//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: The Power of Hate // Story: Thomas & Equestria Girls 2: Adventures From Sodor // by LPFanFic //------------------------------// Thomas & Equestria Girls 2: Adventures From Sodor! Chapter 1: The Power of Hate Many, many moons ago, Equestria was not yet the kingdom it is today, but a land divided by ponies who resided in their own tribes, kingdoms, and villages. Long before Princess Celestia and Luna's rule over the kingdom, now widely known for its harmony and peace, there was conflict, distrust, and prejudice against other creatures and ponies alike. This conflict was fueled by the three pony tribes, who dominated most of the land above all other inhabitants. Each of the three tribes, the Pegasi, the Unicorns, and the Earth ponies, cared not for what befell the other tribes, but only for their own welfare. In those troubled times, the Pegasi were the stewards of the weather, providing rain, snow, and clear, blue skies. The Unicorns, with their mystical powers, were responsible for raising the sun and moon. And Earth ponies grew food in farming villages such as fruit, vegetables, wheat, oats, and other produce. But in order for the tribes to provide these necessities to survive, each side demanded something in return. The Pegasi demanded food, which could only be grown by the Earth Ponies. The Unicorns demanded the same, in return for magically bringing forth day and night. And Earth ponies needed the pegasi's rain weather and the unicorn's sunrise to grow crops for food. Despite strong contempt for one another, each tribe complied as well as they could, but under extreme, hostile grounds. One dark and foggy early morning, a marine vessel piloted by Earth Ponies were sailing their large, single mast ship through formations of jagged rocks that speared from the deep waters. Some sailors leaned from their ship's railing to inspect anything off. But everywhere they looked there was nothing but fog, saved for the islands of rock coming into view as they sail by and narrowly clip the edges of their vessel. Captain Seashell had to remain sharp, and make careful turns through the misty valley to avoid any accidents. He had a lavender coat, a short, green buzzcut, and a cutie mark with green seashells. Seashell wore his brown sailors cap with a green anchor sewed at the front. The Chief Officer stood to his side. "Anything?" The Captain asked. "Nothing yet, Captain," Chief Officer said. "But it is hard to see with all this fog." Seashell grumbled. "They're here. Rats always tend to hide themselves in shadow." "Are you sure you really did spot one this time, Sir?" "Do I hear my First Mate questioning my authority?" Seashell arched a brow. "Not at all, Captain!" Seashell turns the wheel of his ship. "I saw the Creature with my own two eyes. So did those stuck-up Unicorns. The Chancellor ordered us to catch it before they do, and that's exactly what we're out here to do." "Whatever you say, Captain," Chief Officer said, reluctantly. The Earth Pony vessel continued to sail through the dodgy, rock isles with nothing still in sight. Just as Captain Seashell predicted, the Unicorns were also near their vicinity, piloting a fleet of four longships. They were looking for the exact same thing they were. But they had as much trouble seeping through the thick fog as well, even with their unicorn magic clearing a sizable path. Off to the side, behind an island of rock, a fierce, horse like head emerged slowly from of the thick, grey water. Another much smaller and innocent looking head poked out as well beside them. Both watched the Unicorn Fleet sail by, unbeknownst and unable to see the two creatures staring right at them. The bigger creature descended back into the water, with the small one soon following after a short time. The creatures are known, but only to themselves at the time, as Sirens; large, Hippocampus like beings with distinguishing horse features, but appearing more fish like if anything. Both had fins on their backs, cheeks, hooves, and bared a fish tail where back hooves would be, along with a prominent ruby gem attached to their neck that glistened whenever obtainable magic can be sensed. The Bigger Siren, named Mazurka Breeze, had vivid, amaranth and crimson scales, moderate magenta underbelly and fins. The little one had light, brilliant gold scales, moderate gold underbelly and moderate amber fins. Both Sirens emerged from the water again behind a different rock, and climbed half way to get a good enough few of the fleet while still remaining hidden from sight. "What are we doing here, Mommy?" Adagio asked, in her shy, timid voice. Mazurka firmly focused on the ships as she spoke. "Its time to begin your training, little one; by teaching you to harness the magic cursed upon us." "My magic?" "The gems we all carry," She points to the red Pendant on Adagio's neck, "hold a powerful, enchanting spell that will captivate any living creature." Adagio examined her ruby Pendant. "And the only way to instill this spell is by expelling their strongest feelings; through a harmonious expression of singing." "Singing?" Adagio giggled. But Mazurka didn't find this amusing. Her face was stern, which often frighted Adagio a little, especially when doing something to upset her mother. She immediately reserved any response in fear of angering her more. Mazurka turned to watch the fleet again. "There are many emotions within all creatures that give us strength. Fear, sadness, greed, courage." She turned her head longingly to Adagio, "Love… and happiness." Adagio gazed back at her mother with an innocent tilt of her head. Mazurka aggressively leaned closer to Adagio, almost startling her a bit. "But the most powerful emotions of all are anger and hatred! And It's from those emotions alone that have ensured our survival; emotions that now you must cast to feed off their energy." "F-Feed?" "Yes. Our strength is gained through emotional energy by means of generating conflict, and to power our gems so as to continue feasting another day." "I don't see anything!" Called a Unicorn sailor. "Keep looking!" Called another. "We gotta find it before the Earth Ponies do!" Mazurka Breeze then gently nudges her daughter a side. "Now watch." She climbed further up the rock until most of her head was visible. The fleet was far enough for her to reveal most of herself. Mazurka then sung an operatic song, sending out red and white rings towards the unicorn fleet. "Do you hear something?" A sailor asked another. "Who asked you?!" he shouted, eyes glowing green. Eyes green with rage, the two sailors engaged in a fight. Every other sailor on their longships began fighting as well by tackling each other and destroying most