Turning Human

by RB_


Epilogue: Turning Back

It tingled, as Adagio stepped back through the portal. On two legs, this time, as per Sunset’s advice, so she came out the other end the right way up. Sunset had been right; it did get easier after the first time.

It was daylight; in fact, the school itself was occupied. Thankfully, it didn’t appear to be lunchtime; the courtyard was deserted.

With a second flash of light, Sunset emerged from the portal behind her. She glanced around, checked her phone, which had stayed in the pocket of her jeans but somehow remained in the human world as well. The portal was funny like that.

“Well,” she said, noting the date. “That took longer than expected. Hope Principal Celestia doesn’t give me detention for missing school.”

“What day is it?” Adagio asked.

“Thursday. Time is weird between here and Equestria.”

“Oh,” she said. They had spent much longer in Equestria. “Well that’s… good, I guess.”

“Hey!”

Both of them looked up. The shout had come from the road at the end of the courtyard, away from the school. And there, humming, sat a familiar-looking truck… to Adagio, at least.

“Hey!” Aria Blaze shouted again, from behind the wheel. “Where the heck were you, you idiot?”

Adagio’s eyebrows raised.

“See,” Sunset said, smiling. “Told you?”

Adagio looked at her. “Did you… call them?”

Sunset held her hands up. “Nope.”

“Get over here, already!” Aria shouted at them. “I’m sick of waiting!”

Adagio shook her head, but she was smiling, a little. They headed over to the truck, Sunset keeping her distance.

Sonata was sitting in the passenger seat, Adagio noticed; she poked her head out the window.

“Hey, Adagio!” she said. “We’ve been waiting here every day for you to show up again! Aria was wo-rried!”

“Was not,” Aria said, scowling and shoving Sonata back.

“Were too!”

“How’d you know to come here?” Adagio asked, now at the door to the truck.

“I followed you,” Aria said. “Duh.”

“You really need to be quieter next time you sneak out,” Sonata offered. “You woke both of us up!”

“At, like, four in the morning,” Aria added. “Not cool, Adagio.”

Sonata shoved her way forward again.“So, where’d you go?” Her eyes flicked towards Sunset and narrowed. “With her?”

“I’ll tell you later,” Adagio said.

“Then get in already,” Aria replied. “Before I drive off without you.”

“Alright.”

The passenger door to the truck popped open. Adagio made to walk around to it, but stopped, and turned back to her companion. 

“Sunset… thanks.”

Sunset smiled.

“Any time.”