//------------------------------// // Talent Lost, Talent Found // Story: EoH Evolution: Recovery // by Bahamut0 //------------------------------// Arctic Ace was slumbering peacefully. Even when a ray of sunlight crept in from his window, Ace's slumber persisted. But the morning would not be denied, and whipped out the ultimate weapon to end a slumber: the smell of breakfast cooking. A pleasant scent snaked its way through the crack in Ace's bedroom door, and made a smile spread across his face as he slowly rose from his bed and stretched his limbs and wings. "Well, the morning calls." Ace said with a yawn. "No sense in keeping it waiting any longer. I wonder what Shadow's cooking up?" But as Ace exited his room, still clad in his pajamas, he noticed that his younger brother Shadow Thunder was still sprawled out on his bed! "So if Shadow isn't up cooking," Ace thought out loud as he walked towards the kitchen. "Then who's-?" Arctic Ace soon got his answer when he saw Sonata Dusk manning the kitchen. She had gotten three plates out for herself, Ace, and presumably Shadow. "Oh! Hi Ace!" Sonata greeted with a cheerful smile! "Food's almost done, so you won't be waiting much longer!" "Uh. . . thank you." Ace said with a slow nod. "It smells really good. I had no idea you could cook. But, why're you going through the troubling of fixing breakfast for me and Shadow? I can cook too, you know." "Um, well, you're letting me stay here without charging me anything." Sonata said with a bashful look on her face. "And I didn't think it would be nice of me to just freeload off you like me and my sisters used to do back in the other world. So, I figured that I can help out around the house!" "Well, thank you Sonata." Ace said with a kind smile as he pulled out a carton of orange juice from the fridge and poured himself a glass before sitting down to eat. "Wow. This is really good Sonata!" "Thanks!" Sonata said with a bright smile as she topped her plate with food and took the seat across from Ace. "I learned how to make a lot of tasty food in since getting banished." "Well, I guess what I'm doing today is paying you back for the meal." Ace said with a chuckle. "I'll be helping you find a job in town. I'm sorry if that crushes any dreams you had of just sitting around the house watching television all day long." "No big deal." Sonata said with a shrug. "Pretty sure I'd get sick of that after an hour. So when do we start the job hunt?" "After we eat, and I get dressed." Ace answered. "You know despite all you've gone through, you're being pretty up-beat. Being the youngest of your sisters, I'd have thought you'd be the worst off from the three of them." "Adagio and Aria would probably say that's because I'm too dumb to know when to be sad." Sonata said as her expression saddened. "On the contrary. I think it's quite wise of you to do that." Ace said with a comforting smile. "Making the best out of whatever happens to us is part of life." "Really?!" Sonata asked as her expression instantly at hearing Ace's words! "You mean that for realises?!" "Sure I do Sonata." Ace said with a kind smile as he looked Sonata in her eyes. He could have sworn the siren was actually glowing at receiving his compliment. While he had expected Sonata's mood to greatly improve, he wasn't expecting the girl to tackle him to the ground in a hug before he'd even taken a bite from his toast! With him being among the gods now, Ace wasn't all that hurt. Nevertheless, he was still very surprised! "Thank you Arctic Ace!" Sonata squealed happily as she pressed herself as close to Ace as possible! "You're SO not the worst!" "I think you mean 'best', Sonata." Ace said as he patted Sonata's head. "But I can't eat if you latched onto me." "Yes you can." Sonata said as she tilted her head in confusion. "I'll show you. C'mon! Get back into your chair." "Okay. . . "Ace said. Uncertain of how things would play out. "So how am I going to feed myself?" "Ace! Don't be silly!" Sonata said with a giggle! "I'M gonna be feeding you! See?" Sonata grabbed the fork Ace had set on his plate, and used it to scoop up some food. Offering it to Ace with a bright smile. "Say 'Ah'!" 'So. Freaking. CUUUUUUTE!' Arctic Ace thought to himself as his cheeks went from snowy white to bright red in a matter of seconds. 