of their ships in the process. Adagio watched as the misty atmosphere was filled with a green, twinkling fog that surrounded the four ships. Finally, each of the ships collided into one other. Two crashed and destroyed each other's ships while another longship was too distracted to see themselves heading straight for a jagged rock that lodged a hole within their vessel, causing it to sink and bring down the fighting unicorns. A lone ship, realizing the damage they're doing, managed to safely pull the stragglers back on their vessel. Luckily nobody was hurt, but there was still a strong sense of resentment towards one another. The green mist surrounding the fleet flew over to a satisfied Mazurka in a single stream and into her bright, ruby gem, consuming all the hate brewed from the struggle she caused. A few seeped into Adagio's gem too, giving her a taste of what this power holds. Her eyes glistened green. She didn't know what to make of it at first, but it made her all the more curious about it either way. Mazurka spotted a single mast Earth Pony ship approaching them next. Before she could say anything, Adagio was dragged behind the rock by her mother so as to not be spotted. Mazurka covered Adagio's mouth with her hoof, then faced her daughter while remaining hold of her cheeks. "Now it is your turn, little one." Adagio laid on top of the rock with Mazurka hiding behind while she gave out instructions. The approaching ship was all but enough to immediately instill fear in Adagio, who shivered from head to fin. "I-I don't know if I can do this!" She said, anxiously watching the pony ship. "You must!" Mazurka demanded. "Concentrate on what emotion you wish them to feel, and use your voice to expose their inner desires." Mazurka had often told stories of how aggressive ponies can get, which made Adagio fear the idea of one spotting and hurting her. Containing her nervousness, Adagio tried taking a deep breath and instill herself with determination. Then, she lets out an operatic song that sends red and white rings looming towards the Earth Ponies. But there was something calming and serenade about Adagio's voice. It wasn't as aggressive as Mazurka's. Captain Seashell heard this, and in doing so, falls under her spell. But instead of lashing out at everypony, Seashell began turning his vessel towards the impending song. The Chief Officer noticed something off about his captain's eyes, now green with his mouth agape. Adagio struggled to keep her singing consistent. While she did manage to produce some green mist, just as Mazurka hoped, the more her daughter sang, the closer Seashell's ship was to colliding with them. This began to worry her. The ponies on board grew just as frightened. The entire crew called out in panic with some trying to break their Captain free of the wheel, but his grip remained latched. "CAPTAIN!" They called. "WE'RE BREACHING SHARP ROCKS, CAPTAIN!" But Seashell didn't respond or budged a muscle, until it was too late. Mazurka quickly pulled Adagio away on time, breaking Seashell free of his enchantment. Their ship rammed into and crashed against the rocky isle, jolting everypony back upon impact. A sharp piece pierced the ships hull and caused a large enough hole for water to seep in and begin sinking their ship. Sailors teetered and held on to the ledge, until Captain Seashell and his crew eventually had to abandon ship, as it becomes completely submerged in water. Meanwhile, Mazurka Breeze and Adagio Dazzle managed to escape unnoticed by anypony. Mazurka took her daughter to the skies and tossed her into a bank of clouds. "What were you thinking?!" She growled. "Those weren't feelings of anger or hatred!" A stuttering Adagio scurried against the cloud bank while Mazurka inched closer. "You nearly exposed our kind, our existence, to those petty, pony creatures!" "I'm sorry, Mommy!" She insisted. "I-I didn't mean to! I just felt… afraid. So, I tried thinking of something happy and I guess-" "That is not how we gain their magic, Adagio!" Mazurka interrupts with a mouth flaming with green. "Instead of instilling emotions, those filth were drawn to yours!" Tears swelled in Adagio's eyes as she hugged her hoof. Mazurka face hoofed and exhaled in frustration. Calming herself, she then rested a hoof on Adagio. "It's imperative to be extremely careful when consuming energy, little one. Perhaps we shall practice this again another day." Adagio hung her head in shame. She didn't like upsetting her mother. But she managed to do so anyways by failing to feed on a pony's hate and anger. "Come," Her mother instructed. "Let us head home." Still ashamed but relieved to be heading home, Adagio took off and followed her mother through the sun shining clouds. They soared towards the rising sun, beaming a warm light onto the two Sirens who continued flying above the clouds. Adagio loved traveling above clouds. It made her feel free and at ease. She would often twirl with her hooves waved out just to embrace to opened pace and the cool breeze brushing against her. Mazurka found this irritating in a small sense, but really didn't mind much. But then, through a small opening, Adagio spotted from the corner of her eye what looked like a small, sea shore village. She stopped and peered through the collection of clouds. Below them was in deed a community of sorts. It was a farming village where a tribe of Earth Ponies lived. Each pony was chopping wood and hauling them on wheelbarrows, harvesting fruit and vegetables, and sewing warm clothing. Noticing her daughter wasn't following, Mazurka turned back and found Adagio laying on a bank of clouds with her chin rested on her hooves, and fin flapping up and down. "Are those ponies too, Mommy?" Adagio asked, watching them with intrigue. "They are," Mazurka said, bluntly. "You know," she squinted, "from up here they look so…" "Spiteful," She finished with a disdained tone. Adagio arched a brow. "I don't know about that." Mazurka pulled her away and hugged Adagio close. Despite her mother's aggression, Adagio always felt safe in Mazurkas' grasp, as her hooves overlapped Mazurka's in return. "Believe it, little one. For our kind and there's can never coincide." "What does that mean?" "It means we cannot live together, or share what they have, or lay where they claim." "But why?" Mazurka cleared away a bank of clouds to show Adagio a better view of the farming village. Adagio stared with upmost interest at the vastness of their village housings, and all the little ponies trotting below them like tiny ants. "These ponies do not accept anything different from them, not even their own kind. What doesn't belong or has outlived their use must be tossed aside, so as to make way and reshape this world to fit their own welfare. As for us? We do not serve any part of it." Adagio looked back at the village again, seeing all the Earth Ponies happily working away without a care in a world. Mazurka still spoke in a stern voice, but Adagio couldn't help but hear a bit of sincerity and somberness, like she's already come to terms with their fate. "As Sirens, we feed off an important aspect that hinders their livelihood. That is why it's forbidden to reveal ourselves. For if those ponies knew of our existence, they will not stop until each and every last one us are wiped off the map for good." This managed to frighten Adagio a little, as Mazurka expected it to. She had a better understanding now why her mother was furious when the Earth Ponies nearly spotted them. Revealing themselves could put Adagio, her mother, and all Siren kind alike in great danger. 