna watched the two girls for a moment before she interrupted them. "If you two are done," Luna said, "go, POLITELY, wake your sister so that we can get going." "Yes ma'am," both girls replied in unison as they both ran up the stairs taking them each two at time. Luna watched them both with a smile. Then she felt something tugging at her pants leg. She bent down and placed Tiberius on the counter. She looked at him, and he looked back at her. "Am I doing the right thing Tiberius," Luna sighed," "this will be the longest I've left them." Tiberius just looked at her before yawning and nuzzling into her hand. ***** Meanwhile in a house a few blocks away, Sunset Shimmer watched with curiosity as her mother entered the kitchen. "Hot date?" Sunset asked with a smirk. "I have a business meeting over in Everton this morning," Celestia explained quickly. "A business meeting," Sunset said unconvinced, "dressed like that?" "Hush," Celestia replied with a laugh, "you are beginning to sound like Luna." "Speaking of Aunt Luna," Sunset said, "isn't she making her announcement today?" "Yes," Celestia answered, "she told me her decision last night," then Celestia had a thought. "Take Scootaloo with you," She said as she grabbed her keys, "this will be a good opportunity for her to meet the rest of the family." "I hope he is worth it," Sunset called out as Celestia went out the front door. "He is," Celestia said in a sing-song voice before pausing and looking at her daughter, "I'll get you for that." Sunset only replied by sticking out her tongue, which caused her mother to laugh as she walked out to her van. Sunset just smiled as she watched her mother leave for her date, deep down she knew that her mother deserved it. "Where is mo---Celestia going?" Scootaloo asked from the foot of the stairs. "She has a date," Sunset said casually, c'mon, grab your jacket, we're meeting Aunt Luna and her family in the park." "I don't want to intrude," Scootaloo said in a near whisper. Sunset knelt down and put her hand on the younger girl's shoulder, causing Scootaloo to look up and meet Sunset's gaze. "You are a part of this family now," Sunset said after a moment, "you aren't going to intrude." "Ok," Scootaloo said as Sunset's words sunk in, "wait a minute, Mom has a date!?!" "Shhh, we're not supposed to know," Sunset answered with a laugh. It hadn't slipped past her that Scootaloo had referred to Celestia as "Mom", she just chose to let it pass. She was glad the Scootaloo was finding a home and a family. "Now grab your jacket and we can get going," Sunset said. She waited for Scootaloo to get her jacket and then she ushered the younger girl out the door. ***** "I'm telling you, those girls still have access to their magic," Rainbow Dash said. She, Applejack, and Rarity were sitting at a picnic table near the basketball court in the Canterlot City Park. "Come on Rainbow," Applejack replied, "we all saw their magic pendants get smashed to pieces." "Haven't you noticed that they are wearing new ones," Rainbow countered. "Oh push posh," Rarity said, "I'm certain that those were gifts from Ms. Luna. I for one definitely adore a good accessory." "Ok then," Rainbow said, "how do you explain this?" Rainbow lifted up her pants leg and lowered her sock, revealing her ankle. There were several light scratches. "Um, you get pretty rough when yer competetin' against somebody," Applejack answered, Rarity only nodded. "Ugh! But I'm telling you, they weren't there until last night," Rainbow exclaimed in frustration. She saw a familiar head of pink hair nearby. "Look at Pinkie," Rainbow said, "doesn't she look like she's under the Siren's Spell?" "Looks ta me like she is in love," Applejack answered, "Sonata's actin the same way." Yeah, but...," before Rainbow could finish she caught sight of Scootaloo, walking with Sunset. "What is Scootaloo doing with Sunset," Rainbow asked. "Didn't you know darling," Rarity said, "Scootaloo was homeless and living on the streets, Ms. Celestia found out about it and took her in." "Scoots is homeless," Rainbow said in disbelief, "when were you gonna tell me?" "Ah thought ya knew," Applejack replied, "it's been spreading around school like a wildfire." "Besides," Rarity continued, "she isn't homeless any more, she is living with Principal Celestia." Rainbow stood up and looked at her two friends with a determined glint in her eye. "I'm going to get to the bottom of this," She said before marching off. "There is a storm comin'," Applejack sighed, "and ah don't mean the one we're gonna get tonight." "I do believe that you are correct," Rarity agreed. At a nearby table, Pinkie, Sonata, and Aria were setting out the picnic lunch that they had brought to the park. "Ohhhhh," Pinkie said suddenly, "twitchy nose, you know what that means!" "Snow tonight!" Sonata exclaimed with joy. "What how could your nose possibly tell you that," Aria asked with confusion. "Just roll with it," Sunset said as she and Scootaloo walked up, "it's Pinkie Pie, your brain will hurt less if you don't question it." "Let me guess," Luna said, Pinkie Sense?" Sunset and Sonata both nodded. Pinkie only grinned from ear to ear. Both Adagio and Scootaloo watched the whole exchange with confusion. Scootaloo then turned her attention to the three Dazzlings, and she remembered all the havoc that they had caused. Though she did her best not to show it, she wasn't able to hide the fear in her eyes from Luna. "Don't worry Scootaloo," Luna said with a comforting smile, "my daughters won't harm you." "Your daughters," Scootaloo asked. "She adopted us after we terrorized your school," Aria said, "I think that it is her way of getting back at us." "So mom," Sonata said, "what is your big announcement?" "I guess I can tell you now," Luna said, "next week I am going to Hollywood to meet with the producers of the movie that they are making from my book. Don't worry I will be home in time for the Holidays." "That is wonderful," Adagio exclaimed. "Some ground rules while I am gone," Luna said, Cadence will be staying with you and taking you to school Adagio. Celestia will be taking you two to school." Luna waited for the three Dazzlings to nod their understanding, "Pinkie, I have to ask you not to come over while I am gone." "Ok," Pinkie said with a hint of disappointment. "Now, let's eat." Luna said. Aria excused herself and decided to go for a walk. She didn't notice that she was being followed.