'Sweet Celestia, I literally found my dream girl in my lap!' Ace pushed aside his thoughts as he accepted Sonata's offering. "As nice as this is Sonata, it won't do much good if your own breakfast gets cold." Ace said nervously. "Whoops!" Sonata said with a slight blush. "Heh heh! Right! Sorry about that!" The pair then took their respective seats, and polished off what remained of their breakfast before getting dressed. However, as the two of them walked, a figure watched Arctic Ace with a smirk. A certain girl who was usually clad in a magician's cape and hat. The girl threw a smoke-bomb at the two, and put her hands over Ace's eyes! "Good to see you again Trixie." Ace said with a smile despite his vision being obscured by the magician girl's hands. "I wasn't expecting you to pay Unityville a visit." "How did you know it was me?!" Trixie exclaimed! "You're the only person I know who uses smoke-bombs in that color." Ace answered as he removed Trixie from his person via magic. "So why are you here?" "Well, it turns out they have schools for performing." Trixie said with an enthusiastic smile. "How crazy is that? If I'd heard about them sooner, I might not have had to cook up crazy stories about me vanquishing an Ursa Major!" Trixie let out an embarrassed laugh as she remembered the incident that had a baby ursa nearly trashing town. "In that case, I hope you graduate soon." Ace said with a sincere smile. "Thanks!" Trixie said as she scooted up to Ace, and nuzzled against one of his ice wings. "Nice to know you'll be looking out for me snow angel." Seeing this made Sonata pout and latch onto Arctic Ace! Something that Trixie took notice of. "Well, now. Who's this new audience member?" "Oh. This is Sonata." Ace said as he introduced the former siren. "She was a siren who was causing some trouble in another world alongside her two sisters. Fortunately, Twilight stopped them and brought them in to be reformed." "A siren huh?" Trixe said with a smirk. "Care to give us a performance? Your voices are supposed to be legendary." "I can't." Sonata said crossly. "The gems my sisters and I had were destroyed, so now our voices are awful." "No need to get defensive. Maybe you should've tried singing lessons instead of relying on a crutch." Trixie said proudly. "Trust me. It works wonders." She then returned her attention to Arctic Ace, and nuzzled playfully against his wing again. "Say, Ace? Care to show me your new magic? I heard about your ascension on TV. Care to make an ice sculpture? I make an excellent model." "Sorry. But I've gotta help find Sonata a job." Ace said with a kind smile. "Guess I kinda sidetracked you." Trixie said. "Well, my bad. See you around!" And with that, she departed with a smoke-bomb. Everyone could still see her just walking away though. "Well, that was a welcome surprise." Ace said. He then noticed Sonata's pout. "Are you. . . upset about her mentioning losing your voice." "A little." Sonata half-lied as she blushed a little. "A voice means a lot to a siren. But, she kinda gave some good advice. Maybe I should try singing lessons?" "Maybe." Ace said with a comforting smile. "But I'm sure there's more to you than a good voice and cute face. We've just gotta find out what that something is." "Thank you." Sonata said with a bashful smile. "Btw, how was the breakfast I whipped up today?" "It was great." Ace answered. "You weren't kidding when you said you learned how to cook real good during your banishment." "Yeah. Even my sisters said it was good!" Sonata beamed. "I also REALLY love sweets! The cookies you got for me were super yummy! The only thing more fun than eating sweets is making them." "Is that so?" Ace asked as the wheels in his head began turning. "You know, how'd you like to pay another visit to Sugar Cube Corner?" "Okay!" Sonata said happily as she tried to drag Ace by the hand! The pair soon arrived, but were surprised when Pinkie Pie instantly popped up at the doors in a burst of streamers and confetti. Sonata was even more surprised to notice that Pinkie Pie was an Avatar! "How did I miss that she was a goddess?" she muttered to herself. "Hi Ace! Hi Sonata!" Pinkie greeted! "Smart idea to get Sonata a job here!" ". . . How did-" Sonata began. "Don't try to figure out Pinkie Pie." Ace said. "EVER." "Oh. Okay." Sonata said with a nod. "So how do I join." "Easy!" Pinkie Pie chirped as she pulled out a clipboard. "Just fill this out, and I'll give it to the Cakes so they can give you some training with the equipment!" Sonata excitedly filled out the forms, and the Cakes were surprised with her application. Sonata also seemed to be a natural when it came to sweets as she got the hang of the equipment after just seeing it be used once! She even managed to assist with the afternoon rush when most people came in to get a little something sweet to perk themselves up. "Welp. That settles it." Pinkie Pie said with a nod. "Welcome aboard Sonata! You're a natural at baking! Any chance you'd be willing to help me whip up new creations?" "Really?!" Sonata squealed with joy! "That sounds so awesome!" Soon enough, Sonata and Ace departed from Sugar Cube Corner. "Hey, Ace?" "Hm?" "Did you take me there because you know I like baking?" Sonata asked. "You got me." Ace answered with a smile. "Sometimes talents show up when you're not trying to draw them out. It just takes someone else to see them." "Thanks Ace!" Sonata said with a bright smile as she grabbed onto Ace's arm and nuzzled against it. Blushing slightly as she did so. "You're probably the nicest person I know." "You're welcome Sonata." Ace said as his cheeks tinged pink at Sonata's contact.