'What doesn't belong or outlived their use must be tossed aside'. But given their longevity, it's a wonder how creatures such as Siren's can exist for how many eons, and just now are in danger of becoming obsolete to make way for ponykind. But as she lets go of her daughter, and the two Sirens soar away again, Adagio couldn't help but look back over at the village with even more curiosity. "This world doesn't belong to the creatures who dwell within it anymore," Mazurka continued, "it belongs to a new breed of savages. And you'll be wise to steer clear of them at all cost." [A Few Days Later] The Sirens collectively lived on a single, isle of rock surrounded by cliffs and clashing water. This island was called the Sirenum Scopuli. On top of this tall, wide Island was a forest of beautiful green trees of many shapes and sizes. There were seven caves along the ocean surface that paved as an entrance big enough for ships to sail into. But for a Siren, they're home resides deep within the mountain island itself. Their primary means of entrance are through small, discreet holes scattered all through out the mountain sides. These were places where no creature could reach or enter, saved for a few harmless birds, which are often seen occupying their home all the time. Holes where Sirens soar through act as a network of tunnels which guide them to different spots and locations on Scopuli. The main tunnel led to the Island's center core, where all Siren's reside and commonly migrate. Their homes were all located above ground, built as average sized homes out of stone and attached to the cavern ceiling, or in similar looking tree dwellings reaching where the forests stood above. Green moss covered most of the cavern and huts. Bright, yellow flowers planted all over radiated and released specs of light which flowed and illuminate the entire grotto. The seven caves also lead to the center, and end at a circular grassland with even more radiating light flowers. There was enough space to hold over a thousand Sirens, which there was more than such residing on Scopuli. And it was closed off far enough from the rest of the world where having to constantly hide away wasn't a huge hassle. One afternoon, Adagio was playing with other Siren younglings her age. They soared through an area of trees roots coiling around stalagmites originating from above. All were laughing and having fun by trying to catch each other in a game of tag. Adagio found a spot to hide, but she had a hard time containing her snickering. She had to keep quiet for a green Siren, who stopped to look around then flew off again. Adagio snickered some more, until she heard an odd sound. A howling wind caused a faint, sparkling sound to twinkle off the cavern walls and echo all the way from the direction in front of her. The noise came from behind a set of boulders blocking a small breach, and inside glowed an unusual radiance of silver light. Adagio was confused at first, then curious, and fascinated with the whimsical noise. She approached the two boulders and squeezed through the opening. Reaching the other side, there was nothing but darkness. Adagio then used her fin to brush over the yellow flowers and activate their light pollens, which floated in the cavern air to light her vicinity. She explored a bit further, not finding much except more hiding spots for when she plays hide and seek with the other younglings, until coming across a pile of silver light specs sitting on the ground. Adagio bent down and examined them, almost hearing the same twinkling sounds. She grabbed some with her hoof, causing them to twinkle like wind chimes and fill the air like dust. Then, her eyes widened at the next sight she saw. In front of her were a set of old Railway Buffers, covered in nothing but moss and plant life. Yellow flowers surrounding the buffers gave off light pollens and illuminated the buffers more prominently for a mystified Adagio to see, and stare at with a tilted head. She didn't know what these were, but saw that the silver dust scattered on the floor led right to them. Cautiously, Adagio floated over to the Buffers, seeing underneath them a set of straight, thick iron bars bolted to the ballast covered ground by wood planks. Still cautious but more curious than anything, Adagio extended a hoof out to touch the buffer beam's tip, only for her hoof to completely phase through the glowing surface entirely. Adagio pulled her hoof back in shock. Looking back at it, she saw that her other hoof was also now covered in a handful of silver dust. "What is this stuff?" She asked herself. She had never seen anything like this, and almost didn't want to tell anyone about it, claiming this cave glittery substance as hers alone. This cave seemed closed off from the rest of the Sirens. There's no knowing how many know if this location. Still fascinated by the silver dust, Adagio played with it by switching between hooves to hear its wind chimed twinkles again, all while laughing with amusement. She then sniffed the silver dust. But doing so vacuumed some into her nostril, which made her struggle to hold back an oncoming sneeze. Unable to hold it back, however, Adagio sneezed onto the silver dust. And as she did, they began glowing in a bright, silver light, and went berserk in its whimsical, off sync twinkle. Before a frightened Adagio could react, the silver dust began spreading and clinging to her entire being. She anxiously tried wiping them off but the silver dust kept glowing, chiming, and attaching itself to her. She began to panic and scream as the cloud of silver spreads all over her. Finally, it disappears and fades out into nothing, along with Adagio, who was no longer in the cave but now elsewhere. In a set of bushes outside a nearby forest came the sound of wind chimes, followed by a bright, radiating cloud of silver sparkles that swirled in a continuous motion. The silver cloud cleared and dispersed to reveal a shuddering Adagio, clinging to her hooves as she anxiously examined her surroundings. This place wasn't her island at all. She saw nothing but trees at first, and wondered how far home was or where she was taken to. Then she heard laughing, similar to the younglings from her Island. This gave Adagio some relief, as she goes to peak through the bushes to her side where the noises came from. But instead of finding Sirens, Adagio was surprised to see four earth foals and fillies running around and laughing. There were about four little ponies; two foals and two fillies. One, a foal name Butterscotch, had a yellow coat, golden yellow mane, and golden-brown eyes. A filly named Lickety-Split had a light purple coat, pinkish purple mane, and purple eyes. The children were playing a game of their own, trotting around a land where beyond them was a view of an entire pony village, strikingly similar to the one Adagio passed on her way home last time she was out with Mazurka Breeze. Could the silver dust have brought her here? Though it's been on her mind a lot lately, how did the glittery dust know to bring her to the farming village? Adagio quickly hid back inside the bushes, but the ruffling alerted the little ponies to the sudden noise. Now Adagio knew where she was, and was all the more terrified of her predicament. Adagio hoped they hadn't noticed. But they did, as Butterscotch cleared the bushes, and was shocked by the sight of this creature. The other fillies were surprised as well, who also peaked inside. They had never seen anything like her before. Three of the ponies whispered to each other, wondering what she could be. She looked almost like a horse, but with scales and fins. "Hey," Butterscotch said. "Are you okay?" Adagio, curled up into a fetal position, opens an eye to see the four ponies looking back at her. She wanted to get away, or for them to leave, but she was too afraid to do anything. The Ponies noticed how frightened she appeared. "It's okay," Lickety-Split said. "We don't bite." "Yeah," Snuzzle agreed, another filly with a pink mane and white grey coat. "Except my uncle Apple Crunch," Commented a foal named Minty. Adagio kept staring. Though not shaken anymore, she refused to move a single muscle. "Aren't you going to hurt me?" She asked. Butterscotch smiled and extended her a hoof to take. "Now why would we do that?" She didn't know what to do at first, until she hesitantly excepted his hoof, and found herself pulled out from the bushes and floating out in the open with the four admiring ponies. "Wow! I've never seen any pony like you before!" Lickety-Split said. "She's not a pony, dummy," Minty said, "she's a sea monster! Just like the ones my grand pappy told me 'bout." Everyone gasped except Butterscotch. His eyes only widened to Minty's claim. "Is that true?" Lickety-Split asked. "Are you really a sea monster?" "No. Well, I mean." "What's gotten into you?" Minty asked. "I'm not suppose to be talking to any of you," Adagio said, shyly. "How come?" Lickety-Split asked. "Probably has parents always keeping her cooped up at home a lot." Butterscotch chuckled then gave her a wink, "My folks are pretty strict too. Let's just say I technically wasn't allowed to go out and play until I finished all my chores for the day." Adagio was flattered. Though she knew she shouldn't be talking with these ponies, so far, they seemed very harmless and friendly even. They weren't at all like her mother's depiction. "Hey!" Snuzzle called and pointed to Adagio's neck. "What's that thing?!" Everyone gazed at Adagio's ruby gem and it's glistening shine in amazement on her front neck "Oh this? It's, uh… my pendant." "It's so pretty," Lickety-Split admired. "I wish I had one. Where'd you get it?" "What does it do?" Snuzzle asked. "Whaddya mean what does it do?" Minty argued. "It's just a rock! It does nothing." "Actually… uh." Adagio paused, wondering if she should really be sharing this with a bunch of strangers, strangers she's been told her whole life are nothing but trouble. But these ponies seemed nice enough, and if they weren't as violent as Mazurka said they were, then she was keen to make a good impression on her new pony friends. Everypony waited for what she had to say. "It allows me to sing." "You can sing?" Lickety-Split gasped. "We like singing too!" "Maybe you do," Minty pouted. "Well, come on, let's hear it," Butterscotch hopped with encouragement. "I bet you're a natural." Smiling meekly, Adagio shared glances with all the eager ponies, then began singing. The four ponies seemed to like it so far. And the more she continued, the more comfortable Adagio felt, which allowed her to express more of her musicality. Doing so allowed her to create new types of melodies she hasn't sung before. Butterscotch, Lickety-Split, Snuzzle and Minty all gawked at her in mystified amazement. Their jaws hung loose, and their eyes glowed green. Finally, Adagio finished her singing, and bashfully waited for their response. "That… was… Amazing!" Butterscotch beamed. "I loved it!" Lickety-Split twirled on her hoof. "You have such a beautiful voice." "I wish I could sing just like you!" Snuzzle praised. "Yer amazing, miss sea monster!" Minty said. Adagio's face turned red. Receiving praise from these random ponies gave her a new feeling she had never felt before. She felt admired, and adored. Adagio liked this feeling a lot. So, she continued engaging with the four fillies, and allowed them to give her more praise. "I'm Butterscotch. This is Lickety-Split, Snuzzle, and Mr. personality over there is Minty. What's yours?" "Adagio," she said, bashfully. "My name's Adagio." "Butterscotch!" Called a voice. Another booming voice called for Snuzzle, frightening the five children and making them jump. The four ponies turned to see it was their parents, all of which were walking over to them with strict expressions. Butterscotch's father boomed in a stern voice. "What are you fillies and foals all doing out," But upon seeing Adagio, "GAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" Lickety-Split's mother, followed by the other mothers, screamed at the sight of the Siren as well. Their cries echoed through out the forest and carried over to the village. "Mother? Father?" Lickety-Split said. "What's wrong?" "Keep away from my daughter!" Snuzzle's parents went up and dragged her away from Adagio. The other parents hurried and did the same, hiding their children behind them. "Go on! Shoo, shoo!" Adagio had no idea what was going on, but grew worried upon staring back at their parents. They were not happy to see her one bit. "Mother! What are you doing?!" Lickety-Split asked. "Adagio's with us." "Yeah!" Butterscotch agreed. "She's our friend." "She?!" His father boomed. "That's an IT!" Adagio was appalled. Suddenly, a large herd of ponies came trotting up to them next. They all gasped, screamed, and murmured over the sight of Adagio, who only became more nervous as each mare and colt approach her with unfriendly complexions. Amongst this gathering of Earth Ponies was Captain Seashell. His gasp was the loudest of the bunch. "That's it!" He cried, ruffling through the crowd and pointing at her. "That's the beast! The one sinking our ships, and turning Earth Ponies against one another! There's our culprit!" Each Earth Pony murmured in aggression. The poor foals and fillies didn't know what was happening. They looked at a frightened Adagio, wondering if what they were saying was really true or not. "Are we gonna let 'em keep on getting away with this?" The entire village shouted in disagreement. Seashell got in front of the mob, wielding a hook trident harnessed to his hoof and raising it in the air. "Then let's get 'em!" A thunderous stomping of hooves and cheers of approval set all the ponies off into a rally of fury. "No!" Butterscotch cried, but his parents held him back. The mob became more aggressive, yelling in anger as they pulled out pitch forks and torches, and began swinging them at Adagio the closer they got to her. Adagio was backed up against the bushes. She wanted to fly away, but was too paralyzed in fear to do anything. Everywhere she looked there was nothing but aggression in their eyes, made effective with the fiery torches billowing against their hate filled scowls. Maybe her mother was right. These ponies are nothing short of aggressive, and fueled with negativity. With fire and sharp forks barely breezing her, a thunderous roar shook the ground beneath them. Adagio and everypony looked up to see a much bigger red Siren diving down towards them, along with a cloud of burning, green fire emitting from her mouth. "Hit the deck!" Seashell called. Everypony galloped out of the way just in time before the green flames struck land with a loud crackling and an explosion of fire. Mazurka floated above Adagio, breathing fire at the Earth Ponies until they finally all scattered, taking Butterscotch, Lickety-Split, Snuzzle, and Minty with them. Mazurka floated down in front of Adagio, growling and guarding her from any pony brave enough to have stayed and fight. None were to be had. So, Mazurka grabbed Adagio and flew away into the sky. Captain Seashell went back to try and take them on. But found they had already left. However, Seashell spotted, up in the sky, the bigger Siren taking off with the little one. He watched them soar all the way towards the south western direction. And they continued on this course; never taking any turns even as they vanished further in the cloudy sky. Captain Seashell gritted his teeth and held his hook trident to his muzzle. "I got you now, Sea-Devils." Back at their home, on the Island of Sirenum Scopuli, Mazurka, Adagio and all other Sirens young and old gathered for an indignation meeting. Many different colored Sirens, some green, blue, purple, yellow, orange and red, all flew around and floated in the center cave of their Island home. Now that they've been spotted by ponies, the Sirens all had to vote on what they had to do. Some suggest an invasion before they strike first. Some voted to relocate and find a new Sirenum Scopuli to call home. None of them could agree on anything and continued throwing out suggestions. There was a lot of shame and blame placed on both Mazurka Breeze and Adagio Dazzle, who hung her head while Mazurka glared with crossed hooves. While the Sirens were busy dealing with the next move to make, Mazurka took her daughter away back to their hut. She threw Adagio into their home, who ended up collapsing near her sleeping grounds. Adagio wearily got up, battered from the toss and terrified next of her infuriated mother. "Now you've really done it!" "But, Mommy!" Adagio tried explaining, but Mazurka heard none of it through her seething rage. "I knew you would've tried sneaking off to that Pony village." "Please just listen!" "Do you have any idea what you've just done?!" "I didn't sneak off! I found this cave while I was playing with some friends and there was this silver, glittery stuff everywhere." "What?!" She said with impatience. "It brought me to their village somehow." Adagio stopped becoming feeble, and grew enthusiastic. "But listen to this, Mommy! When I was there, those smaller ponies they… they liked me. They really liked me!" "What nonsense is this now? Where is this silver glitter cave you speak of?" Adagio explained the events leading up to her teleporting to the Pony Village. However, Mazurka Breeze could only shake her head in dismissal. "I know it sounds hard to believe but, when I sang to them," Adagio tried to pluck up courage. "When I sang to those little ponies, instead of getting angry, they were happy." Mazurka shot her an unamused stare with slouched hooves. "Not one of them wanted to hurt me," The little Siren beamed. "And they loved my music. Making them adore me… it actually felt good!" "The only reason they were happy and 'liked' you, is because of these!" She pointed to her glistening gem. "Any feeling of admiration was only conjured by your enchantments." Adagio almost didn't want to admit it, but now that she thought about it, perhaps her mother was right yet again. But then why where those ponies so nice to her before she sang to them? She clapped her hooves, nervously. "But… What if this is a way for us to fit in? If we just use our gems to sing some more-" "Listen to yourself!" Mazurka interrupted. "Have you been tuning out every word I've spoken? We are an ancient tribe destined to remain in shadow while they evolve. We do not coincide with ponies because they are our food source." "But you said all kinds of emotions can fuel our gems." "That's not what I meant!" It was Adagio's turn to cut her off, which only enraged Mazurka to a green, flaming point. "What if we can make them happy and accepting instead of hating each other? We'll be adored by everypony! We can mend the bond between their tribes but still feed off their energy!" "You fool!" Mazurka face hoofed. "Negative emotions are the strongest and only source of energy we feed off of. It is the very foundation and core nature of all living beings." Mazurka leaned closer until her and Adagio muzzles touched. "Ponies and Sirens alike!" She arched back, leaving Adagio winded and full of doubt. She glared at Mazurka, however, just as frustrated in her mother for shutting down her ideas. But still, she believed in her recent discovery, and all this talk from Mazurka felt more and more like backwards thinking than it did something that could align with how Adagio believes Sirens can live a life among ponies. They reach out a hoof to her, so why not try and do the same? "Now cease this nonsense at once or so help me!" But before Mazurka could finish her threat, a loud rumble thundered all around and shook their hut. Some dust fell from the stone ceiling above them. Mazurka and Adagio shared glances of concern. Outside on top in the forest, Mazurka joined a bunch of other Sirens who were also alerted to the continuous rumbles. They hid behind trees and peered out to the open sea. What she and the others saw made their jaw drop. Hundreds of Unicorn and Earth Pony vessels all surrounded and sailed towards their island. Mazurka soared up to the sky to get a better view of this massive armada. They all traveled in an organized fleet from every direction. Single mast Earth Pony ships cruised side by side while Unicorn longships traveled in arrow formations. Some Earth Ponies had catapults while Unicorns had Trebuchets mounted on their ships. And the few that didn't simply carried brigades of ponies or large, metal cages suitable for a Siren's stature. "Fire again!" called an earth pony general. They fired large boulders towards the Island from their catapults. The boulders struck and crumbled into pieces while demolishing and leaving chucks in the mountain. The Unicorns launched flaming rocks from their trebuchets, which hurdled straight towards the small entrances and forest land on top. While Mazurka and other Sirens hiding in the forest managed to evade these on coming projectiles, the flaming fireballs continuously launched by the Unicorn Fleet successfully managed to start a fire and set their trees ablaze. Meanwhile, as the Earth armada sailed closer to the mountain caves, Captain Seashell and the rest of his fleet spotted Unicorns piloting their longships towards Scopuli. "Took yah long enough! But if any Unicorn get in my way," Seashell called in threat, "then those sea-devils won't be the only prize we'll be snatching back home!" "On behave of her highness, Princess Platinum, Earth Ponies are to stand down unless defense is needed while our fleet subdues the beasts!" "Hah! Not a chance! First one to take 'em down gets to imprison them!" Their fleets continued hurdling more boulders and fireballs at the Island, breaking away the rocky structures and setting fire to the land above. Unbeknownst to any fleet, armored Pegasi descended from the clouds in large chariots containing metal cages and Ballista's of their own. Some Pegasi carried nets of flaming charcoal and dumped them down onto the forest. Some fireballs made it past seamlessly through the discreet entrances and roared directly inside to their home. Unable to hide away much longer, a flock of Sirens came roaring out from the forest thicket and towards the armada of ships. They breathed fire to disable their catapults, knocked over their ships and chariots, and combated ponies wielding weapons. The seas surrounding Scopuli were nothing but an imposing battle of Ponies, earth, unicorn and pegasi from above, verses the horde of screeching Sirens. Mazurka fled back into the cavern to return to her hut. She found Adagio curled up in her sleeping corridors listening to the mountain quake and rumble. Once again, she was too afraid to do anything. "Hurry, you fool!" She said, grabbing her daughter. "We must leave this place at once!" The mountain shook again and gave them a jolt. "Mommy? What's going on?!" "Exactly what I said would happen," Was all she seethed. Adagio was surprised at first. Realizing what she meant, she then darted the floor; both nervous and ashamed all over again. Another assault of boulders struck and shook the island. Mazurka held her daughter close and waited for the island to stop shaking before they take off. "Come now, before they catch us!" Mazurka took Adagio through the rocky tunnels and soared along the enclosed channels all while the island thundered and bits of stone dust fell from the ceiling. She tried to find a tunnel that led outdoors, but the fireballs had blocked most of their passages and forced Mazurka to take a different path. At last, they make it outside. But instead of being out in the open, Mazurka and Adagio found themselves in the now burning forest. Trees everywhere were set ablaze and radiated a blinding heat from their billowing flames. Adagio couldn't believe her fire reflecting eyes. There was worst to come. Mazurka looked to the sky and saw a barrage of boulders hurdling towards them. Adagio screamed and hugged her mother. Determined to get them out of here, Mazurka held onto Adagio tight, and boldly flew through the burning woods. She slithered, dodged and weaved passed the billowing flames. Without warning, the large boulders came crashing down within inches of her. She evaded them as best as she could, finding it hard to focus and keep away from the burning trees from scorching her or Adagio. All the while, Adagio kept hugging her mother as tight as ever while crying out in fear. Mazurka had to remain sharp. It was difficult to see past the flames, and even harder to tell where the next boulder would land next. The Boulders crashed against the ground and bounced a few feet. Some knocked down and splintered the burning trees, which created even more dangerous obstacles for Mazurka to deal with as she eluded a few flaming logs, which nearly came tumbling on top of them. Finally reaching the edge of the mountain, Mazurka came to a stop just to find more fleets of pony ships closing in on them. And in the sky, her and Adagio saw even more oncoming fireballs. Mazurka dove down the mountain cliff and into a nearby tunnel before the fireballs could crash land in their vicinity. The island's center cavern where all Sirens migrated was now up in flames, raining debris of rock, and falling apart all around. The only thing lighting their cavern anymore was the flames billowing off the light flowers, tree roots, and the huts built into them. Sirens soared the cavern, trying to maintain their environment to no success. Even worse, Captain Seashell and his fleet of single mast ships sailed into their cavern through the caves, and parked their vessels along the grassland shore at the very bottom center. Unicorns sailed in through the caves too, and disembarked once their longships reached land. Seashell jumped out of his ship, landed in the water and extended his hook trident. "Charrrrge!" Everypony jumped out and cried the call of battle as they galloped towards the center. A few Sirens flew by breathing green fire and whacking fins at their enemies. But despite how powerful they were in comparison, Unicorns and Earth Ponies still had the upper hand. Aiming their Ballista's at an oncoming grey Siren, both pony tribes launched a line of rope which tied itself around their hooves, then their fins, and then their jaws to the point of total immobilization. The grey Siren couldn't break free and found themselves being pulled to the ground while Earth Ponies surrounded her. Another Siren goes to save them, only to have a net fall on top of and tangle her up. They were dragged back by Pegasi soldiers, who tried tying up the net despite the Siren's persistent and aggressive struggle. "Back off, Pegasi!" Called a Unicorn. "These creatures are ours for the taking." "We claimed these creatures first!" A Pegasus argued. "Keep dreaming!" Called an Earth Pony. "Earth Ponies will see to their defeat before any of you bucketheads lay a hoof on 'em!" And just like that, battle cries suddenly switched to mindless bickering and arguments over who gets to take what and defeat who. Little did any pony care to notice that their fight with one another manifested a green, sparkling mist, which streamed towards all nearby Sirens and filled their gems with the power needed to retaliate. And retaliate they did. The grey Siren broke free of their binds, and another from the pegasi's net. And while ponies argued among themselves, it was too late when they saw green flames striking and burning down their longboats, destroying their catapults and metal cages. The fight raged on with Unicorns, Pegasi, and Earth Ponies fighting back against the empowered Sirens, still consuming all the negative energy being released from the battle, and their pony enemy's own little feud. "The skies are too dangerous," Mazurka said, flying through the rocky tunnel. "We'll have to risk storming through the armada itself." "No!" Adagio cried. "I don't wanna get caught!" "You should have thought of that before exposing yourself to those ponies! Rest assured, little one, I will not let," But before she could finish, Mazurka and Adagio stopped and found themselves in the center of the island. And too their horror, both Sirens found their home now withering away beneath the flames and debris of falling rock while Sirens fought pegasi in the air and ground ponies on the lone surface below, all while their home burns. "We'll have to be quick!" Mazurka instructed. She took Adagio and soared below towards one of the seven caves now backed up by ship after ship. But as Mazurka flew past her fellow Sirens and army of Ponies, Adagio found herself hurled forward and landing on the ground with a rough thud. She looked over to find her mother being bounded by rope. Various Unicorn Ballista's shot out more rope which tied her hooves, fin, and jaw in place. She squirmed and struggled but couldn't loosen herself. Adagio cried out with an extended hoof. "NO!" Suddenly, a net was now wrapped over Adagio. Before she could react, a group of Earth ponies held onto the net's ropes tight and pulled her down with a strong heave. Adagio landed with a hard thud against the ground. An overwhelmed Mazurka soon collapsed to the ground as well. Both mother and daughter were being dragged away from one another. Adagio managed to slip her hooves and head through small holes in the net, but the rest of her body couldn't. Mazurka kept on trying to fight and growled while Unicorns pushed her towards their vessel. Adagio's hooves dug against the soil in an effort to get away. She looks back at the Earth ponies hauling her towards their ship. Many Sirens had been caught and locked up in square cages made with stern, metal bars. And the boat Adagio was being taken to had a wide-open empty cage. Realizing where they're taking her, a terrified Adagio struggled and strained, exerting just as much effort to get away but their pull was too strong. Both Sirens were getting closer to their vessels. Adagio didn't want to be taken away or separated from her mother. She rapidly dug her hooves against the dirt and shrieked. "MOMMY!" A petrified Mazurka stopped scuffling and gazed over at her horrified daughter, helplessly trying to escape from her capturers now dragging Adagio onto their ship. Rage boiling inside, Mazurka growled while emitting green flames from her mouth. Hooves firmly gripping the ground, Mazurka pushed and struggled against the tight ropes. The binds held her down, but she wasn't about to let them take her daughter away. To every Unicorns surprise, the crimson Siren broke free of her hoof and fin binds. Holding onto the rope still, the soldiers tried keeping her at bay but soon found themselves jerked forward as she floats up in the air while breaking free from the rest of her binds. Not even unicorn magic could stop her. With as much exertion and growling fury flowing through her, all of Mazurka's binds had snapped off. Upon release, Mazurka let out a loud roar that nearly shook the cavern. Her eyes and fins burned a flaming green. Then she breaths a strong stream of green fire at every vessel she could find, setting them ablaze and scarring ponies into abandoning their ships. She takes out the ship Adagio was being taken to. And with much relief on Adagio's end, Mazurka untangles and released her daughter from the net. Adagio went up and hugged her mother with a stream of tears flowing down her face. "I'm so sorry!" Adagio apologized to no end. "Now is not the time!" Mazurka warned, letting her go and looking into Adagio's watery eyes. Winded from his battle, Captain Seashell stumbles into one of his ships, and finds an unused Ballista. He takes it, aims it at the nearest Siren that he spotted, and launches another binding rope in their direction. Hearing another Ballista shoot off, Mazurka Breeze quickly pushes Adagio away from her, and in the wake of this sudden shift, gets caught yet again in binding rope. "Direct hit, laddies!" Seashell called in triumph. More Earth Pony vessels arrived through the caves and aimed their Ballista's at Mazurka, tying her down from her hooves to her jaw, and rendering her completely immobile. Adagio immediately flew back to try and help her mother. "Stay back!" Mazurka cried. More rope shot at and wrapped around Mazurka, who had no strength left to keep herself airborne as she collapsed back to the ground. Adagio called for her, begged her to keep fighting. Mazurka didn't know what to do, and neither did Adagio. Both looked around and saw most of their fellow Sirens behind cages. The ponies were winning. There was no Siren left to help them, and Adagio was too paralyzed to do anything. Mazurka knew, staring back at her shivering daughter with hooves to her mouth, she had to do something before they catch her next. She was just as terrified as she was. There was only one way out of this. Mazurka Breeze grits her teeth and glares at her daughter one last time. "Away, you fool!" Adagio was dumbstruck. This was the first time she's ever seen her mother this afraid. Earth Ponies, Unicorns, and Pegasi all surrounded her. Mazurka struggled under her rope. "Go, now!" Hearing more Ballista's shoot in her direction, Adagio dodged and took off before she could get caught in another net. She hurried through the widened tunnel and passed pony ships that didn't have time to react, or were too busy arguing with each other to notice. Adagio successfully escaped and kept on flying passed more vessels sailing inside the caves. She wearily found a nearby rock and landed on top of it. She panted and wheezed, completely winded from the scuffle. Adagio looked back at her Island. The entire top portion were the forest once stood was still up in flames and wafted their location brighter than any beacon for miles. Adagio waited a long time for her mother, too see her appear anywhere at any moment. When she didn't, Adagio tried something else. She rose her head, positioned herself, and roared in her high octave cry. But she didn't hear any response. All that could be heard was the crashing water and the crackling fire. Adagio tried again, this time there was a response. A roar almost like her mothers echoed all the way back to her. Hopes high, Adagio roared again. But there was none to be had anymore, no matter how many times she kept on trying. "Mommy?" She sat on the pedestal of rock, watching Sirenum Scopuli fall before her. The black rock she landed on was curved, which allowed a rocky roof over a small, sandy area beneath her. After wallowing in a cycle of denial, Adagio gave up waiting for Mazurka. She hid underneath and collapsed against the sand and stone. Eyes building up with water, Adagio buried her face into her hooves and sobbed, letting a long stream of tears flow out. Her home, her kind, and her mother were all gone. It was too much for her to take. Her bawling became too loud as she nearly whaled under her breath. Adagio forced herself to keep it down. As she predicted, a few ships were now leaving the scene. Longboats and single mast ships sailed by, unaware of the lone Siren weeping away her sorrows. Still leaking tears, Adagio simply laid on her belly while watching them sail onward. She wondered how long it would be before the invasion was finished so she could come out again. But even if she did, what could she do? She had no home and no one to guide her. Adagio was all alone. The fleet didn't sail by her anymore, but there were still battle cries to be heard over on the Island. All Adagio could do was wait it out. She rested underneath the rock for quite awhile, thinking about everything her mother told her regarding hatred, power, and the extent of a pony's wrath. She felt all the more foolish for believing they could coincide with them. Mazurka was right. As a Siren who feeds off their negativity, they had no place in their world. And as a result, the rest of her kind were now wiped off the map. Adagio sniffed back her tears, now thinking about her mother in general, and blaming herself for what happened. Suddenly, a small pebble broke off and fell from the roof. Adagio scurried back in fear and stuttered under her breath. She looked to where it came from and prepared for the worst. 'Those ponies found me', she thought with a racing heart. She hid behind her hooves. The wait was too much. However, leaning her head upside down was another young Siren. She had light cerulean blue scales, and moderate cornflower fins. The Blue Siren stared back at her with a tilted head. Adagio stopped shivering. Another Siren poked her head down, looking more annoyed than anything. This one had light violet scales, and moderate mulberry fins. Adagio was surprised to see them. She didn't know what to say. The blue Siren waved her hoof with bliss as if she didn't watch her home burn up. The purple Siren simply rolled their eyes with irritation over the blue Siren. Adagio joined them back up top, laying between Sonata Dusk and Aria Blaze. All three gazed to their once beautiful home. The fire had finally subsided and the battle cries calmed. Then, to Adagio's surprise, the entire island was now covered in sparkling green mist. But all the Sirens have been captured. The other two sitting beside her weren't singing anything either. Perhaps, she theorized, the green mist was still being produced by the overall brawl. She may not be the last Siren, but they were still hopelessly lost. Adagio sighed, still felling depressed. All she could think about was everything those ponies took from her. With this in mind, Adagio glared back at the island with a fierce stare and growled quietly to herself. Then her eyes widened when Aria and Sonata decided to sing. "Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh." "Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh." She saw that they were consuming all the green mist from the island, which streamed over and seeped into their glistening ruby pendants. "Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh." "Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh." She looked back at the island in all its desecrated ruins. It was there that Adagio finally understood what her mother meant, how anger and hatred really are the strongest and most influential emotions above all. No longer was she lost, or afraid, or nervous anymore. Instead, the more she conjured her revenge, the more Adagio's smirk creased into a devilish grin. Ponies thought they own this world for themselves, that it was always theirs for the taking. 'Who were they to decide what belongs and what doesn't in their little world?' Adagio Thought. If anything, Sirens should be the dominant creatures. Every living thing is just a magical source to fuel their longevity after all. Adagio had a plan to prove this; one she had hoped to follow through before their attack, but now with an entirely different motive in mind. They were going to make this whole world adore them, by spreading conflict wherever they go, and use their magic to bow everypony to their will, so they may feed off their negativity and reign dominance as a new breed of Sirens, whether anypony liked it or not. Adagio Dazzle leaned forward, and joined Aria and Sonata in their harmonious melody by taking the lead, consuming all the green mist brewed from the hatred and conflict their pony enemies have brought upon themselves. "Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh." "Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh." "Ah, ahh, ah." "Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh." "Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh." To Be Continued.